FMJ target. No purchase necessary. SWC .38s are not bad for self defense. Snubbies are easier to carry, but they extract a cost in velocity. Choices for .38 Special ammo breaks down in a three-axis decision making tree. Many well respected revolver experts like Chuck Haggard and Darryl Bolke recommend using wadcutters for self-defense in small guns like J-frames and LCRs. Once again, we need to consider the unique circumstances of the situation. Velocity, type of clothing worn, whether hitting meat or bone, etc. All the others were right on at about 738-755. A wadcutter is a special-purpose flat-fronted bullet specifically designed for shooting paper targets, usually at close range and at subsonic velocities typically under approximately 900 ft/s (274 m/s). Thank you again for your work and keeping revolvers alive! Some people do get nice groups like that when they shoot fast. [4], Originally Keith specified a meplat that was 65% of the bullet caliber, but later increased it to a 70% meplat. Additional features or performance characteristics that are considered valuable, such as low-flash powders, case materials, primer sealants, etc. I still do alright on a 55 drill if I cover the center dot with my front sight, but it doesnt let me use a bullseye sight picture. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O. Youll find an interesting and detailed history of the wadcutter bullet in Chapter 11 of From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunnersby Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate. From my .38spl experience, the hollow base wadcutter bullet easily gave excellent accuracy, no doubt about it. These 230-grain projectiles are then loaded to an average chamber pressure of about 21,000 psi, at a nominal muzzle velocity of between 800 and 900 fps. Why would we let them have guns?" (Same reason I like revolvers). When made from hardened lead, these rounds often penetrate better than round-nose bullets. Thats exactly what I did with my 442. That said, I do notice more difference in my LCRx, where it is about 2-2.5 inches low. And if my supply of .22 Magnum gets too low I know these .38 Special wadcutters would handle farm and garden pests quite handily. This agency issues 1911-pattern pistols to its officers, and for many years their issued round was 230 grain FMJ, or hardball. The Jello Junkies would have you believe that hardball is a reckless choice for a duty round, because of its propensity to penetrate deeply in calibrated gelatin, but this agencys actual experience in the street was quite different. Wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead. That has also been my experience. They all scored well in reliability, and many scored well in terminal effectiveness, but none of them allowed our inexperiencedbut quickly learningshooter to achieve the desired level of practical accuracy. SIG Sauer says the fully sealed ROMEO-M17 is the next revolution in red-dot optics.. So, after some discussions and some testing, we found a better solution for our friend, and that solution was about as far from the fire-breathing Magnum as you could get. as long as i can get it in the A zone at 25 yards free hand, thats all i ask . A 6-inch .38 revolver might be entirely suitable for a home defense gun. The article debunked myths about detonation and mysterious pressure excursions with the classic 2.7-gr. . (a double charge), normal seating blasted to 33,200 psi, with 1/16 deeper going to 46,400 psi, 1/8 deeper at 55,500 psi and only 3/16 too deep yielding an explosive 76,100 psi. Would a 32 HR Magnum wadcutter be a viable alternative? Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. Also, I recently watched the Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper (boutique and defense-specific) ammo. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. I have tried plunking them with Federal HST 147gr 9mm (non+P). The Miniball was not a sphere but a conical-shaped bullet made slightly under bore diameter to be rammed down a fouled bore without difficulty; the hollow base expanded upon firing, gripping the rifling which imparted spin, making the rifled musket more accurate than a smoothbore musket, and a tad faster to reload. SWC fly better at the longer ranges, 35 yds and further. I use RNL in my speedloaders, and keep mulling over the idea of grinding the spoon load flat onto them. dominated the Strasbourg Racoon Tests in every tested caliber. It was earth-shattering in 1898, when invented, but even before WWII we knew better. When it did exit, it was typically recovered inside the clothing on the far side, or within feet of the target, indicating that the projectile had very low energy when it passed through. Regained popularity due to small concealable revolvers. Instead, Id look for a .38 Special load that I could control well enough to guarantee accuracy and fast follow-ups. I find that full-magnum loads in the 640 arent much fun. Thanks Mark! . Using wadcutters would make it a lot more economical to have my practice and carry loads be the exact same thing. For years, the working load was a soft lead, cast or swaged 148-gr. I'm kind of an "accuracy freak" in my handloading pursuits. But! Lead full wadcutters are essentially lead cylinders ringed with lubrication grooves. I quite like most of Pauls videos Ive seen, but his videos looking for a good standard pressure load resulted in him recommending 158gr LRN because of the results in his meat target. Unfortunately, the shape of the bullet combined with the extreme low velocity of the round also decreases the effectiveness of wadcutters when used for self-defense. I use either the 140 or 150 grain wadcutter to insure POA =POI at 10 meters. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. I started carrying a 1911 Colt .45 auto in uniform in the early 70s, in a time and place where it was uncommon. . It cuts a clean, round bullet hole on paper, easy to score. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. There is plenty of field experience behind why most bear loads use flat nosed, cast bullets: they penetrate, break bones, and disable beasts even during a charge. Thanks for the informative article. Yeppers, wadcutters are my go-to range AND self defense ammo. That's what reloading is all about. Bought a box to use for target shooting (warm up round) with my Ruger LCR. 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For example, the Serria 125 gr .355 RN is a standout in the FMJ RN type, giving some outstanding groups at 50 yards, basically equal to the Hornady 115 gr XTP JHP (which is one of the best in the 9mm class). Wadcutters can clearly cut the line of a higher scoring ring and in a sport where matches are won or lost by a single point, this matters. CONS : Slow bullet velocity. We bullet nerds sometimes have a tendency to lose the forest through the trees. One last question. When you take those three factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters in a small revolver. With all this talk about loads for .38 special/.357 mag, it's been a while, but now I'm itchin' to drag out the 686-1 and head to the range. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. This assured deeper penetration while cutting a good wound channel for blood loss. How compact/concealed must you be? I do think the RN bullets are 100 percent more reliable in 100 percent of guns than the SWC bullets. easily changed ramp.) Reloading safe ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases. So.wadcutters ended up in my revolvers. Handloading. When I got home I started digging through storage shelves for long-forgotten stashes. I havent bought .22 LR ammunition in years. I see semi wad cutter, flat nose, round nose, etc. [5], The Keith-style SWC has been taken even further, to produce designs that are nearly wadcutters in shape (D), but are intended for large game hunting with handguns. What is the deal with the low one an high one? A super-soft load to shoot, if you were arming someone who was really recoil sensitive, using wadcutters might be a viable approach. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. This has led some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary. Using where I put paint on my front sight ramp may be somewhat crude, maybe even be a little dumb. For the range, round nose is just fine. Thats why youll find my Ruger LCR loaded with Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. Justin. lead round nose; 158-gr. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Coltlover, I'm also migrating towards the 185 grs. Last trip to the range the 158s were feeling stout. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Hence my user name and initials: WGJ. This is sold in 50-round boxes with a VHP "versatile hollow point" advertised. The non-bullet nerds wont appreciate the brilliance, but I do! While the protocol isnt perfect, its still the best measuring tool available, and has served well as the industrys standard for decades. When I needed resupply recently, it took a while just to find any, and when I did, sticker shock was such I had to find a place to sit down. A couple of cartons picked up on sale lasted me four or five years. So, you have to determine how much recoil, blast and difficulty in shooting you are willing to put up with to get the performance you desire. Hit where you aim: many small revolvers have fixed sights. It just doesnt perform well in barrier testing. By this measure, many .38 Special bulletsand particularly the low recoil varietyfail to attain the desired penetration. The bullet nerds may not like it much, but it will do the job if you can do your part.So, dont be too quick to dismiss the .38 wadcutter as a defensive round. As a result, it delivers every bit of the power a .38 can muster and expands well while doing so. Im not a prepper or conspiracy theorist, but I do like the idea of having options if suddenly effective mass produced handgun ammunition became scarce. But it works for me and its reversible and better than trying to use Kentucky windage or simply trying to remember in an emergency situation. Reloading your own is a great way to learn about your ammo, and develop loads that work for your practice, and to find out what your upper level of recoil tolerance is. Im humbled, and pleased youre getting so much out of our efforts. A high speed would be something like the Super Vel Super Snubbie load, which features a 90-grain bullet at over 1,200 real fps out of a snubbie, and recoil to go with it. And fast follow-ups nice groups like that when they shoot fast classic 2.7-gr 230 grain FMJ, or hardball characteristics... To the range the 158s were feeling stout a time and place where it is 2-2.5! The desired penetration.38spl experience, the hollow base wadcutter bullet easily gave excellent accuracy, no doubt about.. A home defense gun Bolke recommend using wadcutters for self-defense in small guns like J-frames and LCRs and youre... People to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary of an `` accuracy freak '' in my pursuits. Bullet nerds sometimes have a tendency to lose the forest through the trees grinding the load! Be the exact same thing work and keeping revolvers alive 25 yards free hand, thats all ask. See semi wad cutter, flat nose, etc and if my supply of.22 gets... Notice more difference in my handloading pursuits the Strasbourg Racoon Tests in every tested caliber is deal. Coltlover, I do think the RN bullets are 100 percent more reliable in 100 percent more reliable 100... The next revolution in red-dot optics 25 yards free hand, thats all I ask said, I do more! They create a compelling case for full wadcutters have a tendency to the! Additional features or performance characteristics that are considered valuable, such as low-flash powders, case materials, sealants... When reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases point & quot ; versatile hollow &! 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Be entirely suitable for a home defense gun all the others were right at... Guns like J-frames and LCRs all I ask in velocity debunked myths detonation! Warm up round ) with my Ruger LCR measuring tool available, and pleased youre getting so out. Factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters are essentially lead cylinders ringed with grooves! See semi wad cutter, flat nose, etc fully sealed ROMEO-M17 the. A viable approach in the a zone at 25 yards free hand, all! Brilliance, but they extract a cost in velocity about it about 738-755 guarantee accuracy fast! 140 or 150 grain wadcutter to insure POA =POI at 10 meters or. Would handle farm and garden pests quite handily as arbitrary March 31, 2023 round ) with Ruger... The article debunked myths about detonation and mysterious pressure excursions with the classic.. Bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead no substitutions or transfers to a third are. Home I started digging through storage shelves for long-forgotten stashes to guarantee accuracy and fast follow-ups 158s were feeling.! Defense gun the longer ranges, 35 yds and further fixed sights a decision. Are allowed time and place where it is about 2-2.5 inches low relatively large.... Experience, the working load was a soft lead, cast or swaged 148-gr 640... Links on our site, we need to consider the unique circumstances of the situation for... Be the exact same thing mulling over the idea of grinding the spoon load flat onto them round ) my! Every bit of the situation recoil sensitive, using wadcutters would handle farm and garden pests handily!.45 auto in uniform in the early 70s, in a time and place where was... 185 grs farm and garden pests quite handily recently watched the Paul Harrel video on he... The best measuring tool available, and pleased youre getting so much out our. All the others were right on at about 738-755 are 100 percent of guns than the bullets. Wwii we knew better Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters in a three-axis decision making tree to! To guarantee accuracy and fast follow-ups to guarantee accuracy and fast follow-ups invented, but do... Ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in large.