If there is a better self-defense load for these Bulldogs I don’t know what it is. .38 Special Wadcutters At 100 Yards – Duration: 5:33. 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. Federal took a different approach. The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes in…things… also makes them hard to reload fast. Even the vintage old school police and military cartridges in plain lead round nose configuration would put an aggressor down with a … Lucky Gunner Ammo 550,542 views. As a result, it delivers every bit of the power a .38 can muster and expands well while doing so. This ammo is intended for target shooting. It cuts/crushes a "cookie cutter", full diameter hole in human flesh just like it does on a paper target. Click on a term to search for related topics. While wadcutters are great for many purposes and an excellent choice for your revolvers, if rapid reloads are important, either chamfering the chambers of the cylinder or using a more streamlined bullet for the reload might be a wise option. Before you read any further, this article is not about the 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter (LSWC) hollow-point +P .38 Special load, but rather about the plain lead semi-wadcutter .38 Special loaded to standard pressure for target shooting by Remington. Semi wadcutters are a more desirable choice for hunting and self-defense. There are a number of good reasons why it’s a bad idea. An added value for wadcutters in most snub-nose revolvers is that they hit point-of-aim/point-of-impact at defensive distances. The 44 spl wadcutters offer, I think, a superior self-defense option. Avoid using novelty (like the G2 RIP) or target ammunition (like FMJ or wadcutter bullets) for self-defense. Most hollow-points will only expand if they get up to a certain velocity, and sometimes the little 2-inch snubby barrels don’t launch those bullets fast enough to reach that velocity. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. 3D Ammunition used to make a nifty 100gr wadcutter load. Best, cheap, bulk Wadcutter WC ammo for sale. For a glimpse into the history of target shooting and wadcutters, check out a free online copy of A.L.A. 3-Gun is the Crossfit of the shooting sports. This allows it to punch a perfectly round hole in … Easy to shoot with less chance of liability or collateral damage. Caleb. Himmelwright’s 1916 Pistol and Revolver Shooting. Exclusively. A wadcutter is a pistol bullet with a completely flat face. The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. Another disadvantage of the … Switch to Hybrid Mode . The most popular caliber for wadcutter is the .38 Special. For many decades. And yes, we are talking about it as a specialized self-defense round. Like all lead bullets, they leave lead residue in the barrel's grooves after use. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, where, due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually … I also like to shoot these wadcutter loads in a pair of custom .44 Specials built on Ruger .357 Blackhawk Three-Screw frames. As a result, wadcutter bullets should only be used for self-defense purposes if there is nothing else available. 45 Colt Wadcutter Self Defense And American Rifleman Self Defense Stories is best in online store. I reload and shoot CMJ bullets, but for carry its factory HP Brands like Atomic, Buffalo Bore, Crosman, Doubletap, Federal, Fiocchi, Jamison … The author was in favor of using these semi-wadcutters at standard velocity for self defense. The wadcutter bullet in its various guises remains the bullet of choice for handgun precision target shooting, with applications for hunting and even self-defense among its aficionados. Although retired and living in a rural area, I still feel the need to keep a gun close at hand. Wadcutters punch a disruptive hole that can be extremely effective at stopping threats. newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. The best selection of hunting, self defense, target, shooting, practice, plinking, surplus, jacketed hollow point/JHP, full metal jacket/FMJ, and frangible Wadcutter WC ammo - buy 1000 rounds or more. Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. I’ve seen some offered in .38 S&W and .32 S&W long. © 2015-2021 TargetBarn, LLC. full wadcutter. However, there’s another popular application for a full wadcutter bullet. They almost never jam and always shoot where they are supposed to, provided the shooter does their job. Privacy Policy   •   Contact Us   •   Warnings   •   FAQs   •  © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. It is easy to see the difference when comparing the two side-by-side. This makes wadcutters, in the right caliber and cartridge, a potentially effective self-defense round. Caleb . 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. Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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Final Word: Wadcutters are Primarily for Competition Shooting, But Self-Defense is an Option The high-performance, high-velocity, jacketed hollow-point rounds generally require a degree of hold off (which applies to both windage and elevation) to get the bullet to strike the desired location, particularly in fixed-sight revolvers. The answer is yes, I do carry wadcutters. AS ALWAYS — it depends. wadcutter ammunition out to 50 yards and sometimes beyond. Wadcutters are pleasant to shoot in snubnose revolvers, much more so than the higher-pressure rounds loaded with lighter and faster jacketed hollow-point bullets. With all of the modern jacketed hollow point loads available for self-defense, it's easy to overlook the venerable lead wadcutter bullet. Same with my 9mm. Buy in stock Wadcutter WC ammunition online. Not explosive like some hollowpoints, but enough WHACK to put small game down and not destroy a lot of the meat. These wadcutters should be called "flying hole punchers" because that is what they exactly are. The downside is the recoil for these loads is greater than the standard target loads. As Hellbent alluded to placing your rounds on target is the most important issue. For my current use I go with two wadcutters from Matt’s Bullets, a 175-gr. A semi-wadcutter bullet was also the basis for the famous “FBI load” – a 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullet, that deleted the flat nose in favor of a hollow point. … As always, test the accuracy and reliability of your chosen .38 Special self-defense ammo at the range before you start carrying it. I know that technology has changed things over the years, but I would like to know what, if anything, is wrong with using wadcutters for defense or various other applications in my revolvers?C.W. Gear. A wadcutter has a flat or nearly flat front that is typically as wide as the caliber size or only slightly smaller in diameter than caliber size. I suspect you have been around the block more than a few times and have survived this long with the decisions you have made. Although retired and living in a rural area, I still feel the need to keep a gun close at hand. Wadcutter Bullets For Hunting And Self-Defense Like the RWS H-Mantel , the wadcutter is very good at the job it was designed for, but it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. There is no free lunch. The Broad Side 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. Times have changed, though, and nowadays, .32 ACP guns are considered too small for ‘proper’ self defense by some people. All Rights Reserved. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? I have not found that 44 spl hollowpoints expand at the velocity you can safely achieve with a 3 inch barrel. My thoughts are that expansion from hollow points fired out of a snub-nose aren't guaranteed and may act similar to a FMJ. George Harris answers this question, which may surprise you. Wadcutters for Self Defense This is a really good, comprehensive, and well-reasoned article on bullet selection in .38 Special ... Loaded to a more normal level of power, the wadcutter really comes alive for defense, hunting, etc. I’ve bought into it. A cartridge loaded with a wadcutter … The "38 caliber" 0.357" to 0.359" wadcutter is most common wadcutter, at least in the CONUS. firearms, we’ve developed this hard cast Wadcutter 200gr. Aside from safety, the objective of shooting is hitting what you are aiming at. AS ALWAYS — it depends. Thoughts on their usefulness from a snub-nose in a self defense role appreciated. Switch to Threaded Mode. Federal 38 Special Ammo 158 Grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter Prices are usually reasonable and they make a decent load for self defense. 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. Thread Tools: Search this Thread: Show Printable Version. The full wadcutter (WC) and the semi-wadcutter (SWC) are the two basic types that branch into a number of derivatives, such as the hollow base (HBWC) wadcutter, double-ended wadcutter (DEWC), hollow point semi-wadcutter (HPSWC) and bevel base wadcutter (BBWC). As a fun gun, a revolver chambered in .38 Special is the perfect tool for introducing the younger generation to the … Using Wadcutter Ammo for Self-Defense. And yes, we are talking about it as a specialized self-defense … Other than that small drawback, wadcutters make a surprisingly good choice for self defense. When I was shooting bowling pins, a popular bullet with revolver shooters was the "lead pencil": a 230-grain .358-diameter full wadcutter. News. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snub-nosed revolvers, where due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually low, … wadcutters is a very serious proposition. Wadcutter Bullets For Hunting And Self-Defense Like the RWS H-Mantel , the wadcutter is very good at the job it was designed for, but it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. If you’re wondering what a semi-wadcutter is, you’re in luck: welcome to the beginner’s guide to wadcutters. Choosing a gun and ammo for home defense is much different than choosing one for self-defense. The iconic .357 Magnum ammo stands out as a top home defense round. New For 2021. Sign up here to find out first about new shooting tips and articles. They are not the same thing, although they are related. Newer post. Don’t use range ammo as self-defense ammo. If you need self-defense or hunting ammo, wadcutters may not be the most suitable option. Many so called “perfect defense calibers” have disappeared over time. Due to popular request to make a potent defensive load in 44 SPL that can be fired in ALL 44 SPL or 44 MAG. Bullseye shooters also use semi-wadcutters in semi-automatic pistols. The wadcutters are also good for all-around plinking, too. Older post. Most handgun makers, including Smith & Wesson, … In self-defense use, they have statistically proven to be no more effective than RNL bullets. Self-defense is self-defense but putting yourself in jail is plain stupid. Buy in stock Wadcutter WC ammunition online. Yes, wadcutter certainly CAN, and HAS, been used for self defense. Concealed Carry, revolvers, self defense, wadcutters. While the wadcutter has an entirely flat front, a semi-wadcutter looks like someone put a cone on top of a wadcutter, then cut the tip of the cone off. 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). We've more info about Detail, … https://www.targetbarn.com › broad-side › what-is-a-wadcutter Jacketed hollow-point ammunition may be a better choice in penetrating intermediate barriers or heavy clothing should either be a factor. In the early days, we qualified and shot competition with .38 Spl. The Smith & Wesson Model 10 introduced in 1899 was a game-changer. Both rounds were fired from my S&W 642 at 10 feet. First, recoil is minimal with .38 Special WCs. Ammo. In my tests they out-penetrate every other 38 Special round (standard velocity) and leave a more devastating wound path. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as.38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, where, due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually low, typically under 900 ft/s, and improved … Full wadcutters can’t expand, and in independent ballistic testing they push through four layer denim and penetrate to the FBI’s recommend depth of 12-16 inches. I know that technology has changed things over the years, but I would like to know what, if anything, is wrong with using wadcutters for defense or various other applications in my revolvers? Ammo, wadcutters may not be the most important issue first, recoil minimal... Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters in a hurry you have been around the block than. Inadvertent errors may occur appearance, their projectile being nearly flush with the case mouth the two side-by-side my are. Hole that can be fired in all 44 SPL wadcutter for self defense 44 MAG n't. 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