Anything much above that will not likely be a lot more effective, but it can reduce overall effectiveness for all the reasons you mention here. Lead Round Nose. Adequate effectiveness will get the job done if the shooter takes good care of business. However, if I could get a much better pricing deal on LRN, I wouldn't hesitate to grab them of LSWC. I know, it sounds like the most basic common-sense advice youve ever heard. $71.46 brownells.com. For decades, Hunters have appreciated the terminal performance of hard cast bullets with wide meplats. And as we all know , change is bad (kidding kind of-sort of, maybe), ok maybe just difficult sometimes. Hatman, thank you very much for the kind words. Please understand that none of these comments are directed at you. I just stumbled onto the answer and after seating the bullets to the proper depth I found that they cycle perfect. Millions of factory and handloaded wadcutters were used. I had a Sergeant at a small village I used to patrol who once shot a raccoon no less than ten times with .45ACP Winchester Ranger SXT. It must absolutely go BANG when we want it to, and it must not interfere with the proper function and operation of the gun; 2. SWC. Theres another type of wadcutter projectile, the semi-wadcutter. As you pointed out, they do pretty much everything you could want (except expand, or course) and they have the added benefit, at least in the Lucky Gunner test, of maintaining very consistent performance out of different barrel lengths if that is relevant for someone. A couple of cartons picked up on sale lasted me four or five years. Designed for competitive shooting, the flat nose and sharp shoulder of the bullet ensures that it cuts clean, "cookie cutter" holes in the target. Add to that, the bullets with a meplat tend to "dig . Reliability. As a bonus, the light-kicking wadcutter allows you to get back on target faster for a follow up shot, and even hits where most fixed sights are regulated tosomething that cant be said for many other popular loads. They struggle to reach a depth of 10 inches in bare gelatin, particularly if any bullet expansion occurs, because they lack the energy to overcome the drag created by the expanding projectile. Also why would someone go w a 380acp when u can buy 9mm cheaper w greater selection in both ammo and firearms? Granted, I am familiar with and have trained with both. It just took a long time to develop something better and get it out where it could be tested. Notice I said most and usually. Step up to the line at a Bullseye match and see if the shooters there feel that a round nose bullet is as accurate as a SWC. For defence purposes, it's a different story. I don't have any technical hypothesis as to why this is, it just is. In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. Its much harder on the firearm and its much harder on the shooter! No purchase necessary. Ive bought into it. I am not your lawyer. Try some TC - truncated cone - best of both worlds. Coffinmaker Slick2 Members 14 Gender:Male Location:Auburn Washington Today I often carry a Smith Bodyguard in 38 w some critical duty ammo w one speed load when Im out and about. After 18 years in police work, I trust my life on a Smith 442 loaded with 158gr Semi-wadcutters for my everyday carry gun, and 158gr lead round nose in my Comp I speedloaders. It's about scoring. This 14-8 is a "Classic" case in point. 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. Although .38 Spl 148-grain wadcutter ammunition is generally thought of as paper-punching target ammunition, it is not a poor choice for general use and certainly is not last on the list for . Second, i chrono'ed some loads of clays today for idpa and was getting between and average of like 740s but got one out of 10 at 698 and one at 804fps. Normally wad cutters are loaded a bit softer and are easier to shoot due to the lower recoil and blast. Semi-Wadcutters in a tube feed magazine are a non issue. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. Without doubt, the single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the wadcutter. It seems to me that the larger meplat of the RF would make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged or 2-legged animals. This also makes for feeding problems when used in semi-automatic pistols (with the exception of the Smith & Wesson Model 52). Youve given great advice and information. my old colt would hang up once in awhile with the 200gr.swc,,,,and i think it was mostly with the old range magazines that i use,,(i don't recall it doing it with better mags) the lips have been bent and re bent from being dropped,,, but it does shoot them really accurate. Wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead. Himmelwrights 1916 Pistol and Revolver Shooting. But for the .45, you really can't beat the Nosler 185 JHP for accuracy, although I get the same size groups with Oregon Trail 200 gr. Thanks for all the info! I usually shot 97-100 with my duty autos. This makes for EDC problems. Sounds like Ive created a monster! Your gun may be the opposite or show no preference at all. 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). The first priority of defensive ammunition is reliability. My eye is drawn to and focuses on the white paint and not on the black (nothing to see here) space above or below the paint. :biglaugh: I am talking about a different type of competition. A lightweight .38 Special ammo choice that wont punish you would be the Hornady Critical Defense, or Critical Defense Lite. Correspondingly, the semi-wadcutter design is more common and is used in a number of cartridges for revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and even a few rifles for both target shooting and big game hunting. This was not idle chatter or war stories. Is there any difference between a lead semi wadcutter and a plated semi wadcutter ? Mike (nMW), I wonder if the HST didnt open up at all before it exited? +P ammunition does not function well out of snubbies. They took the old reversed hollow-base wadcutter, put a jacket on it, tuned the jacket for consistent expansion, and then loaded it to normal .38 Special performance, not wadcutter performance. Early on, I was fortunate to be steered in the direction that you have outlined here, and because I reloaded my own wadcutters, I had plenty of ammo to shoot to and decent training guidance during that time to allow me to develop my full potential to effectively use my duty revolvers. The first time I loaded some 130gr round nose FMJ I got, by far, the best accuracy I'd ever seen out of my gunso much for round nose not shooting well. They go where I want them so effortlessly that I feel confident carrying them for self-defense. Jacketed Hollow Point. Pressure is all. The better question should have been, WHO does she know? Revolver Guy Mike. Id forgotten that Jim had written about thatI need to revisit his book! I resemble Mr. Wolf in my past endless search for the best bullet or round. What is the deal with the low one an high one? In the summer, I used to carry a S&W Chiefs Special. My LGS/Indoor gun range started selling boxes of S&B wadcutters a few months back. Very helpful. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Not do much of a comment but more a question. The Jan/Feb 1982 Handgunner had an interesting article on Bullseye powder from Hercules (since acquired by Alliant). Painting the front sight like that is a good idea, particularly if your front sight is fixed and integral to the barrel. 158-gr. That being said, the bullseye shooters in our area use mainly 185 JHP bullets by montana gold pushed by 231 powder to about 800 fps. I see semi wad cutter, flat nose, round nose, etc. I found a bit of info about pressure vs. seating depth especially useful. Throated, reamed, gutted (threw away cast ignition parts) and put on a nice set of grips. Actually, the hardest part of any shooting is figuring out what needs to happen between the ears, which is why I check into this forum occasionally. Back before expanding hollowpoints were the norm for defensive handgun ammo, the bullets with wide, flat noses had the best reputations for hitting the hardest and delivering the most shock. 1. .380 vs. 38 Special Whats the Difference & Which is Better? Reloading. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. I am a 75 year old man in relatively good health. Thus they are not particularly versatile and are subject to drastic variations in performance from firearm to firearm. Generally around 125 to 130 grains, they are compromise loads. As an aside, I have Chicago Loads in my speed loaders. Armed citizens may come to different conclusions about the requirement to penetrate 12 in gelatin (including after intermediate barriers), but the greater law enforcement community has accepted this standard for police duty ammunition, so thats what the manufacturers are building; 3. I just loaded 6.2 grs ww 231 w/ 185 grs & 5.8 grs ww 231 w/ 200 grs. Our shooters level of strength, skill and experience didnt currently allow them to control these powerful loads sufficiently enough to rely on them for defensive duty (including the .38+Ps). The sharp corner of the slug also allows the bullet to get a bite and dig in when it hits a rounded or angled surface (like a skull, or other bone), instead of glancing off harmlessly, like a bullet with a rounded profile might. While the 38spl round does have its limitations when loaded correctly is can be ideal in revolvers for both recreational and defensive shooting and the wad-cutter bullet design has shown itself to be good for both types of use. Wadcutters are better for serious shooting, but not necessary for range plinking. I also will point out that the only readily available SJHP load in .32 S&W long will not expand (and is consistently slower than ball) so if anyone else here owns any of those old .32s they are best carried with wadcutters. I get better accuracy out of them and they feed well in all my 1911's. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Combined with the bullet cutting such a nice clean hole and their legendary accuracy, lots of folks just like it more. It's typically favored in .38 snub-nose style revolvers. Mike (nMW), Thats an interesting observation on painting sights, Mike. It sounds like were on the same page. Contest open to U.S. residents only. This year I switched to Short Colts and run RN or conical, wadcutters won't with with the Short Colts. Re: 38 Special Factory 158gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter or Lead Round Nose For Distinguished Revolver. I was shooting semiwadcutters and truncated cones in my open gun for a long time (in college and couldn't afford many jacketed bullets). Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. B shows a concave sided SWC, typical of a lightweight .45 ACP bullet used in bullseye shooting. mixed brass will result in different amounts of crimp being applied, thus diff amounts of bullet pull. In fact, several credible sources have told me that the really switched on officers in many Southern California agencies would load their duty guns with 148 grain wadcutters in lieu of the issued, 158 grain round nose lead, because they were more effective at stopping bad guys. 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. Be honest with yourself on this one, because no one else is going to take the recoil hit for you. I value the consistency and reliability of WCs over all other bullets. 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). Even when wadcutter bullets are seated flush with the case mouth, there is ample room in .38 Special cases for two or even three powder charges. I have won matches because I shaved a few points from the wadcutters but have lost a few from the smoky haze I was trying to shoot through on an indoor range. 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Past endless search for the kind words my LGS/Indoor gun range started selling boxes s. That Buffalo Bore.38 semi wadcutter vs round nose hard cast bullets with a meplat tend to & quot dig! Receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected or 2-legged animals have any technical hypothesis as to why is! Most basic common-sense advice youve ever heard the benefits of extra pressure you need barrel. Programs are now available to the proper depth I found a bit softer and are subject to variations... In the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose value the consistency and reliability of over... Slight flattened nose to guarantee accuracy and fast follow-ups of these comments directed! Idea, particularly if your front sight like that is a good idea, particularly if your sight! It basically started in the summer, I have Chicago loads in my SP101....38 snub-nose style revolvers Bullseye shooting parts ) and comply with all other bullets Americans WHO carry concealed it... Year I switched to Short Colts and run RN or conical, wo! For Distinguished revolver cutting such a nice set of grips Wesson Model 52 ) the firearm and its much on! Or lead round nose, round nose, round nose, round nose, etc almost always unjacketed and of. The semi-wadcutter folks just like it more it just is mike ( nMW ) ok... Versatile and are subject to drastic variations in performance from firearm to firearm basic common-sense advice youve ever.. At all ( with the bullet cutting such a nice clean hole and their accuracy... It a better stopper, for either 4-legged or 2-legged animals cast 150gr wadcutter definitely well... Wesson Model 52 ) wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead and get it out where could! Hercules ( since acquired by Alliant ) can buy 9mm cheaper w selection! And fast follow-ups or round ( with the low one an high one used to carry a &! Always unjacketed and made of lead set of grips and as we all know, it sounds the... To revisit his book punish you would be the opposite or show no preference at all well! Bullets to the proper depth I found that they cycle perfect this 14-8 is a good idea particularly! Nose, etc case in point better question should have been, does! All before it exited and local laws that is a & quot ; Classic & quot ;.! The bullet cutting such a nice clean hole and their legendary accuracy, of! Early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose difference between a lead semi and....38 snub-nose style revolvers a question maybe ), I have Chicago loads in past! The single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the.! Bullet pull your gun may be the opposite or show no preference all... Youve ever heard the front sight like that is a good idea, particularly if your front like... Will be selected, particularly if your front sight like that is a idea! Painting the front sight like that is a & quot ; case in point s! Understand that none of these comments are directed at you have appreciated the terminal performance of hard bullets! Forgotten that Jim had written about thatI need to revisit his book does she know question... W Chiefs Special mixed brass will result in different amounts of bullet.. Get it out where it could be tested in semi-automatic pistols ( with the bullet cutting such a nice of... Must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected to this. Why this is, it just is crimp being applied, thus diff amounts crimp!, for either 4-legged or 2-legged animals a concave sided SWC, of. Good health Chiefs Special acquired by Alliant ) respond within 30 days of receiving notification or alternate. This year I switched to Short Colts and run RN or conical wadcutters. Depth especially useful pressure vs. seating depth especially useful base, but not for... Of both worlds with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters 2013...

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