What's a wadcutter?

socks

Might be a dumb question, but, as it relates to a .38 spl round,
exactly how do you define the term 'wadcutter'? How does it differ
from 'semi-wadcutter' and does it offer any advantages or disadvantages over the standard .38 spl flat nose or round nose round?

nononsense

socks,

Wadcutters are a straight cylinder with a slight bevel on the nose in some styles. They are usually cast and come in other styles such as the double base wadcutter and hollow base wadcutter. Wadcutters are used mostly for target shooting because they cut a very neat hole that can be scored easily. Besides revolvers, wadcutters have been used in a specialty semi-auto S&W M52 for target shooting.

Semi-wadcutter



Wadcutter


Best.

Txs

A full wadcutter has a flat nose and doesn't extend beyond the case mouth. It almost appears to be an empty case when wviewed from the side.

A semi-wadcutter also has a flat nose but extends well beyond the case mouth.

Full wadcutters are designed for target shooting because they cut a nice, clean and easily scored round hole. They're also normally very downloaded, low recoil rounds.

RCrosby

Hollow based wadcutters can also be loaded "back side to", with the hollow base becoming a gaping hollow point. Nice for short range coup de grace, but I wouldn't recommend it for serious social work.

givette

Response to earlier post:

Reverse the hollow-base wadcutter bullet. Use a normal field loading for the weight bullet. Don't use reduced target loads.

Voila!! Excellent man-stopper!! Wound channel tests show it is quite devastating, thank you. Joe

RCrosby

My caution on the reverse wadcutter for "serious social purposes" was made, not because of what it might actually be capable of doing, but rather what I'd feel comfortable defending in a court of law. I'd rather use a good keith style SWC than try to defend loading a bullet contrary to its intended use with the intent of reeking maximum havoc.

Zinderbloc

I agree with RCrosby. A factory-loaded SWC-HP is a better choice.

Wolf.

--
---ditto--- on the politically correct bullship.

A full wadcutter, as stated, is generally a low-powered round for target shooting. However, it makes a very dandy little squirrel load for doing your part to eradicate the little bastids.

givette

RCrosby: Thanks for the heads up on the legal end of things. From now on, I'll stick with store-bought ammo* to use for defensive purposes.

*I have two boxes of Federal Nyclad .38sp. Best, Joe

beantownshootah

As above a "wadcutter" is a bullet designed to punch a clean round hole in a target piece of paper for competition/scoring purposes. The "true" wadcutter bullet is of uniform diameter and resembles a can.

These bullets are USUALLY loaded to lower than normal velocities for lower cost, noise, and recoil, making them well-suited both to formal target shooting and to practice.

All lead (eg cast) bullets are usually used because they are cheaper than jacketed, and at low velocities, won't lead up the bore of most guns (therefore copper jacketing isn't necessary).

The point of sinking the bullet into the case is to take up extra volume inside of the case. That allows for more consistent firing (eg increased accuracy) with the lower-than-usual powder charge.