The earliest wadcutter on commercial record is the c. 1900 Himmelwright, still available from Matt’s Bullets. If this needs to be moved to another thread please feel free. 148-grain HBWC bullet. Classic Load. The semi-wadcutter feeds great, no problems there but I was wondering how safe it is. The SWC combines features of the traditional round-nosed bullets and the wadcutter bullets used in target shooting, and is used in both revolver and pistol cartridges for hunting, target shooting and plinking. Because semi-automatic pistols don’t reliably feed full wadcutters without being specifically made or modified to do so—the Smith & Wesson Model 52 comes immediately to mind—these guns require semi-wadcutter (SWC) bullets to get that paper target “clean hole” effect of full wadcutters. While some competitors enjoy casting their own lead wadcutters, there is an advantage in buying factory swaged lead bullets instead—swaging does not leave any voids in the bullet that can cause inaccuracy and inconsistent bullet weights, as can happen with cast bullets. Himmelwright’s 1916 Pistol and Revolver Shooting. White. It’s a ‘halfway house’. Last edited by beezapilot; 01-29-2017 at 07:13 PM . Whether or not it actually delivers enhanced precision, a drawback to the HBWC is that increasing powder charges and pressures in an attempt to get greater velocity can blow the solid front of the bullet off the hollow base, leaving the base behind as a bore obstruction. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A semiwadcutter (SWC) or flat-nose is a type of all-purpose bullet commonly used in revolvers. Because the flat nosed bullet is not well suited for feeding out of a magazine, wadcutters a… The Remington load has always been my carry load, it chronographs at about 800 fps from my s&w 638 airweight. Semi-Wadcutter (SWC) This type of bullet has a blunted tip. Let’s spotlight a few wadcutter designs. CONS: Slow bullet velocity. Some shooters load the HBWC backwards in the case, believing it creates a particularly effective hollow point bullet for self-defense. As you can see in the photo above, the.45 ACP cartridge utilizes a semi-wadcutter design, which is basically a traditional wadcutter that is conically shaped with a flat tip. A semi wadcutter (SWC) round is essentially a cross between a normal round nosed bullet and a full flat nosed wadcutter. Join Waitlist. Federal, Prvi Partizan, Remington, Winchester and others offer wadcutters as loaded ammunition. Some of these are intended, not for paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense. Not a cure, but a dramatic difference all the same. Pros And Cons Of Wadcutters HBWC (hollow base wadcutter) and 2.7 gr. Even though the wadcutter doesn’t actually expand, it tends to penetrate soft tissue very reliably. Typically the velocity in 6″ revolver barrels, or in the 5″ barrel of the much-admired S&W 52 semi-auto pistol, was around 750–800 fps. They are not the same thing, although they are related. The first question we’re going to answer is “what is a wadcutter?” That’s easy. In the aforementioned 11th chapter, the authors tell us the earliest wadcutter bullet was the Himmelwright wadcutter offered as an Ideal bullet mold in the year 1900. A wadcutter, on the other hand, because of the flat front and hard right angle, it does to soft tissue kind of what it does to paper — it punches a sharp hole that’s a lot more disruptive than a round nose. 3- Wadcutters (according to some) are shorter range, but punch a full caliber hole in paper for scoring ease. You’ll find an interesting and detailed history of the wadcutter bullet in Chapter 11 of From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners by Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate. One reason the LSWCHP in .38spl.+P is widely considered a very good defensive round from a snubby. Armscor – 44 Mag – 240 Grain – SWC – 400 Rounds $ 215 00. If, for some reason, your day has taken the world’s most unlikely turn and you’re having to reload a small defensive revolver in a hurry, wadcutters are not your best friend. Classic Load. Semi wadcutters may feed better in some guns but I never had any problems with my Clark conversion using full wadcutters. 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. CONS: Slow bullet velocity. Although every manufacturer has a slightly different take on it, the semi wadcutter bullet looks like a small cylinder with another conical cylinder placed on top. That’s why you’ll find my Ruger LCR loaded with Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. 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. 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). Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. Hit where you aim: many small revolvers have fixed sights. For years, the working load was a soft lead, cast or swaged 148-gr. of Bullseye. Other than that small drawback, wadcutters make a surprisingly good choice for self defense. Typically the velocity in 6″ revolver barrels, or in the 5″ barrel of the much-admired S&W 52 semi-auto pistol, was around 750–800 fps. In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. True Shot's best selling Semi-Wadcutter. Saturday, April 4, 2020. Semi-Wadcutters Bullet jacket lengths are relative to the lead coverage on typical pistol bullets. I’ve bought into it. Bullseye shooters also use semi-wadcutters in semi-automatic pistols. What’s not to like about that. That’s why I definitely think that wadcutters are good for self defense. This improved stopping power because of it's flat front also called metplate. The Miniéball 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. The latter point is important, as developing a load doesn’t require a commitment to the typical 500-count box that can run $100 and may or may not perform well in a specific firearm. Honestly most manufactures make a good defensive round. Four .38 Specials pose for comparison; (l.-r.) jacketed hollow point, lead round nose, lead semi-wadcutter and full wadcutter. Wadcutters, semi wadcutters, and the like aren’t as sexy, and sure, they don’t exhibit the same theoretical damage to soft tissue in an ideal situation as a high tech hollow point. Browse our full selection of Semi-Wadcutter. Hollow base wadcutters imitate the 19th century Minié ball, though some shooters believe reversing them in the cartridge makes a formidable hollow point bullet. There are basically two types of wadcutters: The first is the wadcutter we have discussed above, which has the flat base that is flush with the casing. long-nosed semi-wadcutter. A variety of wadcutter types exist: HBWC (Hollow Base Wadcutter), DEWC (Double-ended wadcutters), BBWC (Beveled-Base Wadcutters), and SWC (Semi-Wadcutters). For those who require absolutes, Smith & Wesson’s New Model No. PROS: Punches big holes in targets. WC over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. The Buffalo Bore 158 grain semi-wadcutter standard pressure .38 special was fired out of the model 19 but not the j frames. The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes in…things… also makes them hard to reload fast. The essence of education is self reliance- T.H. All Semi-Wadcutter. How would a wadcutter or semi-wadcutter, 158 grain, 38 special (not +P) be for a self defense round from and older S W 38 special hand eject? Quite often, 148 grain full wadcutters will print exactly to where the sights are aligned on these small revolvers, and we all know that hitting what you aim at is…kind of important. Chief among them is ease of reloading. I'm curious which load would be more accurate and pleasant to shoot. It averaged over 860 … Semi wadcutters are more popular than full wadcutters and used in a cartridge for semi-automatic pistols and revolvers. Formal bullseye target shooting with revolvers appears to have begun soon after the end of the American Civil War, coincident with the advent and improvement of self-contained metallic cartridges. © 2015-2021 TargetBarn, LLC. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. (To distinguish between the two, basic wadcutters are sometimes called “full wadcutters.” A semi wadcutter incorporates the benefits of the wadcutter bullet and eliminates the drawbacks. The semi-wadcutter allowed for the same full diameter hole, better down range performance, and more likeliness to expand. It’s typically favored in .38 snub-nose style revolvers. WC loads present wide, flat surfaces that can cause a bit of fumbling when trying to insert or drop them into a revolver cylinder, especially when employing a speed loader, while noses of SWCs present some taper to guide cartridges into chambers. Not just for handloaders, there are plenty of choices in wadcutter loaded cartridges as well. 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). 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. When used for a semi-wadcutter style, the full jacket makes only the heaviest weights. Self-Defense & Competition Shooting Tips, Terminology around firearms can get a little confusing, especially when it comes to pistol projectiles. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. The ragged holes typically left in paper targets by standard profile bullets can be difficult to score when they land close to a target’s scoring rings, and can cost bullseye shooters some points. Sign up here to find out first about new shooting tips and articles. Jacketed or clad (electroplated) WCs typically don’t have need of the grooves, though sometimes the noses may sport some manner of a crimping groove. Plating is much thinner and won't withstand much higher velocities than plain (soft) lead, but will cut down on airborne lead particles and smoke upon firing, making it better indoor range ammo. Originally intended for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a semi-wadcutter for hunting. By John Travis on April 3, 2016 in 1911Tuner, Gun Talk. ARCHIVED; Posted: 7/5/2010 1:44:15 PM EST One of the things that the 148gr full wadcutter bullets have going for them is that they take up much of the empty airspace in a 38 or 357 case, which can be good for consistent powder burn. All Rights Reserved. The friggin' wadcutters give about 15'' of penetration at .38 expansion with only 97 PF. One of the most significant disadvantages of wadcutters is the reduced velocity. _____ Good shooting and be safe. Similar in concept, the HBWC is full diameter rather than undersize à la the Minié. by Art Merrill, Field Editor - The SWC bullet provides enough bullet nose to permit smooth feeding from magazine to chamber, while the flat meplat and sharp-edged ogive punch the clean hole. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a … For a glimpse into the history of target shooting and wadcutters, check out a free online copy of A.L.A. It’s typically favored in .38 snub-nose style revolvers. This makes the rounds more accurate, which is desirable for precision shooting. Theoretically, expanding combustion gasses fill the hollow base to keep it pressed tightly against the rifling to discourage the bullet “stripping” past the rifling, resulting in improved shot-to-shot consistency. HBWC (hollow base wadcutter) and 2.7 gr. With my two new .357s, I wasn’t too interested in target shooting, however, I did load thousands of rounds of .38 Specials using Elmer Keith’s recipe — 13.5 grains of #2400 under his 168-gr. The essence of education is self reliance- T.H. This, combined with the fact that many semi-wadcutter bullet designs have a grease filled groove cut into the side, means that semi-wadcutters may be safely fired at much higher velocities than traditional wadcutter bullets. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? Berry’s .38 cal. For target shooting, a wadcutter cuts a very clean hole through the paper target, making it easier to score and ideally reducing errors in scoring the target in the favor of the shooter. "That is all!" I want to pose a question regarding semi-wadcutter ammo in my Marlin 1894. “Full” wadcutters are so-named to differentiate them from semi-wadcutters; the abbreviation, “WC” is generally understood to identify the full wadcutter. Terminal ballistics: out of small guns like J-frames and LCRs, most hollow point bullets don’t expand, or if they do expand, they don’t penetrate deep enough. Lead full wadcutters are essentially lead cylinders ringed with lubrication grooves. +P means loaded to higher working pressure. Putting some .38 Special target wadcutters to the test against modern .38 Special+P JHP's. They have found use in .45 ACP cartridges, often for target-shooting with a 1911-style pistol. Why would you use a wadcutter? The original venue of wadcutters, the bullets make clean holes in paper targets. HBWC rounds are best used at only the lowest velocities, as by being hollow at the rear end, they can split under heavy loads. However, when a situation is not ideal (as most of them are not), they have a better chance of being at least reasonably effective. It is also used in rifles for big game hunting and target shooting. 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). Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. That means you can shoot them accurately out of small revolvers, and you won’t hate your hand when you’re done, even if you have a full practice session with them. For years, the working load was a soft lead, cast or swaged 148-gr. Till Buffalo Bore no commercial manufacturers loaded a full wad cutter in self defense loadings, none. A good semi-wadcutter and not one cast as hard as concrete can work just as well, providing good performance and appropriate penetration and at a cost that makes them fun for you and your wallet. I recently used the wadcutter load to shoot a very large 'possum stealing eggs from my chicken house. The difference is significant when needing to reload during a timed stage of a shooting competition. Semi-wadcutters are the other type. Because was many failure in police gun fights there was a lot of development work starting in the 1970s. The 3/4-jacket covers nearly the entire shank, leaving the nose exposed. 3- Wadcutters (according to some) are shorter range, but punch a full caliber hole in paper for scoring ease. The friggin' wadcutter, designed for target use, gives better peformance at a lesser power factor. Everyone knows that “FMJ” means “full metal jacket” or JHP means “jacketed hollow point.” Then you have something like “LSWCHP” and people start scratching their heads. Hollow base wadcutters (HBWC) harken back to the Miniéball of 1848, designed for rapid reloading of a combat muzzleloading rifled musket. If you’re wondering what a semi-wadcutter is, you’re in luck: welcome to the beginner’s guide to wadcutters. For questions/comments about Shooting Sports USA, please e-mail:ShootingSportsUSA@nrahq.org For questions/comments about NRA competitions, please e-mail:CompHelp@nrahq.org You can contact the NRA via phone at: NRA Member Programs1-800-672-3888, To advertise on Shooting Sports USA, visit nramediakit.com for more information. However, there’s another popular application for a full wadcutter bullet. It’s not all great with wadcutters, because in one area they don’t shine at all: reloading. 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. White. Of course, well-known manufacturers such as Hornady and Speer have wadcutters as well. The full jacket is made for ogival-type bullets (no shoulder). [ARCHIVED THREAD] - 357 Magnum: semi-wadcutters vs full profile wadcutters. Matt’s Bullets in Arkansas is an excellent resource for cast lead wadcutters, with a variety of types available at reasonable cost in quantities as low as 100. The buffalo bore wadcutter load averaged 863 fps out of the same gun and had the same perceived recoil. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. Filter Products. Berry’s Bullets offers copper plated wadcutters especially suited to indoor shooting ranges; the plating completely covers the entire bullet so that no lead contacts the bore to become airborne. The standard target load at the time was a 148-gr. I like good old Hydroshock's and Ranger SXT. Paul tests the effectiveness of semi wadcutter hollow points. Best Selling Semi-Wadcutter. There’s another type of wadcutter projectile, the semi-wadcutter. Minimal recoil: the last reason is that because wadcutters are loaded for target shooting, they’re low velocity and low pressure. PROS: Punches big holes in targets. 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. Though full wadcutter bullets are often unreliable in semi-automatic pistols, semi-wadcutter bullets usually work much better. (Photo courtesy of Berry’s Bullets), Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, How To Lose At Dueling And Still Survive: Wax Bullets, The Best .22 Caliber Pistols for NRA Bullseye, 8 New Competitive Shooting Products For 2021, Heavy 9mm Luger Bullets: Everything You Need To Know, Lena Miculek Secures Top PCC Honors At 2021 Florida Open, © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. Forums › Hunting › wadcutters for pesting Views : 789 Likes : 0 Likes : 0 | Subscribe November 15, 2019 at 8:42 pm Link tsmithParticipant Member whats everyones opinion for using wadcutters for close range pesting with 15-18 ft. lbs …. Wadcutters are a target round, they cut nice round holes in targets. This was done to improve stopping power. When you take those three factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters in a small revolver. In this case, LSWCHP stands for “lead, semi-wadcutter hollow point.”. Privacy Policy   •   Contact Us   •   Warnings   •   FAQs   •  © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. 3 Target revolver of 1886 appears to be the earliest purpose-built target revolver, and so may reasonably be considered the start of Bullseye—now called Precision Pistol—competition. .45 Colt Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point Bullets. True, the bullet casting competition shooter will ensure uniformity by weighing his bullets to identify those with voids, but the knowledge and skill required for casting bullets for precision shooting takes time and dedication to develop, and probably most handloading competitors buy swaged lead bullets. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - 357 Magnum: semi-wadcutters vs full profile wadcutters. Some small game hunters utilize the hollow point semi-wadcutter (l.), and it performs on paper like the SWC (r.). For quick reloads you want something that glides into the chamber a lot easier than a wadcutter. 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. Out of stock. The Broad Side whats everyones … Get the Shooting Sports USA newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. For example, a .38 Special wadcutter, abbreviated “WC” will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the case mouth. of Bullseye. The friggin' wadcutter, designed for target use, gives better peformance at a lesser power factor. Some of these are intended, not for paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense. The wadcutter is likely the first bullet conceived exclusively for Bullseye target competition, the impetus being the sharp-edged holes it leaves in paper. Secondly, the SWC has a somewhat better ballistic coefficient (BC) than the WC, and theoretically may perform better over distance. Semi-wadcutters, however, can be more reliable in pistols and can sometimes be used in semiautomatic weapons. BY now, most have read of the difference the “Hybrid” magazine has made in the feed reliability in the 1911, in spite of some damage done to the feed ramp. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. Hi folks, I am new to CAS and this forum, actually I have my first match this coming weekend. There’s no reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and several reasons to do so. Semi-wadcutters generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters. Elmer Keith was the designer. The .45 ACP cartridge in the Model 1911A1 pistol is a common example. Hybrid vs Wadcutter 1911 magazine. Without doubt, the single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the wadcutter. A plated semi wadcutter is simply a lead bullet washed in copper as opposed to having a thick copper jacket. I'm curious which load would be more accurate and pleasant to shoot. Thanks in advance. I only use fully jacketed hollow points over semi jacketed so the bullet retains it mass and doesn't break up in the wound channel. Jesus said, "Ye must be born again!" Dipperman "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." BBWC have been developed to permit easier … The original wadcutter made specifically for competitive target shooting was the Himmelwright wadcutter (Ideal #429220), which was unveiled in 1900 (and cataloged up through HB #39, 1953 and listed in the Handbook of Cast Bullets, 1958). These gentlemen provide a free PDF copy of their 183-page book for fellow handloaders and shooters. Disadvantages of Wadcutters. The friggin' wadcutters give about 15'' of penetration at .38 expansion with only 97 PF. They are not the same thing, although they are related. Showing all 5 results. DEWC rounds are best suited for automatic press reloading uses, as they may be used when loaded with either end pointed forward. 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 pistol bullet with a completely flat face. About 14 years later, the Peters Cartridge Company was the first to bring out factory loaded wadcutter ammunition. Please advise with all opinions. Well obviously for target shooting, as it was originally designed. would help to reduce pass throughs and dump all the energy. Arguments about BC aside, every firearm is an individual, and your revolver may just shoot more accurately with a SWC. Round nose flat point vs. Semi-wadcutter Question If used in the same cartridge, at equal velocity, and approximately the same boolit weight, how does a round nose flat point compare to the semi-wadcutter (Keith type) in effectiveness on game? (Photo courtesy Matt’s Bullets). Where a rounded tip would slide through a target, the flat tip (“meplat”) punches a big hole. ARCHIVED; Posted: 7/5/2010 1:44:15 PM EST One of the things that the 148gr full wadcutter bullets have going for them is that they take up much of the empty airspace in a 38 or 357 case, which can be good for consistent powder burn. 38 Spl Semi wadcutter or also known as Keith bullet. I could not tell any difference in accuracy between the two bullet types and would go with semis every time unless there is a special reason to do otherwise. Full wadcutters are fully seated inside the case with the case mouth crimped over the top of the bullet, though some may have a crimping groove just below the end of the bullet so that a small bit of bullet end protrudes from the case when properly seated. Last edited by beezapilot; 01-29-2017 at 07:13 PM . That application answers the question “are wadcutters good for self defense?” The surprising answer to that question is yes. Where a rounded tip would slide through a target, the flat tip (“meplat”) punches a big hole. Semi-Wadcutter. Semi-Wadcutter (SWC) This type of bullet has a blunted tip. Hybrid vs Wadcutter 1911 magazine.