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Old 06-15-2018, 02:07 PM
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Default 38 hollow base wad cutters

Are these still around? Does Hornady still sell them?
I used to shoot these by the thousands.

It used to be popular to load them backwards as a hugh hollow point defensive load. Is this still a viable loading - (I'm thinking legal ramifications.)? An old gunwriter, John Wooters, used to load them backwards at 357 velocities with a gas check seated on the nose.

Would these be ok to use in this day and age, and political climate?
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:23 PM
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"This Atomic Ammunition features a 148 grain lead hollow based wadcutter, loaded upside down in a new, "Ducta-Bright" nickel plated Starline 38 Special +P case with a precise charge of hand selected powder sparked by the finest quality primers available for maximum reliability and power."

Atomic Ammo 38 Special +P 148 Grain Lead Hollow Point Box - MPN: 00419
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:26 PM
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Yea. $37.99 for 50. I can make 'em cheaper.
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:29 PM
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Atomic Ammunition is the only commercial manufacturer that I know of.
They load .38 Spl. 148-Gr. wadcutter backward so the hollow base acts
as a hollow point. They claim MV of 850 and 237 ft. lbs. of ME.

I used to buy some from a local re-loader who sold at gun shows,
but it didn't prove to be very reliable so I stopped.

Here are a few endorsements:

"wadcutters cut very clean holes that bleed well, and in my cop days
I've seen people stopped with them handily." Roy Huntington

"from a midwestern police force...one of their officers hit his assailant
with one of these loads (148-Gr. wadcutter loaded backward) in a point
blank gunfight...after which he (the assailant) just couldn't lie down and
die fast enough." Will Hafler

"The 148-Gr. HBWC makes a reasonable choice as a defense round for
the novice, frail or elderly people or the very gun shy." Jan Libourel
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:35 PM
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https://www.hornady.com/bullets/hand...148-gr-hbwc#!/
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by max503 View Post
Yea. $37.99 for 50. I can make 'em cheaper.


Speer Bullets 38 Caliber (358 Diameter) 148 Grain Lead Hollow Base Wadcutter Box of 500

"Speer cold-formed lead bullets have been a great bargain ever since Vernon Speer introduced them over 40 years ago. All Speer lead bullets now feature a hi-tech, multi-layer lube system. This great lube stays with the bullet instead of burning off. It won't melt off in storage or transport, and is clean and dry to the touch. The Lead Wadcutter design features a sharp round shoulder that delivers superb accuracy."

Speer Bullets 38 Cal (358 Diameter) 148 Grain Lead Hollow - MPN: 4618
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:56 PM
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JMO the .38 Special 148 grain lead hollow base full wadcutter is a superb SD round. At Target loadings, avalible from Remington, S&B and Olin (maybe others) or as a handload over 2.8 grains of Bullseye, they are accurate, cut a nice clean hole crushing tissue and bone, allow for fast follow on shots and encourage you to practice with what you carry.

They are close to perfect as they are. Why on earth load them upside down.
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Old 06-15-2018, 03:19 PM
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I prefer Speer over Hornady for this style bullet. MidwayUSA sells both.
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Old 06-15-2018, 06:06 PM
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Zero makes the swaged lead Hollow Based Wadcutter sold from Roze Distributing.

Roze Distribution: 38 Special (.358 Diameter) - 148 GR WCHB $ per 1000
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Old 06-15-2018, 07:11 PM
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take a look at federal micro hst 38 +p hollow point seated flush in case
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Old 06-15-2018, 10:01 PM
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I got a couple boxes of Speer SWC swaged. I was shooting a
24-5 and had shot nothing except cast 250Rnfp and 242 button
nose WCs. MV 750-800 fps. Gun shot very well with these loads.
First outing with Speers, I noticed no difference. Three of us were
taking 6 shots each. My Bro shot second 6, not up to his usual
form. My buddy shot 3rd 6 and he did lousy. We were going to
check sights when I noticed the worst leading I have ever seen.
It was like a cartoon. Though load to hot and backed it down
to 650fps. Still leaded, did me on Speer swaged bullets.

I have 38 HBWC mold and that is our main bullet in 38 & 357s.
Loading backwards you have to keep vel down or skirt will blow
up or deform and accuracy will suffer.
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Old 06-15-2018, 11:13 PM
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Many years ago I discussed the idea with a very experienced LEO/reloader.
He told me to be careful - he thought that reversing the commercial HB wadcutter greatly reduces the volume of the case compared to the powder charge. This would result in higher initial pressure but not necessarily an increase in velocity. Higher initial pressure could "blow out" the thin center of the soft bullet and cause it to stick in the barrel.

Another concern of his was that the reverse "shuttlecock" would cause the bullet to "swap ends" at anything beyond "handshake range."

I made a few with a slightly reduced charge of Bullseye and shot them into gallon jugs of water. They flattened out to about quarter size, but did not exit the plastic jugs (less than 6" penetration).

We considered getting a HB wadcutter mold and using hard alloy and a gas check on the base, but never did.
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