Sorry for the simple question, but I'm new and can't find the answer with search.

A wadcutter bullet is shaped like a cylinder with a flat nose. It's intended purpose is to punch round holes in target paper, making it easier to score the hit. Hence, it cuts "wads" or the round tasrget paper punchouts.

Thanks for the knowledge.

Gotta love the internet! (and Google and wikipedia specifically)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadcutter

Howdy

I just happen to have this photo on file. Wadcutter on the left, Semi-Wadcutter on the right. Both are loaded into 38 Special cases. Both have a sharp shoulder designed to cut a clean hole in paper for accurate scoring in target shooting. The Wadcutter is usually loaded almost flush with the case mouth, just a teeny bit poking out. If I recall correctly, this Wadcutter is 148 grains. This Semi-Wadcutter is 158 grains. Sometimes called Full Wadcutters, they are often hollow based. This Wadcutter has a very deep, hollow base to it.

To elaborate. Actually in the firearms context a "Wad cutter" is a punch used for the purpose of cutting round wads from felt or cardboard to use in shotgun loading, either cartridge or muzzle-loading. Since a flat ended bullet tends to cut relatively clean edged holes in a target and punches out a nearly full diameter disk of paper similar to those cut by a wad cutter for shotguns. The bullet shape became the standard for target shooting because the clean cut holes are much more easily scored that those made by a round nose bullet. These came to be called wadcutters because of the little disks they cut.

A wadcutter is a paper hole punch traveling at over 600 fps

There are also some 45 acp match target loads that are commonly referred to as wadcutters,although the actual shape looks more like a very short fmj semi-wadcutter.

Well, I don't know; I generally cut my wad of backer or a chaw with a good sharpe pocketknife. So I reckon that make my pocketknife a wadcutter, what ya think?

Here is a 200grain Double Ended Wadcutter I use in .44 Special.

Jerry

quote:

Both have a sharp shoulder

It is interesting to note that in the early days they were not called wadcutters, but were actually referred to as "sharp corner" or "clean cutting" bullets, as indicated on these two old boxes. It's a little hard to read in this photo, but inside the bullet on the top box it says "clean cutting", which is also on the front of the box...