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  #1  
Old 10-11-2011, 04:25 PM
arizonarotors arizonarotors is offline
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Default Wad cutters

One of those questions that's probably been asked and answered a million times: Other than a clean hole, what is the advantage of wad cutters when I reload for the range?

I've been loading 38 Special, 125 grain, Berry flat points over 3.2 grains of TiteGroup for a long time.

It seems to work fine in my little J frame and in my 28-2.

Is there an accuracy advantage to loading wad cutters or even HBSWC for my target shooting?

Thanks guys. I used the search function but did not see a direct answer.

R/S

Jim
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Old 10-11-2011, 04:30 PM
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JoeHatley JoeHatley is offline
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They have a longer bearing surface for the rifling to get a good grip on. Can aid in accuracy.
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Old 10-11-2011, 04:38 PM
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They generally take up more room inside the case, which leaves the powder less room and makes it ignite easier (maybe).
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Old 10-11-2011, 04:50 PM
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I use 148 gr double ended wadcutters in the .38. I love the accuracy and clean holes. Not really sure if or why they are more accurate than other shapes.
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Old 10-11-2011, 05:23 PM
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the WC is mostly about punching nice clean holes, especially where targets are to be formally scored in competition. Some use WC's as SD loads as they present potential as a fine stopper. (one I dont understand as they tumble above the speed of sound and there's little they can do that a well designed HP cant do a little better)
for general shooting, an SWC or truncated cone design will prove more flexible as you can pour the coal to them or tone them down as you see fit, while maintaining a flat point for stopping power
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Old 10-11-2011, 09:31 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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The hole is #1, accuracy is #2 and there are some autos that can only feed them if they are seated inside the case, and that is #3.

Another reason to bearing surface as an aid to accuracy is with the HBWC. If you have a soft HBWC it can help obturate at lower pressures. If you have a large throat or bore, this can be a BIG aid in getting both accurate loads and a reduction in leading. Sometimes a hardcast bullet that is too small and too hard will lead, sometimes a bullet that is too small and too soft will too. The size issue is less critical when the skirt of the bullet seals off, obturates, no matter what the size should be.

Not always, but sometimes. FWIW
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Old 10-11-2011, 10:06 PM
G.A.Sea53 G.A.Sea53 is offline
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In the 38 special the w/c does make a nice clean easy to score
hole in the target. For accuracy I prefer the old Lyman 358311
158 gr. rn. and the faster reload of the rats going in a hole effect.
It's all application and personal preferences a good Keith bullet
is hard to beat.
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Old 10-16-2011, 01:27 PM
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148gr hard cast double ended wadcutters is all I buy for 38 anymore. The accuracy I seem to get is unequalled, especially in snubs. They also make a devestating round in a 357 case with a magnum powder behind them.
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Old 10-21-2011, 10:07 PM
WilliamWaco WilliamWaco is offline
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I have been reloading cast WC and SWC bullets in .38 special for 50 years. I can see no difference in hole cutting or in accuracy.

Now that said - Factory loaded swaged hollow base wadcutters in .38 special are noticeably more accurate than either.
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Old 10-21-2011, 10:21 PM
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I've been loading DEWC's and have not seen any issues with tumbling out to 25 yards, which is about as far as I normally shoot. I've been loading them to about 800-850 FPS.
On a side note, I loaded up some HBWC's backward and used a maximum standard pressure load of Win 231 just to see what they would do. There was no difference in accuracy that I could discern at 15 yards and they opened up to the size of a nickel in a wet catalog. I hadn't expected them to group as well as they did.
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Old 10-23-2011, 12:36 AM
Calliope Calliope is offline
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You get better efficiency (velocity per grain of powder) and more complete powder burn of the powder with a WC than you do with a typical flat point bullet because they are seated deep. Accuracy is usually better too. My favorite .357 practice bullet is a Berry's or Rainier 148 grain plated DEWC. Superb accuracy out to 50 yards with a minimum of powder used which also yields less muzzle blast and leaves me with a very clean gun.
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