Wadcutters For Snubbies

[Kanewpadle]

We’ve discussed wadcutters here before. Many of you advocate their use.

So I did some research. It turns out that many of those “in the know” agree.

Shot placement and penetration should be first and foremost. Expansion a distant second.

After hundreds if not thousands of autopsy studies, wadcutters simply work.

So I made the switch to Underwood 150gr wadcutter. 1000 fps out of a four inch barrel. Drops down to around 850 fps out of a two inch barrel.

Will do some testing today at the range.

But don’t take my word for it. Research the following.

Dr. Martin Fackler
Dr. Gary Roberts (DocGKR)
Chuck Haggard
And several others

YouTube. “Primary and Secondary”.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have heard this many times. I'll look forward to your testing.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have heard this many times. I'll look forward to your testing.

Nothing fancy for testing. Just want to make they are accurate.

 

[JFthunder]

And for reloads…

Agree totally on the carry load for my M38… all day, every day. But for reloads with a speed loader or strip I find the Semi wad cutter give a noticeable edge in speed because the just line up that little bit easier.

 

[1sailor]

They seemed to do pretty well in the Lucky Gunner testing also. Penetration being almost perfect even out of a 2" barrel.

 

[Rudi]

Paul did a video about this. They did well on the meat target.

 

[Narragansett]

I used to shoot mid range wadcutters. Now I don't care what gun 38 or 357, I use SWC.

 

[Valmet]

Why I prefer Double Tap 148-gr WCs in my 37-1 Airweight.

 

[Model19man]

The load for my Model 37 -

 

[NYlakesider]

I used to shoot mid range wadcutters. Now I don't care what gun 38 or 357, I use SWC.

I shot many pounds of SWC back when I was doing a lot of PPC shooting.

As reloading was from speed loader, by going to SWC over WCs it gave me a bit more controlled loading speed. That was both for my model 28 6'' and "off duty class gun', a Model 15 2''.

No I was not a LEO, off duty was a fun class with barrel restrictions to 2 1/2'' Gave up looking for a 19 that had that longer by 1/2 barrel, back then many S&Ws revolvers were hard to find!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Been using 148gr. wadcutters for J frame carry 51 years. When I carry extra rounds its in a speed strip with 158gr. SWC.

The wadcutters are very accurate and make easy follow up shots. And I've never had a "jam" in my J frames. That alone inspires confidence.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I totally agree about wadcutters, but I don't think you need 1000 fps. Regular old wadcutters will penetrate plenty enough, won't recoil or cost as much.

 

[BE Mike]

It's all theory isn't it? No handgun, even the .44 Remington Magnum, is a 100% one-stop-shot affair.

 

[rockquarry]

It's all theory isn't it? No handgun, even the .44 Remington Magnum, is a 100% one-stop-shot affair.

You're right, but many are obsessed with the topic. It won't go away even if it needs to.

 

[bobsguns]

So I made the switch to Underwood 150gr wadcutter. 1000 fps out of a four inch barrel.

Surely you agree that those numbers aren't your typical wadcutter loading?

 

[pasound]

Not a theory. A follow-up center mass shot with a 38 wadcutter, even in a short barrel, can be more successful than a 44 twisting in your hand, and missing the target.

 

[bobsguns]

They seemed to do pretty well in the Lucky Gunner testing also. Penetration being almost perfect even out of a 2" barrel.

What was the penetration of? Pine boards? Ballistic gel? A 400lb fat tub of lard who decides he wants your car/money/valuables?

Based on the mug shots I see, a large % of thugs aren't missing any meals. Throw a heavy winter coat into that mix & then color me skeptical.

My .o2

 

[bobsguns]

Not a theory. A follow-up center mass shot with a 38 wadcutter, even in a short barrel, can be more successful than a 44 twisting in your hand, and missing the target.

Are you speaking of .44magnum or .44spl? Makes a difference, don'tcha think????

 

[pasound]

I own both 44 versions. Actually three. I still would rather have a round I know I can hit POA than a bigger one that might not. I'm old. My hands shake.

 

[Kanewpadle]

It's all theory isn't it? No handgun, even the .44 Remington Magnum, is a 100% one-stop-shot affair.

Nobody said anything about a one shot stop.