Need to learn a little about Wadcutters!

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Lucky Scott

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Been shooting a .38 model 61 -1 revolver and love it. Nice heavy gun with a heavy barrel.
Very accurate!

I like shooting wadcutters because I can see the holes in the target. Bought a bunch from a buddy. But dont really know anything about them.

Are they more expensive than regular ammo, or cheaper?

I see one company sells a semi wadcutter as a self defense load, are they good for that?

Are they as accurate as a round nose bullet?

I am assuming they are lead, is that bad for my barrel?

I know, some stupid questions, but I really like shooting them and even with the shortage of .38 ammo I got a bunch of them. I even got my 17 year old daughter going to the range and she likes the .38 revolver better than the 9mm semi auto.
Kinda makes a dad proud!
 
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Are they more expensive than regular ammo, or cheaper?
Click to expand...

Beats me - I handload them. They're a lot more expensive than the cheapest ammo, tho this wasn't the case 50 years ago. Oh well.

I see one company sells a semi wadcutter as a self defense load, are they good for that?
Click to expand...

If they're loaded as defensive ammo (at warmer velocities), you bet. Full-caliber holes!

Are they as accurate as a round nose bullet?
Click to expand...

More so. Let me know the next time you see a .38 RNL being shot in competition.

I am assuming they are lead, is that bad for my barrel?
Click to expand...

Not if it's made of steel . . . ;)
 
I thank you for putting this up, I want to know if the wadcutters are ok for my 15-2 IDK why not if it isn't +p but better to be safe...
 
I used to handload wadcutters to +P pressures in my no-dash Model 15 . . . but if you want the "official" answer, call S&W. ;)
 
They will work just fine in your Model 15 with no concerns. In years past the standard qualification round for most law enforcement organizations in the days of revolver carry was the wad cutter, and zillions of them have been fired thru S&W K frame revolvers like yours. Notice that in the really old days they were called "sharp corner match"...

300402352.jpg
 
well I think I just found my new self defence round, I found some that are not +p and are hollowpoints as well, ballistics are VERY simular to Hydro-shoks
 
Someday, if we're all really quiet and well behaved, Erich, 38/44 and others (Mas) may once again tell us some tales of the person (the late Mr. C) who did the pioneering work in "defensive wadcutters". And of a person the late Mr. C hooked up with for a time before his death, to produce Mr. C's bullets.
But that was in a land far away. And we now must be patient if we wish to hear of the legend further.
 
I'm so glad I saw this thread! It reminded me I have a box of Federal Classic .38 spcl +P 158 gr semi wadcutter hollow points hidden away! It's almost like finding free ammo!:)
 
Wadcutters are great to shoot in about anything, at distances of about 50 yard they will begin to maybe strike the paper and show a scuff on one edge like they are beginning to wobble. I know that they are very accurate if not driven to fast and the lead will not harm your barrel.
 
Dumb question (so I'm asking). Can I safely run 148gr, 750fps wadcutters in my Model 60-14? The reason I ask is that there seems to be a lip at the forward end the cylinder holes and it occured to me that the wadcutter might get hung up.

John
 
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