Wadcutter Questions

[HarrishMasher]

Georgia Arms has very attractively priced Wadcutters. $13.50 for 50 rounds. I know just about nothing about Wadcutters. However, it is my understanding that Wadcutters can be very accurate. Is this true? How badly do they lead up the barrel? I suspect it has a lot to do with how soft the lead is.

I ordered a few hundred rounds to try them out in my various J,K,L frames.

What are your thoughts on Wadcutters? Anyone try the Georgia Arms 148gr Wadcutters? How about their plated 38 ammo? I ordered some as well.

 

[howiema]

Harrish, I like the wadcutter for punching paper, A little dirty sometimes but I shoot them at the range a-lot. Havent used the GA ones, I use the Seller and Bellot and Bullseye wadcutters they cut nice neat holes in the paper.

Enjoy Pete

 

[robertrwalsh]

Wadcutters tend to be very accurate out of almost any weapon. Has something to do with the bearing surface to weight ratio and modest velocity I suspect. I mostly roll my own and use both lead and plated. The plated do shoot somewhat cleaner but you should not get much leading unless you get stupid with the velocity.

 

[klausinak]

Harrish-

I'm like robert above, i generally roll my own. I've never used GA WC's, but I would guess they'd be fine. Leading generally happens when the projectile is too small, so not knowing what diameter they're loading....

I'd see how well you like them before you decide to order a case. One other point, they are a short range projectile, <25 yds; the button nose variety will stretch that a bit.

-Klaus

 

[ralph7]

That's a great price!

 

[federali]

Wadcutters are THE target load for both .38 SPLs and .357 Magnums. Traditional load is 2.7 grains of Bullseye powder and you generally don't have a leading problem provided the bullets are properly lubricated and you don't push them too hard.

In instances where Wadcutters were used against a human target, they are known to cause major wounds.

 

[Doubless]

If you fellows want to have some real fun, try full wadcutters out of 41s and 44s. I have moulds for both; talk about great big perfectly round holes in targets!

 

[mr-mom]

Wadcutters are about all I shoot for paper punching. They work great out of every .38/.357 I own and do not cause a lot of leading if sized properly. I load my own using a Lee DEWC bullet and 2.8 gr. of Bullseye. Have found them to be very accurate out to 50 yds. from my 4" Model 686. Grab a bunch and have fun.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[rog8732]

I have used 148 gr. hollow-base wadcutters, seated flush for years.
At 25 yds. it is the most accurate round I ever saw.

I have bought and shot Georgia Arms ammo off and on through the years, with never a problem.

 

[vytoland]

I practice with 148gr DEWC @ 800 fps, and use them for self defense ....they are accurate and reliable....

 

[Collo Rosso]

I've been dealing with Georgia Arms for many years, great company to deal with. I've never shot their wadcutters but I'm pretty sure you won't have any problems with them.

 

[oberon]

I load 'em for .38 specials mostly, and they always work well.
My .357s are a little more robust, so I go with a more appropriate boollitt, like a hard cast or jacketed.
Keep 'em in the moderate velocity range and you should have zero problems.

 

[Texas Star]

Factories used to load wadcutters to the same velocity as standard velocity lead RN. Those were felt by many to be very effective self defense loads.

I think Buffalo Bore offers these now. I haven't read any performance reports on it, but suspect that it'd be very effective.

Wadcutters are also favored for shooting small game and are okay on snakes in most cases. For those pythons down in Florida, I might prefer to carry full .357 ammo. And when Elmer Keith shot blue grouse out of trees, he appears to have preferred the .38-44 load. Those must be tough birds!

 

[Mark6005]

I heard the wad cutters were a pretty good defense load from a short barreled 38. Any thoughts?

 

[Doug M.]

Yes, they are.

 

[rog8732]

I heard the wad cutters were a pretty good defense load from a short barreled 38. Any thoughts?

There was a time not too far back, when a hollow base wad-cutter was inserted backwards,(hollow facing out) and loaded up with a hefty load of powder.
Considered a real "man-stopper" from a Chiefs Special, when "defense" was a main consideration, and the condition of the revolver after the defensive shots was of no consideration.

I personally know of a thwarted gun shop robbery where the owner, forced to lay prone; but not searched, pulled a concealed Chiefs Special from the small of his back, and with one shot, that hit high in the left collar bone, brought an end to that one's robbery career, and took the fight completely out of the two accomplices.

The ME, old, grizzled, and "seen it all" told the owner a few days later, (he was a dedicated skeet shooter) that several of the vital organs had been hit enough to finish the fight, and bits and pieces of lead were spread through-out the torso.

That "gun shop robbing" is one tough way to make a living!

 

[Cal44]

32 S&W long wad-cutter loads are used in international shooting competitions.

Lots of manufacturers load them.

Very accurate in my 31-1:

 

[Goblin]

The reason hollow-based wadcutters are so accurate is that they're made of soft lead, and the hollow base expands to form a tight fit in the bore. With hard cast lead bullets, you have to get the sizing exactly right for a particular gun to get the accuracy you get with the HBWC. They're all I shoot for plinking and paper punching, and at modest velocities they hardly lead the bore. Factory HBWC loads are always loaded at the appropriate velocities. For defense I'd prefer a hard cast WC at higher velocities, but wouldn't feel undergunned with the HBWC.

 

[OIF2]

I shoot bullseye for practice. Wadcutters are what I use exclusively (except for the Distinguished match, which requires 158 gr LRN).
Bob

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Anyone have personal experience with these Remington wadcutters? Bought about 500 rounds awhile back and never shot any.