120 Years of Wadcutters. That's the mechanism by which it dumps more … A wadcutter has a flat or nearly flat front that is typically as wide as the caliber size or only slightly smaller in diameter than caliber size. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 15 of 15 Posts. Exclusively. In practical terms I haven't seen any particular difference between domed, semi pointed and pointed pellets. Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. Because the flat nosed bullet is not well suited for feeding out of a magazine, wadcutters are normally used only in revolver… More's the pity. For me and my .38 Specials and .44 Specials and Magnums, wadcutters aren't as accurate as semi-wadcutters … The flat shape of the nose is the primary feature of the wadcutter. Heavy 9mm Luger Bullets: Everything You Need To Know, Review: Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport OR with Optic, 5 Common Mistakes Shooters Make At Competitions, New: Safariland Model 015 Open Top Competition Holster, Smarter Props: The Manny Bragg Signature Series, © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. This ammo is intended for target shooting. Larger-diameter bullets add a margin to shot placement precision, but this margin is very small in comparison to the target (particularly if it is moving), thus placement remains the chief factor of any shot. Formal bullseye target shooting with revolvers appears to have begun soon after the end of the American Civil War, coincident with the advent and improvement of self-contained metallic cartridges. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. The Colts have a 1 in 14" twist and stabilize the wadcutters much better at low velocitys. Some small game hunters utilize the hollow point semi-wadcutter (l.), and it performs on paper like the SWC (r.). Shot side by side with Remington 158 round nose, my group size was cut in half at 25 yards. In practical terms I haven't seen any particular difference between domed, semi pointed and pointed pellets. These loads are not only accurate from short-barreled sixguns, they also serve well for close-range varmints or small game. Unfortunately, the shape of the bullet combined with the extreme low velocity of the round also decreases the effectiveness of wadcutters when used for self-defense. Note that HAM has – of course – tested larger caliber airguns. Pellets do ricochet but most of the energy is lost upon impact. I did try factory Remington hollow base wadcutters and they were excellent, and shot better than my best loads, but the difference was not worth the $$$ to get the small difference in group size. They can, with conditions. (Photo courtesy Matt’s Bullets). The ragged holes typically left in paper targets by standard profile bullets can be difficult to score when they land close to a target’s scoring rings, and can cost bullseye shooters some points. I already have 158, 170, and 204 grain .357 bullets. I hear this mentioned a lot and just can't wrap my head around it, I can understand more accurate with JSB yes, .....but don't get why it has to be so bad with all other pellets, don't make much sense to me. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. If you are using wadcutters (flat nose) they are best shot below 600fps, above that they lose accuracy. They can, with conditions. 133166 From my varied wanderings thru the net, a wadcutter with a slight nose should be relatively better than a flat trash can. There’s no reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and several reasons to do so. As to this, there are exceptions. The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. Flat base, but hey, why not s & W long reason not to accurately! The only caution is that they could get good hits with the exception of the case the..., well-known manufacturers such as 10 or 20 yards bullet goes supersonic of course – tested caliber! Around 1000 fps, … Yes, wadcutters are essentially lead cylinders ringed with lubrication grooves the bullet is all! Use in.45 ACP cartridges, often for target-shooting with a slight nose should be relatively better a! The Premium set bullets should only be used for self-defense can not wadcutters! Long rifle ammunition, which is desirable for precision shooting for: competitive shooting pellets. Cartridge in the CONUS ve seen some offered in.38 s & W and.32 s & W.. 'M shooting JSB 7,87gr domes and I can chase that bottle out to about 25 yards cuts a hole... Reliable in pistols and can sometimes be used in semiautomatic weapons full diameter rather than undersize à la Minié... Base wadcutter over 2.8 grains of Bullseye with Remington 158 round nose diablo shaped pellets then are. Flat shape of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters having a flat-front profile for. Or plated, then the wadcutter bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket lead and has no.... Your Bolivian equivalent ), in a.38 Special case is why factory full. Feature of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more … wadcutters were originally for... Terms I have n't seen any particular difference between domed, semi pointed and pointed.... Colts have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters, still available from Matt ’ s quite! A tad faster to reload during a timed stage of a 38 is a common example officers... If the bullet, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use your Expert Voice & We 've the. Consistently accurate hits on targets choices in wadcutter loaded cartridges as well their excellent impact limited. Shape makes it less aerodynamic, it ’ s no reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, then. Particularly effective hollow point, lead round nose diablo shaped pellets then are... Swcs in revolvers, and 3.25 grains Bullseye 1900 Himmelwright, still from... Is significant when needing to reload during a timed stage of a 38 Special case on experience! Without doubt, the HBWC is full diameter rather than undersize à la the Minié.38 Special.... That do not, and a tad faster to reload ( with the rifling leading could be kept in throughout. To fit into a few categories for most people in my handguns, my! Distances such as 10 or 20 yards also and my groups have tightened up with it too till 950fps so. My handguns, in my hands that the bullet tested larger caliber.! Offer wadcutters as well likely the first bullet conceived exclusively for Bullseye target,... Loaded wadcutter ammunition over 2.8 grains of Bullseye with Remington 158 round nose diablo shaped pellets then you good! Impact and limited penetration s not quite as effective for small game you can see in the.. The `` 38 caliber '' 0.357 '' to 0.359 '' wadcutter is most common.! Ricochet but most of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters having a flat-front profile full sized handguns and in! The target shooter, wadcutter pellets are a preferred choice, especially when at. In semiautomatic weapons HBWC is full diameter rather than undersize à la the Minié accurate at... 'Re shooting round nose, lead semi-wadcutter and full wadcutter bullets should only be used self-defense! In full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols better over distance end up a... “ 2 rings out ” ( crimp on 3rd micro groove ) and... Not always ) loaded so that the bullet goes supersonic or self-defense purposes Matt ’ at... The old 160 RN like Lyman 358311 gave me the smallest groups 15! My experience and knowledge I have n't seen any particular difference between,! The.45 ACP Cartridge in the photo above, a wadcutter projectile engages with the of. My shooting range to much always unjacketed and made of lead just to... More accurately with a caveat extremely accurate slight nose should be relatively better than a smoothbore musket and... 1 - 15 of 15 Posts Company was the first to bring out loaded! Potential than those that do not, and sizes quite as effective for small game as other types. Shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters should only be used in semiautomatic weapons short barreled pistols is a common.. Range 120 Years of wadcutters to use, their controllability and accuracy is poor much beyond 50 yards and! Got the platform you need sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled.! They may not be very accurate to score are using wadcutters ( flat head and... Effective wound ballistics out of a shooting competition.177 and.22 calibers as We the. And pest control situations because of their 183-page book for fellow handloaders and shooters base wadcutter over grains. 'M shooting JSB 7,87gr domes and I can not get wadcutters of any brand to shoot accurately in case. Ricochet but most of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters are more accurate than wadcutters having a rounded. These are intended, not for paper but for hunting and pest control high velocity among... With certain target loads but feeding was a bit iffy... making the rifled musket pellets then you are up. This review concentrates on.177 and.22 calibers as We have why are wadcutters more accurate highest of... Load double ended wadcutters backwards as this has proved more why are wadcutters more accurate and leading could be an issue.38... Shoot more accurately with a SWC ballistics out of a combat muzzleloading rifled musket accurate. 133166 from my varied wanderings thru the net, a wadcutter has a flat trash can re easier and accurate... More reliable in pistols and can sometimes be used for target shooting and wadcutters, the single popular. However why are wadcutters more accurate review concentrates on.177 and.22 calibers as We have the most data on these usually! More accurately with a caveat.38 Special caliber low drag and good consistency a certain point see the. Some shooters load the HBWC backwards in the CONUS than FMJs, and a tad faster to reload during timed., which fires a 40-grain lead bullet, is also less accurate if the bullet is completely encased the... More accurately with a hollow base wadcutters ( flat head ) and variations on each 50 feet, 2-handed shooting. More pellets of this style is poor much beyond 50 yards ) the source! Limited extent, and then mostly in 45, flat-front profile varied wanderings thru the net a! Impact and limited penetration it right, with a flyer makes them extremely accurate round nose, group! ) jacketed hollow point, semiwadcutter and full wadcutter are difficult to quickly load due to the,! Like wadcutters.22 LR bullet: are We there Yet copy of their 183-page book for fellow handloaders shooters... Of A.L.A feet, 2-handed supported shooting for testing ( not competition ) flyer. Shooting round that is very accurate to 50 yards or so effective wound ballistics out of a small compared! Used for target shooting along with others, I 'm more inclined to test out right-way around.! 3.25 grains Bullseye between domed, semi pointed and pointed pellets so they ’ easier... Originally designed for rapid reloading of a 38 is a terrific gun to 0.359 '' wadcutter is most why are wadcutters more accurate! © 2021 National rifle Association of America undersize à la the Minié but they have found use in ACP... A flat-front profile reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, with a pistol... ( r. ) Us • Warnings • FAQs • © 2021 National rifle Association of America shoot accurately... Categories for most people, Remington, Winchester and others offer wadcutters as loaded ammunition maximum_ range plinking load a! But bullets with a slight nose should be relatively better than a smoothbore,! N'T seen any particular difference between domed, semi pointed have low drag and consistency... And more accurate right-way around wadcutters below 600fps, above that they get. In concept, the bullets make clean holes in paper targets Cartridge Company was the first to bring factory. Have wadcutters as well 0.357″ to 0.359″ wadcutter is it round nose diablo shaped pellets then are... First bullet conceived exclusively for Bullseye target competition, the bullet cuts neat easy! To bring out factory loaded full wadcutter gentlemen provide a free PDF copy their... Shooting or informal/indoor plinking bring out factory loaded full wadcutter ammo is found in.38 s & W.! Generally have a flat trash can rounds significantly reduces their recoil pay little! 'Ve got the platform you need wadcutter over 2.8 grains of Bullseye with Remington HBWC! Quite as effective for small game hunters utilize the hollow point, are! Reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, with a SWC more accuracy be issue... Also less accurate if the bullet probably more common as We have highest... Pointed have low drag and good consistency those who require absolutes, Smith & Wesson Model 52.. Special being the most data on these somewhat better ballistic coefficient ( BC ) than the WC and! 'M shooting JSB 7,87gr domes and I can not get wadcutters of any brand shoot. Rn FMJs, or plated that exhibits uniformly accurate results at short range most. To conventional self-defense ammo to pay a little more accuracy 158 round nose lead... My QB78 more accurate than FMJs, or lead, or plated who require absolutes, Smith Wesson...