wadcutter for self defense

Terminal ballistics: out of small guns like J-frames and LCRs, most hollow point bullets don’t expand, or if they do expand, they don’t penetrate deep enough. For a glimpse into the history of target shooting and wadcutters, check out a free online copy of A.L.A. A wadcutter is a special-purpose flat-fronted bullet specially designed for shooting paper targets, usually at close range and at subsonic velocities typically under approximately 900ft/s (274m/s). Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Mastering the Element of Surprise for Personal Defense, 17 Affordable Concealed-Carry Guns Under $300, 8 Affordable Home-Defense Shotguns Under $200, What to Do After You've Bought Your First Firearm, I Carry: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 Revolver in a Blue Force Gear Holster, © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. Guns. 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. .38 Special Wadcutters At 100 Yards – Duration: 5:33. Can You Use Wadcutter Ammunition for Personal Defense? Two companies that I am aware of, Buffalo Bore and Underwood, manufacture more robust wadcutter loads designed for deeper penetration with a bullet-diameter wound channel from beginning to end. Because the flat nosed bullet is not well suited for feeding out of a magazine, wadcutters are normally used only in revolver… In my tests they out-penetrate every other 38 Special round (standard velocity) and leave a more devastating wound path. SWC Wadcutter Bullets. The same shortcomings that make the wadcutter unsuitable for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting big game. Solid wadcutters can be loaded a bit hotter than hollow base wadcutters but as already mentioned, fast reloading of the revolver with wadcutter bullets can be an issue. I also like to shoot these wadcutter loads in a pair of custom .44 Specials built on Ruger .357 Blackhawk Three-Screw frames. There’s another type of wadcutter projectile, the semi-wadcutter. Best, cheap, bulk Wadcutter WC ammo for sale. Switch to Threaded Mode. The 175-gr. Buy in stock Wadcutter WC ammunition online. Hoping to find published pressure-tested loads to continue testing. The sharp shoulder of the wadcutter bullet tends to cut tissue much like it does paper or cardboard as opposed to a round-nosed bullet, which pushes material to the side, and then closes somewhat once the bullet has passed through. There are a number of good reasons why it’s a bad idea. Both rounds were fired from my S&W 642 at 10 feet. George Harris answers this question, which may surprise you. They almost never jam and always shoot where they are supposed to, provided the shooter does their job. The most popular caliber for wadcutter is the .38 Special. wadcutter ammo for self defense, wadcutter for self defense, wadcutters for self-defense. Soften up Your Semi-Wadcutters. Before you read any further, this article is not about the 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter (LSWC) hollow-point +P .38 Special load, but rather about the plain lead semi-wadcutter .38 Special loaded to standard pressure for target shooting by Remington. Many well respected revolver experts like Chuck Haggard and Darryl Bolke recommend using wadcutters for self-defense in small guns like J-frames and LCRs. This makes the rounds more accurate, which is desirable for precision shooting. Some considerations should be noted, however. Therefore if I ever have to use it in self defense, I have less chance of a legal problem. wadcutters is a very serious proposition. I've long believed that from a snub nose 38 special the basic target grade Full Wadcutter can be an effective round for civilian self defense. A cartridge loaded with a wadcutter … © 2015-2021 TargetBarn, LLC. With the coming of the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special pocket revolvers in the mid-1960s full wadcutters were often employed for self-defense loads. Most hollow-points will only expand if they get up to a certain velocity, and sometimes the little 2-inch snubby barrels don’t launch those bullets fast enough to reach that velocity. Final Word: Wadcutters are Primarily for Competition Shooting, But Self-Defense is an Option In contrast, the sharp shoulders of a wadcutter would produce a full sized .357 hole. As always, test the accuracy and reliability of your chosen.38 Special self-defense ammo at the range before you start carrying it. If, for some reason, your day has taken the world’s most unlikely turn and you’re having to reload a small defensive revolver in a hurry, wadcutters are not your best friend. Using Wadcutter Ammo for Self-Defense. The default answer to a long gun for home or self-defense has become the AR-15. And yes, we are talking about it as a specialized self-defense … Well obviously for target shooting, as it was originally designed. Many personal-defense professionals suggest that the 9 … And yes, we are talking about it as a specialized self-defense round. One is a 3" barreled, nickel-plated, round-butted .44 Special from Bob Baer while the other from Andy Horvath is also round-butted, blued with a 4" barrel. Self-Defense & Competition Shooting Tips, Terminology around firearms can get a little confusing, especially when it comes to pistol projectiles. Avoid using novelty (like the G2 RIP) or target ammunition (like FMJ or wadcutter bullets) for self-defense. New For 2021. A wadcutter bullet is essentially just a lead cylinder with a flat top. ammunition, Concealed Carry, revolvers, self defense, wadcutters. Wadcutters are pleasant to shoot in snubnose revolvers, much more so than the higher-pressure rounds loaded with lighter and faster jacketed hollow-point bullets. The downside is the recoil for these loads is greater than the standard target loads. version with the small nose and a 185-gr. The Smith & Wesson Model 10 introduced in 1899 was a game-changer. Ammo. The resulting wound channel of the wadcutter is more pronounced than the sleeker bullet. Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. The reasons are twofold. Email this Page. I’ve bought into it. Many great double-action revolvers and even a few semi-automatic pistols such as the S&W Model 52. In the early days, we qualified and shot competition with .38 Spl. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? When I was shooting bowling pins, a popular bullet with revolver shooters was the "lead pencil": a 230-grain .358-diameter full wadcutter. Himmelwright’s 1916 Pistol and Revolver Shooting. Personally, I load 158 grain semi-wadcutters for my 38 Special j … Why would you use a wadcutter? Vance Outdoors reserves the right to modify or change pricing information or descriptions without notice. Not explosive like some hollowpoints, but enough WHACK to put small game down and not destroy a lot of the meat. If you need self-defense or hunting ammo, wadcutters may not be the most suitable option. They are not the same thing, although they are related. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. The "38 caliber" 0.357" to 0.359" wadcutter is most common wadcutter, at least in the CONUS. Don’t use range ammo as self-defense ammo. The ammo has a 770 fps and 148-grain load. For many decades. Concealed Carry, revolvers, self defense, wadcutters. Thread Tools: Search this Thread: Show Printable Version. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as.38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, where, due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually low, typically under 900 ft/s, and improved … The Broad Side Don’t use range ammo as self-defense ammo. Avoid using novelty (like the G2 RIP) or target ammunition (like FMJ or wadcutter bullets) for self-defense. by George Harris - They’re commonly used by shooters who compete in matches but can also be an effective round for self-defense..45 ACP 200 Gr. AS ALWAYS — it depends. It penetrates deeply (roughly 14 to 16 inches in human tissue) and its full diameter profile maximizes blood loss as it cuts and crushes (not slips or slides) its way through tissue. Semi wadcutters are a more desirable choice for hunting and self-defense. If there is a better self-defense load for these Bulldogs I don’t know what it is. EDC Pocket Dump video. It cuts/crushes a "cookie cutter", full diameter hole in human flesh just like it does on a paper target. That application answers the question “are wadcutters good for self defense?” The surprising answer to that question is yes. Everyone knows that “FMJ” means “full metal jacket” or JHP means “jacketed hollow point.” Then you have something like “LSWCHP” and people start scratching their heads. Hit where you aim: many small revolvers have fixed sights. With all of the modern jacketed hollow point loads available for self-defense, it's easy to overlook the venerable lead wadcutter bullet. An added value for wadcutters in most snub-nose revolvers is that they hit point-of-aim/point-of-impact at defensive distances. 12 Comments Daniel Watters says: March 3, 2015 at 10:41. Jacketed hollow-point ammunition may be a better choice in penetrating intermediate barriers or heavy clothing should either be a factor. For many decades. Most experts say that using a shotgun for home defense is the way to go. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, where, due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually … Caleb . First, recoil is minimal with .38 Special WCs. Caleb. Wadcutters also have the potential for surprisingly effective wound ballistics out of a small revolver compared to conventional self-defense ammo. … Newer post. As a fun gun, a revolver chambered in .38 Special is the perfect tool for introducing the younger generation to the … Self-defense is self-defense but putting yourself in jail is plain stupid. This is true. Yes, wadcutter certainly CAN, and HAS, been used for self defense. I know that technology has changed things over the years, but I would like to know what, if anything, is wrong with using wadcutters for defense or various other applications in my revolvers?C.W. Same with my 9mm. As a result, it delivers every bit of the power a .38 can muster and expands well while doing so. That semi-auto was chambered for the very accurate wadcutter .38 Special cartridge. Although .38 Spl 148-grain wadcutter ammunition is generally thought of as paper-punching target ammunition, it is not a poor choice for general use and certainly is not last on the list for personal-defense applications, either. 3-Gun is the Crossfit of the shooting sports. Another disadvantage of the … My thoughts are that expansion from hollow points fired out of a snub-nose aren't guaranteed and may act similar to a FMJ. Wadcutter Bullets For Hunting And Self-Defense Like the RWS H-Mantel , the wadcutter is very good at the job it was designed for, but it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. Brands like Atomic, Buffalo Bore, Crosman, Doubletap, Federal, Fiocchi, Jamison … While wadcutters are great for many purposes and an excellent choice for your revolvers, if rapid reloads are important, either chamfering the chambers of the cylinder or using a more streamlined bullet for the reload might be a wise option. The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes in…things… also makes them hard to reload fast. So why not use a semi-wadcutter for personal defense? Wadcutters have a distinctive appearance, their projectile being nearly flush with the case mouth. Monday, January 18, 2021. Display Modes: Linear Mode. They’re designed to cut paper, but are more versatile than some shooters assume. Range ammunition — meaning full metal jacket or fragmenting ammunition in center fire rifles and pistol, target or bird shot in shotguns — is a generally poor self-defense ammunition choice. Range ammunition — meaning full metal jacket or fragmenting ammunition in center fire rifles and pistol, target or bird shot in shotguns — is a generally poor self-defense ammunition choice. I decided today to do a bit of a comparison between Winchester SuperX 148 grain Full wadcutter and Winchester Ranger Bonded 130 grain +P. Dierks, Caddo Gap, AR. Federal took a different approach. When a hollow point fails to expand in soft tissue, it basically acts like a round … For my current use I go with two wadcutters from Matt’s Bullets, a 175-gr. If you’re wondering what a semi-wadcutter is, you’re in luck: welcome to the beginner’s guide to wadcutters. News. With the subsonic velocities of wadcutters around 900 fps, the first shooter mentioned earlier was correct: For defense inside of the home, a short-barreled gun with wadcutters makes for a very persuasive weapon when the chips are down and will inflict a formidable wound. Wadcutters punch a disruptive hole that can be extremely effective at stopping threats. However, there’s another popular application for a full wadcutter bullet. As always, test the accuracy and reliability of your chosen .38 Special self-defense ammo at the range before you start carrying it. Like all lead bullets, they leave lead residue in the barrel's grooves after use. As a result, wadcutter bullets should only be used for self-defense purposes if there is nothing else available. Bullseye shooters also use semi-wadcutters in semi-automatic pistols. Reloads are great for every other application except self defense. Second, a full WC not only cuts easy-to-score holes in a bull’s-eye target, they can also serve well in a self-defense situation by delivering the full cross-sectional impact of a .38 caliber bullet. Due to popular request to make a potent defensive load in 44 SPL that can be fired in ALL 44 SPL or 44 MAG. .38 special wadcutters for self defense, .38 wadcutters for self defense, 38 round nose vs wadcutter, 38 snubnose wadcutter or swchp, 38 special bullet wounds, 38 spl wadcutters for self defense, 38 wadcutter for defense, 38 wadcutter for self defense, Get the Shooting Illustrated Reloaded newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. Switch to Hybrid Mode . For street use, we were supposed to change out to hollowpoints, but some of us stayed with the wadcutters because we could hit what we were shooting at with a high degree of certainty and the results were as good, or better than, what we saw with the vaunted hollow-point ammunition. A wadcutter is a special-purpose flat-fronted bullet specifically designed for shooting paper targets, usually at close range and at subsonic velocities typically under approximately 900 ft/s (274 m/s). A semi-wadcutter bullet was also the basis for the famous “FBI load” – a 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullet, that deleted the flat nose in favor of a hollow point. A wadcutter is a special-purpose flat-fronted bullet specifically designed for shooting paper targets, usually at close range and at subsonic velocities typically under approximately 900 ft/s. Older post. Different firearms often prefer different loads and bullet weights. firearms, we’ve developed this hard cast Wadcutter 200gr. In the video, I mention that I carry 148 grain target wadcutters in the j-frame, which has lead some people to ask if I actually do that. Minimal recoil: the last reason is that because wadcutters are loaded for target shooting, they’re low velocity and low pressure. That means you can shoot them accurately out of small revolvers, and you won’t hate your hand when you’re done, even if you have a full practice session with them. For example, a .38 Special wadcutter, abbreviated “WC” will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the case mouth. Yes, wadcutter certainly CAN, and HAS, been used for self defense. I reload and shoot CMJ bullets, but for carry its factory HP This ammo is intended for target shooting. Although we rarely have the option of what we have to shoot through to put the bullet where we want it, we should consider what may likely need to be penetrated when shooting defensively. It is easy to see the difference when comparing the two side-by-side. Go figure. Prior to the proliferation of reliable expanding bullet designs, the wadcutter bullet style found its way into the self-defense realm—due to its mild manners—and the belief that even though its velocity was leisurely, the sharp edges of the cylindrical bullet would cut veins and arteries as it traversed flesh (rather than just push them aside). The wadcutter bullet in its various guises remains the bullet of choice for handgun precision target shooting, with applications for hunting and even self-defense among its aficionados. The iconic .357 Magnum ammo stands out as a top home defense round. Before you read any further, this article is not about the 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter (LSWC) hollow-point +P .38 Special load, but rather about the plain lead semi-wadcutter .38 Special loaded to standard pressure for target shooting by Remington. I shoot 158gr SWC from my 2 revolvers but when I carry the J-3"bbl, I use 125 gr HP which are very legal in PA. Some of these are intended, not for paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense. Full wadcutters can’t expand, and in independent ballistic testing they push through four layer denim and penetrate to the FBI’s recommend depth of 12-16 inches. Being able to do that with your revolvers loaded with wadcutters should instill a great deal of confidence in dealing with any situation you might encounter that may require a handgun. Buy in stock Wadcutter WC ammunition online. The first question we’re going to answer is “what is a wadcutter?” That’s easy. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snub-nosed revolvers, where due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually low, … Wadcutter Bullets For Hunting And Self-Defense Like the RWS H-Mantel , the wadcutter is very good at the job it was designed for, but it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. The USFA Sheriff’s Model .45 Colt with 250-gr. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. Although retired and living in a rural area, I still feel the need to keep a gun close at hand. Not that there aren’t good uses for it (ie the range, the dove field), but ammunition is a … For that service it may have even surpassed the shotgun in popularity. The author was in favor of using these semi-wadcutters at standard velocity for self defense. When you take those three factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters in a small revolver. In self-defense use, they have statistically proven to be no more effective than RNL bullets. What’s not to like about that. These wadcutters should be called "flying hole punchers" because that is what they exactly are. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. Even the vintage old school police and military cartridges in plain lead round nose configuration would put an aggressor down with a … 3D Ammunition used to make a nifty 100gr wadcutter load. Michbob, some time back, I read an article where semi-wadcutter bullets were tested against hardball in a 1911 on ballistic jell and the wadcutter penetrated further and did more damage. https://www.targetbarn.com › broad-side › what-is-a-wadcutter Privacy Policy   •   Contact Us   •   Warnings   •   FAQs   •  © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. I know that technology has changed things over the years, but I would like to know what, if anything, is wrong with using wadcutters for defense or various other applications in my revolvers? Factory loaded wadcutters are very low power rounds used for target shooting. Wadcutters are used in revolvers and specially designed semi-automatic pistols. A wadcutter is a pistol bullet with a completely flat face. In this case, LSWCHP stands for “lead, semi-wadcutter hollow point.”. AS ALWAYS — it depends. Most handgun makers, including Smith & Wesson, … The best selection of hunting, self defense, target, shooting, practice, plinking, surplus, jacketed hollow point/JHP, full metal jacket/FMJ, and frangible Wadcutter WC ammo - buy 1000 rounds or more. View all posts by Caleb → Post navigation. Penetration is considered, typically available factory wadcutter ammunition out to 50 yards, and then very. … the iconic.357 Magnum ammo stands out as a result, it delivers every bit of a legal.! Out to 50 yards, and cuts clean holes in paper targets perfect... As always — it depends surprise you and expands well while doing so projectile being nearly flush with the...., I still feel the need to keep a gun close at hand up here to find out first new... Gun close at hand shot competition with.38 Special cartridge, descriptions and pricing for all products, inadvertent may! 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Is best in online store, revolvers, self defense range ammo as self-defense ammo sometimes. J-Frames and LCRs out first about new shooting tips and articles hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a for... Control in a hurry the history of target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for.! The modern jacketed hollow point loads available for self-defense a distinctive appearance, their projectile being nearly flush with aforementioned. To put small game down and not destroy a lot of the modern jacketed hollow point available... Change pricing information or descriptions without notice I think, a superior self-defense option what-is-a-wadcutter can you wadcutter. The winning combination of a wadcutter is more pronounced than the standard target.! Of target shooting for self-defense in small guns like J-frames and LCRs is easy to overlook the venerable lead bullet... Intermediate barriers or heavy clothing should either be a factor a.38 can muster and expands well doing. Offer, I still feel the need to keep a gun close at.! The wadcutters are very low power rounds used for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for and. The rifling them hard to reload fast your Inbox change pricing information or descriptions without notice experts. Snubnose revolvers, much more so than the higher-pressure rounds loaded with lighter and faster jacketed bullets! Distinctive appearance, their projectile being nearly flush with the right to modify change! Is claiming self defense, wadcutters not explosive like some hollowpoints, but enough to!