[glenwolde]

...how much fun wadcutters are! I used to shoot them all the time "back in the day" but moved on from the "old-fashioned" swagged HBWC to cast bullets. A little while back I posted about picking up a late 1960's S&W Model 14 ( K-38 ).

I loaded up all the HBWC's I had in my "stash" with "Ye Olde Wadcutter Load", 2.8gr of Bullseye. I may have to order more. What fun!

 

[Rickenbacher39]

Yes, I remember too.
That's all I used when I first started shooting (back in the 1800's).
Easy to shoot and a nice clean hole. I liked it.
Don't know why I stopped except I like to practice with the round I carry.

 

[Czechbikr]

Gives a literal meaning to "drilling" that target full of holes!

 

[RScottie]

Such purty holes!

 

[winnsman]

I don't reload, but like to shoot wadcutters at the range. Much easier on these old hands through a snubbie Ruger LCR.
Problem is finding them for my .38.
Can not seem to find them anywhere.
Anyone have a source?

 

[winnsman]

And just like that I found the 148 gr wadcutters on the Sportsmans Guide website.
Guess I really did not look hard enough.

 

[glenwolde]

And just like that I found the 148 gr wadcutters on the Sportsmans Guide website.
Guess I really did not look hard enough.

Other options...

50 Round Box - 38 Special 148 Grain Lead Wad Cutter by Fiocchi - 38LA | SGAmmo.com
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/fed...o-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

Now if you were to take up reloading, they'd cost you about $7.00 a box...just sayin'....

 

[NativeTexan]

I load 2.7 grains of B'eye behind mine, one of my fave loads in .38 or in my .357s, actually. I cast my own, not hollow based OR swagged. I've been casting it for 40 years from a 2 cavity Lee mold and it's such a fave of mine, I finally got around to picking up a 6 cavity mold in that bullet from Midway. I sooted the mold the other day, but haven't gotten around to casting anything from it, yet. That bullet is very accurate, nearly as accurate as a swagged hollow base and a lot cheaper than buying bullets. It is my most accurate .38 bullet, put it that way. My 4" 66 will put that bullet into an inch at 25 yards off a rest which is about as good as I can shoot any handgun with iron sights.

 

[guesser]

I buy Remington 148 gr. HBWC by the case, 2000+ 2%; and load them over 2.7 gr. of B'eye in Remington R-P cases. I have 3 Colt Officers Model 38's, 6"; Target, Special and Match; 1941, 1951 & 1961. Those guns and loads make me look like I know what I'm doing. Love it all!!!

 

[muddcatt54]

I've never shot a wadcutter only semi WC how do they cycle in a semi auto say a .40 cal those targets posted by the OP look really good

 

[vaskeet]

I've never shot a wadcutter only semi WC how do they cycle in a semi auto say a .40 cal those targets posted by the OP look really good

wadcutters are for revolvers but semi wadcutters punch holes just as nice my range load for my .45acp is 5.3 grains 231 and a 200 grain semi wadcutter

 

[kmw1954]

When I first started back around 1979 I had a S&W Model 19. Using a Speer manual and either Speer 148gr BBWC or HBWC and Speer 158gr SWC over old Hercules Bullseye loaded down in 357 cases. They didn't have plated bullets back then and jacketed were much more expensive.

 

[Lmstncwby]

Used to have a bunch of .44 cal wad cutters a friend had cast but never could get them to shoot very well. Used them as defense rounds by turning them around and using them as flying ash trays in my Charter Arms .44 Bulldog. They did very well out to 10-15 yards.

 

[glenwolde]

I've never shot a wadcutter only semi WC how do they cycle in a semi auto say a .40 cal those targets posted by the OP look really good

Semi-wadcutters cut almost as clean, especially if you get a bit of oompf behind them and get the velocity up. Some of it has to do with the firmness of your target and/or backing. Any bullet that has a sharp full-caliber edge somewhere will cut pretty clean given a firm target.

Generally full wadcutters don't work in autos, other than the S&W Model 52 and some specialized 1911 conversions built for NRA bullseye shooters.

 

[Aggie]

They are fun to reload and are inexpensive. To some reloaders, they lack the coolness of other bullets.

 

[olfarhors]

wadcutters are for revolvers but semi wadcutters punch holes just as nice my range load for my .45acp is 5.3 grains 231 and a 200 grain semi wadcutter

when punching paper I use either a 200 grain Flat point or a 200 grain semi wad cutter.
I have no problems with a multitude of different 1911 handling and functioning the Semi wad cutter once that you get the OAL and crimp correct.
both projectiles make nice round holes in the paper.
I run both on HS-6 or Accurate #5.

 

[NativeTexan]

wadcutters are for revolvers but semi wadcutters punch holes just as nice my range load for my .45acp is 5.3 grains 231 and a 200 grain semi wadcutter

https://gunsmagazine.com/smith-wessons-model-52-38-master/

 

[NativeTexan]

The reason WCs are so accurate is the full length engagement of the rifling, the total lack of any possible wobble in the bore, and in the case of HBWCs, the hollow base works sort of like a Minie ball in that the pressure behind it swells it into the rifling. You won't find a SWC that cuts the tiny groups a WC is capable of, especially a HBWC. The SWCs might be good enough for you, but aren't good enough for a dedicated bullseye shooter.

I had a friend in the gun club in Port Lavaca who shot bullseye regularly in San Antonio. They had matches open to the public at the military bases there. He had a Smith and Wesson M52 and a Smith and Wesson M41 (.22LR comp gun). Those firearms were AWESOME! The triggers were almost TOO light. I had to get used to 'em.

 

[GhostHorse]

Don't know why I stopped except I like to practice with the round I carry.

I've carried wadcutters before. That's probably what I'll put in my View if I carry it. Honestly, a wadcutter is the absolute last bullet type I'd ever want to get shot with.

 

[NativeTexan]

I've shot hogs in the trap with WCs. I was AMAZED at the penetration and ring of tissue destruction it left. I shot 'em in the top of the head and it penetrated the full length of the neck and exited the sternum in the chest. It left a bloody mess of tissue destruction and wasted meat which I didn't much appreciate for cleaning the animal, but I just shoot 'em in the trap when I get a chance with different loads to judge the load. In the case of the WC, I got to wondering if I ought to switch carry loads. :lol: However, one problem with carrying a WC is a speed loader or speed strip doesn't work as effectively with them as with a nice rounded profile of a hollow point round. Nah, I kept carrying my +P JHPs.