Semi-wadcutters generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters. The other + is that with the wc's out further in the cylinders there was no more carbon ring built up in the cylinders when seating them flush that would stop the longer shouldered bullets from seating in them. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. Because of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters are more appropriate for that purpose. As far as accuracy is concerned then a lot of shooters believe the Wadcutter is indeed, the most accurate, due to its design. The leading source for targeted, industry specific news briefs. 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. My advice? Wadcutters also don’t work well with semi-automatics. Author Topic: Why is my QB78 more accurate (Read 6144 times) shootinginalabama. Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. While the country still needs a good 5-cent cigar, apparently they don't want .38 wadcutters. Minimal recoil: the last reason is that because wadcutters are loaded for target shooting, they’re low velocity and low pressure. At distances beyond 50 yards, full caliber diameter wadcutters become highly inaccurate. The low velocity of these rounds significantly reduces their recoil. The same shortcomings that make the wadcutter unsuitable for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting big game. The flat shape of the nose is the primary feature of the wadcutter. Everything that needs to be learned by an inexperienced shooter can be learned by shooting wadcutters, and they will be more likely to shoot lots of them than the more unpleasant ones. I've read about hand-loaders taking hollow-base wadcutter bullets and seating them upside down for use as self-defense ammunition, but results were often erratic. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. They open to 60-70 caliber and break pieces off that go everywhere. Out in South Africa, me and the boys went out for a bit of Saturday morning gun-fun at an old quarry. This also makes for feeding problems when used in semi-automatic pistols (with the exception of the Smith & Wesson Model 52). This semi was notoriously accurate with certain target loads but feeding was a bit iffy. The modern lead pellet that we now shoot in our airguns is most often taken for granted. Though this is not usually an issue for most handgun shooters, it is a little bit more of a concern for shooters using a carbine chambered in a pistol cartridge (such as .357 or .44 Magnum). It’s even painful for some people. Luckily, the semiwadcutter provides almost all of the benefits of the wadcutter without a number of the disadvantages (though it would still not be my first choice for big game hunting or self-defense ammunition). 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. Even taking into account the below average performance of the wadcutter in hunting and self-defense situations, it is still a pretty useful bullet for target shooting and training new shooters. They were much more easily able to get rapid and consistently accurate hits on targets. Revolvers chambered in .38 were widely used in matches and even semi-autos were built to […] That's the mechanism by which it dumps more … Sure do nasty things to a phone book, though! On the other hand, SWC bullets can maintain high accuracy at ranges exceeding 100 yards. Looking at the results, it's obvious that longer bullets are more accurate. 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. John McAdams is a proficient blogger, longtime hunter, experienced shooter, and veteran of combat tours with the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you are using wadcutters (flat nose) they are best shot below 600fps, above that they lose accuracy. What’s not to like about that. There appear to be lots and lots of options for purchase at places like PA but all I ever hear are folks talking about the more common diabolo round-head … Along with others, I don't think that wadcutters are more accurate than some other types. 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. Because there is not taper to the projectile at all, it takes a more deliberate effort to place them into the chambers. Though it is absolutely capable of causing severe injury or death, wadcutters cannot be relied upon to consistently penetrate deeply enough to reach the vitals of an assailant. My best shots were from 200 yards with a snub .38 special. Hit where you aim: many small revolvers have fixed sights. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? Originally intended for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a semi-wadcutter for hunting. Here you can see the front, side, and rear of a hollow based .38 Special 148gr Fiocchi wadcutter bullet This makes scoring the shooter much easier, especially when compared to the small, ragged holes that full metal jacket bullets punch in targets. Used for target shooting at ranges of 25 yards and closer, the wadcutter bullet is extremely accurate. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. 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