What actually defines a wadcutter?

iScream · February 10, 2009, 06:05 PM

Hi, back with more newbie questions.

Does "wadcutter" just mean there is a 90 degree flat nose on the bullet or is there more to it than that?

Are wadcutters actually more accurate than other bullet types for target shooting or is it just that they are accurate for the price point? They sure don't look like they would be very accurate with a flat face but I realize that means almost nothing.

Thanks!

-Chris

rwilson452 · February 10, 2009, 06:14 PM

I'm going to keep this simple. Yes a wadcutter is a flat ogive. yes they are more accurate. they are accurate because they a stable in flight. They do have a Bad BC but the drop is very predictable because they are stable.

They also make a nice clean sharp edge in the target making scoring more precise. Most people the shoot a 45 auto to compete use a semi-wadcutter because you would need to reinvent the pistol to get it to feed properly. I think it was S&W that made an auto that would shoot a 38spl wadcutter but that is all that it would shoot.

Quote:

What actually defines a wadcutter?
Hi, back with more newbie questions.

Does "wadcutter" just mean there is a 90 degree flat nose on the bullet or is there more to it than that?

Are wadcutters actually more accurate than other bullet types for target shooting or is it just that they are accurate for the price point? They sure don't look like they would be very accurate with a flat face but I realize that means almost nothing.

Thanks!

-Chris

LHB1 · February 10, 2009, 06:15 PM

All wadcutters and semi-wadcutters have a sharp shoulder which cuts a clean, full diameter hole in the target to improve scoring. Full wadcutters have only a small button for nose. Semi-wadcutters have an elongated nose. Both types are HIGHLY accurate designs with the full wadcutter being slightly more so but you will need a Ransom Rest, very accurate pistol, very accurate target/match loads, and possibly some statistical analysis to prove it. Bullseye match shooters use these bullet types for their inherent accuracy and scoring characteristics.

iScream · February 10, 2009, 07:16 PM

Thanks Guys.

I've been at home for two days with a kidney stone so I've been searching and learning a lot during the periods where I feel like sitting up.

Hopefully I'll remember some of this stuff when the Hydrocodone wears off...

-Chris

D.A.Clark · February 10, 2009, 07:43 PM

Kidney stone, I'm sure you have been searching a lot, good luck with the wadcutters and the kidney stone!

cgaengineer · February 10, 2009, 07:50 PM

I hear wad cutters cure the pain of a kidney stone better than hydrocodone!!

sserdlihc · February 10, 2009, 07:59 PM

Did someone say Hydrocodone?

Just kidding. No not really!

cgaengineer · February 11, 2009, 06:34 AM

No joke, 3 days of oxy and I was hooked after my Gallbladder surgery...took 3 days of depression to get off of them...don't mess around with pain killers!! Funny thing is I called my surgeon and explained my symptoms and he offered me more meds...I declined!

SL1 · February 11, 2009, 10:41 AM

MOST of what was written above about wadcutters is true.

But, they are NOT more stable in flight in the aerodynamic sense. After about 50 yards, they start to become unstable and groups open-up, compared to round-nose and other more pointy bullets.

They are more accurate at shorter distances because they have a longer bearing surface to more closely align them with the bore. That means that they get deformed less by firing and tend to start out more accurate until the range gets too great for them.

You can see the same accuracy benefit of a long bearing surface by comnparing heavy and light bullets of the same nose design.

SL1

luvsasmith · February 11, 2009, 12:28 PM

When I had kidney stones two months ago they gave me 18 hydrocodone. I took one just before I passed one of the stones. I laid back down in bed and woke up 15 hours later.

WOW. I'll never take one of those again. But the morphine at the hospital was quite cool.

February 10, 2009, 06:05 PM	#1
iScream Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 89	What actually defines a wadcutter? Hi, back with more newbie questions. Does "wadcutter" just mean there is a 90 degree flat nose on the bullet or is there more to it than that? Are wadcutters actually more accurate than other bullet types for target shooting or is it just that they are accurate for the price point? They sure don't look like they would be very accurate with a flat face but I realize that means almost nothing. Thanks! -Chris

February 10, 2009, 06:15 PM	#3
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	All wadcutters and semi-wadcutters have a sharp shoulder which cuts a clean, full diameter hole in the target to improve scoring. Full wadcutters have only a small button for nose. Semi-wadcutters have an elongated nose. Both types are HIGHLY accurate designs with the full wadcutter being slightly more so but you will need a Ransom Rest, very accurate pistol, very accurate target/match loads, and possibly some statistical analysis to prove it. Bullseye match shooters use these bullet types for their inherent accuracy and scoring characteristics.

February 10, 2009, 07:16 PM	#4
iScream Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 89	Thanks Guys. I've been at home for two days with a kidney stone so I've been searching and learning a lot during the periods where I feel like sitting up. Hopefully I'll remember some of this stuff when the Hydrocodone wears off... -Chris

February 10, 2009, 07:43 PM	#5
D.A.Clark Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: Space Coast of Fl.. Posts: 28	Kidney stone, I'm sure you have been searching a lot, good luck with the wadcutters and the kidney stone!

February 10, 2009, 07:50 PM	#6
cgaengineer Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 264	I hear wad cutters cure the pain of a kidney stone better than hydrocodone!!

February 10, 2009, 07:59 PM	#7
sserdlihc Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,454	Did someone say Hydrocodone? Just kidding. No not really!

February 11, 2009, 06:34 AM	#8
cgaengineer Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 264	No joke, 3 days of oxy and I was hooked after my Gallbladder surgery...took 3 days of depression to get off of them...don't mess around with pain killers!! Funny thing is I called my surgeon and explained my symptoms and he offered me more meds...I declined!

February 11, 2009, 10:41 AM	#9
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	MOST of what was written above about wadcutters is true. But, they are NOT more stable in flight in the aerodynamic sense. After about 50 yards, they start to become unstable and groups open-up, compared to round-nose and other more pointy bullets. They are more accurate at shorter distances because they have a longer bearing surface to more closely align them with the bore. That means that they get deformed less by firing and tend to start out more accurate until the range gets too great for them. You can see the same accuracy benefit of a long bearing surface by comnparing heavy and light bullets of the same nose design. SL1

February 11, 2009, 12:28 PM	#10
luvsasmith Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2008 Posts: 358	When I had kidney stones two months ago they gave me 18 hydrocodone. I took one just before I passed one of the stones. I laid back down in bed and woke up 15 hours later. WOW. I'll never take one of those again. But the morphine at the hospital was quite cool.