wad cutters

Bass Man · January 15, 2005, 11:26 PM

Does a semi-wadcutter cut as clean a hole as a wadcutter?

Jim Watson · January 16, 2005, 12:13 AM

Nearly, if the target is crisp and well backed.

Steve499 · January 16, 2005, 11:01 AM

No.

MADISON · January 16, 2005, 05:30 PM

Look at the loads in your manuals !!!
I shoot wad-cutter in a S&W-686 [.357 Magnum]. Both of my loads cut a clean hole.
I use either a 148gr wad-cutter or a 150gr SWC.
I use Winchester 231.
Bevel Based Wad-Cutter..4.0 grains
Hollow Based Wad-Cutter 3.0 grains.
If I go over 3.0 grains with a HBW it KEY-HOLES.

JoeHatley · January 16, 2005, 06:43 PM

There may be a bit of a difference, but I've never really noticed much.

SWC Cast

Joe

Bass Man · February 3, 2005, 09:41 PM

What is the advantage then of a wad cutter over a swc? Is the true wadcutter more accurate?

Watchman · February 3, 2005, 10:53 PM

I dont think so.

I've loaded the WC and the SWC and never noticed an increase in accuracy.

A semi wadcutter will feed much better in a semi auto, whereas a wadcutter usally wont feed at all.

Im my experience, the difference in the hole is too little to tell.

rbwillnj · February 3, 2005, 11:50 PM

Most Semi-Autos won't feed wadcutters, so semi-wadcutters are the next best alternative. The Smith & Wesson Model 52 is a noted exception as it was designed to shoot full wadcutters.

Leftoverdj · February 4, 2005, 01:49 PM

The difference is important only to serious match shooters. WCs give a little better accuracy at match ranges, but you need a machine rest to see it. They cut a little cleaner hole unless the target is very well backed.

There are more WC only semi-autos than the S&W 52, but they are popular in Europe rather than the US. I'm shooting a Benelli .32 WC only and know that Hammerli and Walther made them. Think SIG makes one, too.

ulflyer · February 5, 2005, 05:39 PM

How about the lead flat nose type? I'm using some 225gr and it punches pretty good holes and feeds well in nearly any type semi. This is, of course, just for general shooting, not serious target work.

January 15, 2005, 11:26 PM	#1
Bass Man Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	wad cutters Does a semi-wadcutter cut as clean a hole as a wadcutter?

January 16, 2005, 05:30 PM	#4
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Wad-Cutter cutting a clean hole Look at the loads in your manuals !!! I shoot wad-cutter in a S&W-686 [.357 Magnum]. Both of my loads cut a clean hole. I use either a 148gr wad-cutter or a 150gr SWC. I use Winchester 231. Bevel Based Wad-Cutter..4.0 grains Hollow Based Wad-Cutter 3.0 grains. If I go over 3.0 grains with a HBW it KEY-HOLES.

January 16, 2005, 06:43 PM	#5
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	There may be a bit of a difference, but I've never really noticed much. SWC Cast Joe __________________ Go NRA

January 16, 2005, 12:13 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Nearly, if the target is crisp and well backed.

January 16, 2005, 11:01 AM	#3
Steve499 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 533	No.

February 3, 2005, 09:41 PM	#6
Bass Man Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	What is the advantage then of a wad cutter over a swc? Is the true wadcutter more accurate?

February 3, 2005, 10:53 PM	#7
Watchman Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: ARKANSAS Posts: 484	I dont think so. I've loaded the WC and the SWC and never noticed an increase in accuracy. A semi wadcutter will feed much better in a semi auto, whereas a wadcutter usally wont feed at all. Im my experience, the difference in the hole is too little to tell.

February 3, 2005, 11:50 PM	#8
rbwillnj Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 38	Most Semi-Autos won't feed wadcutters, so semi-wadcutters are the next best alternative. The Smith & Wesson Model 52 is a noted exception as it was designed to shoot full wadcutters.

February 4, 2005, 01:49 PM	#9
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	The difference is important only to serious match shooters. WCs give a little better accuracy at match ranges, but you need a machine rest to see it. They cut a little cleaner hole unless the target is very well backed. There are more WC only semi-autos than the S&W 52, but they are popular in Europe rather than the US. I'm shooting a Benelli .32 WC only and know that Hammerli and Walther made them. Think SIG makes one, too.

February 5, 2005, 05:39 PM	#10
ulflyer Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2004 Posts: 154	How about the lead flat nose type? I'm using some 225gr and it punches pretty good holes and feeds well in nearly any type semi. This is, of course, just for general shooting, not serious target work.