Semi Wadcutters vs Round Nose....

WVsig · February 18, 2015, 10:48 AM

I am looking to order some bullets from X-Treme and I am considering semi wadcutters vs round nose bullets.

These will be used 100% for punching paper! Thoughts. Forgot to mention 38 Spl for the Semi -Wadcutters. I am going to stick with round nose for semis at this time.

Gadawg88 · February 18, 2015, 10:54 AM

Semi wadcutters make nice easy to see holes in paper if that matters. If you go with the wadcutters you might want to make sure you can load them to feed reliably in your particular pistol or pistols if it is an auto loader caliber before you buy in bulk. If revolver, then no issue.

WVsig · February 18, 2015, 11:14 AM

Revolver 38 Spl.

g.willikers · February 18, 2015, 11:29 AM

SWC are about all I use in everything.
Revolvers especially.
Only ever had one pistol that didn't like them.
Very accurate, due to their relative length, and nice holes in cardboard.
Also an overall very effective bullet design.

**Unclenick** · February 18, 2015, 11:37 AM

If you are going to punch paper with more powerful loads than wadcutter loads, then yes, the SWC is the better choice. If you just want typical wadcutter loads, though, use a double-ended wadcutter that fits the cylinder throats. The double-ended wadcutter tends to be very stable both because it is short and because the center of gravity and center of pressure are in the same place, making them pretty resistant to flipping over and tumbling. They cut the cleanest holes, obviously.

hanno · February 18, 2015, 11:40 AM

For your .38 try HBWCs or DEWCs. My absolute favorite load is Speer HBWCs over 2.7 grains of Bullseye, the classic "NRA Bullseye Load".

Very mild, accurate and a pound of powder goes a long way.

Nick_C_S · February 18, 2015, 04:12 PM

I load more DEWC's for 38 special than any other. Like Unclenick said, they're stable and cut a nice hole in paper/cardboard. Next comes the SWC for stouter rounds. Last weekend, I loaded 800 of these two collectively - on a single stage

.

I even use DEWC's for IDPA. Now they're not known for speedloading well, but they're fast enough for me. My Model 67 has chamfered charge holes so that helps a lot too. And that sharp hole has made the difference between getting the score or not a few times. Happened just last month, in fact.

I digress.

Point is, if you're punching paper/cardboard, go with the SWC's over the RN's.

Sevens · February 18, 2015, 04:21 PM

There is probably only one or two reasons to ever choose a round nose bullet in .38 Special for use in a revolver...

First reason is if you can somehow save money on a bunch of bullets that most folks don't want because they are round nose.

Unlikely, as most manufacturers price them by weight and construction, not how well they sell.

The other advantage to a round nose slug in a .38 revolver is that if everything else is equal -- they will give you a slight advantage in how quickly you can get them from a speedloader (or just thumbed from your hand...) in to the chambers of your revolver. There is no ledge or flat surface that needs any help to be aligned with the chamber. A round nose cartridge is going to find it's own way in with very little hassle.

To that end, nickel plated brass also assists with this easy, speedy chambering and also tends to give smoother, easier ejection too.

If you want to knock down objects or ding steel targets, the round nose slugs could give you the advantage of easier chambering. But if your goal truly is punching PAPER, the round nose bullets are probably the worst choice you can make. (outside of shot cartridges!

)

February 18, 2015, 10:48 AM	#1
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Semi Wadcutters vs Round Nose.... I am looking to order some bullets from X-Treme and I am considering semi wadcutters vs round nose bullets. These will be used 100% for punching paper! Thoughts. Forgot to mention 38 Spl for the Semi -Wadcutters. I am going to stick with round nose for semis at this time. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle Last edited by WVsig; February 18, 2015 at 11:15 AM.

February 18, 2015, 11:14 AM	#3
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Revolver 38 Spl. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

February 18, 2015, 11:29 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	SWC are about all I use in everything. Revolvers especially. Only ever had one pistol that didn't like them. Very accurate, due to their relative length, and nice holes in cardboard. Also an overall very effective bullet design. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 18, 2015, 11:37 AM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If you are going to punch paper with more powerful loads than wadcutter loads, then yes, the SWC is the better choice. If you just want typical wadcutter loads, though, use a double-ended wadcutter that fits the cylinder throats. The double-ended wadcutter tends to be very stable both because it is short and because the center of gravity and center of pressure are in the same place, making them pretty resistant to flipping over and tumbling. They cut the cleanest holes, obviously. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 18, 2015, 04:12 PM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	I load more DEWC's for 38 special than any other. Like Unclenick said, they're stable and cut a nice hole in paper/cardboard. Next comes the SWC for stouter rounds. Last weekend, I loaded 800 of these two collectively - on a single stage . I even use DEWC's for IDPA. Now they're not known for speedloading well, but they're fast enough for me. My Model 67 has chamfered charge holes so that helps a lot too. And that sharp hole has made the difference between getting the score or not a few times. Happened just last month, in fact. I digress. Point is, if you're punching paper/cardboard, go with the SWC's over the RN's. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

February 18, 2015, 10:54 AM	#2
Gadawg88 Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 241	Semi wadcutters make nice easy to see holes in paper if that matters. If you go with the wadcutters you might want to make sure you can load them to feed reliably in your particular pistol or pistols if it is an auto loader caliber before you buy in bulk. If revolver, then no issue.

February 18, 2015, 11:40 AM	#6
hanno Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 394	For your .38 try HBWCs or DEWCs. My absolute favorite load is Speer HBWCs over 2.7 grains of Bullseye, the classic "NRA Bullseye Load". Very mild, accurate and a pound of powder goes a long way.

February 18, 2015, 04:21 PM	#8
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	There is probably only one or two reasons to ever choose a round nose bullet in .38 Special for use in a revolver... First reason is if you can somehow save money on a bunch of bullets that most folks don't want because they are round nose. Unlikely, as most manufacturers price them by weight and construction, not how well they sell. The other advantage to a round nose slug in a .38 revolver is that if everything else is equal -- they will give you a slight advantage in how quickly you can get them from a speedloader (or just thumbed from your hand...) in to the chambers of your revolver. There is no ledge or flat surface that needs any help to be aligned with the chamber. A round nose cartridge is going to find it's own way in with very little hassle. To that end, nickel plated brass also assists with this easy, speedy chambering and also tends to give smoother, easier ejection too. If you want to knock down objects or ding steel targets, the round nose slugs could give you the advantage of easier chambering. But if your goal truly is punching PAPER, the round nose bullets are probably the worst choice you can make. (outside of shot cartridges! ) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.