Wadcutters

arch308 · May 3, 2012, 08:09 PM

I have never tried full wadcutters, although I've been reloading for 20+ yrs.
What is the advantage to using them? I have a BH 45 & GP100 .357 to feed and am always willing to try something new, I just don't get the point. Or lack thereof.

onlybrowning · May 3, 2012, 08:35 PM

I like them in .38 special. Easy to load, inexpensive, and punch clean holes in paper and small game animals. Oh, and lots of load data.

jepp2 · May 3, 2012, 08:42 PM

Is your question regarding HBWC or DEWC?

They cut very neat holes in the targets. The long contact length with the rifling tends to provide better accuracy than bullets with less contact.

The HBWC seal the bore very effectively and are renown for their accuracy. Don't try and push them too fast since you can blow the skirt off. These are swaged and can accommodate a wide range of groove diameters without leading.

DEWC also cut nice holes in targets and provide very good accuracy. Can be driven to higher velocities than HBWC. You can also get these in a wider variety of BHN's if you buy commercially cast.

Hammerhead · May 3, 2012, 09:10 PM

I like Rainier/Berry's .357"/148 plated DEWC. In my .357's I load them long, 1.420" OAL, so that I get get a little higher velocity if I want and to give them a head start in the throats.

This load has proven super accurate in my F/A model 97, Handi rifle and my buddy's Security Six, stable out to 50 yards, and of course never leads.

zippy13 · May 3, 2012, 11:45 PM

They're the only bullets my S&W Model 52 Master will shoot.

arch308 · May 4, 2012, 07:24 PM

Food for thought, thanks guys.

k4swb · May 4, 2012, 07:33 PM

I have a mold that throws roughly 205gr wadcutter for my .44 mags. Loaded way down they are extremely accurate and really fun to shoot.

I will sometimes squirrel hunt with them trying head shots. Successful more than half the time.

Rangefinder · May 5, 2012, 01:00 AM

The primary point is as a target bullet. The flat meplat cuts a clean hole in paper that is easy to measure and identify. Everything else is just a bonus.

m&p45acp10+1 · May 5, 2012, 07:30 AM

I shot a box of the Berry's 148 grain HBWC's they gave good results with Bull's Eye. They squibbed badly with max loads of Trail Boss in my 4 inch mod 67-1.

I now cast 158 grain SWC for my all purpose loads.

MADISON · May 5, 2012, 07:43 PM

S&W 686 or Ruger SP-101
When I am required to qualify, I have two loadings with Winchester 231.

HBWC==3.0 grains of 231
I use to use 4.0 grains but, they tumble on me.

DEWC==4.0 grains of 231

10Ringmagic · May 5, 2012, 07:47 PM

148grn HBWC from Precision Delta, loaded flush with the case mouth, on top of 3.4grn W231.

It is a fantastic shooting load in my GP100 w/4" barrel.

243winxb · May 5, 2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

full wadcutters,
What is the advantage to using them?

The bullet base is seated deeper into the case reducing powder capacity. This works well with the light chargers of fast buring powder like Bullseye for target loads. When there is a lot of room for the powder to move around in, velocity can be erratic. Tests have been done loading 357 with light charges of powder. Powder burns different if forward against the bullet base, when compared to being in the web area, next to the primers. Happens with slower burn rates of powders.

SL1 · May 5, 2012, 08:01 PM

Wadcutters also make good small game loads for revolvers. They pretty much make the critter "dead right there" while round-nosed bullets at the same velocity will often allow the critter to scamper away and die somewhere out of sight. And, of course, they are a LOT cheaper than expanding bullets that I would choose for larger targets like deer or bad guys.

SL1

marklyftogt · May 14, 2012, 03:36 PM

I shoot Berry's 148gr HBWC with 3.3 grains of ZIP with CCi SPP in my S&W model 66-7 4". Or 4.3 gr of True Blue. TB has a little more kick.

I use the lead loads plus .1 grains.

Cheap, accurate, little recoil and nice round holes.

Try shooting some 357 after that

gwalchmai · May 15, 2012, 06:12 AM

I was shooting Bear Creek moly coated 148gr button nose wadcutters over 2.5gr of Solo-1000 out of my 14-2 at the range a couple of weeks ago. After I got through the guy at the counter who'd been watching asked me what kind of .22 I was shooting. He had guessed .22 because it looked like there was no recoil and they were so accurate.

I explained that I couldn't afford to buy .22s that were as accurate as my .38 handloads.

Rangefinder · May 15, 2012, 08:39 PM

And if you're inclined to play with things the way I am... You might end up with something like these dropping from your mold.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...55#post5082155

dahermit · May 16, 2012, 08:05 AM

They were invented for pure target shooting, that is off-hand, slow-fire, they were/are very accurate and easy to accurately score on the paper target. No other consideration (self-defense, hunting, etc.), was given to their invention. For all other uses, there are better bullets. But, if I were to be interested in off-hand competition, wadcutters is what I would use.

Sky Pilot · May 18, 2012, 06:18 PM

Part of the reason they are so wonderfully accurate -- within their velocity range -- is because of the hollow skirt that expands to very precisely fit the bore diameter.
The hollow base wad cutter is also loaded in .38 S&W for that reason, guaranteeing proper fit in the slightly larger diameter bore.
Double end wad cutters are more common hereabouts, and are what I load for .38 and .357.
Unless I feel like loading something else.

Mac Sidewinder · May 18, 2012, 07:13 PM

I just loaded up some 148gr HBWC in .357 from Berry's to test. I seated them flush with 3.0gr of Bullseye. They shot great, very very accurate. Nice perfect holes in the paper. My wife loves the reduced recoil. Gonna have to try their DEWCs next.

I have read about people being concerned about blowing off the skirt and leaving it in the barrel. Has anyone had this problem with plated HBWCs. I could see lead doing that pretty easy.

Mac

Sport45 · May 18, 2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

I have read about people being concerned about blowing off the skirt and leaving it in the barrel.

If you keep them in their recommended low velocity/pressure range, this should not be a problem.

If you try to hotrod them into something they're not you can get into trouble.

For instance, if you load them backwards to make a super hollowpoint don't expect great accuracy or effectiveness.

zippy13 · May 18, 2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

I explained that I couldn't afford to buy .22s that were as accurate as my .38 handloads.

That's been my experience, too. I use a classic .38-Spcl load of 148-gr home-cast WCs over 2.7-gr of Bullseye. Those new to mid-range WCs are amazed by how accurate and sweet shooting they are.

bluetopper · May 18, 2012, 09:41 PM

Hard cast double ended wadcutters is all I buy and shoot for 38 anymore. No real reason to shoot anything else.

Also the DEWC in front of a full charge in a 357 case is a devastating round on anything it hits.

otasan · May 19, 2012, 03:00 PM

In .44 Magnum: Cast 211gr flat-based wadcutter ahead of 7.7 grains of HodgdonTiteGroup and a Federal 150 primer. This bullet is like very accurate out of my 6-inch S&W M629, and it is a reliable pin-killer. It chronographs at 1200 FPS. This is a semi-exotic load, but it works. PF 253 (!)

May 3, 2012, 08:09 PM	#1
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	Wadcutters I have never tried full wadcutters, although I've been reloading for 20+ yrs. What is the advantage to using them? I have a BH 45 & GP100 .357 to feed and am always willing to try something new, I just don't get the point. Or lack thereof.

May 4, 2012, 07:33 PM	#7
k4swb Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 389	I have a mold that throws roughly 205gr wadcutter for my .44 mags. Loaded way down they are extremely accurate and really fun to shoot. I will sometimes squirrel hunt with them trying head shots. Successful more than half the time. __________________ My posts are things I have tried or experienced. You may or may not wish to emulate them so read them with this in mind. Compromise means that both sides give something, but they never give, they just take. I'm The NRA!

May 5, 2012, 01:00 AM	#8
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	The primary point is as a target bullet. The flat meplat cuts a clean hole in paper that is easy to measure and identify. Everything else is just a bonus. __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

May 5, 2012, 07:30 AM	#9
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I shot a box of the Berry's 148 grain HBWC's they gave good results with Bull's Eye. They squibbed badly with max loads of Trail Boss in my 4 inch mod 67-1. I now cast 158 grain SWC for my all purpose loads. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

May 5, 2012, 07:43 PM	#10
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	HBWC or DEWC S&W 686 or Ruger SP-101 When I am required to qualify, I have two loadings with Winchester 231. HBWC==3.0 grains of 231 I use to use 4.0 grains but, they tumble on me. DEWC==4.0 grains of 231

May 3, 2012, 08:35 PM	#2
onlybrowning Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 275	I like them in .38 special. Easy to load, inexpensive, and punch clean holes in paper and small game animals. Oh, and lots of load data.

May 3, 2012, 08:42 PM	#3
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Is your question regarding HBWC or DEWC? They cut very neat holes in the targets. The long contact length with the rifling tends to provide better accuracy than bullets with less contact. The HBWC seal the bore very effectively and are renown for their accuracy. Don't try and push them too fast since you can blow the skirt off. These are swaged and can accommodate a wide range of groove diameters without leading. DEWC also cut nice holes in targets and provide very good accuracy. Can be driven to higher velocities than HBWC. You can also get these in a wider variety of BHN's if you buy commercially cast.

May 3, 2012, 09:10 PM	#4
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	I like Rainier/Berry's .357"/148 plated DEWC. In my .357's I load them long, 1.420" OAL, so that I get get a little higher velocity if I want and to give them a head start in the throats. This load has proven super accurate in my F/A model 97, Handi rifle and my buddy's Security Six, stable out to 50 yards, and of course never leads.

May 3, 2012, 11:45 PM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	They're the only bullets my S&W Model 52 Master will shoot.

May 4, 2012, 07:24 PM	#6
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	Food for thought, thanks guys.

May 5, 2012, 07:47 PM	#11
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	148grn HBWC from Precision Delta, loaded flush with the case mouth, on top of 3.4grn W231. It is a fantastic shooting load in my GP100 w/4" barrel.

May 5, 2012, 08:01 PM	#13
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	Wadcutters also make good small game loads for revolvers. They pretty much make the critter "dead right there" while round-nosed bullets at the same velocity will often allow the critter to scamper away and die somewhere out of sight. And, of course, they are a LOT cheaper than expanding bullets that I would choose for larger targets like deer or bad guys. SL1

May 14, 2012, 03:36 PM	#14
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	I shoot Berry's 148gr HBWC with 3.3 grains of ZIP with CCi SPP in my S&W model 66-7 4". Or 4.3 gr of True Blue. TB has a little more kick. I use the lead loads plus .1 grains. Cheap, accurate, little recoil and nice round holes. Try shooting some 357 after that

May 15, 2012, 06:12 AM	#15
gwalchmai Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: outside the perimeter Posts: 333	I was shooting Bear Creek moly coated 148gr button nose wadcutters over 2.5gr of Solo-1000 out of my 14-2 at the range a couple of weeks ago. After I got through the guy at the counter who'd been watching asked me what kind of .22 I was shooting. He had guessed .22 because it looked like there was no recoil and they were so accurate. I explained that I couldn't afford to buy .22s that were as accurate as my .38 handloads.

May 15, 2012, 08:39 PM	#16
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	And if you're inclined to play with things the way I am... You might end up with something like these dropping from your mold. http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...55#post5082155 __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

May 16, 2012, 08:05 AM	#17
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	They were invented for pure target shooting, that is off-hand, slow-fire, they were/are very accurate and easy to accurately score on the paper target. No other consideration (self-defense, hunting, etc.), was given to their invention. For all other uses, there are better bullets. But, if I were to be interested in off-hand competition, wadcutters is what I would use.

May 18, 2012, 06:18 PM	#18
Sky Pilot Junior Member Join Date: March 18, 2008 Location: Lake Erie shoreline Posts: 12	Part of the reason they are so wonderfully accurate -- within their velocity range -- is because of the hollow skirt that expands to very precisely fit the bore diameter. The hollow base wad cutter is also loaded in .38 S&W for that reason, guaranteeing proper fit in the slightly larger diameter bore. Double end wad cutters are more common hereabouts, and are what I load for .38 and .357. Unless I feel like loading something else. __________________ Iron grey mustache and too many memories! Additional free advice on request.

May 18, 2012, 07:13 PM	#19
Mac Sidewinder Member Join Date: March 2, 2012 Posts: 84	I just loaded up some 148gr HBWC in .357 from Berry's to test. I seated them flush with 3.0gr of Bullseye. They shot great, very very accurate. Nice perfect holes in the paper. My wife loves the reduced recoil. Gonna have to try their DEWCs next. I have read about people being concerned about blowing off the skirt and leaving it in the barrel. Has anyone had this problem with plated HBWCs. I could see lead doing that pretty easy. Mac

May 18, 2012, 09:41 PM	#22
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Hard cast double ended wadcutters is all I buy and shoot for 38 anymore. No real reason to shoot anything else. Also the DEWC in front of a full charge in a 357 case is a devastating round on anything it hits.

May 19, 2012, 03:00 PM	#23
otasan Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2005 Location: Hartford, Vermont Posts: 519	.44 Magnum Wadcutter In .44 Magnum: Cast 211gr flat-based wadcutter ahead of 7.7 grains of HodgdonTiteGroup and a Federal 150 primer. This bullet is like very accurate out of my 6-inch S&W M629, and it is a reliable pin-killer. It chronographs at 1200 FPS. This is a semi-exotic load, but it works. PF 253 (!)