Might be a dumb question, but...

[guitarguy314]

Why do I never see wadcutters being used as rifle bullets? In particular, I'm curious why they aren't used with .45/70.

Is it just the ballistics? Is it something else?

Thanks everyone

 

[Robert101]

I think you called it on poor ballistics. That flat nose is a ballistic nightmare. I would tend to think that a wadcutter in a copper jacket would tend to be a little ironic.

 

[BCRider]

The airflow and drag associated with a flat nose or wide meplate value seen with wadcutters and semi wadcutters means that the BC of the bullet is going to drop quickly. That's going to cut down on the range. Or more correctly slow the bullet down faster so it has a more rainbow like trajectory. I also seem to recall reading that some pistol wadcutters used at longer distances tend to tumble. Likely due to the drag and aerodynamics of trying to push a shape that looks like a paint bucket. So if shooting for match performance onto paper that'll punch cleanly with a wadcutter or semi wadcutter with a .45-70 that is considered more of a long range deal I would think that the last things we would want is an even bigger bullet drop for the distance due to a lowered BC value or a possibility of de-stabilizing and tumbling.

Another example is the added range that came from the Hornady Leverevolution bullet design over the tried and true flat nose or flattish round nose historically used on .30-30 ammo. Even just giving us a pointed nose increased the BC value enough for a given weight that the bullets reach out flatter and harder and add a good 30 to 50 yards onto the usable hunting distances for this round. All that from simply making the nose more pointy.

 

[BCRider]

I would tend to think that a wadcutter in a copper jacket would tend to be a little ironic.

Ironic for those that historically shot tons of lead wadcutters. But for indoor ranges where recent concern over lead exposure is high in the minds of operators and some shooters we now have Berry and CamPro plated HBWC bullets for .38Spl target shooting.

 

[jakk280rem]

A wadcutter bullet is a target bullet. It was designed to punch clean, easily scorable, holes in paper targets. The wadcutter got its name because the holes it left were so clean, they resembled the holes left by a wad cutting machine used by shot shell reloaders to cut wads from card stock.

I'm guessing that they aren't used because the 45-70 wasn't until recently used as a target cartridge. And the the sports that use a 45-70 don't score using paper.

 

[ThomasT]

^^^ That.

Plus they may not feed well through a lever action but would be fine in a single shot. I do shoot them in my Marlin 357 lever gun but have to seat them out of the case about 3/8ths of an inch for them to cycle. Plus the back of my barrel has been modified so it will feed SWC lead bullets smoothly.

 

[torqem]

The 45-70 is popular only with a few cultists. That's why the ammo and reloading components for it hard to find and expensive. What might correct some of the problem would be solid tin or copper bullets, made in the tubular fashion, with a big cone shaped hollow base, filled with a similar shaped plastic cone. After it exists the muzzle, inflowing air blows the plastic back out of the bullet, and it has very little air resistance. It also "cores" its way thru lots and lots of tissue. The very lw bullets can be driven to quite high speeds, safely in these weak old guns, too.