Question on the .38 Special Wadcutter.

[AJD]

For those who might know...

In your experience:

Does the 148 gr. .38 Special wadcutter typically shoot point of aim in fixed sighted revolvers sighted for 158 grain ammo?

I had never tried this type of ammo and considered picking some up and wondered how it would perform in my fixed sighted revolvers that shoot 158 grain bullets POA.

 

[PaladinX13]

At 700 fps, it's usually a little low at short ranges.

 

[Deanimator]

Does the 148 gr. .38 Special wadcutter typically shoot point of aim in fixed sighted revolvers sighted for 158 grain ammo?

The problem with that question is that you don't provide enough information to give you a meaningful answer. POI is going to depend upon the ballistics of that particular load.

What specific brands of 148gr. and 158gr. ammunition are you talking about? Without that information, we're just guessing. Different companies load the same ammunition to different velocities.

I CAN tell you that my 2.8gr. of Bullseye handload most certainly does NOT shoot to the same POI as FACTORY 158gr. ammo, or any I'm likely to load. They definitely shoot significantly lower.

 

[10X]

A standard velocity 158 gr load will have more recoil and shoot higher than a standard 148 gr load. IIRC the difference can be as much as 6" at 25 yards, depending upon the gun.

 

[Steve C]

Its been my experience that factory loads will get you into the black at 25 yds with fixed sights and a typical target point of aim. After the first cylinder full you can adjust for the couple inches up if required.

 

[cdrt]

In my Model 14-2 S&W both the 158 grain SWC with 3.0 grains of Bullseye and the 148 grain HBWC with 3.0 grains of BE, both drop the same at 50 yards, i.e. five clicks.

 

[shooting on a shoestring]

I shoot lots of wadcuttes

The wadcutter is my favorite .38 Spl bullet. I use them at max loads for carry in my Mod 60. I shoot them for practice (Lyman 358091) in my SP101 .357. I find in hand loading, I can get more velocity with them in short barrels than with SWCs. The deeper seating allows for slightly more effective barrel length. That is the back of the wadcutter bullet gets to travel farther than the back of the SWC by about an 1/8 inch. Doesn't sound like much except that in my 1 and 7/8 inch J-frame, that amounts to about 6.5 % increase in effective barrel lenght. Thats the difference between 850 and 900 fps. Also in that velocity range, bullet expansion is iffy, but wadcutters cut nice holes all the way through targets (even if they are bad guys).

I control POI and POA by adjusting velocity and bullet weight (I also use Lyman 358087). As far as commercial fodder, I suggest you let us know.