Shot Wadcutters, wow, I’ve been missing out!

[the Black Spot]

Uberti cattleman 44 special
Lee mold 208 gr WC 1:20 tin/lead powder coated
.5 cc dipper of bullseye (not scale measured at all, roughly 4.6 gr)
15 yds rested. Shot into some old encyclopedias. Bout 3” penetration

 

[megatronrules]

Wonderful
But if you really want your socks blown off, try some in one of these...

Is that Smith model 52 I think it is? I've always thought those were one of the coolest guns out there.


View attachment 1092675

 

[dannyd]

The old rule of thumb is roll crimp for revolver, taper crimp for semi-auto as I recall, but I expect to hear some folks disagree. I like complete powder burn so I roll crimp all my ammo firmly. I expect to hear disagreement with that also. It’s why the forum is fun and educational!

Personally I have not rolled crimped in about 30 years; started using a taper crimp and haven't had any problems.

 

[DMW1116]

I shot the rest of my loaded Hornady HBWC wadcutters today. I only have 24 projectiles left. I’ll be making due with the Gallant RNFP in 38 Special until Cabelas or PSA get more in stock.

 

[dannyd]

I shot the rest of my loaded Hornady HBWC wadcutters today. I only have 24 projectiles left. I’ll be making due with the Gallant RNFP in 38 Special until Cabelas or PSA get more in stock.

Look up Zero HBWC's there just as good as Hornady or you can order more Hornady's from Brownells.

 

[DMW1116]

Oh reeeeealllyy? I'll look into them. I'm not too excited about shipping lead. Then again I just got free shipping with some Hunters Supply, so I'm just not too excited about paying to ship lead.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I shot the rest of my loaded Hornady HBWC wadcutters today. I only have 24 projectiles left. I’ll be making due with the Gallant RNFP in 38 Special until Cabelas or PSA get more in stock.

Grafs has Hornady Swaged HBWCs in stock. $12.95 flat rate shipping.

 

[velocette]

Two things. First, Missouri Bullet Company offers Hi tech coated 148 gr, Double ended wadcutters (DEWC) that are very good and shoot very well in my S&W revolvers.
Second, if you are using a speedloader or strips, it it worthy to make sure your bullets are crimped into the cannelure. The crimp should yield a nice smooth transition from bullet to case, no case edge to hang up on your cylinder mouth.

 

[DMW1116]

How do SWC compare to regular flat wadcutters in terms of accuracy and ease of loading?

 

[Paul7]

Question for the experts, I've always heard the S&W 19 and 28 shoot to POA best with a 158 gr. bullet. How do these two do with 148 gr. WCs?

 

[dannyd]

How do SWC compare to regular flat wadcutters in terms of accuracy and ease of loading?

SWC are just as good and accurate. They are definitely easier to load both in the press and for speed loaders.

The Missouri Bullet Company makes great bullets; their Hi-Tech DDWC and their Match SWC 158 in Hi-Tech without a lube groove are outstanding.

 

[dickydalton]

SWC are just as good and accurate. They are definitely easier to load both in the press and for speed loaders.

The Missouri Bullet Company makes great bullets; their Hi-Tech DDWC and their Match SWC 158 in Hi-Tech without a lube groove are outstanding.

 

[Smaug]

Nice shooting. PLEASE tell me that one flyer was you,
One correction to your label: You have "LSWCHB" but the "SWC" stands semi-wadcutter and you have full-on wadcutters. It should be LWCHB.

Gosh, that King Cobra is pretty. I may have to reward myself with one if I get a bonus next year at work. I already have a Ruger SP-101 with a 3" barrel and a S&W 19 with a 4" barrel, so I'd probably get the King Cobra in a 6" or so.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've never loaded 158 SWC bullets to the same level as I'd load 148 WC. Probably a fault on my part.

My general 357 Magnum plinking load is 158 SWC loaded to about 950 fps in 357 Magnum cases in a 4" revolver.

Also, I load 148 wadcutters for plinking especially in J-frame revolvers. They also give small groups from my 38 Special K-frame revolvers. It is a great for an afternoon of plinking,.

148 Hollow base wadcutters will give the best accuracy but a 148 grain double ended wadcutter will provide fun plinking shooting for an afternoon.

I need to load some 158 gr semi-wadcutter to the same level as 148 DEWC and see how the accuracy compares. The semi-wadcuters are easier on reloads verus full wadcutters.

 

[the Black Spot]

I think this is a Hensley and Gibbs wc. 190 gr i powder coated them. PB jar full for $5 at a yard sale.

 

[Trashyshoots]

What I would do for .22 wadcutters in high end match ammo for my contender and soon to be purchased free pistol.

 

[Hal]

What I would do for .22 wadcutters in high end match ammo for my contender and soon to be purchased free pistol.

Just get yourself a utility knife or some single edge razor blades & a digital scale and have at it.

I used to make flat wadcutters out of the domed 5mm pellets my Sheridan Blue Streak used all the time.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I loaded up my first batch of wad cutters a couple weeks ago for “357 Day” at the range. Loads were light & accurate, had a lot of fun with them & like the cookie cutter holes. Made up a hundred more & will keep them in stock from now on.

 

[sgt127]

Went out shooting with a couple girls. (Yes, that explains the whimsical targets they give chicks at the indoor range. I have little use for indoor ranges as a whole, this did not endear me further, sigh)

So my buddy shot some factory WW .38 Wadcutters out of her 642.

I have never seen each round leave a vertical 2 to 4 inch tears in the paper like that. Ever. The 9mm poked holes.

Was the paper flapping as the round hit?

Anyway, I’m headed out in a day or so to my range, out in the desert and try a few rounds.

But. That was bizarre.

 

[Dewey New]

Just before covid took hold, I bought a case of 148gr HBWC from Precision Delta, left pic, for very little money, especially compared to today's prices. I carry them in the SW 442, they shoot great and very accurately. I recently bought a couple of little boxes of the highly touted Buffalo Bore hard cast WC, the "not +P" load, right pic. Yikes! They are too hot for the 442, at least in my hand. I'll load them in the model 10...