outfieldjack
Member
I'm about to make my first revolver purchase (.357) and was looking at .38 ammo. I saw the store had wadcutters.... what are they and how do they compare to +p, etc....
Thanks,
Jack
Thanks,
Jack
What is a "Wadcutter"?
- Thread starter outfieldjack
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jar
Contributing Member
You're looking at two totally different things. Ratings such as +P or +P+ simply refer to the charge. A +P round is simply one that is loaded to pressures that exceed the SAMMI spec for safety.
Wadcutters are a type of bullet. They are band designed to cut clean holes in the target to make it easy to see and measure groupings. A wadcutter can be loaded to +P specs although they are most often loaded to lower specs for increased accuracy. This picture shows some wadcutters.
Wadcutters are a type of bullet. They are band designed to cut clean holes in the target to make it easy to see and measure groupings. A wadcutter can be loaded to +P specs although they are most often loaded to lower specs for increased accuracy. This picture shows some wadcutters.
outfieldjack
Member
Thanks!
For the info..... I'm starting to figure these things out....
Jack
For the info..... I'm starting to figure these things out....
Jack
Quantrill
Member
Jack,
The .38spec. wadcutter is the most accurate of all the .38spec. ammunition. It has the longest bearing length touching the lands and grooves of the barrel. It is normally loaded relatively mild to also reduce recoil. The standard TARGET load is 2.7gr of Bullseye powder with a 148gr wadcutter. Wadcutters CAN be loaded up hotter than that and is recommended by some folks as an excellent self defence load for snub nose revolvers. If you use a lot of .38spec. wadcutter ammo in your new .357mag., you must clean the chambers often because the .38spec. is shorter than the .357 and will leave a ring of "crud" in the chamber that makes the subsequent use of .357 difficult to fit in the chamber. Some folks load wadcutters in .357 cases to combat this but I do not believe it is loaded this way commercially. Good Luck with your new .357 and let us know how you are doing. Quantrill
The .38spec. wadcutter is the most accurate of all the .38spec. ammunition. It has the longest bearing length touching the lands and grooves of the barrel. It is normally loaded relatively mild to also reduce recoil. The standard TARGET load is 2.7gr of Bullseye powder with a 148gr wadcutter. Wadcutters CAN be loaded up hotter than that and is recommended by some folks as an excellent self defence load for snub nose revolvers. If you use a lot of .38spec. wadcutter ammo in your new .357mag., you must clean the chambers often because the .38spec. is shorter than the .357 and will leave a ring of "crud" in the chamber that makes the subsequent use of .357 difficult to fit in the chamber. Some folks load wadcutters in .357 cases to combat this but I do not believe it is loaded this way commercially. Good Luck with your new .357 and let us know how you are doing. Quantrill
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