About Wadcutter Ammo
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about
wadcutter ammo today. These types of loadings have been around for some time and employed by shooters of all types. The loadings have been utilized for recreation and target shooting applications for decades. Today we will delve into the background of wadcutters and explore their traits, features, and other aspects and considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about wadcutter
ammo.
What are Wadcutter Bullets?
Wadcutter bullets are projectiles with a distinct profile. While most shooters are used to the look of typical conical projectiles or hollow points, wadcutter bullets look quite different. Wadcutters have a distinctly flat look, similar to those of flat nosed projectiles. These projectiles will either be flush with casings or protrude slightly like typical loadings. Projectiles of this type were designed with close range target shooting in mind, with a specific focus on paper targets. Because of this,
wadcutter loadings punch neat holes in paper targets which allow users to see where their projectiles impact their targets. Traditional wadcutter bullets feature distinct flat noses while SWC loadings feature a slight curve leading up to the flat point. SWC projectiles also tend to protrude slightly from casings.
What Firearms Are Wadcutters Designed For?
Wadcutters are mainly intended for use with revolvers. The unique geometry of flush projectiles and the profile of wadcutters which protrude from cartridges is suboptimal for semi-auto use. That being said, there are some autoloading pistols which are designed specifically to utilize
wadcutter ammunition. A notable example of such as firearm is the Smith & Wesson Model 52 pistol. In short, loadings of this type are mainly intended for use with revolvers of various sizes. Everything from small frame concealed carry revolvers to long barreled, full-size offerings are appropriate hosts for wadcutters.
Purchase Wadcutter Ammo
Who Makes Wadcutter Ammo?
At this point in time, there are multiple companies producing
wadcutter ammo.
Winchester, Sellier & Bellot,
Underwood,
Remington,
Fiocchi, and
Federal are among the producers of
wadcutter ammunition. These loadings are commonly found in the form of traditional wadcutter loadings and in semi-wadcutter (SWC) form. Wadcutter loadings are most commonly available in various revolver calibers. Shooters will find loadings in calibers like
.38 Special,
.357 Magnum,
.44 Magnum,
.44 Special, and even
.32 S&W Long. Wadcutter
ammunition is typically offered in various grain weights ranging from 148 to 158 grain loadings. Additionally, loadings can be had in the form of standard range loadings or in the form of match, target-oriented loads.
Wadcutter Velocities
Standard style
wadcutter loadings are characterized by low velocities. Velocities tend to be under the 900 FPS mark, making most traditional wadcutter loadings subsonic in nature. Some
wadcutter projectiles, such as Keith-Style SWC bullets, are capable of higher velocities. Projectiles of this type utilize lubrication and gas checks to achieve higher velocity values. Shooters can expect to achieve velocities beyond 1,700 FPS, nearly doubling the velocity of standard loadings. In short, depending on the specific loading and caliber, one can expect either subsonic velocities or supersonic velocities.
Wadcutter Effective Ranges
Due to their nature, traditional
wadcutter designs feature short effective ranges when compared to other types of loadings. The low velocities of these loadings paired with their design and loading method limit their effective range. Traditional wadcutter loadings are best-suited for at ranges within about 50 yards. Beyond 50 yards, one can expect their potential accuracy to diminish. Unlike standard wadcutters, SWC loadings can be employed accurately to distances of about 100 yards or so. This is due to their higher velocities and use of gas checks on applicable loadings.
Is Wadcutter Ammo Expensive?
Wadcutter ammo offerings tend to be moderately priced. For their respective calibers, loadings of this type will tend to be on the more affordable side. Typically, traditional wadcutter
ammo offerings tend to cost about the same as standard full metal jacket (FMJ) loadings. SWC type loadings, depending on manufacturer and caliber, have similar costs to FMJ loadings or carry a slightly costs. More specialty type loadings often cost more than FMJ loadings in the same caliber. In short, wadcutter ammo is generally pretty affordable in the grand scheme of
ammunition.
How Available is Wadcutter Ammo?
At this point in time,
wadcutter ammo can be found with little difficulty. Of course, wadcutter loadings are not nearly as common as FMJ or hollow point loadings. This is due to the fact that FMJ and hollow point loadings support a wider range of calibers than wadcutter loadings do. As mentioned above, wadcutter loadings are most commonly available in the form of revolver cartridges. That being said, shooters can typically find wadcutters in either traditional or SWC form with relative ease. Like other types of
ammo, wadcutters can also easily be had in
bulk ammo quantities. In short, wadcutter ammo is accessible and can be found if needed.
Purchase Wadcutter Ammo
Is Wadcutter Ammo Good for Self-Defense?
In today’s market, shooters can find
wadcutter loadings from companies such as Underwood which are optimized for self-defense use. Loadings of this type feature hollow point SWC profile projectiles which are designed to aid in expansion and energy transfer. Typical wadcutter loadings have also been utilized historically for defensive purposes due to their low recoil and velocities. Some found these loadings desirable as low velocity projectiles are unlikely to overpenetrate a target and cause collateral damage. Of course, low velocities also hinder a projectile’s potential to penetrate a target and cause deep tissue damage. To address this, purpose-built wadcutter loadings for defense, such as those from Underwood, feature expanding projectiles and are often loaded to +P spec. In today’s world, traditional JHP loadings are simply more optimal and better-suited to defensive use than wadcutters are.
What is Wadcutter Ammo Best Used For?
Today,
wadcutters are best used for target shooting and recreational purposes. This has been the primary function of these projectiles for decades. As mentioned above, the projectiles are optimal for shooting paper targets and easily seeing where one’s impacts are. Of course, these types of loadings are also well-suited to shooting steel targets and silhouette shooting. Naturally, one can also utilize these loadings for training purposes. The light recoil of these loadings facilitates effective revolver practice without the stout recoil of some calibers. Additionally, the economic pricing of these loadings makes it easy for one to stock up on
wadcutter ammo for the range.
Lead Buildup Concerns
One thing to consider with
wadcutters is their tendency to deposit lead throughout firearms. This is due to the fact that most wadcutter projectiles are solid, exposed lead. Without a brass or copper jacketing, there is nothing to contain or limit the spread of lead during the firing cycle. Over time, revolvers can experience excessive lead buildup in their rifling and forcing cones. This is exasperated by the use of lead wadcutter projectiles. If a steady buildup of lead is not addressed, one risks creating a situation that can lead to excessive pressures when firing higher velocity loadings. Due to lead buildup, higher velocity loadings will operate at higher pressures as tolerances are tighter and clearances are diminished. To avoid an overpressure situation, one should ensure excessive lead buildup is cleaned prior to shooting higher velocity loadings.
Conclusion
All in all,
wadcutter ammo has persisted in common use with shooters for many decades. Everyone from casual shooters to seasoned shooters and competitors have utilized wadcutters for their purposes.
Ammunition of this type is well-suited for various roles like recreation, training, and competition. These optimal and popular use cases paired with the affordability of
ammo allow wadcutters to remain relevant today. We here at True Shot Ammo carry wadcutter ammo in addition to our wide range of
ammunition for sale. Our inventory of
ammo for sale covers popular calibers and gauges like
9mm,
5.56,
12 gauge, and
.22 LR. Whether you want to
buy wadcutter ammo or
buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
