If you’re a revolver fan, you’ve probably heard of wadcutters, and odds are you’ve debated the wisdom of using them for self-defense. After all, there are all kinds of high-quality defensive loads offered for revolvers, so does it really make sense to go with wadcutters? Whether you see them as a relic of a bygone area or consider them a great idea, we’re here to help. These are the pros and cons of using wadcutters for self-defense.
What are wadcutters?
Wadcutters are revolver-specific loads that seem to have been more popular years ago than they are today. They’re made with cylindrical bullets that are seated deeply enough in the mouth of the case to be flush or nearly flush. It’s definitely worth mentioning that although people frequently refer to wadcutters as always being totally flush with the case mouth, that’s not accurate. There are wadcutters that are flush with the case mouth around the edges but also have a raised bullet nose in their center. It simply depends on the load. Wadcutters have been around for well over a century with the 1900-era Himmelwright wadcutter being the first recorded existence of the round. Before long, the concept had caught on and the Peters Cartridge Company became the first to offer a factory load wadcutter.
We have bull’s eye shooters to thank for the existence of wadcutters. The design came about because bull’s eye shooters wanted cleaner holes in paper targets for more accurate scoring. The bullets of the day left ragged holes that could lead to discrepancies when it came time to score targets. Wadcutters were the answer, and they did indeed leave far cleaner-edged holes. In addition, wadcutters have a lower velocity and recoil than standard revolver rounds.
Why use wadcutters for self-defense?
People may talk about using wadcutters for self-defense because it’s perceived as a more traditional method of carry, but in reality, those rounds weren’t originally meant for self-defense. However, there are a few reasons they might be seen as feasible for self-defense applications.
If the revolver is someone’s choice of self-defense gun, reduced felt recoil can be valuable. This is especially true in cases where someone is injured or has severe arthritis — anything that makes harder recoiling ammo a bad idea. Remember, accuracy is vital for effective self-defense, and that is often going to mean follow-up shots. If the gun recoils so much it can’t be controlled by the user, the odds of getting an accurate follow-up shot quickly enough to stop a threat are drastically reduced. So, that’s one reason wadcutters might be utilized.
Another reason wadcutters can be great for self-defense is that they can actually do just fine from a snubby. Snub-nosed revolvers have such short barrels, that they don’t get the best possible ballistics from the bullet. So, the wadcutter might make more sense, even though they travel at reduced velocities and don’t have quite the same energy transfer and wounding potential as other rounds.
Are wadcutters better than hollow points?
No, wadcutters aren’t better performers than hollow points. Hollow points are designed to travel at higher velocities and expand on impact to create a large, threat-stopping wound cavity. That’s not something wadcutters do. Generally speaking, a wadcutter won’t make a very significant wound cavity. This is why hollow points really are preferable for defensive use. Of course, through a snub-nosed revolver, hollow points might not achieve the necessary velocity for good expansion on target.
Although a hollow point will really always outperform a wadcutter for defensive use, there are times when a wadcutter manages to be sufficient because the hollow point is hindered in some way. The use of these rounds in a snub-nosed revolver is the best example of times you’re really not getting all you can out of a hollow point.
When are wadcutters a bad idea for self-defense?
If you’re capable of handling the felt recoil of a hollow point, it’s always a good idea to use hollow points over wadcutters. Ammunition specifically designed to create larger wound cavities is a must for self-defense. The situations in which you’d use something else are few and far better.
A relevant side note on the use of wadcutters for self-defense has to do with reloads. If you prefer a speedloader for reloads — which would make sense — you might find yourself running into an issue with wadcutters. Due to their overall design, they don’t always load smoothly from a speedloader, so consider that if you’re thinking about using them for defensive purposes.
When are wadcutters a good idea for self-defense?
Realistically, you’d use wadcutters for self-defense only if the alternative is not carrying a gun at all. Wadcutters tend to fall under the heading of being better than not having anything when it comes to defensive use. They’re quite useful for shooters with injuries or issues that make it difficult to use larger defensive loads but they aren’t something to utilize just because it’s fun to use a traditional revolver load. Remember, wadcutters weren’t made for self-defense, they were made to create cleaner holes in paper targets.
What should you use in a revolver?
When it comes to self-defense, nothing tops quality hollow points. And if the gun you’re using is a bit much to handle in, say, 357 Magnum, simply step it down to 38 Special. There are ways to soften felt recoil. Even the specific defensive load matters, because how a round is created and loaded does impact felt recoil. It also affects how well a round expands on target, what level of weight retention it delivers, and how much energy transfer takes place. It’s a good idea to do your research and pick the defensive load that works best for your purposes.
Something else to keep in mind about using a revolver for self-defense is their limited capacity. Claiming that needing more than five rounds means you’re dead already is nothing but uninformed bravado. When you consider everything — including the fact that a gunfight can use any number of rounds, there’s truly no set number — it becomes smart to make sure you have more ammo on hand. That doesn’t mean you can’t defend yourself successfully with a revolver. You just need to have a speedloader available and be capable of operating it smoothly and efficiently. There’s nothing wrong with using a revolver as your daily carry, but just like with any gun you need to be trained and fast in its use.
The bottom line is that wadcutters can be used for self-defense if needed, but there are far more effective options on the market. Try different loads out before deciding whether wadcutters are your only choice. While it’s true that some gun is better than no gun, your gun should give you an advantage in a fight for your life. The best way to do that is by loading it with good hollow points.
