Any love for the 38spl. Wadcutters?
- Thread starter Skunkhouse
- Start date
HansGruber
Ronin
They’re fun, but I prefer 158gr SWC’s…
youngolddude
Professional
I don't always shoot .38's, but when I do, I use 125 gr. RNFP.
kenpomaniac1958
Master Class
In my S&W 638 Bodyguard that I use mostly as a backup weapon or for aggressive snakes, I carry 2 rounds of CCI snake shot and 3 rounds of hollow points.
When I lived in Arkansas a couple of years ago I killed quite a few cotton mouth snakes with the snake shot.
I've only seen a couple of rattlesnakes since I moved back to Texas and they were headed away from me which is a good thing...
I'm thinking about buying a Taurus 856 snubby with bobbed hammer so I can carry 6 rounds instead of 5.
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Area52
Professional
I’m a ‘smoke’m-if-you gott’m‘ / get’m-if-they’re available when it comes to any .38. variety.
With price-per-round being a big factor over a defensive necessity, I‘ll remain keeping six chambers stuffy w/.357 SJHP for my 4” and the 148gr WC’s in the 2”.
I never considered WC’s (defense load) until I seen some of the wallop they can deliver. Penetration is guess could be argued as marginal. Got to shoot it to know it’s effectiveness.
Newer .38 stuff these days is impressive, especially the hard cast, hopefully it will continue to evolve and be more available. But for but the WC’s…they are just as costly as RN lead and that’s a lot of $ for plinking cleaner holes in paper.
@Skunkhouse - what is that brand and the specs of that coated WC ?
With price-per-round being a big factor over a defensive necessity, I‘ll remain keeping six chambers stuffy w/.357 SJHP for my 4” and the 148gr WC’s in the 2”.
I never considered WC’s (defense load) until I seen some of the wallop they can deliver. Penetration is guess could be argued as marginal. Got to shoot it to know it’s effectiveness.
Newer .38 stuff these days is impressive, especially the hard cast, hopefully it will continue to evolve and be more available. But for but the WC’s…they are just as costly as RN lead and that’s a lot of $ for plinking cleaner holes in paper.
@Skunkhouse - what is that brand and the specs of that coated WC ?
When I bought my first revolver (circa 1991), wadcutters were the bomb at my local range. Memory fades, but I think I remember they appeared to be sawed-off bullets (the face was flat...same caliber as the bullet). They sure cut good holes in paper...They certainly were not stepped-up bullets like Skunkhouse's OP pic. Yes, they were .38-specials...
HansGruber
Ronin
That’s not quite correct.
.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs
We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video
www.luckygunner.com
If you look at this test, you can see several JHP’s that both get very good expansion as well as acceptable penetration out of 2” barrel…the wadcutter gives next to no expansion.
Hammer67
Professional
Yup, I'm well aware of that testing and refer to it often. Yes, there are a few examples that may improve on the wadcutter, but many do not. Including famous rounds like Speer, who many think is the gold standard.That’s not quite correct.
.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs
We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and videowww.luckygunner.com
If you look at this test, you can see several JHP’s that both get very good expansion as well as acceptable penetration out of 2” barrel…the wadcutter gives next to no expansion.
I'd also suggest looking at the results from annual testing that are done at Gunsite during the revolver gathering there every Fall.
Skunkhouse
Master Class
Bayou Bullets where I got these , CKB bullets have nice ones too. I used 4.2 hp38
Skunkhouse
Master Class
These are just indoor range paper punchers
Mortimer94
Alpha
38 wadcutters only
Skunkhouse
Master Class
What in the world is that animal?
Grayfox
Custom
Smith & Wesson Model 52. Built specifically for Bullseye competition. Shoots .38 Special Mid-range wadcutters. Magnificent pistol. I have one myself.
Skunkhouse
Master Class
Nice!Smith & Wesson Model 52. Built specifically for Bullseye competition. Shoots .38 Special Mid-range wadcutters. Magnificent pistol. I have one myself.
HayesGreener
Ronin
Ohmygosh I fired a gazillion of those in training. My dept gave us 100 rds a month for practice but most of the guys didn't use them and many gave me theirs. My model 64 stayed HOT in those days.