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Re: Wadcutters?

76 by VodoundaVinci
I'm always amazed with semi auto pistols that can cycle wadcutters and even straight walled cases meant for revolvers. Good stuff! At one time I had scored some wadcutter bullets in .312, 100 grain, and as a lark worked up a .32 acp loads for shooting out of my Colt Pocket Hammerless pistols. Surprisingly they ran like scalded puppies and left those beautiful, crisp, round holes in paper.

Watching wadcutters run in semi auto pistols is kinda like watching bumble bees fly. "How do they do that?"

If I could find some .312 plated wadcutters I load more of those. They were fun.

VooDoo
Tyrants disarm the people they intend to oppress. Hope is not a Plan.

Dot 'em if ya got 'em!

Re: Wadcutters?

78 by CDFingers
Let's not forget the semi-wadcutter. In revolvers, the shape makes loading easier, yet it cuts a really clean hole in the paper. I really don't understand either how the wadcutters feed in semi's. I know that the rounds bounce around specifically and really fast as they feed. I think the brass at the end hits the chamber and guides it in rather than the bullet hitting that spot. Just a thought. But semi's in revolvers is the shit. In a good way.

CDF
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like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eye Jack

Re: Wadcutters?

79 by CowboyT
CDFingers wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 9:04 am Let's not forget the semi-wadcutter. In revolvers, the shape makes loading easier, yet it cuts a really clean hole in the paper. I really don't understand either how the wadcutters feed in semi's. I know that the rounds bounce around specifically and really fast as they feed. I think the brass at the end hits the chamber and guides it in rather than the bullet hitting that spot. Just a thought. But semi's in revolvers is the shit. In a good way.

CDF
Gotta go along with this. My powder-puff .38 Special load uses a cast lead semi-wadcutter (LSWC) that cuts some rather nice holes in the paper targets. Same goes for the .44 Magnum 240gr LSWC load. The best one, in my view, if one can get one, is the original Elmer Keith LSWC shape, which relatively few mould makers make anymore, including Lyman. Mr. Keith said they had "bastardized" his design. I think Miha Prevec over at MP-Molds makes one. Their wide meplat also makes them good, expanding hunting bullets if your lead is, say, BHN 12 at about 1700 ft/sec. This is a typical velocity out of a levergun chambered in .357M or .44M, thus quite doable.

Lead round nose flat points (LRNFP's) with fairly wide meplats are also good at cutting pretty clean holes in paper, at least the ones that drop out of the Lee 358-158-RF mould. Also true of the 452-255-RF that I use in .45 Colt.
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Re: Wadcutters?

80 by Loquat4440
I have fired .356-7 reverse loaded hollow base wad cutters at lower velocities in .38 spl. They tended to keyhole and hit sideways on a paper target. The British used to load long heavy bullets in the .38 S&W 38/200 hundred although most of the bullets I thing were 173 grains. There were intended to tumble in flesh.
It is difficult to get bullets going fast enough enough in the older light frame revolvers to get expansion. So loading so a long bullet would tumble was a way of making a bigger hole in your foe. The loads I were using were firied from a snub nose .38.
Below is someone trying to duplicate such a load that I found on the net. The low velocity to make less recoil for typical soldier and the tumbling effect was intended to make the round more lethal.
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Re: Wadcutters?

81 by CowboyT
Soft lead alloy is needed at those lower velocities for proper expansion. If your lead is harder, then yes, you'd need the tumbling effect. That also, BTW, was part of the calculus for the design of the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO round. The idea was that the FMJ would tumble in flesh and cause grievous wounding.
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