Setup: Several months ago, I bought a Charter Arms Lavender Lady in .32 H&R Magnum. My usual range ammo is Privi Partisan .32 S&W Long, but I shoot some H&R Magnum hollow point to be sure I'm comfortable with the felt recoil every range trip.

CowboyT and others have suggested that I try wadcutter ammo.

A locally-owned outfit had some Sellier and Bellot wadcutters available, so I bought a couple boxes to try out.

I'm, well, disappointed. I had read that wadcutters give cleaner holes in target paper. My results didn't confirm that. I got much longer tears in the paper compared to the LRN Privi Partisan .32 S&W Long ammo I use for target practice. That might differ for thicker targets, but I didn't get to test that this time. Maybe if I get to a friend's backyard range soon.

I also tried to load my revolver using speed loaders with the wadcutters, and was REALLY disappointed. Since the projectile is totally within the casing, wadcutters seem to not be well-suited for use in speed loaders (at least for this caliber and this pistol).

I don't have ballistic tests of wadcutters vs hollow points in front of me, so I can't compare them realistically, but I suspect I'll stick with hollow points (what I have are from Winchester, but I've seen some from Hornady for half again more money) as SD rounds for now.

I feel like Hornady SD rounds are probably a better choice, I just haven't felt like spending that much more money--yet.

Thoughts?

Well, I used to practice with 148gr .38 spl wadcutters back in the day. They were factory reloads and my dept. sold them to us at our bulk price for practice.

Yes, they suck with speedloaders, and for that matter when individually loading the chambers during a timed qualification. At least out of a 4" .38 they did cut nice clean holes.

158-gr semi-wadcutters feed much better from speedloaders and are quicker to individually load, and the squared shoulders do about as well in punching pretty round holes in the paper targets. You can get get those in lead hollow-points and then you have practice and carry ammo all in one, if that is something you want.

I don't know anything about .32 ammo and those are memories from over 30 years ago, so things may have changed quite a bit.

I have found that an unsupported paper target that is hanging (as opposed to being mounted on plywood or heavy cardboard) will tear the holes in the target. .32 seems particularly adept at making holes that look like a tumbling bullet or a tear instead of a nice, round hole. Maybe this is not your issue but....both of my .32 acp pistols (Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless) make torn holes on hanging paper targets.

VooDoo

Been along time since I shot 32 wadcutters. But I do recall them making a pretty hole, so I'm not sure what's going on for you. I still have a box, so maybe I'll take them along next time and report back.

This is a 32 acp with a Lehigh extreme cavitator bullet. Unfortunately the company discontinued them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-yN1bqXW3o

VodoundaVinci wrote: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:52 am I have found that an unsupported paper target that is hanging (as opposed to being mounted on plywood or heavy cardboard) will tear the holes in the target. .32 seems particularly adept at making holes that look like a tumbling bullet or a tear instead of a nice, round hole. Maybe this is not your issue but....both of my .32 acp pistols (Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless) make torn holes on hanging paper targets.

VooDoo

Yeah, you got it. My paper target was hanging instead of mounted. That makes sense. Thanks!

I think that, with target mounted on some backing, you'll see some nice, clean holes punched.

BearPaws wrote: Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:48 am

VodoundaVinci wrote: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:52 am I have found that an unsupported paper target that is hanging (as opposed to being mounted on plywood or heavy cardboard) will tear the holes in the target. .32 seems particularly adept at making holes that look like a tumbling bullet or a tear instead of a nice, round hole. Maybe this is not your issue but....both of my .32 acp pistols (Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless) make torn holes on hanging paper targets.

VooDoo

Yeah, you got it. My paper target was hanging instead of mounted. That makes sense. Thanks!

VooDoo