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Using Wadcutter Ammo for Self-Defense

With all of the modern jacketed hollow point loads available for self-defense, it’s easy to overlook the venerable lead wadcutter bullet. But in some cases, it may be the best load available for your concealed carry revolver. Check out the results of our ballistic gelatin tests for 146 self-defense loads including .380 ACP, 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP: http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/ Support our channel, buy wadcutters: http://www.luckygunner.com/handgun/38-special-ammo?jacket_type=479 … or any other ammo! http://www.luckygunner.com

Comments

John Candy says:

Im trying to load these up, in my cases, they are spliting and not seating right. i don't understand. they are 358gr SWC

greg gentry says:

I've shot quite a bit of the Buffalo bore 44 SPl,44 mag and 38 full hardcast wadcutters and of course the 44 mag is the most effective and actually better mild recoil at least in my RedHawk, they sure do really thump the coyote and coons I've shot with them so far, with that said there are plenty rounds now that exspand with the shortest barrels,and that's why people prefer them so unless you really need more penetration I would use hst,gold short barrel, check out the new HST mirco 38 SPL, Ive been very impressed with the amount of preformace and how controllable it is, I love them

Admiral Percy says:

So, from your Labs post, it looks like .38s don't expand from a 2" bbl. Is there anything even approaching 300 ft.lbs. in a wadcutter?

ImGrampy says:

Really liked this video. I'd never heard this about wadcutter before. Cool!

John Brown says:

In my .357 mag, I use 38 cal wadcutters loaded backwards. It makes a great hollow point. That is my self defense round.

dexter2433 says:

my mom shoots wad cutters in her Ruger LCR for self defense because she is 4' 11" and very tiny 🙂 and 72 years old /…………..

Chuck Haggard says:

So many of the comments in this thread display a massive case of Dunning-Kruger effect. It's pretty sad. Lucky Gunner does a great job in their testing and videos, then the derp shows up…..
“These are dangerous times. Never have so many people had so much access to so much knowledge and yet have been so resistant to learning anything. In the United States and other developed nations, otherwise intelligent people denigrate intellectual achievement and reject the advice of experts. Not only do increasing numbers of lay people lack basic knowledge, they reject fundamental rules of evidence and refuse to learn how to make a logical argument. In doing so, they risk throwing away centuries of accumulated knowledge and undermining the practices and habits that allow us to develop new knowledge.” — Tom Nichols

This is only one paragraph in the Introduction of his book, “The Death of Expertise.

Samu Rai says:

I have Lead Round Nose 158 grain 38 Special target bullets. They're usually cheaper and more available than Wadcutters and they will penetrate plenty enough and will probably look more like a wadcutter after it smashes through some ribs…haha!
Yes, a 357 Magnum Hollowpoint from a 4" barrel is a whole different ballgame than a 38 Special snub nose, but for a 38 snub, most of these self-proclaimed high-tech hollowpoints and old high-tech wadcutters are just overpriced hype that in most cases won't make a hill of beans difference if you need to shoot someone in a self defense situation. #1 Have a gun #2 Shot placement #3 Penetration, and anything after that is secondary.

Go Ahead Make Our Day Scooter &Peanut says:

Great video answering alot of questions about ammo you can't find no where else. Thanks

Molon Labe says:

Buffalo Bore, 850 2 inch barrel

Jakob W says:

Is there a .357 Magnum Wadcutter?

Lawrence Withrow says:

I've loaded upside down hollow base wadcutters for years for home defense and some practice. I use a solid gas check and a +p powder load. Using a .357 case with the wadcutter loaded flush with the case mouth will make a round that will fit in a .38 spl chamber and protect the thin wall of the wadcutter base. It also has a magnum primer pocket which I have found makes for more uniform ignition. I wouldn't use them for concealed carry as they become unstable out past thirty feet or so and accuracy falls off a lot.

Norman Mallory says:

You bring up some really good valid points… Yes how things have changed from the 40,50,60, and 70's as far as double action training went.. Now for myself i don't shoot double action all the time or train using that method .. I did shoot and still do a lot of double action when i shoot IDPA but mix in single action too… I have one well placed shot and that bullet needs to go beyond doubt right where i want it to, that's single action.. Both have their place in the field…
I see where Ruger's LCR is no longer double action only and i don't think it was a sales pitch to sell more LCR.. Most all my life i have owned and fired single action revolvers and still do as i enjoy the style and grip frame angle in relationship to the barrel , they point well, but i'm not a point shoot person and i'm not a fast draw person either… Now my 629 S&W i almost never shoot it double action but in those rare cases when i do i use .44 spl… I watched a fellow shooting at a target from a close distance using the 460 S&W mag, close 25' with a 5 shot cylinder he had two holes in the paper.. Second time he did it he had 1 hole in the paper the rest went low.. It was more difficult than he thought it would be and talked about that..
Bear protection if a bear was right on top of you or 20 ' away.. Maybe i thought you might get lucky.. Me i would have the hammer cocked until the correct moment , if it doesn't stop the charge i have 4 more left… To empty your gun at a griz in a full charge at 20'25' has a huge risk and if you fail to stop the charge , you won't reload not a chance …. Our world record holder and national champion who holds more titles than any shooter alive, Jerry M. is in my book the grand master of double action shooting , with 3 million rounds fired to his credit..

J Eriksson says:

is it often you need to shoot in self defense in the US?

sambo170a says:

Wadcutters in Spain are so cheap that I used them in my service revolver all the time using the states regular bullets for my own gun Fiocchi my fav

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