.38 Match Wadcutters

[Duelist]

Just bought a box of NOS Western Super Match 148gr wadcutters. Now I’m having a dilemma: I don’t really collect old ammunition or ammunition boxes, but ... do I use them (shoot enough through the 642 to confirm POA=POI and use the rest for carry for the next couple of years), or keep them and continue using other things/find some current production wadcutters?

37877

[Totem Polar]

I’d carry something current with more ready availability for ballistic testing exemplars, if the absolute worst should come to pass, myself. JMO. Cool looking ammo though.

[RevolverRob]

When it comes to WCs for carry - make mine Federal Gold Medal Match - https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

[BN]

or keep them and continue using other things/find some current production wadcutters?

37877

Keep them and see if someone else would appreciate them. That's some cool old ammo with a clean box. I'm not sure when WW went from the yellow box. Don't shoot them up for fun.

Get some Federal.

[Duelist]

Keep them and see if someone else would appreciate them. That's some cool old ammo with a clean box. I'm not sure when WW went from the yellow box. Don't shoot them up for fun.

Get some Federal.

Yeah, I’m not just going to make brass out of them. Got plenty of that.

Wish someone still made them like this, though: nickle plated cases, sealed primers. Nicely done, all around.

I know there are ammo collectors out there. Guess I’ll try to find one.

[358156hp]

Sadly, there once were 38 wadcutter factory loaded at full 38 Spl pressures. I guess nobody wanted them back in the olden days.

[RevolverRob]

Underwood has a .38 Wadcutter in a nickel case, and loaded fairly dang hot - https://www.underwoodammo.com/products/38-special-150-grain-lead-wadcutter?variant=18785707556921

[Sigfan26]

Sadly, there once were 38 wadcutter factory loaded at full 38 Spl pressures. I guess nobody wanted them back in the olden days.


Underwood has a .38 Wadcutter in a nickel case, and loaded fairly dang hot - https://www.underwoodammo.com/products/38-special-150-grain-lead-wadcutter?variant=18785707556921

If a 148gr wadcutter penetrates to sufficient depth at 700-800FPS, what would be the point of increasing velocity? I could see improving construction with a bonded jacket and harder core to improve barrier performance , but making it simply go faster with harder lead just doesn’t seem like it will achieve much. I’ve shot the underwood and buffalo bore offerings. The shootability is much lower when using the lightweight J Frames and the hotter loading.


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[Tamara]

I mean, for me, part of the attraction of the 148gr Federal GMM is the sealed primers and the claimed extra QC Federal puts into their "Match"-labeled ammo.

[Sigfan26]

I mean, for me, part of the attraction of the 148gr Federal GMM is the sealed primers and the claimed extra QC Federal puts into their "Match"-labeled ammo.

If the same load offered the same penetration and features with better barrier performance, but cost $14.99 per 20 rounds, would you replace your current carry ammo?


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[Hizzie]

It was either Chuck Haggard or Wayne Dobbs that recommended Precision Delta to me.

https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/pdp-pro-38-special-148gr-hbwc/

[SAWBONES]

And to add to Hizzie's recommendation above, IME Precision Delta's reloads and premium 148gr wadcutters hit to the very same POA, with the obvious financial advantage for practice.

[RJ]

When it comes to WCs for carry - make mine Federal Gold Medal Match - https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

Thanks Rob. I ordered a couple boxes from TargetSportsUSA on account of this ammo frequently being mentioned as a good reliable effective wadcutter, with a bit more zip than what I have been shooting in the Ruger LCR to date (S&B I picked up at the LGS.)

[willie]

If you do shoot them and if you reload or plant to do so, keep these empties separate. The inside diameter of these cases is slightly larger to accommodate the longer wadcutter bullet without sizing down and thus reducing its diameter. Such cases can be identified by the second ring or groove. You have a neat box of old ammo. Set it on the shelf. Few today are aware that older wadcutter cases differed somewhat as described. Do they continue to differ? Don't know. I have perhaps 1000 of the older once fired wadcutter cases left in my once large batch and treasure them for making accurate wc ammo.

[Norville]

Echoing the above, this is cool collector ammo. If you bought it new years ago and stored it properly I’d have no qualms carrying it, but with unknown history park it on the shelf and admire the box.

I recently picked up a case of Precision Delta remanufactured WCs for training, and Federal for carry. I have a few older red and white boxes of Federal WCs which always go bang, but I reserve them for competition.

[SeriousStudent]

It was either Chuck Haggard or Wayne Dobbs that recommended Precision Delta to me.

https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/pdp-pro-38-special-148gr-hbwc/

I have had good luck with those as well.

Like Tam, I do carry the Federal GMM wadcutters in my 342. A comfortable friend in the left front pocket.

[Tamara]

If the same load offered the same penetration and features with better barrier performance, but cost $14.99 per 20 rounds, would you replace your current carry ammo?

From a known entity like Federal? Possibly.

[jetfire]

When it comes to WCs for carry - make mine Federal Gold Medal Match - https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

Same here. I feel like everyone who carries a wadcutter carries this round.