what 38 wadcutter and where to get it

[breakingtime91]

Hey everyone,

I have a ruger lcrx for walks and landscaping, what wadcutter do I need to get?

[SAWBONES]

No doubt individual experiences will vary, but IME 148gr lead heavy base wadcutters hit right to POA in my .38 Special LCRs.

I like those from Precision Delta, and both the new and remanufactured ones are equivalent, though I just now checked and I see they're currently out of stock.

[WDR]

https://www.federalpremium.com/handgun/gold-medal/gold-medal-handgun/11-GM38A.html

$1/rd if it was in stock, which it isn't not, currently. It was available a few weeks ago, for a short time. I'd check here once a day for a while, and see if it comes back, but don't hold your breath.

There is not that much .38 ammo to be had out there right now, and wadcutters are just about unobtainium lately. I have not looked , but you might find some on Gunbroker... I suspect it'll cost more than the above link though.

[SiriusBlunder]

Per DocGKR:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4336-BUG-s-380-ACP-vs-38-Sp


When faced with too little penetration, as is common with lightweight .38 Sp JHP loads or too much penetration like with the wadcutters, then go with penetration. Agencies around here have used the Winchester 148 gr standard pressure lead target wadcutter (X38SMRP), as well as the Federal (GM38A) version--both work. A sharper edged wadcutter would even be better... Dr. Fackler has written in Fackler ML: "The Full Wadcutter--An Extremely Effective Bullet Design", Wound Ballistics Review. 4(2):6-7, Fall 1999)

[UNK]

No doubt individual experiences will vary, but IME 148gr lead heavy base wadcutters hit right to POA in my .38 Special LCRs.

I like those from Precision Delta, and both the new and remanufactured ones are equivalent, though I just now checked and I see they're currently out of stock.

Ive been on PDs mailing list for over a year and no notifications for wc during that time.

[jrbway]

I've had decent luck with Fiocchi wadcutters in my snubs (reliability and precision). I like the PD stuff (and have plenty), but it tends to be real smoky v. the Fiocchi wadcutters. Ne'er a reliability issue with either.

[jetfire]

I always run Federal Gold Medal Match 148gr wadcutters in my snubs first a number of reasons. The most important reason is that because they’re technical part of Federal’s Match ammo line, the quality control and round to round consistency is excellent.

If they’re not available on Federal’s website, I’ve had pretty good luck finding them on Gunbroker

[breakingtime91]

I always run Federal Gold Medal Match 148gr wadcutters in my snubs first a number of reasons. The most important reason is that because they’re technical part of Federal’s Match ammo line, the quality control and round to round consistency is excellent.

If they’re not available on Federal’s website, I’ve had pretty good luck finding them on Gunbroker

Awesome thanks.

[Mitch]

I always run Federal Gold Medal Match 148gr wadcutters in my snubs first a number of reasons. The most important reason is that because they’re technical part of Federal’s Match ammo line, the quality control and round to round consistency is excellent.

If they’re not available on Federal’s website, I’ve had pretty good luck finding them on Gunbroker

That’s pretty much all I run in my j frames now.

[GyroF-16]

Following with interest…
There’s a 642-2 in the used case at my LGS that’s been catching my eye…. $360 seems like a decent price, no?

But I’ve been wondering about .38 ammo availability…

[Irelander]

I use the Precision One 148gr played wadcutters.
Alas, no stock now and over twice the price I paid for my last order.
https://precisiononeammunition.com/product/38-special-148gr-cpwc-new/

[Irelander]

Following with interest…
There’s a 642-2 in the used case at my LGS that’s been catching my eye…. $360 seems like a decent price, no?

But I’ve been wondering about .38 ammo availability…

That is a great price as long as it's in good working order. Too bad it has the lock.

[Duelist]

Following with interest…
There’s a 642-2 in the used case at my LGS that’s been catching my eye…. $360 seems like a decent price, no?

But I’ve been wondering about .38 ammo availability…

As long as that revolver is in good order, that is a great price and you should buy it.

I’ve had my 642-2 since I bought it new in 2004. Thousands upon thousands of factory and reloaded rounds, never a lick of trouble. It is the gun I have carried most in my life, and though I’ve spent a lot of money trying to find something “better”, there just pretty much isn’t something truly better for all the jobs it has: pocket/ankle/SmartCarry for deep concealment, backup, snake shot while rifle hunting, getting ditched in the lockbox when visiting an NPE and then going back in my pocket with a minimum of fuss.

It basically has no finish left, and I should probably strip what is left and cerakote it or something, but I just don’t really care how worn the finish is at this point. This little gun has worn holes in the pockets of more pants than I can count, and will be with me till it dies or I do.

I reload most of my .38 ammo these days. If you need some brass to get started and can’t find any, let me know.

[revchuck38]

Following with interest…
There’s a 642-2 in the used case at my LGS that’s been catching my eye…. $360 seems like a decent price, no?

But I’ve been wondering about .38 ammo availability…

FWIW, my 642-2 shoots high with wadcutters and needs 125-130-grain ammo to hit POA. This doesn't mean that the one you're looking at will, just something to keep in mind.

.38 practice ammo is out there, but the defensive stuff is harder to find.

[Guerrero]

If they’re not available on Federal’s website, I’ve had pretty good luck finding them on Gunbroker

"0 results found"

[jetfire]

"0 results found"

Sad face.

I also have a bot set up to alert me when they’re on Federal’s website

[Mitch]

Following with interest…
There’s a 642-2 in the used case at my LGS that’s been catching my eye…. $360 seems like a decent price, no?

But I’ve been wondering about .38 ammo availability…

Ammo availability is bad right now. BUT…

You don’t need 10,000 rounds for one of these. I think I have 250 or 500 wadcutters, and I could probably make those last the rest of my life if I need to. You can get FMJ ammo to train with. That will be less of a pain in the ass cleaning and maintenance wise, and a 642 will probably not be a high round count range day gun.

[breakingtime91]

Ammo availability is bad right now. BUT…

You don’t need 10,000 rounds for one of these. I think I have 250 or 500 wadcutters, and I could probably make those last the rest of my life if I need to. You can get FMJ ammo to train with. That will be less of a pain in the ass cleaning and maintenance wise, and a 642 will probably not be a high round count range day gun.

dude i just need like 100 and i'll be happy lol

[60pilot]

I can second the Fiocchi wadcutters for reliability and accuracy in my 642. I also wish I had a second 642 and would swipe another up for $360.

[ST911]

As an option the BHA 148 HBWC is excellent, https://www.black-hills.com/shop/new-pistol-ammo/38-special/

[Lost River]

dude i just need like 100 and i'll be happy lol

Dude, I will hook you up.

I know a guy.

[SD]

Underwood 150gr. wadcutter if you can find them. Underwood has some .38 extreme penetrator they are currently producing available.

[Bratch]

Ive been on PDs mailing list for over a year and no notifications for wc during that time.

I check their site a couple times hoping but no luck. I was getting hopeful a couple months ago when they we’re keeping 9, 40, and 45 in stock regularly until the Russian ammo scare put everything OOS again

[Shawn Dodson]

I like Fiocchi wadcutters. I fired a cylinderful into my swimming pool and the recovered bullets showed absolutely no deformation or rounding of the shoulder - just rifling marks.

[revolvergeek]

I like Fiocchi wadcutters. I fired a cylinderful into my swimming pool and the recovered bullets showed absolutely no deformation or rounding of the shoulder - just rifling marks.

Sounds like my kind of neighborhood! :cool:

I have been shooting a mix my last couple boxes of Remington and some Georgia Arms. The Georgia Arms groups great in some revolvers but not others. The Remington groups great in everything.

[mtnbkr]

Sounds like my kind of neighborhood! :cool:

I have been shooting a mix my last couple boxes of Remington and some Georgia Arms. The Georgia Arms groups great in some revolvers but not others. The Remington groups great in everything.

I bought several 100rnd bags of the Georgia Arms wadcutters back before covid in anticipation of a j-frame class I was signed up for. The class got canceled due to covid, so I've been shooting the stuff on my range trip. Absolute garbage, making me glad I didn't take them to class. They're more than a foot low at 25yds out of my 2" LCR. I can get them dialed in with my adjustable sighted 6" K38, but the extra barrel and adjustable sights is what makes that possible. They're fine at short distances from the LCR. Next time I'll just use my handloads instead. I had just started loading wadcutters and wanted some "factory" ammo to rule out reloading mistakes in class...I should have trusted my abilities and 23 years experience. :|

Chris

[Ironmike57]

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=111

[revolvergeek]

I bought several 100rnd bags of the Georgia Arms wadcutters back before covid in anticipation of a j-frame class I was signed up for. The class got canceled due to covid, so I've been shooting the stuff on my range trip. Absolute garbage, making me glad I didn't take them to class. They're more than a foot low at 25yds out of my 2" LCR. I can get them dialed in with my adjustable sighted 6" K38, but the extra barrel and adjustable sights is what makes that possible. They're fine at short distances from the LCR. Next time I'll just use my handloads instead. I had just started loading wadcutters and wanted some "factory" ammo to rule out reloading mistakes in class...I should have trusted my abilities and 23 years experience. :|

Chris

I have shot Georgia Arms ammo off and on for years (they used to be really cheap and sold at local gun shows) and never hand any issue with their jhp loads in .32 Long, .32 mag (xtps) and .357 mag (gold dot). I didn’t like their low end .44 mag lead semi wadcutter load because I found it quite Smoky and dirty. These .38 wadcutter are just loaded too light for the bullet hardness / diameter maybe. Group fine in some revolvers and just pattern in others.

I bought a big box of Bayou Bullets coated 138 button nose wadcutters and plan to load up several hundred of them to play around with. May even try some in 38 Short Colt and Long Colt cases in I have the time.

[Navin Johnson]

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=111

Those kick like a mother f*****. The whole reason for a wad cutter is reduced recoil and improved shootability leading to improved accuracy and more practice.

If I was going to put up with that much recoil I would choose and expanding projectile.

Notably more recoil with the Buffalo bore than the spear Gold Dot 135 grain plus p 38 special

[UNK]

Those kick like a mother f*****. The whole reason for a wad cutter is reduced recoil and improved shootability leading to improved accuracy and more practice.

If I was going to put up with that much recoil I would choose and expanding projectile.

Notably more recoil with the Buffalo bore than the spear Gold Dot 135 grain plus p 38 special

Nope. This is PF. The whole reason for wadcutters is to cut holes through bones, blood transporting vessels and important organs without over penetrating 😁

Yes those UW are ridiculous.

[Duelist]

Nope. This is PF. The whole reason for wadcutters is to cut holes through bones, blood transporting vessels and important organs without over penetrating 😁

Yes those UW are ridiculous.

Cutting small groups of nice round holes in paper is a legit PF goal. So is that other stuff. :rolleyes:

[Guerrero]

This place seems to have some, but something about it seems... sketchy

https://opticsandammo.com/product/fiocchi-ammo-38spl-148gr-lwc-50-mfg-38la/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/ultramax-38spl-148gr-match-hb-wadcuttr-ld-mfg-38r3/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/win-sprx-38spl-148gr-lwc-50500/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/winchester-ammo-supx-38-spl-148gr-lead-wadcut50-mfg-x38smrp/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/ultramax-38spl-148gr-match-hb-wadcuttr-ld-mfg-38r3/

[Ironmike57]

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers with my first post. I shoot those through my 649 and I have no problem managing recoil. It is not excessive. An airweight may be a different story.


Those kick like a mother f*****. The whole reason for a wad cutter is reduced recoil and improved shootability leading to improved accuracy and more practice.

If I was going to put up with that much recoil I would choose and expanding projectile.

Notably more recoil with the Buffalo bore than the spear Gold Dot 135 grain plus p 38 special

[breakingtime91]

Lost River sent me some wadcutters, stand up guy. Got my little lcr, waiting on the holster but after that I'm gonna run it through its paces. Had a bad gun tinkering night and buggered the roll pil for the front sight and vent my 1/16 so I have another 1/16 on the way

[UNK]

Lost River sent me some wadcutters, stand up guy. Got my little lcr, waiting on the holster but after that I'm gonna run it through its paces. Had a bad gun tinkering night and buggered the roll pil for the front sight and vent my 1/16 so I have another 1/16 on the way

Get on the mailing list for these for practice. https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/38-spl-148gr-hbwc-remanufactured-ammunition/

[UNK]

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers with my first post. I shoot those through my 649 and I have no problem managing recoil. It is not excessive. An airweight may be a different story.

I dont know if you’ve read Doc’s post on 38 ammo. Going higher velocity than standard velocity wc doesnt gain you anything other than additional recoil. Bullet over penetration as well as a danger to those down range is a consideration.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4336-BUG-s-380-ACP-vs-38-Sp&p=75145&viewfull=1#post75145


When faced with too little penetration, as is common with lightweight .38 Sp JHP loads or too much penetration like with the wadcutters, then go with penetration. Agencies around here have used the Winchester 148 gr standard pressure lead target wadcutter (X38SMRP), as well as the Federal (GM38A) version--both work. A sharper edged wadcutter would even be better... Dr. Fackler has written in Fackler ML: "The Full Wadcutter--An Extremely Effective Bullet Design", Wound Ballistics Review. 4(2):6-7, Fall 1999)
"As a surgeon by profession, I am impressed by bullets with a cutting action (eg. Winchester Talon and Remington Golden Saber). Cutting is many times more efficient at disrupting tissue than the crushing mechanism by which ordinary bullets produce the hole through which they penetrate. The secret to the increased efficiency of the full wadcutter bullet is the cutting action of its sharp circumferential leading edge. Actually, cutting is simply very localized crush; by decreasing the area over which a given force is spread, we can greatly increase the magnitude to the amount of force delivered per unit are--which is a fancy way of saying that sharp knives cut a lot better than dull ones. As a result, the calculation of forces on tissue during penetration underestimate the true effectiveness of the wadcutter bullet relative to other shapes."

[Ironmike57]

Thank you. I have read Doc's stuff many times. I carry different ammo in my j-frame depending on the usage. Primary, backup, or car gun.


I dont know if you’ve read Doc’s post on 38 ammo. Going higher velocity than standard velocity wc doesnt gain you anything other than additional recoil. Bullet over penetration as well as a danger to those down range is a consideration.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4336-BUG-s-380-ACP-vs-38-Sp&p=75145&viewfull=1#post75145


When faced with too little penetration, as is common with lightweight .38 Sp JHP loads or too much penetration like with the wadcutters, then go with penetration. Agencies around here have used the Winchester 148 gr standard pressure lead target wadcutter (X38SMRP), as well as the Federal (GM38A) version--both work. A sharper edged wadcutter would even be better... Dr. Fackler has written in Fackler ML: "The Full Wadcutter--An Extremely Effective Bullet Design", Wound Ballistics Review. 4(2):6-7, Fall 1999)
"As a surgeon by profession, I am impressed by bullets with a cutting action (eg. Winchester Talon and Remington Golden Saber). Cutting is many times more efficient at disrupting tissue than the crushing mechanism by which ordinary bullets produce the hole through which they penetrate. The secret to the increased efficiency of the full wadcutter bullet is the cutting action of its sharp circumferential leading edge. Actually, cutting is simply very localized crush; by decreasing the area over which a given force is spread, we can greatly increase the magnitude to the amount of force delivered per unit are--which is a fancy way of saying that sharp knives cut a lot better than dull ones. As a result, the calculation of forces on tissue during penetration underestimate the true effectiveness of the wadcutter bullet relative to other shapes."

[JWH]

It was mentioned in the other thread that target wad cutters perform the same in bare gel vs. 4-layer denim. How well do they work through auto glass? Do they have enough velocity to reliably penetrate and track straight(ish)?

[ccmdfd]

This place seems to have some, but something about it seems... sketchy

https://opticsandammo.com/product/fiocchi-ammo-38spl-148gr-lwc-50-mfg-38la/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/ultramax-38spl-148gr-match-hb-wadcuttr-ld-mfg-38r3/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/win-sprx-38spl-148gr-lwc-50500/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/winchester-ammo-supx-38-spl-148gr-lead-wadcut50-mfg-x38smrp/
https://opticsandammo.com/product/ultramax-38spl-148gr-match-hb-wadcuttr-ld-mfg-38r3/


Yeah, I decided to try it out and see. Figured one box of ammo couldn't do much damage.

I get a "there are no payment options available for your state" message.

Never seen anything like that before.

[UNK]

It was mentioned in the other thread that target wad cutters perform the same in bare gel vs. 4-layer denim. How well do they work through auto glass? Do they have enough velocity to reliably penetrate and track straight(ish)?

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?30080-Wadcutters-vs-Hollowpoints-for-snubnose-carry&p=716907&viewfull=1#post716907

[Glock17JHP]

I have always chosen the Winchester Super Match WC (X38SMRP) if I can find it, but expect it to be expensive. After that, the Federal Gold Medal Match WC (GM38A) is my 2nd choice. When I am wanting a similar load (bullet style, weight, etc.) but lower cost, mainly for plinking... I have used Sellier & Bellot Wad Cutter (SB38B).

[PNWTO]

Buffalo Bore has their 150gr wadcutters in stock. A little spicier than other brands but hits the sights on all my 2” snubs.

Edit: whoops, saw that load was already discussed ITT.

[fly out]

PrecisionOne has 148gr wadcutters in stock (https://precisiononeammunition.com/product/38-special-148gr-cpwc-new/)as I post this.

I buy a mini-case of 250 rounds each time I see them in stock. They're well made, safely packed and shipped (quickly), clean, and accurate enough for me. All things being equal, I buy the Federals, but all things aren't equal, so this is it for now, and I don't hesitate.

They also have 45LC in stock right now, so adding on a box was basically free, with no additional shipping.

[PNWTO]

PrecisionOne has 148gr wadcutters in stock (https://precisiononeammunition.com/product/38-special-148gr-cpwc-new/)as I post this.

Thanks for heads up, ordered; especially like that they are plated. I’m excited to see how they shoot.

[fly out]

In the seven o'clock hour this morning, barely 12 hours after ordering, I had my tracking number and a delivery scheduled for Friday.

It's pretty hard to beat that.

[Bratch]

PrecisionOne has 148gr wadcutters in stock (https://precisiononeammunition.com/product/38-special-148gr-cpwc-new/)as I post this.

I buy a mini-case of 250 rounds each time I see them in stock. They're well made, safely packed and shipped (quickly), clean, and accurate enough for me. All things being equal, I buy the Federals, but all things aren't equal, so this is it for now, and I don't hesitate.

They also have 45LC in stock right now, so adding on a box was basically free, with no additional shipping.

I know it’s a brave new world but man $800/k is hard to stomach.

[fly out]

I know it’s a brave new world but man $800/k is hard to stomach.

You're not wrong. If I needed hundreds of these per month, I'd consider reloading them. On the plus side, 148gr are all I use in 38, so if I want to throw a Chief's Special in the pocket for a run to town, I'm not wondering what's in there. I know it's factory 148.