Wadcutters vs. Hollowpoints for snubnose carry

[Ed L]

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find where.

From some of what I am reading it doesn't seem that hollowpoints, even +P hollowpoints expand out of a snubnose barrel. Wadcutters, on the other hand, maintain their full diameter and can actually create a wider wound channel than a non-expanding hollowpoint.

So it seems with a when you fire a +P hollowpoint in a snubnose, the result for most people is slower follow up shots due to greater recoil and muzzle jump.

The only advantage I can see to a JHP load is if it was a bonded bullet and for whatever reason you had to shoot through something that needed a bonded bullet.

My pocket carry J-frame is a standard model 640, so I am not dealing with a lightweight gun that will be painful to shoot with a +P load. Up until now, my carry load had been the Speer 135 grain +P hollowpoint. But in considering it now it seems a wadcutter might be a better choice for reasons already discussed. For a lighter weight gun, I would not try to carry a +P.

Here are some links that seem to evaluate it intelligently and provide velocity and penetration info.

I would be very interested in hearing other people's (Chuck Haggard, Tamara, DocGkr) thoughts on this.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/w...-self-defense/

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...8-special.html

[Bucky]

Why not both? I use the old “FBI load”, a LSWCHP - lead semi wadcutter hollow point.

[TGS]

...snip...

DocGKR has a post somewhat addressing your OP: BUG's: .380 ACP vs .38 Special

Synopsis:

There are precious few 38 Special loads that will perform to IWBA/FBI standards out of a snub, but they are there.

Carrying wadcutters is an accepted alternative, but as you mentioned will not perform well with intermediate barriers, in particular metal and glass.

If the recoil on a given +p JHP is more than you'd prefer (excessively long split times, whatever), one strategy is to carry a cylinder full of wadcutters and a reload of something with round noses.....reloading round nose bullets from a speed-loader is demonstrably easier than trying to do the same with wadcutters.

[Irelander]

I'm fully on the wadcutter bandwagon for snub use. The Remington Target load is very accurate in my 642, light recoil with great penetration.

[camsdaddy]

Why not both? I use the old “FBI load”, a LSWCHP - lead semi wadcutter hollow point.

I think the additional recoil of the FBI load is the deterrent to many in an air weight. If the hollow point isnt going to open I think I have read that the low recoil and cutting edge of the full wadcutter is preferred. I had thought that a standard pressure 158 LSWC would split the difference and give POI @ POA. I found that the difference of impact isnt enough to matter. I have gotten where full wadcutters are all I really load and carry either full or semi wadcutters as a reload.

[psalms144.1]

I think the additional recoil of the FBI load is the deterrent to many in an air weight. If the hollow point isnt going to open I think I have read that the low recoil and cutting edge of the full wadcutter is preferred. I had thought that a standard pressure 158 LSWC would split the difference and give POI @ POA. I found that the difference of impact isnt enough to matter. I have gotten where full wadcutters are all I really load and carry either full or semi wadcutters as a reload.

+1. I'm required to shoot issued ammunition in my authorized pistol, and my agency's continued issuance of ONLY 158gr LHP+P loads has led me to selling my 642 because I just can't stand the pain of shooting it anymore for qualifications. If/when I'm retired and I'm back to using a airweight pocket gun on a regular basis, I'll feed it FWC only and be happy.

[LOBO]

"Currently, the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +P JHP, Winchester 130 gr bonded +P JHP (RA38B), and Barnes 110 gr XPB all copper JHP (for ex. in the Corbon DPX loading) offer the most reliable expansion we have seen from a .38 sp 2” BUG; Hornady 110 gr standard pressure and +P Critical Defense loads also offer good performance out of 2" barrel revolvers."

The above was found here,

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....ighlight=ra38b

[camsdaddy]

+1. I'm required to shoot issued ammunition in my authorized pistol, and my agency's continued issuance of ONLY 158gr LHP+P loads has led me to selling my 642 because I just can't stand the pain of shooting it anymore for qualifications. If/when I'm retired and I'm back to using a airweight pocket gun on a regular basis, I'll feed it FWC only and be happy.

I shoot full wadcutters in my model 60 and I have never wished for more recoil.

[Jim Watson]

Midrange wadcutters are low in recoil and seem to have taken the place of the unfortunately near-extinct .32 revolver.
There used to be a service wadcutter, listed at 860 fps in 6". Might be 780 in a Chief.
Nobody makes that now that I know of. The Buffalo Bore wadcutter is 869 fps in a 2", which isn't going to kick any less than any other duty load in a snub.
You could get there yourself with a bevel base wadcutter and 4.5 gr of Unique.

[feudist]

Midrange wadcutters are low in recoil and seem to have taken the place of the unfortunately near-extinct .32 revolver.
There used to be a service wadcutter, listed at 860 fps in 6". Might be 780 in a Chief.
Nobody makes that now that I know of. The Buffalo Bore wadcutter is 869 fps in a 2", which isn't going to kick any less than any other duty load in a snub.
You could get there yourself with a bevel base wadcutter and 4.5 gr of Unique.

I've been toying with the idea of a .32 S&W...extra shot, .380ish ballistics and Buffalo Bore makes a hard cast wadcutter that is a little hotter.