When I had a 2” K, it was Remmy FBI. If I was to load up a 2” tuber now, J or K, it would be a hardcast wadcutter. To be honest, I think our man right here on P-F has figured out how to split the dif between the old target loads of yore, and the Buffalowood uber spicy rounds.
https://www.lostriverammocompany.com...cutter-100-RND
https://www.lostriverammocompany.com...utters-100-RND
”But in the end all of these ideas just manufacture new criminals when the problem isn't a lack of criminals.” -JRB
Good to know! I already have some of the Underwood but when I need some more I’ll give these a tryOriginally Posted by Totem Polar
That sounds like a much more realistic velocity and you can expect to lose only two inches of terminal penetration depth in the bargain.
''Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity.'' ―Albert Einstein
Full disclosure per the Pistol-Forum CoC: I am the author of Quantitative Ammunition Selection.
I got a little over 800 fps out of my 2 inch S&W442 with the 150gr Underwood.
We could isolate Russia totally from the world and maybe they could apply for membership after 2000 years.
@850ish fps wouldn’t A 38 load designed for short barrels (ie gold dot) be a better choice? As now you’re in the same recoil range.
Unless, of course, penetration is your main goal
I always thought the main purpose of a wad cutter was reasonable damage and penetration with low recoil. The super Duper wadcutters defeat much of that concept with quite deep penetration and often equal or greater recoil than say a short barrel gold dot. (I still have a half a box of buffalo bore 150 grain wadcutters and have no intention of firing them ever again out of a lightweight J. Although probably fine out of a K.)
My understanding is that loads such as the Speer Short Barrel 135gr +P do not expand as reliably as one might like out of a 2" barrel. I do use it in my 3" & 4'" revolvers and like it quite well. The real problem with is it is so hard to get. I only have 50 rounds left on hand and have had it on backorder for over a year. I am told I am next in line as soon as the next batch comes in but who knows?
Knowing the OP to be a pretty intelligent guy who knows what he wants (and why), my response was made with his decision in mind.
@850ish fps wouldn’t A 38 load designed for short barrels (ie gold dot) be a better choice? As now you’re in the same recoil range.
Unless, of course, penetration is your main goal
I always thought the main purpose of a wad cutter was reasonable damage and penetration with low recoil. The super Duper wadcutters defeat much of that concept with quite deep penetration and often equal or greater recoil than say a short barrel gold dot. (I still have a half a box of buffalo bore 150 grain wadcutters and have no intention of firing them ever again out of a lightweight J. Although probably fine out of a K.)
When it comes to choosing self-defense ammunition for his 2'' K-frame, it is pretty clear that the OP values the three most important aspects of terminal ballistic performance, and in their correct order:
1.) Correct Placement (COM)
2.) Sufficient Penetration (up to 18'')
3.) Expansion (which is the ''icing on the cake'')
Ammunition designed specifically for short barrel handguns has certainly improved the likelihood that JHP expansion might occur from abbreviated barrels, but there are no guarantees—even with the premium offerings.
You are correct when you state, ''I always thought the main purpose of a wad cutter was reasonable damage and penetration with low recoil''. It is.
However, a 150-grain wadcutter at 850 fps out of a (fairly heavy @ 30 ounces give or take two ounces) K-frame, is not unmanageable and will accomplish the task if applied generously. The free recoil velocity of the OP's gun/ammo combination would be approximately 75% that of a Glock 17 firing a 147-grain HST—very easily controlled and not at all uncomfortable to fire.
''Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity.'' ―Albert Einstein
Full disclosure per the Pistol-Forum CoC: I am the author of Quantitative Ammunition Selection.
Unfortunately those wadcutters don't have a sharp shoulder, which cuts a full caliber diameter hole in soft tissues.
The radiused shoulder of those wadcutters don't "cut" and it allows soft tissues to flow around the shoulder.
In all steel j frames and any K frame the Gold dot 135 grain 38 or 357 are very manageable. There's no need to go to lower recoilng wadcutters in these heavier guns. The Winchester Ranger 130 is apparently performing well from the 2 inch barrelled guns
I appreciate the bone being thrown my way.
Since the gun being considered is a K Frame, I would suggest this:
https://www.lostriverammocompany.com...cutter-100-RND
They run 1115 from a 4" K Frame and 1020 from an 1 & 7/8ths" J frame. (NOT recommended for aluminum framed J Frames).
I have a customer who has used this load for Whitetail deer and reports complete penetration and was very happy with the results. The short version is that you can run these poly loads faster than traditional hardcast and this load is cooking for a .38 Special.
Hope this helps.
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