Ben Bitten Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I'm planning on hitting the range next week, and swung by my local gun shop to pick up some ammo the other day... he was out of cowboy loads (been shooting Magtech lately). All he had in .38 lead were wadcutters (148 grain). Oddly it was at that very moment I realized I had never fired a wadcutter in my life. ...A rather random realization, but it was part of what lead me to turn down the purchase. But after leaving the shop I got to thinking: I was going to be shooting my six guns - so OAL isn't really an issue. So, theoretically a wadcutter should be just fine in my Vaqueros. However, having never fired a wadcutter in my life I thought I'd run this past my pards on the wire. If you were going to the range to punch paper would you run wadcutters through your Vaquero? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Wad cutters were made for punching nice clean holes in paper. They will work fine in your Vaquero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Sure, I've fired thousands of em when uncle Sam gave me a 3 mo. assignment as a small arms instructor back when I was USAF. They're just bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Rebel, SASS# 58412 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 They're a nice light load. Factory 148 WC should give you 600-650 fps. When I shot Bullseye for the National Guard, I shot them in a S&W Mod 14, and in a S&W Mod 52 auto. Very accurate. I used them to introduce my nephews to 38 sp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCatcher Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I'm planning on hitting the range next week, and swung by my local gun shop to pick up some ammo the other day... he was out of cowboy loads (been shooting Magtech lately). All he had in .38 lead were wadcutters (148 grain). Oddly it was at that very moment I realized I had never fired a wadcutter in my life. ...A rather random realization, but it was part of what lead me to turn down the purchase. But after leaving the shop I got to thinking: I was going to be shooting my six guns - so OAL isn't really an issue. So, theoretically a wadcutter should be just fine in my Vaqueros. However, having never fired a wadcutter in my life I thought I'd run this past my pards on the wire. If you were going to the range to punch paper would you run wadcutters through your Vaquero? Anytime - they make accurate loads, which in turn will help you see if you're doing your part. You can compete with them as well as long as you watch your COL, Page 11 of the Rule book states -• Ammunition with bullets recessed below the case mouth is disallowed. Other than that a 148 WC loaded to any reasonable velocity should be a great shooter in a handgun! SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bitten Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 Much obliged, pards! He's got Sunday hours so I'll swing by and pick up a few boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Just another bullet. Specifically designed to cut nice round holes so Bullseye shooters could accurately score their targets. Shot a bazillion as an instructor in the military. Usually a nice mild load and if swaged hollow base they work very well in a 375 (conversion) bore. Fire Away. 'specially if there cheap Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quick Draw Granpaw #48525 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 As long as it's 38 special your good to go! Lighter grain bullets (96gr-105-125-130-146-148-158-160) all work fine and I think you'll notice the recoil is lighter with the lighter bullets. Check for lower prices and I think you'll be better off then going for "cowboy loads". Look for reloads for reputable companies there normally a lot cheaper. Free advise, welcome! QDG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogleg Hunter Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 some trivia since it is the middle of the nite and I am wide awake. In the old days before the unlimited choices in hollow point bullets reloaders would load the hollow base wadcutters in the case backwards. A cheap man's hollow point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I used to think a 148 grain wadcutter was a light .38 Special load. Then I started shooting cowboy where some folks shoot lite-light. My only comment to the OP is that you might experience a bit more leading with the wadcutter loads, especially if the bullets are swaged instead of hard cast. Nothing you can't clean out of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooting Bull Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 In the old days before the unlimited choices in hollow point bullets reloaders would load the hollow base wadcutters in the case backwards. A cheap man's hollow point. Those do WONDERFUL things to gallon milk jugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi Ben, I always use wad cutters in my Colts. The only exception is when there is a KD pistol target. Then I use my rifle ammo, which is truncated cone and has a heavier bullet. Regards, Allie Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Rebel, SASS# 58412 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 In the old days before the unlimited choices in hollow point bullets reloaders would load the hollow base wadcutters in the case backwards. A cheap man's hollow point. I've done that with a stout load of Bullseye. We shot them into ballistic gel. They didn't all open up, but when they did, it was impressive. Wouldn't want to get it with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I have in my collection of trinkets a 130 gr HB .45 bullet recovered from water jugs after being loaded upside down on top a stout load of Bullseye. It just about covers a quarter, something like .870 diameter. No, you don't wanna stand in front of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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