? On .38 + P wadcutter

[platoonDaddy]

Helped a neighbor and ended up with .38 ammo, along with .38 +P wadcutter (flat-fronted bullet).

What is the purpose of +P .38 wadcutter?

 

[Reloader]

To punch clean round holes, wether it be in paper or flesh!

 

[303_enfield]

Did the box say +P or just the brass? If the brass and a lead pill, it's a reload.

 

[4g64loser]

Never seen a factory HBWC loaded to +P. They need lower pressure as the hollow base graves the rifling more easily than other bullets (and they are soft as butter). I've loaded +p marked cases as they don't seem to weigh differently within a given manufacturer than regular 38 cases.

I suspect what you have are handloads.

There ARE some people who load plated DEWC bullets to higher pressure but that's not super common. I never saw a point. They shot best at lower velocity.

 

[IronEye]

38 Special is somewhat marginal as a defensive round out of a short barrel. If the bullet doesn't expand you get too much penetration. If it over expands the bullet might not penetrate enough. I have heard of some that choose to use target wadcutter loads for self defense in snubbies. Low recoil is one reason but another is that the wadcutter does not need to expand to cause damage. Some advocate full power wadcutters (se article below). Seems logical that +P wadcutters might be considered.

As noted in a previous post one should NOT load hollow base wadcutters to high velocities. The hollow base can blow out. Double Ended Wadcutters (DEWC) are an option if loading hotter.

Here's a link to an interesting old article by Ed Harris (of Ed's Red fame) about the utility of using full power wadcutters: full charge wadcutters

I have heard of a hack of loading hollow base wadcutters backwards as a self defense load.

I've only read about the above and have no personal experience with full power or +P wadcutter loads.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Flat fronted as in bullet is even with the case mouth, like the cartridge pictured in the center?

If so, and loaded into +P brass, I'm with 303 enfield and 4g64loser. Likewise almost certain that it isn't factory ammo.
Unless you're really confident of the origin of any reloads, I myself would be leery of using it.

 

[platoonDaddy]

Picture of the Federal +P

 

[4g64loser]

This is a HBWC loaded "backwards" with a standard charge. Just over 600fps out if a 1 7/8" j frame barrel. Shot into water jugs or a fackler box, they are usually .575 to .650 expanded.

I am not suggesting that you do this or carry it as a defensive load. I am simply posting the picture as I have tested this type of ammo and the subject has been raised. I have no problem with people carrying whatever they like, and I would not feel uncomfortable using DEWC bullets loaded to full pressure (or +P pressure).

For defensive loads, the speer gold dot is hard to beat and there's even a snubby specific version available if you want it.

 

[4g64loser]

Picture of the Federal +P

That looks like a plated HBWC. The recessed nose is a swaged bullet rather than a cast.

 

[platoonDaddy]

Two different +P

 

[303_enfield]

Jacketed round to me means factory. This is the updated model.

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[303_enfield]

The semi jacketed one is +p+. That will make a 2"J frame stand up!

 

[4g64loser]

The semi jacketed one is +p+. That will make a 2"J frame stand up!

Yeah. I shoot 158gr .357 mag out of my stainless j frame and it's definitely not something you do all afternoon. Twenty five is about my limit.

 

[303_enfield]

Two different +P

Um, the jacketed WC is in W-W standard brass and Federal +P ? Then it's a reload.

 

[303_enfield]

Did you ask the neighbor about the ammo? Maybe you should.

 

[John from MD]

Berry's sells plated wad cutters that have to have higher pressures as even the lead has some antimony it. Shooting it with 2.8 bullseye gave dismal results. The load I finally found that worked was 4.0 of WW231. Not plus P velocity but not Bullseye velocity either.

 

[4g64loser]

Berry's sells plated wad cutters that have to have higher pressures as even the lead has some antimony it. Shooting it with 2.8 bullseye gave dismal results. The load I finally found that worked was 4.0 of WW231. Not plus P velocity but not Bullseye velocity either.

I've shot some plated DEWC (not berry's) that needed some snot to shoot properly but that's not the norm. On a totally stupid note, it would be cool to find some DEWC bullets for the 44 mag that could handle full power.....say around 180gr....

 

[platoonDaddy]

Did you ask the neighbor about the ammo? Maybe you should.

Upon family member dying, they came across the ammo

 

[303_enfield]

Upon family member dying, they came across the ammo

Ask if he was a reloader or did they find any presses.

 

[FN509Fan]

Helped a neighbor and ended up with .38 ammo, along with .38 +P wadcutter (flat-fronted bullet).

What is the purpose of +P .38 wadcutter?

Is it commercial ammo or is it possibly hand-loaded/reloaded? I know some hand-loaders who only use +P brass so that they don't have to have both standard and +P cases. And if they are loading at the top end of the recipe, +P provides cases provide a little extra margin of safety.

Speaking of which, this was some 9mm (and one 45 ACP) brass I picked up at the range.