Are 38 special wadcutters good for self defense?
If a bullet doesn't reach vital structures, it's no good for self defense. This is where wadcutters surprisingly shine. In independent ballistic tests, 148 grain lead wadcutters fired from snub nosed revolvers penetrate 12 to 16 inches in ballistic gel. This meets the FBI standard for penetration.
What are 38 Special wadcutters good for?
38 Special wadcutter, abbreviated “WC” will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the case mouth. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets.
What is the main purpose of using a wadcutter bullet?
For target shooting, a wadcutter cuts a very clean hole through the paper target, making it easier to score and ideally reducing errors in scoring the target in the favor of the shooter.
Is 38 Special OK for self-defense?
Is 38 Special A Good Self Defense Round? The gist of . 38 Special is that it's a medium bullet at medium velocity. It can be effective for personal defense but ammunition selection (and placement!) is important, especially if your gun has a shorter barrel length.
What is the best revolver caliber for self-defense?
357 Magnum is considered one of the best revolver calibers for self-defense due to its high muzzle energy and terminal effectiveness. . 357 Magnum carries a high potential for one-shot stops during self-defense encounters.
Can you use wadcutter for self defense?
If a bullet doesn't reach vital structures, it's no good for self defense. This is where wadcutters surprisingly shine. In independent ballistic tests, 148 grain lead wadcutters fired from snub nosed revolvers penetrate 12 to 16 inches in ballistic gel. This meets the FBI standard for penetration.
Is wadcutter ammunition good for self defense?
However, wadcutters are sometimes favored in snub nose revolvers, where the sharp edges of a wad cutter, works well at low bullet velocities to be a lethal self-defense round. If you're looking for a type of bullet that will help you score well at your next target shooting competition, consider using wadcutters.
Are wadcutter bullets lethal?
ALL BULLETS CAN BE LETHAL. The shape of the nose or the rest of the bullet makes no difference. What matters is shot PLACEMENT. The wad cutter and semi-wad cutter bullets are designed the way they are to cut nice clean holes in paper targets for scoring.
What does a red tip bullet mean?
Military ammo with a red tip indicates tracer ammunition. Tracer bullets have a hollow base that is filled with magnesium. The flash from the propellant ignites this flammable metal which burns and becomes brightly visible in flight.
Is a 38 more lethal than a 9mm?
38 special has a maximum chamber pressure of 17,000 psi. 9mm has a max chamber pressure of 35,000 psi. . 38 special was originally a black powder round, which is why it uses a large case compared to 9mm. Black powder has more bulk and generates less pressure than modern smokeless powder.
Is a 38 Special better than a 9mm for self-defense?
If you are looking for a reliable, low-maintenance weapon for self-defense, the 38 Special may be the better choice. However, if you need a more versatile weapon with a higher capacity and improved accuracy, the 9mm pistol may be the better option.
Is a 38 Special as powerful as a 9mm?
38 Special is roughly 17,000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi). However, the 9mm Luger has internal pressures of 35,000 psi. It's this higher internal pressure, the result of expansive propellant design and testing, that makes the smaller 9mm more powerful.
Are revolvers or pistols better for self-defense?
If you are familiar with the loading and shooting process, both pistols and revolvers can be safely used for home or self-defense. The revolver, however, is often easier to use in high-stress situations due to its simple design. Furthermore, a revolver hardly ever jams, which is not always the case with handguns.
What is the minimum caliber for self-defense?
380 ACP would be adequate if shot placement is optimal. If you are talking about protection from large, dangerous game I would recommend 10mm or . 357 Magnum as a minimum. As many other people have stated, shot placement is much more critical than caliber choice!
What is the best handgun barrel length for home defense?
Barrel should be a 3 or 4 inch. I do not recommend the popular “snub nose” revolvers for this reason. They are too light to shoot comfortably for some shooters, and the barrel is too short for accurate shooting. This makes it easy to manage, and quick to point.
Is semi Wadcutter hollow point for self-defense?
Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point Advantages
The reason this is considered defense ammo where the full wadcutter is not, is due to the design. The hollow point, combined with the flat tip, gives this quite a bit of stopping power, and these are almost always allowed where regular HP bullets are not.
Are 357 wadcutters good for self-defense?
Wad cutters are hollow base and pure lead. Loaded up-side-down turns them into an excellent short range hollow point self defense round.
Is self-defense ammo worth it?
When it comes to defending your home don't you want the most stopping power you can have at your disposal? The best way to do that is with personal defense ammo. Not only will it damage vital organs, but it's going to expel more power onto its subject, possibly knocking them off their feet (depending on the caliber).
What is the best bullet size for self-defense?
The 9mm caliber is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its manageable recoil, high-capacity magazines, and wide availability of ammunition. It strikes a balance between controllability and effectiveness, making it a versatile option for self-defense.
What type of ammunition is best for self-defense?
The hollow point is the standard for self-defense ammunition; however, many variations of hollow point bullets exist.
What is a 38 special wadcutter bullet?
38 Special). As you can see in the photos below, a wadcutter bullet has a flat front and is typically cylindrical in shape. Additionally, the bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket, which is why they are sometimes referred to as lead wadcutter bullets.
What bullets cause the most damage?
Round nose bullets provide more damage and deeper penetration than other types of bullets, such as flat-nose bullets.
Are wadcutters cheaper?
Specifically, wadcutter and semi-wadcutter bullets are the most economical for long days spent at the shooting range. There are a number of factors making wadcutters less expensive, and subsequently even better for target shooting performance.
What is the difference between a bullet and a wadcutter?
Normal bullets make holes that can be tough to differentiate when you're scoring a paper target that's had a number of shots put through it. Wadcutters were designed to punch distinct circular holes in paper targets, making life a lot easier when determining who won a competitive shooting match.
Does 38 Special do more damage than 9mm?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.
References
- https://www.quora.com/Is-a-38-more-powerful-than-a-9mm
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- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-smallest-caliber-you-trust-to-protect-yourself
- https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/38-special-vs-9mm/
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- https://grizzlycartridge.com/what-does-bullet-tip-color-mean/
- https://www.billjacksons.com/what-is-the-best-firearm-for-home-defense-a-comprehensive-guide-to-choosing-the-best-firearm-for-home-defense/
- https://easyshottargets.com/blogs/news/revolvers-vs-pistols-which-is-the-best-option-for-home-defense
- https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/which-gun-caliber-superior-38-special-or-9mm-107721
- https://www.quora.com/Are-wadcutter-bullets-lethal-like-round-nose-bullets
- https://www.espamerica.com/gun-ownership-is-pricey-enough-cut-down-on-ammo-cost/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadcutter
