Dolphin

I realize their are better choices for those who are healthy, but for defensive purposes would the .38 148gr wadcutter be a viable round?

HotGuns

That depends.

Commercial wad-cutters are loaded at low velocity as they are meant specifically for target practice. They were developed to cut a nice clean hole in the target to make it easier to score the target.

As they are, I would say NO they are not adequate.

If you load them yourself, and push them up to much higher velocity, they might be OK. If you push them too high you will blow the hollow bases out and accuracy will be poor, if they are hollow based wad-cutters, as most are.

There are much better rounds out there. If you are concerned about recoil issues, then try the "Self Defense" rounds that have less recoil than standard ammo.

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forestranger

Before the days of effective JHPs, solid wadcutters were loaded hot, Hollow base WCs were loaded backwards, all in an attempt to improve 38sp. effectiveness. There were some hot loads listed back then. Modern jhps have made them obsolete IMHO. Game Warden I knew was killed years ago after shooting the BG in the head with a 38 wadcutter load. Fellow shot him with a 32 and left him to bleed to death.

obxned

A .38 wadcutter loaded backwards is a really nasty round. It will do the job!

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Captain Crunch

The answer to this question is a qualified "yes", under certain limited conditions, like very short range and a "soft" target.

The original U.S. Customs Sky Marshals in the 1970s were issued 2 inch S&W Model 60s and 148 grain WC ammo, the idea being that the wadcutters were less likely to penetrate an aircraft fuselage.

Wadcutters will do in a pinch if that's all you have, but there are much better choices available nowadays.

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Terry

rainmaker

As the Captain said, short range and soft target. On another site, WC were suggested for nightstand revolver loads for inside the home. WC are low velocity, with low recoil, and lower flash than other ammo. Being 100% lead, less likely to penetrate walls or ricochet around.

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Steve

sheepdog

I saw some pictures/article about reversed HBWC loads some years back. They fired them into wet magazines or something to see how they would expand. The base peeled back and opened-then the base or skirt broke away in little pieces, leaving a lead slug with the bore diameter to penetrate some more. It appears this idea did not work as well as intended, at least with that brand of bullet and that test media.

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farronwolf

Does this mean that your not able to shoot a gun loaded with 38sp rounds of another nature, ie JHP, or JSP or whatever due to a medical condition?

If that is the case it seems that a different gun or a different caliber would be a better option instead of going with a low velocity round in that caliber.

What type of 38 do you use?

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Just remember that shot placement is much more important with what you carry than how big a bang you get with each trigger pull.

Harlan

Hot Guns is correct!
There are much better choices in .38!

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