Ask a bullseye shooter what goes in their revolver and you will often hear one answer: a 38 Special wadcutter. It is one of the oldest and simplest target bullets still made. It also has a following among people who carry small revolvers. This guide covers what a wadcutter is, how it differs from a semi-wadcutter, and which loads we carry for each job.
What Is a Wadcutter Bullet?
A wadcutter is a lead bullet shaped like a short cylinder with a flat face. There is no rounded nose. When it hits a paper target, it punches a clean, round hole. That makes scoring easy and accurate. The name comes from the way it “cuts a wad” out of the paper.
Most target wadcutters weigh 148 grains. Many have a hollow base. When the powder fires, the hollow base flares out to grip the rifling. Target wadcutters also sit deep in the case, often flush with the case mouth.
The 38 Special came from Smith & Wesson in 1898. It has been a target and police round ever since, and the wadcutter has been part of that story for most of its life.
Wadcutter vs Semi-Wadcutter
A semi-wadcutter (SWC) has a cone or round nose sitting on a sharp shoulder. The nose helps it load faster and feed better. The sharp shoulder still cuts a clean hole in paper and in game. Most SWC loads use a 158-grain bullet.
- Full wadcutter: flat face, low speed, made for target work in revolvers.
- Semi-wadcutter: nose plus sharp shoulder, a bit more speed, good for target and field use.
- Semi-wadcutter hollow point: an SWC with a cavity in the nose for expansion.
38 Special Wadcutter Loads We Stock
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal Match | 148 | Wadcutter | 710 | 165 | 50-round box |
| Remington WheelGun | 148 | Wadcutter | 710 | 166 | 50-round box |
| Winchester Super X | 148 | Lead wadcutter | 710 | 166 | 50-round box |
| Magtech | 148 | Wadcutter | 710 | 166 | 50-round box |
| Fiocchi | 148 | Hollow base WC | 730 | 175 | 50-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot | 148 | Hollow base WC | 699 | 161 | 50-round box |
| Buffalo Bore | 150 | Hard cast WC | 850 | 241 | 20-round box |
| Underwood | 150 | Hard cast WC | 1,000 | 333 | 20-round box |
| Magtech SWC | 158 | SWC | 755 | 200 | 50-round box |
| Remington WheelGun SWC | 158 | Lead SWC | 755 | 200 | 50-round box |
| Underwood coated SWC | 158 | Coated SWC | 854 | 256 | 20-round box |
| Grizzly Cowboy | 158 | SWC | 900 | 284 | 50-round box |
| PPU SWHP | 158 | SWC hollow point | 902 | 282 | 50-round box |
| Underwood +P SWC | 158 | Coated SWC | 1,160 | 472 | 20-round box |
Figures are the makers’ published muzzle data. Your revolver’s barrel length will change them.
Target Wadcutters: Slow and Accurate
Classic 148-grain target loads run slow and soft. The Federal Gold Medal Match 148-grain wadcutter lists 710 fps and 165 ft-lb. The Remington Performance WheelGun wadcutter lists the same speed. Recoil is mild, so you can shoot all day and focus on your sights and trigger.
The Sellier & Bellot 148-grain hollow base lists 699 fps. It is a good pick if you want a hollow-base design for range work.
Wadcutters for Carry: Why People Choose Them
Some snub-nose revolver owners carry wadcutters instead of hollow points. The reasons are simple. A short barrel may not give a hollow point enough speed to open. A wadcutter does not need to open. Its flat face cuts a full-width hole. Recoil is also light, which helps fast follow-up shots.
Hard cast wadcutters push this idea further. The Underwood 150-grain hard cast wadcutter lists 1,000 fps and 333 ft-lb. The Buffalo Bore 150-grain hard cast wadcutter lists 850 fps and 241 ft-lb. Both are much faster than target loads.
Whatever you carry, test it in your own revolver. Laws on defensive ammo vary by state and city, so check your local rules. To see how defense loads are judged, read our guide to reading 38 Special gel test results.
Semi-Wadcutters for Field and Range
A 158-grain SWC is a good general load. The Remington WheelGun 158-grain SWC lists 755 fps and 200 ft-lb. It is a fine choice for practice and small game where legal.
The Underwood 38 Special +P 158-grain SWC lists 1,160 fps and 472 ft-lb. That is a +P load. Only use it in revolvers rated for +P ammo.
Is 38 Special Wadcutter Ammo Right for Your Gun?
Wadcutters were made for revolvers. The flat face can hang up in lever-action rifles and in most semi-auto pistols. A .357 Magnum revolver can safely fire 38 Special ammo, including wadcutters. Check your owner’s manual to confirm. The reverse is not true. Never fire .357 Magnum in a gun marked only for 38 Special.
Lead bullets can leave lead in the barrel. Coated bullets like Underwood’s Black Cherry polymer cut down on that. Clean your gun often if you shoot a lot of bare lead.
Shop 38 Special Wadcutter Ammo
See the full lineup in our 38 Special wadcutter ammo category, or browse every load in our 38 Special ammo section. Pick up a box of target wadcutters and a box of SWC, and see which one your revolver likes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wadcutter bullet?
A wadcutter is a flat-faced, cylinder-shaped lead bullet. It cuts a clean, round hole in paper, which makes target scoring easy. Most 38 Special target wadcutters weigh 148 grains and run at low speed with light recoil. They are made mainly for revolvers.
What is wadcutter ammo used for?
Wadcutter ammo is mostly used for target shooting, especially bullseye and other precision revolver events. Some people also carry it in snub-nose revolvers because it does not need to expand and has light recoil. Check local laws on defensive ammo choices.
Is 38 special good for self-defense?
The 38 Special has served police and civilians for over a century. With a good load and practice, many people trust it in a small revolver. Pick a load made for short barrels, and check your state and local rules on carry and ammo type.
What does 38 special +P mean?
The +P marking means the load runs at higher pressure than standard 38 Special, as set by SAAMI. It gives more speed and recoil. Only fire +P ammo in revolvers that the maker says are rated for it.
Is 38 special the same as 357?
No. A .357 Magnum case is longer and runs at higher pressure. You can safely shoot 38 Special in a .357 Magnum revolver, but you must never fire .357 Magnum in a gun chambered only for 38 Special.
