SEMI-WADCUTTER/JACKETED

Question
Hi Dave

Just some questions about semi and full wadcutter ammo.

I own a brand new S&W AirLite .357mag. The gun is out of this world. It weights loaded with mag. ammo 14.4ozs. Un-beleiveable.

O.K. to the point: MY QUESTION(S)
Do any of the ammo manufacturers make;
.38spl. Jacketed semi-wads or full wadcutters?
Also do any of 'em make .359 Jacketed semi/full wascutter ammo?

Do any make these bullets in low grains?

I like to target shoot and have my fire arm for defence also. So when praticing I don't want to punish myself with high grain bullets. Plus I like nice clean hole in my targets.

Please let me know what's out there. I'm new to all this ammo stuff.

THANK YOU DAVE
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Mr.Ray Monaco
Las Vegas,NV

Answer
Bullets for .357 mag and .38 SPL are generally of a diameter of .357 to .358 inch, depending on the bullet style (So I don't understand your question about .359).  

Wadcutters are cylindrical, have a flat nose, and are not made with jacketing.  They also have a smaller charge for a lower velocity than full power loads.  

You can get jacketed factory ammo with hollow point, but not semi-wadcutter.

There is a wide selection of hardcast bullets for handloaders, that will work well with .38 Spl.  

The standard semi-wadcutter bullets for .38 Spl are 158 grain and wadcutters are 148 grain.  You can get hollowpoint bullets (for handloading) down to 110 grain.

For target shooting while making a good hole in the paper, you can use wadcutters or semi-wadcutters.  They don't have to be jacketed because the powder charge is smaller and the bullets don't melt in the barrel.  With a higher powder charge in standard velocity cartridges, you should have a jacketed bullet, or a gas check, to prevent fouling the gun from the bullets as they start to melt near the base.

I reload my handgun cartridges, so I can make what I want.  If you don't reload, maybe a friend at your gun club will load some for you.

Hope this helps!

Dave