Flush-Seating Wadcutters

by
posted on March 14, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qanda2015_fs.jpg (2)

Q. It is necessary to flush-seat the wadcutter bullet in the .38 case when reloading for the S&W Model 52. But is this procedure more accurate than conventional overall-length bullet seating when using the cartridge in revolvers? Is better accuracy obtained minimizing bullet jump from the cylinder to the barrel by loading the bullet to the same depth as jacketed bullets, or is better accuracy obtained by flush seating regardless of the jump to the cylinder?

A. Flush seating is necessary for any wadcutter load. Bullet jump really isn’t much of an issue, and while I am not aware of a study that investigated seating a wadcutter out longer, several tests have shown no difference in accuracy between the same loads fired in .38 Spl. vs. .357 Mag. cylinders, which would provide a similar increase in bullet jump. But there would be one serious drawback to seating the wadcutter bullets out much further. The powder charge would take up a lower percentage of case volume, which would result in lower pressure and lower velocity. In all likelihood, this would also have a negative effect on accuracy. Some cast bullets have a crimp groove that might result in a slightly longer overall length, which is probably negligible; but other than that, I do not think it would be a good idea.

-Charles E. Petty

(Originally published in February, 2006)

Latest

Colt-Burgess Rifle
Colt-Burgess Rifle

I Have This Old Gun: Colt-Burgess Rifle

There was a time when firearm manufacturers were primarily known for producing only one specific type of gun. In fact, their fame, reputations and, often, their fortunes hinged upon it.

2026 NRA Youth Education Summit Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2026 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), an all-expenses-paid, six-day leadership and scholarship program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

The Rifleman Report: The Misrepresented Armed Citizen

Despite what mainstream news outlets would have us believe, most armed citizens are thoughtful, deliberate, responsible Americans whose foremost concerns are the well-being of themselves and their families.

First Breach Ammunition Factory Tour

An ambitious and technically savvy startup embarks on the goal to bring match-grade cartridges to the market at an enviable price—all made in America.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 27, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Development of MIM Cartridge Cases

We recently caught up with Concurrent Technologies to learn more about its latest advancements in metal injection molding (MIM) as it pertains to cartridge case manufacturing.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.