wadcutter

Wadcutter is a style of handgun bullet characterized by a flat, blunt nose. The flat nose is designed to cut a clean, round hole in paper targets, providing uniform scoring in precision shooting. The name likely derives from the use of its flat nose and the historical practice of wad-based loads, though the exact origin is uncertain.

Full wadcutters have a fully flat point; semi-wadcutter bullets have a slightly beveled shoulder with a flat nose, intended to improve feeding in semi-automatic pistols while preserving the target-oriented flat-nose appearance. Common calibers include .22 Long Rifle, .38 Special, and .45 ACP; weights vary by caliber, with examples such as about 40 grains for .22 LR wadcutters, about 148 grains for .38 Special full wadcutters, and about 230 grains for .45 ACP full wadcutters.

Performance and use: Wadcutters maximize target visibility and scoring by creating crisp target holes; they do not rely on expansion or fragmentation, and thus are not intended for hunting or self-defense. They are favored in bullseye and other slow-fire pistol competitions, often loaded for low recoil and high consistency. In modern practice, semi-wadcutter designs are common for many precision matches due to easier feeding, while full wadcutters remain associated with classic bullseye loads.