Bullet Type vs Hole Size

[ES13Raven]

From what I have seen, the Semi-Wadcutter bullet makes a large, clean hole in a cardboard target compared to a Round-Nose of the same caliber.

What bullet profiles make the best holes in cardboard targets?

How do they compare?  RN, FP, SWC, HP, JHP, RNFP, TC etc.

[ReloaderFred]

Full Wadcutter bullets make the cleanest holes in paper targets, and were invented for just that purpose, since it makes scoring the targets easier.  Bullseye shooting out to 50 yards required good clean holes for the highest scoring, as did PPC shooting.  It makes a big difference on whether you cut the line and get a 10 or a 9.

The SWC bullet is a compromise, but also provides more shock transfer to the target when used on game, since it combines a flat nose and cutting edge in the same profile.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[oldfrank]

Shooting in competition I have scored thousands of bullet holes in Cardboard.

SWC makes the biggest. cleanest hole behind FWC which I have never seen anyone shoot. RNFP is probably next and to be honest there is very little difference in cardboard between all the rest.

[ReloaderFred]

In Bullseye competition, Full Wadcutter bullets were shot through S&W Model 52 pistols and 1911's converted to shoot .38 Spl. Wadcutter ammunition.  There was also the .38 AMU, which was a .38 Special case with a .38 Super extractor groove and rim, and were fired through modified 1911's.  Those were the only pistols I'm aware of that were capable of shooting full Wadcutter ammunition.  In revolvers, you can shoot just about any shape bullet, and for PPC matches, the .38 Special Wadcutter was king.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Joe L]

WC and SWC are the best for clean holes, as indicated above.  But even a JHP will make a cleaner hole than an FMJ.  FMJ, round nose, all just make an awful looking hole. 

Joe

[noylj]

If you shoot a hole in paper with a RN bullet, you will find that if you fold the tears back in place, there is almost no missing paper.
A flat meplat (or even the hollow point) will punch out the paper to the approximate size of the flat meplat.
A full-diameter flat shoulder will punch a hole in the paper at that diameter.
You can use a RN-SWC (they do exist) or a FN-SWC or a full WC.
Thus, even in terms of self-defense, I would prefer a SWC or FP over a RN (as long as it is 100% reliable in the gun)--though a working JHP is better.