Comparison of Military Match Wadcutter ammo Older Vs New

I recently acquired a batch of 1970s(?) WCC 40-6004 Match Wadcutter ammo and a kind friend who has access to recent military issue let me have a few of recent IMI production for comparison.  Here are the results.

The results were very similar with the only difference was the IMI was significantly hotter. So much so that a low powered spring, as used for lead wadcutter ammo, would be over-driven.  Accuracy was comparable.




The ammo appears to be “commercial” that was selected rather than” using military headstamp brass? Dunno?

WCC Match Wadcutter Lot 40-6004
MV 794fps (took an extra shot because the chronograph wasn’t on)


Here’s the target





IMI Match Wadcutter 
MV 923fps




Because of the increased velocity, the center of impact is hihgher for the IMI.  With this increase in velocity I’d also respring my gun.  The accuracy could be called “better” with the IMI but I’m not sure it’ll buy you much.

I did this so I would have a “target velocity” for my 185 Jacketed reloads.  I see no reason to elevate it to the IMI velocity.

Very interesting, I have always wondered about the IMI Match Wadcutter velocity.  I bought about 500 rounds in 2014 and still have a few boxes left. Much snappier than my 185 grain lead swc on top of 3.8 grains of Bullseye.

Now you know just how snappier it is!

I sometimes shot some TZZ 230 gr. ball ammo for EIC matches. It had noticeably more recoil. I guess the Israelis like it hot!

BE Mike wrote:I sometimes shot some TZZ 230 gr. ball ammo for EIC matches. It had noticeably more recoil. I guess the Israelis like it hot!

Back in the 1980’s in Germany I was given some TZZ 230g ball by the armorer to take to the range and shoot up.   The darn stuff was so slow, you could literally stand behind the shooter and see the rounds going down range.   There was about an eight inch drop on the target at 25 meters compared to commercial ball.

Back in the 1980’s in Germany I was given some TZZ 230g ball by the armorer to take to the range and shoot up.   The darn stuff was so slow, you could literally stand behind the shooter and see the rounds going down range.   

Maybe they weren’t factory or had been misstored? Perhaps a transition period load? 

TZZ ball was always hot stuff in my experience.

Take care