What is a wadcutter pellet and when do I use it?

A wadcutter has a flat face. It is designed to punch crisp, easy-to-score holes in paper targets, which is why it is the standard for 10-meter competition.

The flat face creates high drag, so wadcutters are best inside about 25 yards. Beyond that, they shed velocity quickly and group sizes open up. They also work well for short-range pest control on small animals because they transfer energy efficiently and do not over-penetrate.