Stopping Power

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I was actually looking for Federal in the hydra-shok because I 've heard so much about them. I was unable to locate just the bullets for reloading,

Just as a matter of record, Federal used to offer their Hydrashok bullets for reloading, but haven't in some time. I did have some (about a 1 1/2 dozen) that I found in the back of the ammo cabinet a little while ago...they were 129 grains. I don't think that they offered the bullet in a heavier weight.

As for the wadcutter: I have been told that the wadcutter/semiwadcutter bullets are superior to the RN style in that they act like a 'punch press' and cut a nice, clean hole with clean edges in tissue (just as they do in paper), as opposed to the RN, which just 'pushes' the tissue apart, and leaves a ragged edge. Important from the standpoint of hemorrhage, in that the platelets & rest of the clotting cascade will react more readily (to form clot and plug up the hole) with the wound made by a RN bullet as opposed to a WC/SWC. We do this in open heart surgey; we use a special punch to make a clean hole to sew the vein grafts on to help keep it open and reduce the chance of clotting post op.

For stopping power, I really like my 357 Colt King Cobra. That is a mighty fine, accurate shooting handgun. But, as a carry handgun attached to my belt, it would pull my pants down with all the weight.

Have you thought about wearing suspenders?

Seriously, there are other options to carry (shoulder hoslter, for example), and depending on your barrel length on you King Cobra (always admired that revolver....never bought one), that may be an option as well.