Just picked up some Buffalo Bore non +P 38 spl 158 swchp. I liked the idea of the old FBI load at standard pressure/low flash and it got me to thinking. Even though the load is lower pressure would not the "thump" (for lack of a better word) to the gun be the same as the old FBI load being that they produce the same energy? My thought on this load is that less blast/flash from the lower pressure are good things in a defense load. That's why I bought it. I just don't see how it can be much more gentle on a gun than +P.

I know recoil is a subjective thing, but I tried that load in my snubbies and it kicked worse than anything else I've ever tried. I really wonder if it's within pressure specs. I don't use it.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

This has been my go-to load for my M36 for a while now. For me, it feels as if the recoil is a little less than your average 158 grn LRN. They may be pushing the envelope, but they're standard pressure. Check their specs against the BB +P 158-grn rounds and you'll see the difference.
For what it's worth, I also find them to be extremely accurate -- almost on par with my 148grn wadcutters -- probably because of the soft lead.

I prefer the Corbon DPX or Gold Dot 135gr Short barrel load.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

I use the BB 158 +P in my 638 and while it is snappy, I can control it. As to the difference between these BB loads I doubt it is much.

Buffalo Bore's 158 gr NON+P LSWC is actually hotter than the Fed. Rem. & Win. +P ammo according to what I have actually chronographed out of my 2" chief's Special. I am not going by what the ammo manufacturers state in their catalogs, I am going by my actual testings. Buffalo Bore ammo is tested out of real guns of various barrel lengths, and the 3 big companies either use "test" barrels or 6" barrels last time I checked.

I use the BB +P (heavy) 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC in my M60, but on the rare occasion that I carry my M37 (Airweight) I'll use the NON +P loading from BB.

GOOD CHOICE!

chief38

My 49 & 442 are loaded with BB Std. Pressure 158's.
My 640 (38) is loaded with those as the first 2 and BB +P 158's as the last 3.

I use the standard pressure Buffalo Bore® load you mentioned in my Airweight® BUG. Additionally, my wife uses this load in her steel framed J frame. (Prior to trying the Buffalo Bore she carried the Federal 125gr Nyclad® HP Standard pressure.) POA/POI are the same in both guns out to 25yds. IMHO, Buffalo Bore® IS THE BEST 38 SPECIAL AMMO OUT THERE. I use the Buffalo Bore® 38 Special 158gr LSWCHPGC +P in my steel framed 38's and 357's.

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David
CW3 USA (Ret) 1968-1990

IMO Buffalo Bore ammo is way overpriced. I would rather buy a 50 round box of Federal Nyclad ammo and use it instead. That Federal ammo is VERY accurate in my M36.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Buffalo Bore ammo wasn't designed for the budget conscience crowd to plink away at the range. Most high quality loads cost plenty more, and while I would rather pay less for premium SD ammo, my life is worth more....so I don't mind paying a little more for an above-average performing load.

In short, I want all the odds in my corner when my life is on the line and $5 - $10 more for a better performing 38 Special load is prudent. This applies to all higher quality premium bullets - not just Buffalo Bore.

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Moreover, I just don't suggest BB for 38 Special: .... In 9mm, I feel Federal 147-gr. +P (P9HST4) or Winchester 147-gr. Ranger T (RA9T) puts more odds in my corner and etc....

I'm not sure if the current Nyclad ammo has changed. But when I ran it through my model 36 in the early 90's for dept. qualification, the blue coating on the bullets would come off and get stuck under the ejector star. This prevented the star from completely retracting and the newly loaded rounds would prevent the cylinder from closing.

Just my experience.

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Watch & Pray

That's the same conclusion I arrived at and I like the Nyclad very much.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

I.M.O. The standard BB is a little snappy in my 642 or model 37 but I love it as it shoot's to P.O.A. IN ALL MY GUN'S. It's a little tamer in my model 60,36 and my Colt det. spec. and Cobra. As for the cost I think it's worth it.

You sound a little abrasive in your post and a little condescending too. You make assumptions in your post about my post that just aren't true. I never hinted BB ammo was for plinking and it's you that says they make a quality ammo, I happen to disagree. Since when is using Federal Nyclad ammo bad or lessening your odds of survival? IMO it's a better ammo than BB and for less money. Calm your drawers and be nice!

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

The problem with these discussions is they always seem to degenerate into what I call the search for a "magic bullet". Listen, I was a cop for 32 years. You find a load that shoots well in your gun and you practice with it until you become proficient and that's not just bullseye shooting. You have to shoot one-handed, weak-handed and from different positions. When the Devil comes to call you may not see it coming and will probably be doing something else. Your initial reaction is what will determine if you survive or not. There is a lot of good ammunition out there today. One of things to consider is cost so that you can afford to practice. Be safe.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

With my J-frames and K-frames I carry the Buffalo Bore standard pressure 150 grain wadcutters and have the Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP in the speed loaders.

As previously posted, they are not cheap. However, I can closely copy the Buffalo Bore rounds with my own handloads and practice at a cost savings.

Very good advice Sir. The best bullet and ammo in the world will do you no good unless you make good hits...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I don't believe 147_Grain ever quoted you specifically. Looks like you need to keep your drawers from wadding up [or pantyhose - I wouldn't want to make any assumption].

And this is your business how??

What have I done to you??

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I shot some double tap 180gr 357 mag ammo (like BB) yesterday and it was DARN snappy. Even out of my 627-5 it was aggressive. Very accurate tho but I am feeling it in my wrist today. Would make a great carbine ammo.

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

I carry the Buffalo Bore® 180gr LFNGC ammunition in my 4" 686 whenever I'm in the woods here in the Pacific Northwest.

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David
CW3 USA (Ret) 1968-1990

Yes the BB ammo line is pricey, however I do not buy it to go plinking with. I shoot a few on occasion to keep familiar with it, but I usually practice with my reloaded ammo, so the cost is not a factor in using it. How much is your life worth??

I have done actual chronograph testing of Buffalo Bore and the "big three" ammo company's offerings, and IMHO the BB ammo is so far superior in it's velocity and knock down power, I will never go back to the Rem. Win. & Fed. stuff for self defense purposes. Out of a 2" Chief's Special revolver with BB 158 Grain +P SWCHP I recorded an average of 1040 feet per second which relates to 379 foot pounds of energy. Out of the same gun with the R. W. & F. 158 gr. +P's I was only getting around 775 - 800 fps or about 260 ft. lbs of energy. HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!

chief38

Good thread. I find that somehow I ended up with a box and 1/2 of Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum factory ammo. It is Tatical short barrel lower recoil low flash 357 mag. Item 19E 158 gr. Speeer JHC @1,100fps. Boy, that is a mouth full. Good or bad ammo for SD?
So what do I have and what should I shoot it in? I do have a 2 1/2" Smith 357 K frame.

ray45, I'm sure it's fine for SD, and fine in your K-Frame. I would note, that I've used some of the "Tactical .357" from BB, and it's lower recoil than their other lines, but not exactly low-recoil. Anyways, great ammo; have fun!

I gotta agree Buff's got back! Too much for my snubbies (or me to comfortably shoot).
Don't get me wrong, I was totally impressed with quality and accuracy of these rounds, just stung the heck out of me in snubs.

Were you shooting Buffalo Bore® +P ammo or their standard pressure load? Is your snubby an Airweight® or steel frame?

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David
CW3 USA (Ret) 1968-1990

Because this is a PUBLIC forum...

Cheers,
Tom