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01-22-2017, 02:13 PM
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Another visit to Buffalo Bore .38 Special
I was at the club yesterday with the chrono set up and discovered a half-dozen rounds of the .38 Special I keep in my medium-sized carry guns, the Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P SWC-HP.
I've seen some astounding velocities with this stuff in the past and I had a couple of Smith snubs on the table:
A not-new 642 +P marked and my '65 Model 19 2 1/2".
I got a jaw-dropping 1005fps on the J and 1085fps from the K.
Wow.
No pressure signs and the cases fell out on their own.
I like to use Magnas with Tyler T-grips on my round-butts and in the 19, this was an easy-shooting load.
In the 642, though, it wasn't all that pleasant. Still...
Last edited by CherryRiver; 01-22-2017 at 02:15 PM.
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01-22-2017, 03:39 PM
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Sounds like it is hitting the advertised velocities:
➤ 1040 fps (379 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 60, 2 inch
➤ 1059 fps (393 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5 inch
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01-22-2017, 03:58 PM
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What is the bullet weight on the Buffalo Bore ammo?
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01-22-2017, 04:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 427mach1
What is the bullet weight on the Buffalo Bore ammo?
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158 grain. Made by Rim Rock.
g/ch .38/.357 158 gr. SWC-HP per 100/ in a plastic ammo box
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01-24-2017, 12:23 AM
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As I have stated many many times here on the Forum, the BB 158 grain LSWCHP-GC +P 38 Special out of a 2" Revolver is faster than any 158 grain .357 Magnum I know of out of the same 2" gun. The ONLY THING the BB .38 Special lacks is the recoil, muzzle flash, blast and noise of the .357 Magnum. AGAIN..... 158 grain weight in a 2" barrel!
The .357 Magnum was NEVER designed for 2" barreled guns and IMHO is relatively poor performer from Snubby's. The .357 Mag starts to shine out of 6" or greater barrel lengths!
Last edited by chief38; 01-24-2017 at 12:27 AM.
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01-24-2017, 01:10 AM
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Totally agree. This is my carry load in my Model 36. Kinda pricey though.
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01-24-2017, 07:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3S16
Totally agree. This is my carry load in my Model 36. Kinda pricey though.
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Yes they are, however other than a cylinder or two full ( rotate out older ammo that was carried every so often ) for familiarization and practice I do not use them for everyday Range shooting.
I shoot other hand loads that are not quite as snappy as BB's but close enough in recoil and most characteristics for practice and accuracy. The BB load talked about here has NEVER failed, sputtered or choked in any gun I have shot it out of. Just a spectacular load if one can handle it out of a small 2" J Frame.
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01-25-2017, 10:48 AM
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Any one done a comparison of Buffalo Bore to Underwood in the 38 Special? They advertise similar results with the same weight 158 gr. semi hollow wad cutter.
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01-25-2017, 03:18 PM
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I just bought 2 box's of his stuff at the pawn shop for 20 bucks apiece. I will shoot it this afternoon
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01-25-2017, 03:23 PM
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I only shoot the highest quality defensive ammunition out of my 2" revolvers but I avoid +P in them because I think standard velocity .38 Special with quality bullets will do the job I require. However, I will up the ante if I am woods walking. I leave the little J frames home most of the time these days because two inch K frames are so much better to shoot, and shoot well, and the extra velocity just seems to hurt your hand without giving you any great benefit on the other end. Those little guns are hard enough to shoot accurately. IMHO YMMV
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01-25-2017, 04:27 PM
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I've also tested the stuff. It is all it's cracked up to be.
Posted here a few years back.
Some .38 Special Chronograph Tests
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01-25-2017, 04:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CherryRiver
I was at the club yesterday with the chrono set up and discovered a half-dozen rounds of the .38 Special I keep in my medium-sized carry guns, the Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P SWC-HP.
I've seen some astounding velocities with this stuff in the past and I had a couple of Smith snubs on the table:
A not-new 642 +P marked and my '65 Model 19 2 1/2".
I got a jaw-dropping 1005fps on the J and 1085fps from the K.
Wow.
No pressure signs and the cases fell out on their own.
I like to use Magnas with Tyler T-grips on my round-butts and in the 19, this was an easy-shooting load.
In the 642, though, it wasn't all that pleasant. Still...
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I could be wrong, but don't think the M-19 came in a 2.5 inch bbl. until about 1967. I'd better ask up in the collector forums to be sure. Or, dig out a book.
But thanks for those velocities. I'd wondered abut BB ammo. I bet Id get about 1050 FPS from my M-60-4, at least that from its Ruger SP-101 companion, although the latter is chambered for .357 and may not give as high velocity as a .38-chambered gun.
If typical, that's impressive ammo!
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01-25-2017, 04:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
As I have stated many many times here on the Forum, the BB 158 grain LSWCHP-GC +P 38 Special out of a 2" Revolver is faster than any 158 grain .357 Magnum I know of out of the same 2" gun. The ONLY THING the BB .38 Special lacks is the recoil, muzzle flash, blast and noise of the .357 Magnum. AGAIN..... 158 grain weight in a 2" barrel!
The .357 Magnum was NEVER designed for 2" barreled guns and IMHO is relatively poor performer from Snubby's. The .357 Mag starts to shine out of 6" or greater barrel lengths!
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The .357 is often underrated. Even a three-inch barrel will hit 1200 FPS with Winchester's 145 grain Silvertip, a very effective load. A detective here checked shootings with that load, mostly from four-inch barrels. He said it was VERY effective on humans. I think it'd do well with heart or lung shots on deer, too. I'm not wild about taking raking shots on deer or pigs with a .357.
Last edited by Texas Star; 01-25-2017 at 05:01 PM.
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01-25-2017, 11:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
The .357 is often underrated. Even a three-inch barrel will hit 1200 FPS with Winchester's 145 grain Silvertip, a very effective load. A detective here checked shootings with that load, mostly from four-inch barrels. He said it was VERY effective on humans. I think it'd do well with heart or lung shots on deer, too. I'm not wild about taking raking shots on deer or pigs with a .357.
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357 velocity in 2" vs 3" are pretty stunning: BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results
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01-25-2017, 11:32 PM
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Impressive to say the least. That 158 @ 1005 fps is better than I can recall getting even with the lighter 125 +P in a 2" gun. I haven't used any BB 38 Spcl. but have chronographed some of the BB 357 and 10MM. Good stuff.
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01-25-2017, 11:42 PM
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My 642, no dash and not +P, is loaded with BB .38 spec, 158 gr LSWHP. My 640 (.357) is loaded with BB .38 spec +P, 158 gr LSWHP. Great ammo.
Last edited by Richard M; 01-27-2017 at 02:07 AM.
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01-26-2017, 12:17 AM
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I really like their 44 Special loads.
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01-26-2017, 10:54 PM
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Scored some in a deal on GunBroker. I'll test them on yotes and coons when I trap. Going to have to sacrifice a cylinder or two worth to see how they regulate against the sights on my 10-6 and 627-5. May run them through the chrono and test them against my handloads.
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01-28-2017, 07:39 PM
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The 158gr SWC Buffalo Bore shot really well from my 10-6 this afternoon. Made a nice, clean hole through a trapped coons noggin. The 110gr Hydra Shoks were a joke. I'll take them to the range and keep the empty cases for reloading. If I need to use factory fodder, Buffalo Bore it will be. I'll keep a cylinder full to chrono against my reloads, but I think the BB is hotter.
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01-28-2017, 09:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluelund79
The 158gr SWC Buffalo Bore shot really well from my 10-6 this afternoon. Made a nice, clean hole through a trapped coons noggin. The 110gr Hydra Shoks were a joke. I'll take them to the range and keep the empty cases for reloading. If I need to use factory fodder, Buffalo Bore it will be. I'll keep a cylinder full to chrono against my reloads, but I think the BB is hotter.
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bluelund79, you shot the coon first with 110 gr. PD Hydra Shok and the round failed completely and then followed up with the 158 gr.SWC BB ? Did the Hydra Shok do any damage ?
I'm glad I have a small stash of the 158 gr. SWC BB standard pressure. I guess my wife better be ready to change from the 110 gr. PD Hydra Shok to the BB in her model 36 after hearing this.
I knew it was weak, but thought it was a little better than that. She's very petite and we're not young anymore so I was trying to let her use something that wouldn't be to bad on her hands and wrists.
Thanks for the info.
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01-28-2017, 09:22 PM
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Yes, I did a body shot on the coon with the 110 go hydra shocks. He growled and seemed to shake it off. Having my 7 year old with me, I didn't want to fill it full of holes while cussing, so I dumped the cylinder, reloaded with the BB, and put one through its dome. No crashing, no sounds, and happily, nothing too graphic carnage wise. He has seen me shoot a deer with a bow, and held the legs while I gutted, and was awesome. However, seeing a trapped animal get shot repeatedly is not something I want him to see. Needless to say, we killed a empty feed sack with the remaining 5. Accuracy was not outstanding. Maybe it's just my gun not liking it, but I was also not happy with terminal performance on 15# plus, adrenaline charged boar coon. One to the body should've been drt without a kick, imo. I'll give hyrdas another go, but not the 110gr, maybe the 129 at the smallest.
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01-28-2017, 09:25 PM
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Both shots were taken at about 7 yards for the coon. Feedsack shots were at about 12 yards or so. I'm not an outstanding pistol shot, but I do qualify expert on the M9, and shoot my revolvers 1x per week. Oh well. I'm happy they went bang, so I won't knock them, but I also won't carry the 110gr rounds either.
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01-28-2017, 09:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluelund79
Yes, I did a body shot on the coon with the 110 go hydra shocks. He growled and seemed to shake it off. Having my 7 year old with me, I didn't want to fill it full of holes while cussing, so I dumped the cylinder, reloaded with the BB, and put one through its dome. No crashing, no sounds, and happily, nothing too graphic carnage wise. He has seen me shoot a deer with a bow, and held the legs while I gutted, and was awesome. However, seeing a trapped animal get shot repeatedly is not something I want him to see. Needless to say, we killed a empty feed sack with the remaining 5. Accuracy was not outstanding. Maybe it's just my gun not liking it, but I was also not happy with terminal performance on 15# plus, adrenaline charged boar coon. One to the body should've been drt without a kick, imo. I'll give hyrdas another go, but not the 110gr, maybe the 129 at the smallest.
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Thanks for the follow up. I've got a few boxes of the old Hydra Shok in 230 gr.45 acp and it did a pretty good job 20 years ago. I just use it for practice now and use HST for the real stuff now.
I already switched the 110 gr. out for the 158 gr BB in her model 36. I already had it in my J frames and model 10's. I'll get her out tomorrow to make sure she can handle it though.
Thanks Again.
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01-28-2017, 09:45 PM
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Yes Sir, you're welcome. My wife said she'd tag along next weekend, so she'll be carrying my 10-6 with the BB, I'll my M69 with my Unique loads over a 255gr Keith bullet, and my oldest will carry the 617, the youngest takes his sling shot. I may have to put out a few more traps on Friday with that kind of firepower.....hope she shoots it well. I did have a more "concussive" blast, but recoil wasn't that much more.
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01-28-2017, 10:57 PM
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That's what I have next to my bed.
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02-11-2017, 11:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&Wrevolverfan
bluelund79, you shot the coon first with 110 gr. PD Hydra Shok and the round failed completely and then followed up with the 158 gr.SWC BB ? Did the Hydra Shok do any damage ?
I'm glad I have a small stash of the 158 gr. SWC BB standard pressure. I guess my wife better be ready to change from the 110 gr. PD Hydra Shok to the BB in her model 36 after hearing this.
Po
I knew it was weak, but thought it was a little better than that. She's very petite and we're not young anymore so I was trying to let her use something that wouldn't be to bad on her hands and wrists.
Thanks for the info.
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Maybe the if the standard 158's don't work for her you can try the full wadcutters
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02-11-2017, 11:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&Wrevolverfan
Thanks for the follow up. I've got a few boxes of the old Hydra Shok in 230 gr.45 acp and it did a pretty good job 20 years ago. I just use it for practice now and use HST for the real stuff now.
I already switched the 110 gr. out for the 158 gr BB in her model 36. I already had it in my J frames and model 10's. I'll get her out tomorrow to make sure she can handle it though.
Thanks Again.
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How did the testing go? The youngest shot some of the BB through his HandiRifle, and it was excellent there too.
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02-12-2017, 12:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluelund79
How did the testing go? The youngest shot some of the BB through his HandiRifle, and it was excellent there too.
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Worked out good. Her model 36 has a crimson trace grip on it so her grip on it is much better than the stock grips.
Although BB is a little expensive I ordered a couple more boxes. It's worth it.
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02-12-2017, 02:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&Wrevolverfan
Worked out good. Her model 36 has a crimson trace grip on it so her grip on it is much better than the stock grips.
Although BB is a little expensive I ordered a couple more boxes. It's worth it.
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Outstanding! If you need more, check on Academy.com. Decent prices, but free shipping on orders over $25. Saved me a 30 mi round trip to their store, and it really helps with duck and goose loads by the flat. Only shells I don't reload, yet
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02-13-2017, 10:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10xatten
That's what I have next to my bed.
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You have ammo next to your bed???? What are you going to do, throw it at a burglar??
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02-14-2017, 12:51 PM
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While I have no doubt BB ammo is top quality I just can't see paying $1.50 a round for .38 Special. I see nothing wrong with the original FBI Load for my M10 and M36. That's what I carry.
Also, I see claims the pressures are standard but nothing is free. Why is BB the only company who can generate 1000 fps @standard pressures. I have my doubts about the pressure claims. They don't have magic powders.
Not bashing any one, just airing my thoughts.
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02-16-2017, 02:30 PM
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I sort of agree with post #31;
When I shot my steel framed M49 snub with a full load of Blue Dot
that was clocked at 948 and the second shot at 970fps, I did not
fire the other three, due to the noise and recoil.
I will settle with 851fps as the maximum and 822fps as a nice +P
loading with the 158gr lead HP design, with the 21 oz. revolver.
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02-16-2017, 08:48 PM
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My elderly hands are screwed with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Instead of the +P Buffalo Bore, I carry their standard pressure 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC. It clocks just about identically with the good old Remington FBI load I carried for years, before Remington apparently watered down the product (according to several tests). Which means it's the equal of a round that got the job done quite well for decades.
It also has the virtues of reduced flash and soft lead, and is claimed to be safe in any S&W revolver.
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