I just took a close look at the Buffalo Bore standard pressure 38 special 125 gr load -- 20E-20

The bullet looks identical in a side-by-side comparison with 125 gr 38 special +P Speer Gold Dot ammo.

I believe BB is sourcing the bullet from Speer. I've heard that said before, and now I believe it.

In looking at BB ballistics number they showed this standard pressure load making 921 ft/sec from a 2" snub .

Pocket guns and gear has a test of the Speer 38 special+p 125 gr load clocked at 900 ft/sec -- and it shows good expansion in gelatin.

That leads me to believe that the BB 125 standard pressure load is a good choice for 38 snub nose revolvers -- particularly those not designed for +P.

Comments?

I treat Buffalo Bore standard pressure ammo as +P, meaning that I would not run a steady diet of their standard pressure ammo in guns that are not rated to handle +P. I say that as a fan of their standard pressure FBI load. Their standard pressure velocities meet or exceed the +P velocities of other ammo makers. I prefer to err on the side of caution with BB ammo.

Beyond that, if you like the ammo, its performance meets your needs (or wants), it functions reliably in your gun, and you can shoot it well, I see no reason not to use it.

1;

I also hold back on a lot of Cor-Bon ammo with its high vel. loads
in my J frames.

I have said this before and still feel it's true. There are no free rides. You can not generate more velocity than every other ammo manufacturer without there being higher pressures too. They can't be the only ones in the industry with the secret formula. I'm not talking bad about Buffalo Bore or their owners and workers but you can't fool Physics.

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SWCA #3437

Yep, no free rides. However, if I were a betting man, I'd lay a bet that BB loads their ammo right to the upper limit of +P pressure. Unlike the rest of the industry whose so-called +P barely breaks 800fps in 158 swc form. Even the load manuals, while technically correct showing +P loads at barely over 17k psi, don't show any loads that I'm aware of that are 20k psi.

If you are talking about SD carry ammo for a small J frame then my ammo of choice would be Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC. My second choice would be Speer 135 grain +P Short Barrel Gold Dot. Personally speaking I have never liked the lighter bullets and they never (at least for me) shoot POA = POI.

I would NOT shoot either one (or any +P for that matter) as a STEADY diet in any 2" Snubby. Weather or not it is actually rated for +P isn't the issue. Any more powerful ammo is great for SD/HD and on occasion for familiarization, but will accelerate wear more than a less powerful cartridge will. If you do Jack Rabbet starts from Stop signs all the time don't expect your automobiles engine and transmission to hold up it's longest (not to mention your tires)!