Buffalo Bore, 38 S&W range time

walnutred · #1 03-03-2018, 05:54 PM

As you may know I bought my daughter a Regulation Police in 38 S&W for a house gun and a few boxes of the Buffalo Bore ammo in 38 S&W as well. The pistol needed some serious cleaning so after that was done I went to the range for a test run.

My standard defense target is a 6" paper plate at a "reasonable" range, which today was 30'. First I tried some Remington factory ammo and it was about what you would expect. All shots hit the target but about 3" low., recoil was mild and I probably didn't need hearing protection.

The Buffalo Bore was a different story. Grouping was a little better and the ammo shot closer to point of impact. However with the factory wood grips recoil was noticeably sharper. The palm of my hand started to sting after a couple cylinders.

So, ,for my initial plan of using the using factory comparable ammo for practice and the Buffalo Bore for in the house seems valid. Although now she is waffling between the Regulation Police and an old 10-5 I have. She will need a little more range time to decide.

But based on my limited experience with the BB ammo in 38 S&W it is defiantly stouter than the anemic factory stuff.

hardknocks · #2 03-03-2018, 07:00 PM

I keep buffalo bore hardcast SWC 125 grain in my terrier and my old police positive 4 in barrel. Noticeably more powerful for sure. More pronounced in the terrier.
The Police Positive is my wifes home defense piece. Nothing to scoff at for sure and easy to use for the wife.
They claim around 950 fps.

TomkinsSP · #3 03-03-2018, 07:10 PM

Prissy Partisan (sp) sells a 145 grain lead RN, used to be able to get it shipped for a just little more than Starline wanted for virgin brass. Shot ok, I do not recall POI issues, just a little unburnt powder. The europeans usually load 'em a bit more stout than domestic makers do. Thier brass is first rate also.

Doug M. · #4 03-03-2018, 07:19 PM

While the logistics of using that round would turn me off of it, I am confident that a good SWC such as you describe would be within the range of acceptable ballistics for personal defense.

FWIW, I'd change the grips to something more practical/comfortable, and consider something to make the front sight more visible. I am a fan of the XS Big Dot, but even some highly conspicuous model paint would be an improvement. (Any collector value is irrelevant compared to the defensive use ...)