I've shot the Federal 110gr JHP, Buffalo Bore 125gr GDHP standard pressure, and Buffalo Bore standard pressure "FBI Load" out of my snubnose 37 no-dash.

Both the Federal and 125gr Buffalo Bore shoot to point of aim, and the Federal in particular seems extremely accurate. The Federal ammo is a little softer shooting, but neither of these loads is bad, and they're both pretty low flash.

The Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP shot extremely high in my gun (almost 6" high at 7yds). It was also pretty painful, which leads me to believe that I could have been flinching for it to have shot so far off my point of aim, although the group sizes were reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by erickg:
So... back to the last question 125 or 158 grain XTP's or the dollar a shot Buffalo Bores?

I didn't read all the posts because the thread is long but I did read your posts. Hornady XTP bullets are know to be hard and don't expand well at the lower velocities normally achieved in a short barre revolver. Both the Buffalo Bore and Speer offerings are very good rounds but like you said, at over $1 a round that's a bit much...

I have been carrying the FBI load lately but before that I was carrying ammo made by DoubleTap. Their 125gr .38 Special +P JHP round is a very good carry round. It uses a 125gr Speer Gold Dot HP LV bullet designed to expand at Low Velocities. It's rated at 1,100 fps from a snub nose revolver and I've tested it at well over 1,000 fps from my M638. It's a Gold Dot bullet and it will cost you only $28/50 rounds instead of $22/20 rounds of Speer or Buffalo Bore ammo. With todays pricing that's not that bad.