Buffalo Bore FBI Load

CCantu357 · Jul 9, 2013

I have always used the FBI Load in my 38s and 357s for SD, but lately all I can seem to find is the Buffalo Bore version. While I know the performance of these rounds, I was wondering if these were reliable rounds out of the box? I know with the big 3 and Cor-bon and Horandy I can trust, but are Buffalo Bore reliable for a SD ammo? I

ArchAngelCD · Jul 9, 2013

You mentioned all the "designer" ammo but not the original FBI Loads made by Remington, Winchester and Federal. I have used the FBI loads made by Rem, Win and Fed and all worked as intended. Just last year I bought the Federal offering for only $19.95/50 rounds. Before that I bought Remington for $24.95/50 rounds. I refuse to pay over $1.50 a round for a very old design just because it's marked Buffalo Bore or Cor-Bon.

Yes, Buffalo Bore makes good SD ammo but how can anyone afford to practice with your carry ammo when they charge that much? Don't be fooled by the hype, use the stuff that made the good name for the FBI Load. (Remington, Federal or Winchester)

hotrod150 · Jul 9, 2013

I have to agree. It sounds like BB makes good stuff (never tried it myself), but close to $30 for 20 rounds seems steep for cast bullet loads.

shouldazagged · Jul 9, 2013

I've considered trying BB's standard-pressure 158gr. LSWCHP, but the price has kept me away from it. It clocks 880fps out of a two-inch barrel and supposedly uses low-flash powders, but still...

I've used the Remington FBI load in snubbies for fifteen years and like it very well. Have a little on hand, so I'm not worrying about price just now.

I'd like to try the Speer Gold Dot short-barrel 135gr. +P, but price again is prohibitive on a small fixed income.

358156hp · Jul 9, 2013

I don't know how to tell you this, but the Federal copy of the "FBI" load was plagued with a spotty performance record compared to Winchester & Remingtons loadings.

45times6 · Jul 9, 2013

I agree that Buffalo Bore is pretty pricey, but I can attest that it is good quality ammo. As others have noted, you can get the same performance, though, for less from other manufacturers.

I've used that load in a Model 28 (4") and from a 2.25" Ruger SP101... guess which one was more fun!

Ben_hutcherson · Jul 9, 2013

I just bought a box of the Remington version of this load yesterday at a local big box store...it was packaged in the newest redesigned "HTP" packaging, so I'm pretty sure it is of very recent manufacture.

$29.99 for a box of 50, and they had several boxes of it. The less expensive "classic" stuff is out there.

Boge · Jul 9, 2013

Ben_hutcherson said:
I just bought a box of the Remington version of this load yesterday at a local big box store...it was packaged in the newest redesigned "HTP" packaging, so I'm pretty sure it is of very recent manufacture.

$29.99 for a box of 50, and they had several boxes of it. The less expensive "classic" stuff is out there.

I snagged three boxes this week at Bass Pro for $26.99 per 50.

shawn mccarver · Jul 9, 2013

In the factory loading, get the "real deal," which is the Winchester X38SPD.

ArchAngelCD · Jul 10, 2013

358156hp said:
I don't know how to tell you this, but the Federal copy of the "FBI" load was plagued with a spotty performance record compared to Winchester & Remingtons loadings.

You are correct, it was reported as "spotty" years ago. I usually only carry the Remington brand because the lead is soft enough to reliably expand and I use the others for practice. (usually) I also trust the Winchester FBI Load more than the Federal but in a pinch I would use all 3. (Federal being last)

CoMF · Jul 10, 2013

Ben_hutcherson said:
I just bought a box of the Remington version of this load yesterday at a local big box store...it was packaged in the newest redesigned "HTP" packaging, so I'm pretty sure it is of very recent manufacture.

$29.99 for a box of 50, and they had several boxes of it. The less expensive "classic" stuff is out there.

I've been dying to see what the new "HTP" load looks like and had briefly talked about it before. If possible, would you please post photos of it?

CCantu357 · Jul 10, 2013

Thanks for the advice fellas. I really do not even actual bullet performance, its just I have always noticed in my experience the big three brands as well as Cor-Bon and Hornady always go bang when I drop that hammer. Looking at the overall scheme of things, if you need a 38 to go that fast mine as well go with a 357

Bello · Jul 10, 2013

I've never succumbed to BB hype always been a Speer GDHP fan.

Ben_hutcherson · Jul 10, 2013

CoMF said:
I've been dying to see what the new "HTP" load looks like and had briefly talked about it before. If possible, would you please post photos of it?

I had missed the earlier discussion, and just picked my box up when I was in Cabelas and realized what it was.

I don't have any older versions of it for comparison, so can't say if the bullet has changed appreciably or even at all. Mine are in nickel plated cases, and the photo on the box shows nickel cases.

This is a quick cellphone snap in the windowsill-I hope it shows what you'd like to see, but if it doesn't please let me know and I'll try to get a better photo this afternoon.

Old cop · Jul 10, 2013

The Remington FBI load was our issued ammo back in the day and I can attest to its performance on the street, both from 4" & 2" guns.

336A · Jul 10, 2013

Bello said:
I've never succumbed to BB hype always been a Speer GDHP fan.

Like it or not Buffalo Bore's claims are not hype, it actually performs as advertised and in some cases exceeds the manufacturers claims. Our very own Bmcgilvray did some extensive chronograph work on various .38 SPL ammunition and posted it here a while back. The Buffalo Bore lived up to the claims. Don't believe that the Speer GDHP is some kind of wonder bullet that is going to expand no matter what either. I've seen where it failed to perform as advertised too. I couldn't find the post that Bmcgilvray posted here, but here is a link of very same that he posted elsewhere.http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...cs/107972-some-38-special-velocity-tests.html

I picked up a box of the new Remington HTP 158gr LSWCHP (+P) load a few days ago. Outwardly it looks like the new loading is using a bullet with a slightly curved nose, where as the older stuff looks like the nose is more squared off. Who knows however, it may be just this particular box and another may look just like the old stuff.

shouldazagged · Jul 10, 2013

Old cop said:
The Remington FBI load was our issued ammo back in the day and I can attest to its performance on the street, both from 4" & 2" guns.

That kind of testimonial (I've heard a number of them) is why I've carried the stuff in two-inch guns for fifteen years. Ed Lovette's excellent little book The Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup And Concealed Carry Standard, supports the FBI load as his pick based on experience as a Special Forces officer, CIA paramilitary operative, and firearms consultant to a number of LE agencies.

I figure if it ain't broke, et cetera. But I still might one day try the Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 grain LSWCHP, just for the sheer, unbridled hell of it.

kaaskop49 · Jul 10, 2013

Federal 'spotty' performance

Some posters mentioned that Fed's LHP showed 'spotty' performance. In what way, please? Velocity, accuracy, expansion? More specific, please.

hotrod150 · Jul 10, 2013

Bello said:
I've never succumbed to BB hype always been a Speer GDHP fan.

I'm just the opposite, I never succumbed to the whizbang load hype-- Gold Dot, Critical Defense, Vital Shok, Golden Saber, DPX, XTP, etc. The (possible) exceptions would be the old Silvertip or Nyclad loads.
I handload the equivalent of BB's standard pressure #20C (150 gr hard WC) and #20D (158 gr soft SWC-HP) loads and have more confident in them than in some super-expando light fast JHP. If I was buying factory ammo, it would be the Winchester etc "FBI load"-- good proven performance at realistic prices.

358156hp · Jul 10, 2013

kaaskop49 said:
Some posters mentioned that Fed's LHP showed 'spotty' performance. In what way, please? Velocity, accuracy, expansion? More specific, please.

The information I've seen suggests that Federal never consistently got the bullet alloy down right. Sometimes they were a bit too hard and expansion suffered.

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