|
|
04-30-2014, 06:11 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 3,902
Liked 5,902 Times in 2,543 Posts
|
|
Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158gr LSWHC: standard or +P for a 3" barrel?
Either load will perform well; trying to determine which is likely to perform optimally vis-a-vis penetration and expansion from the neither-snubby-nor-service 3" K-frame.
Ordinarily I'd reserve +P loads for snubbies to make up for lost velocity, and the original FBI load has a quality history in barrels from 2" to 4".
The wildcard here is BB's standard version of the FBI load makes numbers comparable to the "old" FBI load in +P, hence it would seem BB's standard version is the preferred choice in this application, and their +P might produce more than ideal velocity from a 3" barrel, risking premature expansion and underpenetration.
Thoughts?
Ideally I'd have ballistic gelatin, a chronograph and a place to use them with this specific revolver; I don't, so the deductive extrapolation and/or experience of others is sought.
|
04-30-2014, 06:34 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NE PA
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 528
Liked 808 Times in 228 Posts
|
|
I can tell you from experience that the +P version of this load is stout with a capital S and generates more recoil than a number of .357 Magnum loads. Even out of a 4" K-frame, the +P load isn't for the faint of heart. Unless you've trained yourself to handle that kind of recoil, I'd suggest the standard load in your snub-nosed revolver.
__________________
Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
04-30-2014, 07:50 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: western Connecticut
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 13,079
Liked 2,901 Times in 932 Posts
|
|
I use the standard load in my snubbie's and swear by it.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-01-2014, 02:46 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Demon-class planet
Posts: 7,403
Likes: 29,169
Liked 8,461 Times in 3,772 Posts
|
|
Hi Hap, from your original post, you seem to have a handle on things. Just checked the BB website and, as you say, the 'standard' LHP load seems to be the equivalent of the original W-W LHP of the early 1970s. Their +P loading seems to rest in the low-medium .357 range, if their figures are true.
Carry the heaviest load in your weapon with which you feel comfortable. Go for Minute-Of-Pie-Plate at 5-7 yards. I know BB's loadings are expensive, but pick up an additional box or 2 so you don't worry about firing 6 (5?) a year for familiarization purposes.
Good chatting with you again!
Kaskop49
Shield #5103
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-01-2014, 03:31 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 693
Likes: 122
Liked 188 Times in 114 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by XTrooper
I can tell you from experience that the +P version of this load is stout with a capital S and generates more recoil than a number of .357 Magnum loads. Even out of a 4" K-frame, the +P load isn't for the faint of heart. Unless you've trained yourself to handle that kind of recoil, I'd suggest the standard load in your snub-nosed revolver.
|
I'm with Steve^^^
The standard BB load is, IMO, more than enough to get the job done from a snubby. I do carry the +P version in most of my K frames...especially my M65-2 3in and my M66-1 2 1/2in, but I am fine with the standard loading in my J frames.
__________________
Run Fast, Bite Hard!
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-01-2014, 01:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: California
Posts: 267
Likes: 45
Liked 66 Times in 50 Posts
|
|
I use the Buffalo Bore standard pressure .38 Special 150 grain DEWC. Why? Because Buffalo Bore doesn't make a +P version.
__________________
I believe in the wadcutter.
|
05-01-2014, 02:20 PM
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 19,336
Likes: 53,737
Liked 38,387 Times in 11,802 Posts
|
|
I've switched to carrying the standard-pressure BB 158 gr, LSWCHP-GC, and loading my house gun with it, since I learned that Remington's "new and improved" version of their FBI load I carried for many years has been watered down significantly.
Arthritis makes even low-end .357-comparable loads impractical for me, much less Magnum loads. I've had confidence in the older FBI load for a long time, and a lot of people's tests show the BB stuff virtually identical to the good old Remington.
__________________
Oh well, what the hell.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-01-2014, 09:42 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: S.Illinois / W.Kentucky
Posts: 957
Likes: 419
Liked 488 Times in 170 Posts
|
|
After reading about Buffalo Bore ammo -- mostly on this forum -- I bought a box of each just to evaluate in a 2-inch J-Frame. The gun is rated for +P.
#20C Standard Pressure, Short Barrel, Low Flash, Heavy. 158-grain Lead SWC-HP. 850 FPS published.
# 20A +P 158GR Soft Cast Lead SWC-HP. 1000 FPS published.
__________________
John
|
05-02-2014, 12:04 AM
|
US Veteran SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: upstate SC / Mtns SW Va
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 3,064
Liked 9,875 Times in 1,986 Posts
|
|
J frame = std
K frame = +p.
Charlie
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-03-2014, 05:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Moscow, Idaho USA
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 9,623
Liked 1,696 Times in 679 Posts
|
|
I use the +p BB in K frames and the standard pressure in my Jframe snubbies which are actually 3". BB says that standard load is doing 920fps out of a 3" bbl.
In my 640Pro I use BB's downloaded 125gr 357 @1225 it's a good load for a Centennial all steel gun.
I've chronoed BB loads including all those above and 44Spl and they perform as advertised.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-03-2014, 05:32 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: TWILIGHT ZONE
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 13,000
Liked 4,632 Times in 1,190 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by crsides
J frame = std
K frame = +p.
Charlie
|
Plus one on this. I use the standard in my 640-1 and 342 Ti. The SP 101 and 65 3" get the +P.
There was a test floating around You Tube a bit back. It featured a penetration test on the standard BB. The gentleman shot it through denim into ballistic gelatin from a M36 I believe. Penetrated 18" IIRC. I think performance like that is all we can ask from non +P.
|
07-03-2014, 05:48 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: South of the Nueces
Posts: 9,273
Likes: 23,812
Liked 20,090 Times in 5,871 Posts
|
|
I don't shoot a 3", but I do use BB
158 gr kieth hard cast. They call it +P outdoorsman.
Shoot it in my Heavy Dutys and carry it in my 37.
__________________
Halfway and one more step
Last edited by Old TexMex; 07-03-2014 at 05:50 PM.
|
07-03-2014, 08:56 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 93
Liked 84 Times in 55 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old TexMex
I don't shoot a 3", but I do use BB
158 gr kieth hard cast. They call it +P outdoorsman.
Shoot it in my Heavy Dutys and carry it in my 37.
|
I carry this load in my LCR .357 Mag when I am working on our hunting lease which has lots of black bears roaming around. I love BB ammunition!!! Always consistent and meets specs.
NC
|
07-04-2014, 08:16 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bainbridge GA
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1,632
Liked 606 Times in 385 Posts
|
|
In a 3 inch K frame the +P should be no problem. I consider it ideal for my M64 3 inch. Might have too much recoil from a J frame.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|