Buffalo Bore Tactical Short Barrel .357 mag opinions?

[IvanW]

I'm looking for a good .357 mag SD round for my S&W 640. I've tried the Hornady Critical Defense .357 mag load and it seems pretty good. I didn't mind the recoil and was able to be accurate with it. I currently carry and like the GDSB .38 +p in my S&W 638. I know that there is a GDSB .357 mag round, so that is a possibility. From my research it seems the Golden Sabers and Silvertips have a good following as well, though they were not necessarily designed for short barrels.

However, I have come across the BB load that is low flash/low recoil yet still a powerful .357 mag load. It comes in 158, 140 (out of stock) and 125 grain loads. Does anyone have experience with any of these loads and would like to comment? The write-up about this ammo on the BB web site indicates this is a very well-planned load, but I'd like to hear some less partial opinions.

Thanks for any responses!

 

[brucev]

Everything I've read about BB ammo is good. I am impressed with the results they obtain in actual revolvers and pistols rather than simply using test barrels. The .38 Special loads are particularly impressive. I myself am in the process of deciding which particular load I want to use for my 4" 686. For HD/SD I am very much going to be looking at the 158 gr. .38 Special load. For woods walking, etc., I know I will want to try the 140 and 158 gr. .357 S&W Magnum loads. I really want to see what is the difference between my 4" 686 and my 6" 28. I do know I've been handloading (started with a M-28 loading .38 Special and .357 S&W Magnums) since 1980 and I have no intention of trying to concoct some sort of loud and booming load to equal what BB is producing. What they are producing is simply remarkable.

 

[XTrooper]

BB makes good ammo, but it's all stout and the "lower recoil" label for the loads in question is mostly wishful thinking.

Lower than what I'm not sure, but that ammo generates a fair amount of felt recoil.

 

[Old cop]

I carry/shoot their .38 +P FBI load in my Model 38 & 638 Bodyguards (older versions). Shooting them from such a small platform is stout, but controlable. If what they publish is true (no reason to doubt them) they are getting 1000 + fps from short barrel Js. During my LE career I had to use deadly force and the FBI load did the job (I'm still around and a grandpa and "they" are not).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's my opinion Buffalo Bore ammo is too expensive.

My M640 just loves 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo. (if you can find any) I also like DoubleTap Ammo which is cheaper than BB any day and just as good IMO. They use a Speer Gold Dot bullet in a lot of their loads and Barns and Nosler bullets in other loads.

 

[chief38]

Buffalo Bore ammo (take the 38 or 357 offerings) runs about $25.00 bucks for a box of 20 rounds. Yes it is a bit pricey, but this ammunition was NEVER designed or meant for informal plinking or target shooting. It was meant for self defense work, or for hunting, and for those purposes, the price is really meaningless. If you buy a few boxes and shoot through one for familiarization, you keep and carry the second box for defense. The $50 bucks (at least to me) is worth every penny knowing that I am defending my life and family with superior ammunition that will get the job done better than any other ammo currently on the market.

Buffalo Bore has come up with unique and high quality ammunition that so far has been unequaled, and I suppose he is entitled to charge what the market will bear. After being in business for 32 + years, I will say that product development and successful marketing does not come cheap! Obviously, enough people think the same way as I because BB is doing very well.

regards,
chief38

 

[bassoneer]

I carry the Speer Gold Dot .357 short barrel loads in my 640 and have found it to be accurate when shooting at targets. I have been very impressed by Winchester PDX1 ammo in .38 +P, but I've been waiting for them to come out with a .357 magnum round...Hornady Critical Defense finally came out with a .357, so I'm hoping Winchester does the same. For now, I'm sticking with the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel. Good luck, B

 

[A10]

I've had good experience with BB ammo, thought I haven't tried their short barrel stuff. I carry 129 grain Federal HydraShoks in my 442. The recoil is manageable, and the accuracy is superb (1 1/2" DAO at 7 yards with fixed sights and really old eyes)

 

[timpitera]

I use BB low flash in my 340pd. Both .357 low flash JHP and I agree that $25 spent on the carry round

Mix that with another $25 on Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 150 gr. Hard Cast Wad Cutter (850fps/M.E. 241 ft. lbs.) is a great mix. As far as recoil? I'm not sure that I will notice it if I have to shoot it at the bad guy. When I have shot it at the range (so that I know what to expect) not the "pain" I hear people mention. Far from it in fact. Again, this is my carry round and I want something that I can shoot through a car door or window if I need to.

One last thing- I experienced a fair amount of separation with various other loads. I have NEVER experienced that with BB. Make sure you check for that or the little wheel may not go around.

BB should send me a hat for this

 

[Nick B]

I carry/shoot their .38 +P FBI load in my Model 38 & 638 Bodyguards (older versions). Shooting them from such a small platform is stout, but controlable. If what they publish is true (no reason to doubt them) they are getting 1000 + fps from short barrel Js. During my LE career I had to use deadly force and the FBI load did the job (I'm still around and a grandpa and "they" are not).

What make of the FBI load did you use ?

 

[coach22]

49 & 442 BB Std. Pressure 158's.
640 (38) 1st 2 same as above.
Next 3 BB 158 +P's.
340 PD BB 125 +P's (Jacketed).
Ruger SS Speed 6 357 BB 158 +P's.
Beside it 2 Safariland Speedloaders
with Corbon DPX 357's (125 grain).
My testimonial to Buffalo Bore Ammunition.

 

[lee_radio]

i want to feed my 327pc some .357 180 grain "HEAVY" buffalo bores, but i better heed the warnings i'll wait for my sp101 to do that...

 

[StatesRightist]

Speer/GD makes a short barrel ammo as you've noted. Their loads have historically done very well in testing and on the street. They spend a ton on R&D. BB is a start-up by comparison with no history and an unknown amount of R&D. Since my life could depend on it, I go with the known, proven round, GD's. JMO.

 

[badge 851]

I have shot & carried the standard pressure, and +P, 158gr LSWCGCHP 38 Special Buffalo Bore® ammunition for the last five years. It is highly accurate in my guns. POA=POI in all seven of my 38/357 revolvers. I will continue to use this ammunition as my SD carry load. I am very pleased with Buffalo Bore® ammunition and will continue to recommend it to other shooters.

 

[Boge]

It utterly amazes me that people will carry a round that has no street cred based on actual shootings yet defend to the grave the reason why they carry it. The old Remington .38 +p 'St Louis' load has street cred as does the Win. version. Buffalo Bore does not. Buffalo Bore does NOT make their own cast bullets. They buy them from Rim Rock Bullets and IMO they are way too hard to expand. Google some denim/ballistic gel tests and look for yourself. Buffalo Bore .38 lead HP loads fail the standard test.

 

[badge 851]

It utterly amazes me that people will carry a round that has no street cred based on actual shootings yet defend to the grave the reason why they carry it. The old Remington .38 +p 'St Louis' load has street cred as does the Win. version. Buffalo Bore does not. Buffalo Bore does NOT make their own cast bullets. They buy them from Rim Rock Bullets and IMO they are way too hard to expand. Google some denim/ballistic gel tests and look for yourself. Buffalo Bore .38 lead HP loads fail the standard test.

Let me preface this by saying; I am not trying to argue w/you, or be disrespectful in any way..........

The Remington® +P (aka FBI load), and Buffalo Bore® STANDARD PRESSURE load; are essentially the same. Ballistics are pretty much identical. The Buffalo Bore® 158gr LSWCGCHC+P is an awesome load IMHO; better than any like load from any other manufacturer. As for the four layers of denim test, in my almost 41 years of carry, both on and off the job; I've NEVER met anyone who wore four layers of denim.

Both Buffalo Bore® loads I have referenced, #20A/20 & 20C/20; are the most accurate loads I've found for my J and K frame guns. That fact is the MOST IMPORTANT reason I choose to use these loads. I've seen first hand what they can do to deer with deep penetration and full expansion. I have no doubts they will perform just as well in a self defense situation.

As the late Bill Jordan said; "Speed is fine, Accuracy is final."

 

[APS]

The Remington® +P (aka FBI load), and Buffalo Bore® STANDARD PRESSURE load; are essentially the same. Ballistics are pretty much identical. The Buffalo Bore® 158gr LSWCGCHC+P is an awesome load IMHO; better than any like load from any other manufacturer. As for the four layers of denim test, in my almost 41 years of carry, both on and off the job; I've NEVER met anyone who wore four layers of denim.

It's not just about how fast the bullet's going. It's also about the bullet construction. Unless they are using the same projectile, you can't say that they are equivalent. As Boge has pointed out, the projectiles are not the same. This is a case of people convincing themselves to disregard the facts because of a warm and fuzzy they get due to the "more is better" syndrome that affects most of us males.

 

[Pointblank2U]

A really good, mid-powered, reasonably-priced 357 load is the Remington Golden Saber. It's very accurate and easily handled in my 640 and 649. The 357 DPX is good too, but more pricey.

 

[lee_radio]

Let me preface this by saying; I am not trying to argue w/you, or be disrespectful in any way..........

The Remington® +P (aka FBI load), and Buffalo Bore® STANDARD PRESSURE load; are essentially the same. Ballistics are pretty much identical. The Buffalo Bore® 158gr LSWCGCHC+P is an awesome load IMHO; better than any like load from any other manufacturer. As for the four layers of denim test, in my almost 41 years of carry, both on and off the job; I've NEVER met anyone who wore four layers of denim.

Both Buffalo Bore® loads I have referenced, #20A/20 & 20C/20; are the most accurate loads I've found for my J and K frame guns. That fact is the MOST IMPORTANT reason I choose to use these loads. I've seen first hand what they can do to deer with deep penetration and full expansion. I have no doubts they will perform just as well in a self defense situation.

As the late Bill Jordan said; "Speed is fine, Accuracy is final."

totally agree, going to order myself $500.00 worth of .357 & .38 special buffalo bores!

 

[badge 851]

A really good, mid-powered, reasonably-priced 357 load is the Remington Golden Saber. It's very accurate and easily handled in my 640 and 649. The 357 DPX is good too, but more pricey.

Very Sound Advice IMHO.