SW M&P R8 Buffalo Bore Ammunition?

Hello.

I am looking at different .357 Magnum revolvers as was considering the R8. I am used to firing semiautomatic pistols on various calibers but this will be my first revolver.

The intent for this revolver is primarily for home protection and target shooting but I would like to possibility of taking it hunting--either as a primary shooter for deer or as a backup to my 30-30 for hog hunting.

The reason I am considering a .357 is because of the loads available through companies like Buffalo Bore...

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

The Buffalo Bore description has me wondering if the R8 can fire the 180 grain ammunition. While I don't believe the 36 oz R8 can be classified as a 'super light weight revolver' (I think of the MP 360 as super light) only the cylinder is stainless steel. However, BB states that if your modern revolver can handle 357 magnum rounds, the 180 grain will be safe to fire.

All that being said...Does anybody have experience with the R8 firing 180 grain BB loads or thoughts on safety? Thanks

Send them an email, they're pretty good about responding to questions like yours.

I fired that same load through a 386 scandium, and a 66 F-comp, and a 65 Ladysmith. No problems out of any of these revolvers. Recoil was stout, but the load performed beautifully.

I expect the revolver will tolerate any ammo you feed it that adheres to SAAMI specifications, which the Buffalo Bore WILL do. However, I also expect that you are in for quite a surprize the first time you light one of these Heavy Magnums off. To be blunt, you want to work up to these loads in stages, because you have no idea at all just how stout the recoil will be.

Clue, number one. Do you see a slide being driven back by the recoil and broadening the time interval of the recoil? No, you do NOT see that feature on a revolver, what you get is one solid and abrupt punch in the hand. Second tip, look at the listed Muzzle Energy and compare it to the semi auto loads you normally shoot. I expect that BB load will be pushing 800 or more ft.lbs. because BB does cook up some smoking hot loads. If your used to shooting a 9mm semi the first time you set one of these loads off you'll wonder it you did something wrong because it hurt so much. Tip, a really FIRM grip and good RUBBER recoil absorbing grips are a very good idea. BTW, with the right grip and practice hot 357 Magnums will become tolerable and even enjoyable, however I don't know of anyone who would care to shoot 200 or 300 rounds of these rocket loads in one sitting. Generally, somewhere between 3 and 4 cylinders you'll probably decided you've had enough.

I'll also suggest you pay attention to the noise level when considering using a 357 Magnum as a Defense load. IMO it's just too loud to even consider because in a Defense situation you won't have time for you or your family members to put on hearing protection. You'll be far smarter to load up with a premium 38 +P defense load, it'll be a minimum of 6 db quieter, much much easier to control and place accurately, and you won't face the overpenetration hazards that goes hand in hand with the increased power of the 357 Magnum.

Thanks for the responses.

This will be my first revolver so I appreciate the tip on working up in stages. I should have been clearer...as a HD weapon, it will likely fire 38 special or 38 Special +P--really whatever my wife likes.

However...if I take it hog hunting, I'd like to know what the toughest load it can fire. It sounds like the BB 180grain is workable in the R8. I sure don't plan on using it as my plinking round, though.

Any other thoughts out there?

I would rather carry a heavier gun,and have less recoil for hunting. It also makes for faster following shots. If backpacking the lighter gun does have more appeal.

Hey redleg, I have the Trr8 (basically the same gun as the M&P r8) and use it for exactly the purposes you describe.

As a defensive revolver it can fire the 125 grn buffalo bore round Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
THis is the best round for defense out of the gun and it uses the speer gold dot bullet. I chronographed it at 1670 so it is almost at 800 FTLb's.
Recoil is noticeable with this round but manageable, it flash suppressed powder so the flash is really minimal. As far as hearing loss inside, the differences between a 38 and 357 is negligible both will cause damage.

With hunting, I love the fact that this gun is light and its accuracy surpasses my model 28. The barrel is attached using a barrel shroud just like dan wessons so you can rest this gun for shots, (Ive used my shooting sticks on the barrel with great results). It incredible that the ECM barrel with the shroud outshoots my pinned and recessed model 28 even with the weight difrence. The eight shots is overkill for hunting but its not a negative.

The 180 hard cast you listed would generate over 800ftiLB's in this gun and be a beast on recoil, (I would use shooting sticks for that load). However im in Oregon and dont have hogs weighing in at 400 pounds so I use a 158grain speer gold dot, rather than the hard cast 180grn. Also, good tasting hogs are normally under 200ibs. After their balls drop the meat tastes like meat flavored gym socks so I like the ones under 200.

Here are some pics. The optics are just for fun, the iron sights on this gun are great for hunting. I would recommend the Trr8 if you do plan on hunting because that bottom rail comes off and makes the gun a little slicker to pull from your holster. However the learning curve on this ultralight revolver will be sharper than a heavy model 27 or 28 and it might not be the best choice for your first revolver. Also, 6 rounds of heavy ammo right on target beats 8 flyers. Ive been shooting revolvers for 16 years and the TRR8 is one of my favorites but for a brand new revolver shooter it can be an intimidating amount of recoil. Firing a 9mm auto is a completely different experience than a full house 357 mag and you might want to rent a 357 from the range before buying a $1,000 PC trr8.





These are my cast rounds 158gr they are pretty nice at 1400 fps

Dan,

Thanks for the post. Those photos are impressive. I traditionally hunt pigs in the 200 pound range with my Marlin 30-30. Placed right behind the ear, it has always been Bang-Flop. Are you using the same shot placement with the revolver to the same effect?

Looking back on my original post, I clearly wrote things poorly. While it will be the first revolver I purchase, I have had experience firing an old girlfriend's 629 (yes...you read that right). I was able to control that 5 inch howitzer with decent accuracy...hopefully recoil is similar (smaller bullet but lighter revolver).

What kind of recoil are you getting when/if you channel .38 through the revolver?

Thanks all...I've been convinced I want this revolver now.

Hey redleg, recoil is really subjective. My 38 loads can vary from 5grn to 5.8 unique so standard to plus p pressure. Recoil is very similar to my 3 inch model 65 with big patchmar grips and the trigger and springs ive thrown into it. SO recoil is very manageable. My Uncle who is a hair dresser from SF and has never shot a gun before loved the TRR8 above all my other revolvers and shot it for the entire range sesion with full power 158grn 357 loads.

As far as pig killing its the same effect as the 30-30 but that is only because of the behind the ear shot. Theoretically, a 22 lr behind the ear will drop a pig instantly so It all about shot placement with that location. I would recommend using a 2x scope and shooting sticks for your first outing at the 50 yard range, unless you have very steady hands and excellent vision.

Honestly. the TRR8 is a much better defensive/offensive revolver than a hunting platform. I use my TC contender in 356. win more just because at 100 yards I can do an 1.5 or less group and that behind the ear shot is more likely with the shooting sticks and my 2-6 scope. Also the 356 win packs a 200grn bullet at 2,400 fps out of my 14inch contender, Yowza.

The 356. win round is next to a military 7.62x54r for comparison

Dan,

What kind of holster are you using for this? does the TRR8 have the safety lock?

I use the simply rugged pancake holster with his chesty strapper system for field use. It doubles as an IWB or OWB besides the chest mount platform, really its the best and most versatile holster I own. Also, all my N frames fit in it and it looks great so im pretty happy. Sourdough Pancake My only complaint is in IWB mode the holster has a bit to much material on the portion after the cylinder, If I had some love handles it would be perfect but I dont so this holster needs slightly baggier clothing for proper concealment in IWB. This isnt an issue with the TRR8 because Im never going to try carrying it IWB, only with my 2 inch 327 pc.

The TRR8 has the dreaded lock and ive been meaning to order the plug from bullseye but havent got around to it. (I have the lock on three revolvers and after a few thousand rounds haven't had any lockups but its better safe than sorry so I will order up three plugs sooner or later. However, im not going to lose any sleep over it even though it is my go to gun for home defense. Ive realized from reading many forums that these guns can lock up but its rare).