158gr LSWCHP+P again!

[redlevel]

AH! That beloved velocity!! How we all get sucked up into that magical, mystical world of velocity!!

Velocity is the way you get a .36 caliber hollow point bullet to expand. I have sighted it in from my two and three inch j-frames, and they display fine accuracy at 15-20 feet, which is what I consider about maximum combat range for a private citizen with these revolvers.

I can now carry my two-inch Model 60 with a little more confidence in bullet performance. The plus-pee stuff from the major manufacturers is a joke. Just look at results from bmcgilvry's and chief38's chrono threads in this forum, as well as BB's web site.

 

[amd6547]

I agree that +P 38spl from the major manufacturers is a joke...underperforming and overpriced. I do like the way the Remington load shoots however.
I have written here before about the excessive number of RNL and FMJ loads for sale in 38spl...often these loads are all I see for sale in 38spl. I just dont see that there is such high demand for FMJ 38spl...I dont understand why a company would gear up to produce thousands of rounds of 38spl and then make it an FMJ...why not just sell a great 158gn LSWC load, which most 38spl users would prefer?
The Buffalo Bore load is one I would like to try in my Model 15-3, but the price makes me choke. I have this mental image of dollar bills burning with each squeeze of the trigger.

 

[Gene K]

I have written here before about the excessive number of RNL and FMJ loads for sale in 38spl...often these loads are all I see for sale in 38spl. I just dont see that there is such high demand for FMJ 38spl...I dont understand why a company would gear up to produce thousands of rounds of 38spl and then make it an FMJ...

My guess is today the typical .38 owner has dad's old .38 stuffed in the night stand. They just want a box of "bullets" for the "pistol" and just like they dont know its a cartridge and a revolver the only thing they know about a box of "shells" is how much they cost.

For the manufacturers its a way to use old tooling from the days those rounds were police (LRN) and USAF (FMJ) issue.

 

[roaddog28]

I now have all of my K frames loaded with the Buffalo Bore for defense. Because of the increased velocity of this round versus the Remington I think its work the extra money. Now I don't have too load a 357 in my K frame magnums.
Howard

 

[CDawg]

I like the BB standard velocity in my wife's old model 36 2" and 3", SP101 2".38 and Rossi 2" .38 revolvers. I like the +P version in the King Cobra 4", Security Six 4" and Ruger SP101 3" .357's. Accuracy has been good in everything. Recoil in all these combinations is very controllable. The wife has no trouble using any of them and being accurate. She hates automatics and doesn't want anything to do with them. I use the revolvers for house guns because we can both use them well and she uses the snubs for concealed carry. I stocked up on BB when it was on sale at Cabela's for $19.99 a box and coupons for free shipping. Still a hell of a lot on money for ammo, but it is good stuff.

 

[chief38]

I have done actual Chrony testings more than once and have come up with consistent results every time. About 7 or 8 months ago I posted my results on this Forum.

Long story short, out of my 2" Chief's Special M60, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP +P (heavy) consistently moved out at around 1040 fps as compared to high 700's to low 800's with the Rem, Win. Fed 158 grain +P LSWCHP's. For me, the BB loads were very accurate and though they were stiff, they were quite controllable.

In my M65 I use the BB 158 grain JHP .Heavy .357 loads. They are simply devastating out of the 3" tube. When I am in Bear country and want a small compact package, I will use the BB 180 gr. .357's. My feeling has always and will always be that if I am going to be bothered carrying the extra weight and bulk of a .357 Mag Revolver, I want it loaded with .357 loads that justify carrying it. If I am going to use .38 Spl. loads, I'll use my M60 and take advantage of the smaller size and reduced weight. I was never one who liked stoking a .357 with .38 spl's.

chief38

 

[crsides]

As I read that BB is accurate in many S&W's and not at all in others, I wonder about the change in rifling being a contributor. I was unaware of this change until I read the article on 44 spl's in the 696. The traditional 250 gr Keith loads did not like it. IIRC, the rifling was no longer cut square, but machined to a trapezoid shape. Don't know the timing or which models, but perhaps those experiencing problems with BB accuracy have the newer (or older) rifling.

Can someone give us details on this change and opinions on the selectivity of ammo for it.


Charlie

 

[BugEater]

BB+P safe in K & J 38?

I have a 4" heavy barrel model 10-7 .38 that isn't marked +P.
What are member's thoughts on using BB+P?
How about a 2" 64-6 .38 with standard barrel?

 

[Batjac]

I have done actual Chrony testings more than once and have come up with consistent results every time. About 7 or 8 months ago I posted my results on this Forum.

Long story short, out of my 2" Chief's Special M60, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP +P (heavy) consistently moved out at around 1040 fps as compared to high 700's to low 800's with the Rem, Win. Fed 158 grain +P LSWCHP's. For me, the BB loads were very accurate and though they were stiff, they were quite controllable.

In my M65 I use the BB 158 grain JHP .Heavy .357 loads. They are simply devastating out of the 3" tube. When I am in Bear country and want a small compact package, I will use the BB 180 gr. .357's. My feeling has always and will always be that if I am going to be bothered carrying the extra weight and bulk of a .357 Mag Revolver, I want it loaded with .357 loads that justify carrying it. If I am going to use .38 Spl. loads, I'll use my M60 and take advantage of the smaller size and reduced weight. I was never one who liked stoking a .357 with .38 spl's.

chief38

That is pretty close to the results I got. I was shooting the BB 158gr LSWCHP with gas checks in a 2 inch model 64.

Lo 1028
Hi 1070
Av 1044
ES 41.9
SD 15.26
8 rounds total that's all I had left

I don't think it would be a very pleasant load in a j frame.

 

[APS]

Anyone know how the BB version performs through gel in relation to how the Remington performs?

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have a 4" heavy barrel model 10-7 .38 that isn't marked +P.
What are member's thoughts on using BB+P?
How about a 2" 64-6 .38 with standard barrel?

I tested the Buffalo Bore +P 158 grain ammunition in a Model 10-6 Heavy Barrel a little older than yours. Also in a 2-inch Model 10-9 from 1996 and a Model 14-4 from 1979. All these revolvers eagerly ate the Buffalo Bore and came back for more though they aren't roll-marked "+P.". Extraction was normal in all the revolvers and primers gave no signs of high pressure.

 

[BugEater]

Thank You "bmcgilvray"

I'll pick up a box and see how it feels in my M10.

 

[roaddog28]

I'll pick up a box and see how it feels in my M10.

You won't be disappointed. I use the round in my Model 10 4 inch heavy barrel. Too me it is better than any +P 38 special round.

Howard

 

[old bear]

My feeling has always and will always be that if I am going to be bothered carrying the extra weight and bulk of a .357 Mag Revolver, I want it loaded with .357 loads that justify carrying it. If I am going to use .38 Spl. loads, I'll use my M60 and take advantage of the smaller size and reduced weight. I was never one who liked stoking a .357 with .38 spl's.

Chief38, thanks for summing it up so well. +1

 

[roaddog28]

I just posted a thread on my experience with Buffalo Bores 38+P LSWCHP "FBI" round at my favorite range. I was using my model 10 4 inch heavy barrel. Overall, I like the round. The recoil for me was light shooting a 357 magnum round. Very stiff. My only concern was followup shots because of the recoil. I also feel this will vary depending on the shooter.

Summary, this definitely is the hottest +P 38 special round I have ever used. I have tried many different +P rounds and this one is head and shoulders stronger than the others. I do feel one will have too practice a lot with this round if they are going to carry it for self defense. I also feel this round is better used in a all steel revolver with at least a 3 inch barrel.

Howard

 

[Wheel-er]

It sounds hot, road dog

 

[Wheel-er]

+P ok in post '58 K frame S&W revolvers.

Isn't +P ok in post '58 s&w k frames?

 

[ddixie884]

They make a run of it from time to time. Get on the back-order list at Natchez, or Midway.

 

[stevie-ca]

Midway has it in stock, yesterday it was not:
Remington Express Ammunition 38 Special +P 158 Grain Lead Hollow Point Box of 50 - MidwayUSA

 

[Wheel-er]

Some interesting post.