38/357 Keith Bullets

[CCantu357]

I noticed Buffalo Bore now makes the old .38 Heavy Duty/Outdoorsman load with a Keith bullet. As a non-reloader, I have to ask- is this a good factory load? Are there any other factory loads that have a Keith style bullet or similar? I cannot seem to find my .357 SWC Remington or Winchester loads anymore. It is all 125-grain loads now.

 

[OKFC05]

Are there any other factory loads that have a Keith style bullet or similar?

Precision Delta - Competition Ammunition

 

[brucev]

I noticed Buffalo Bore now makes the old .38 Heavy Duty/Outdoorsman load with a Keith bullet. As a non-reloader, I have to ask- is this a good factory load? Are there any other factory loads that have a Keith style bullet or similar? I cannot seem to find my .357 SWC Remington or Winchester loads anymore. It is all 125-grain loads now.

It would be a very good load. Keith style lead bullets were a real improvement over the round nose or slightly flat nosed lead bullets of the era in which he began his experimenting with large caliber revolvers. They remain very useful. Such a bullet as loaded by Buffalo Bore would be right at the top in effectiveness on game animals or use at the range as well as some defense scenarios. It will cut a clean round hole in target paper. It will penetrate very deeply likely exiting a game animal on typical broadside shots. Raking shots may possibly not exit. It is less useful for defense, etc., since it will almost certainly punch completely through any assailant.

I can understand your finding it difficult to find the standard 158 gr. lead or jacketed .357 Mag. factory loads. The lead loads had a reputation for quickly fouling a barrel. The jacketed loads were good for hunting and the range, but the 125 gr. loads developed a well-deserved reputation for being extremely effective defense loads with one shot stopping percentages that are today only equaled and not appreciably exceeded.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While there are many Buffalo Bore fans out there I'm not one of them. It's not because it's bad ammo but because it costs so much for something that's not better than most other ammo on the market.

 

[geoff40]

Sorry if I sound snobbish, but the Buffalo Bore load is simply a 158 grain SWC bullet, it is not a Keith bullet, which should weigh 173 grains. The term "Keith style" is a bit of a marketing ploy, IMO. He didn't invent the SWC, but he did modify it and design the very best SWC you can find.
The biggest difference between the 2 bullets is where the center of gravity ends up. The Keith bullet has a center of gravity forward in the nose, while the 158 grain has it further aft.

Oh and as a footnote: I just noticed the prices of the BB ammunition, and all I can say is that those prices are absurd. I thought the $26 listed was for 50 rounds, but it is for 20.

 

[badge]

For what it's worth, Georgia Arms makes Keith similar loads, ie 158 grain semi wadcutter's in both .38 special and .357 magnum and they are reasonable priced.

 

[OFT II]

If you cast and reload you can produce the 38/44 for less than a dime a round.

 

[terrier]

I load the Rim Rock Keith style, superb load. I use heavy dose of Unique.

 

[AZretired]

If you cast and reload you can produce the 38/44 for less than a dime a round.

I don't cast my own but I can still produce 158 LSWC load for abou 15 cents per round.

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