38 SPL BUFFALO BORE 158gr SWC +P Review

[RDub]

Hello
In this review I only shot the 4 inch Model 15 at 25 yards for accuracy and velocity. Velocity taken with an Oehler 35P chronograph.

Here is the link to all the photos of the review;

38 SPL B.B. 158gr Hard Cast SWC +P — Postimages

Data Sheet;

Appears to be the same load found in the 158gr LSWCHPgc +P load. Definitely a hard cast alloy. Cannot scratch it with a thumbnail. I've always believed that pressure equals velocity and velocity equals pressure. I know pressure curve plays a role, but still.. Makes one wonder just where this round is in regards to pressure. That being said, the Model 15 ate it up with no issues. Recoil was noticeable.. Nice woods carry load.

 

[stansdds]

Looking at the picture, Buffalo Bore crimps the ever lovin' snot out of those loads.

 

[RDub]

Looking at the picture, Buffalo Bore crimps the ever lovin' snot out of those loads.

Yes they do!

 

[target tech]

I’m so glad to see they quit using those crazy styrofoam boxes. A 20 round box of .38s took up a third of a .50 cal ammo can if you didn’t put them in something else.

 

[pasound]

That's well past the Skeeter and Keith loads. I messed with their loads a lot 30 years ago, got some good results, but back then did not have Starline brass to work with. Was using hard cast from a friend who knew the science. Pressure showed up early on on recycled WW and Remington cases.

 

[.455_Hunter]

They should just mark it .38-44 and be done with it.

 

[tom2]

Nah not a Plus P Plus, a Plus Plus P.

 

[Jimmyjones]

That's my woods walking load for my .38s.

 

[pasound]

The .357 back then, except people didn't know it was.

 

[alwslate]

At that velocity out of a 4" revolver I'm betting the pressure is above the 20,000 PSI limit for +P.

 

[JMD999]

Surprising how much velocity you gain with lead vs copper jackets.

 

[SuperMan]

At that velocity out of a 4" revolver I'm betting the pressure is above the 20,000 PSI limit for +P.

According to one of the posters over on the CastBoolit forums, the Buffalo Bore and Underwood versions of this ammo runs 27.5k psi...

Since 9mm is rated at 34k psi and since there are J-frame revolvers already in this caliber, I don't worry about running it in my +P rated Js...

Bob

 

[Chuck Edwards]

FWIW, I loaded some .38 Special brass with 170-grain LSWCs over the old Ideal handbook .38/44 Heavy Duty load of six grains of Unique, and they ran 1070 fps from my 4" M28-2. Those newer loads must be in the same ballpark pressure-wise.

 

[chief38]

Looking at the picture, Buffalo Bore crimps the ever lovin' snot out of those loads.

Yes they do crimp them heavily and it probably helps them squeeze ever fps of velocity and fpe out of their loads. When I carried a revolver for SD I used Buffalo Bore #20A which is a 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC which actually did 1,025 fps out of my 2" Chiefs Special - personally chronographed many times. Not only are they super fast and accurate, this particular load is the most consistent bullet I have ever shot out of a revolver!

While it does have some considerable recoil and can be downright painful after a few cylinders full, I deemed it the best for a steel Chief's Special 2" revolver (for SD) with the caveat being "if you can deal with the recoil" and can produce accurate and fast follow up shots. If not, other loadings that are lighter with less recoil would be in order.

 

[38SPL HV]

I got similar performance, albeit slightly faster, in my longer 4 5/8 inch BH with .004” BC gap. Great woods load or around here for self protection in our high desert.

 

[Rock185]

RDub, Thanks for posting your tests. I've not used the Buffalo Bore .38+P, but have used BB .357 and 10mm. Velocities approximated BB's published ballistics in my real World guns, extraction was normal, etc.

Within the last couple years, I chronographed Underwood's similar .38+P 158 grain load in 2" and 4" revolvers, and 16.5" carbine. Ballistics exceeded any major manufacturer .38+P I've tested, and like the other Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo I used, extraction, etc. was normal.

I don't pretend to know what BB and Underwood pressures are. But I suspect these .38+P loads may approximate the old 38-44 load of the 1930s..

 

[RDub]

RDub, Thanks for posting your tests. I've not used the Buffalo Bore .38+P, but have used BB .357 and 10mm. Velocities approximated BB's published ballistics in my real World guns, extraction was normal, etc.

Within the last couple years, I chronographed Underwood's similar .38+P 158 grain load in 2" and 4" revolvers, and 16.5" carbine. Ballistics exceeded any major manufacturer .38+P I've tested, and like the other Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo I used, extraction, etc. was normal.

I don't pretend to know what BB and Underwood pressures are. But I suspect these .38+P loads may approximate the old 38-44 load of the 1930s..

Without the transducers etc it would be difficult to know exactly what the chamber pressures are. I've always believed that pressure equals velocity and velocity equals pressure. Can't have one without the other. That being said, what ever it is, the guns don't have any issues and don't seem to mind, so I won't either.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

This seems worthy of testing. I have a 3" DAO Kimber which is the largest revolver I'm willing to carry in my advanced stage of decrepitude.