Buffalo Bore 180 grain ammo

[Steve St.]

Hello.
I'm looking at some Buffalo Bore 357 Mag for my S&W Model 28 N frame revolver. I can't think of any reason the gun wouldn't handle it but I want don't better opinions that I might have.

I also have a Ruger GP 100 with a 4 inch barrel that I would use it in as well.

Any opinions or facts would be great. As well as any 357s that it shouldn't be used in. I have some Model 19s and a Dan Wesson also.

Thanks for your help.
Steve.

 

[colt_saa]

EVERY Smith and Wesson firearm, in good operating condition, that is marked 357 Magnum is designed to safely fire ANY 357 Magnum ammunition that is loaded to SAAMI specifications

While I have never personally used Buffalo Bore ammunition, they claim to load within Industry Standards

 

[Cal44]

EVERY Smith and Wesson firearm, in good operating condition, that is marked 357 Magnum is designed to safely fire ANY 357 Magnum ammunition that is loaded to SAAMI specifications

While I have never personally used Buffalo Bore ammunition, they claim to load within Industry Standards

This is true and BB says this ammo won't damage the gun.

But the BB web site says NOT to use it in the light Scandium 357 magnums because the bullets will jump crimp.

OK in all steel guns. In fact, they list test ballistics for a 3" M60 J-frame.

 

[smousefam5]

I have shot them in my 66-2 with no issue. Accuracy was good and brass fell out of the gun.

 

[chief38]

I've fired the 180 grain BB Magnums from my 3" M65 K Frame with no problems. A bit stiff, but you won't feel the recoil if being attacked by a Bear. An N Frame will handle any .357's within SAAMI spec's.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I don't routinely fire .357 anything in my Model 19s but I do believe they'll handle anything made in that caliber. In my L frames or N frames, or Rugers, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

 

[Cal44]

The BB site shows results from shooting this ammo in a variety of guns.

A M60 3" is on the list and with that gun it reaches 1300 fps and 695 ft lbs. Wow.

I haven't tried this ammo in my M60 yet, but figure it would work just fine.

Probably kick like a mule, though.

 

[chief38]

The BB site shows results from shooting this ammo in a variety of guns.

A M60 3" is on the list and with that gun it reaches 1300 fps and 695 ft lbs. Wow.

I haven't tried this ammo in my M60 yet, but figure it would work just fine.

Probably kick like a mule, though.

Although they may be safe to shoot in a J Frame, I would NEVER do so! The 180's are a hand full out of a heavy barreled K, and would NOT want to beat myself and a gun up shooting them out of a J.

 

[Cal44]

Although they may be safe to shoot in a J Frame, I would NEVER do so! The 180's are a hand full out of a heavy barreled K, and would NOT want to beat myself and a gun up shooting them out of a J.

I have some Double Tap 200 grain hard case wad cutter ammo that I haven't tried yet. I think it's a little toned down compared to the BB 180, but still very hot.

Other than trying it for the heck of it, I the only reason I would use it (or the BB 180s) in the m60 is for back country hiking.

And since here in CA, open carry is not allowed, I'd carry my M60 3" as it's the best choice of the three guns on my CCW license.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Buffalo Bore is a good ammo.........
and I have yet to hear anything bad about it in S&W weapons.
The good thing is that they state on the box the fps of the loads
that are very close if not on the button in the barrel lengths listed.
It is up to you to choose your power factor in the ammo that you buy.

The only draw back is that most of the ammo that I have seen is a little more
in cost than the target ammo that most places also carry.

 

[chief38]

Buffalo Bore is a good ammo.........
and I have yet to hear anything bad about it in S&W weapons.
The good thing is that they state on the box the fps of the loads
that are very close if not on the button in the barrel lengths listed.
It is up to you to choose your power factor in the ammo that you buy.

The only draw back is that most of the ammo that I have seen is a little more
in cost than the target ammo that most places also carry.

Yes the cost of BB ammo is higher (as-is most serious SD carry ammo), but was never meant to shoot thousands of rounds of. If you are a hand-loader loads can easily be made to practice with and although they won't have the performance of the BB ammo, it should more than suffice for practice sessions. If you do not reload then bulk Factory ammo should do for practice followed up by a few BB rounds to keep familiar with.

If you can keep 50 rounds of other +P ammo all in the black, then the BB rounds should not be very far off. While the BB rounds are definitely a bit stiffer, it's not like going from a .22 to a .44 Magnum.

As I have stated many times here on the Forum, I do chronograph all my carry ammo and reloads and have yet to see any Buffalo Bore claims to be anything but 100% spot-on! In fact, most of their ammo is actually a few fps HIGHER than their claims out of the barrels they state. To date, they are the ONLY ammo maker that I respect as to exactly how their ammo performs. No exaggeration with BB velocities and energy levels !!!

 

[Pointblank2U]

I do not trust this brand. They somehow have magically managed to dramatically increase velocity without increasing the pressure. The only "tests" we have are theirs. I have heard rumors that they mix powders, but cannot say for sure. As for me, I don't feel it is worth the risk.

 

[shottist]

Badge130, your loss. BB performs as claimed. Very, very good ammo.

 

[badge 851]

I've been shooting Buffalo Bore® ammunition in 38 Special, 38 Special+P, and 357 Magnum since 2009 and it is superb ammunition. The 38 Special+P 158gr LSWCHCGC is my daily carry ammo in my K frame 357 snub nose. It performs EXACTLY as advertised.