Buffalo Bore 357 questions

[OldW]

I was looking for a good load for woods carry, and I found this Buffalo Bore heavy .357 mag. It is a 180 grain bullet that is listed at 1400fps. If I was so inclined, I would calculate the energy of that load, but right now I am not.

Has anybody tried this load? I wouldn't want to shoot it regularly, especially in a K-frame, but if worst came to worst, I wouldn't hesitate cranking off a couple into a black bear. Would it do damage to a K-frame if I just used a couple?

Does anybody have any experience with this product? Would I be better off with a standard 158gr. load?

Thanks in advance
W

 

[badge 851]

I was looking for a good load for woods carry, and I found this Buffalo Bore heavy .357 mag. It is a 180 grain bullet that is listed at 1400fps. If I was so inclined, I would calculate the energy of that load, but right now I am not.

Has anybody tried this load? I wouldn't want to shoot it regularly, especially in a K-frame, but if worst came to worst, I wouldn't hesitate cranking off a couple into a black bear. Would it do damage to a K-frame if I just used a couple?

Does anybody have any experience with this product? Would I be better off with a standard 158gr. load?
Thanks in advance
W

Energy is 783 ft lbs. While a stiff load it is manageable. I have shot quite a few rounds of it in my S&W® Mdl 686 No Dash. It is my woods/survival load while deer & elk hunting in the Pacific Northwest; especially because of all the bear and cougar we have. FWIW I believe you could use it in a K frame, just not a steady diet of it. I have even shot it in my J Frame with no ill effects.

 

[Lt JL]

Just a couple would probably be okay, no KB, anyway. I shoot that load out of a model 27 and a model 28 and a 581. Not sure I'd ridk a really good K frame though.

 

[vico512]

Yeah, that Buffalo Bore heavy stuff is pretty potent. That's what I load into my 629 .44 Mag when out in critter country.

My hand loads are all lighter loads, mostly with Trail Boss or HP38 powder. I do very little target work with the heavy rounds.

 

[OldW]

Well, that is what I was wondering. I would only use it to carry while hunting for the odd bear or cougar encounter, and that only if I couldn't get a rifle shot. If it came down to stuffing the barrel in a bear's gut because he jumped on me, I don't think I would worry too much about the pistol at that point.

Would I be better off just loading the 158gr.?

 

[OldW]

As for risking a nice K-frame, I probably should look into a different pistol. I wanted a 357, so I traded into this nice 4" nickel 19-4. The finish is really too nice to be carrying around much. I really would prefer a similar 686 for carry though.

 

[ENGINE18]

Maybe an L-frame would be better. I sure would like to try the 180 HC in my M28-2 4-inch though. It's bit heavy to carry in the boonies, but I bet it would dispatch any 4-legged critters around here!

 

[vico512]

I had the same weight concerns when I got my 629 N-frame. I got the hi-ride Galco holster from S&W and it rides nicely on my hip when I'm out with the muzzle loader. Hardly notice it's there.

I had a bear encounter a couple of years ago, during elk season, and made the eye-opening discovery that I was carrying a .50 cal "club". It ended well, but not without some nervous moments.

I feel much better with the Smith under my coat -- the weight adds to the comfortable feeling!

 

[Cashdog]

I haven't tried the BB stuff, but I have used the 180gr load from Double Tap in my L frames as a woods round. Shoots pretty good. I was thinking about trying the BB load once I run out.

 

[hdsoftail]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have the same ammo in 158 grain. But its a heavy load at 1450+ fps. I am using it as a back up load for black bear in Oregon in a S&W Model 65 ladysmith 3".

I hope to never have to use it but its there if I need it. My thinking is that a cylinder or two of heavy loads should not damage a gun in good condition. Plus I don't think 1400 fps is that much hotter than defensive stuff. Its the hard cast nature of the lead that gives it a superior penetration.

Lots of Black Bear in the Unit 46 where we hunt and several folks I have hunted with have had contact. The bears usually run like rabbits, but one friend had to put one down with a Glock 40 caliber. Took 6 hits out of the 9 he shot to kill it.

Buffalo will not respond to e-mails about using their product in specific handguns. Legal liability issues I am sure.

 

[NiklasP]

As I recall, Buffalo Bore expressly states on their website "Do not contact them about whether or not your revolver will handle their loads." "Do not contact them asking if their ammo is safe to shot in revolver X."

Their position is that if they say their ammo is safe for a given class of guns, say ALL revolvers chambered for .357 Mag AND in good condition, that covers the issue. As I recall, they expressly state that their .357 Mag ammo is safe in ALL .357 mag chambered J-frames. No so for their heavy 38 Spl in older J-frames, IF I recall correctly.

Niklas

 

[chief38]

This is the load ( BB 180 gr. .357 Mag.) I carry in my 3" M65 when I am in the woods. I have shot them out of this M65 and they seem quite accurate, and controllable. Recoil is stiff, but if and when I needed to use it, I have no doubt that the recoil would not be a factor. By the way, the muzzle flash is minimal considering the power of this round.

While I always advocate practicing with carry ammo you intend to carry, I would shoot these sparingly out of a K-frame. Fire a cylinder full so you know what to expect, but I would not shoot hundreds of them out of this model.

BB's ammo (IMHO) is TOP NOTCH!! I use BB in all my carry guns.

chief38

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
Like others have said I feel you would be okay shooting this round in a K frame. I have used heavy grain rounds in my M19-4 6 inch and not had a problem. Because of the type of round its going to be stiff on recoil. If your planning on shooting the Buffalo more than occasionally I would consider a heavier revolver. When it comes to a woods hunting revolver I still would rather have a single action. Thats why I have a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 barrel. Any N frame or L frame would do fine too.
Good luck,
Howard