Buffalo Bore Lower Recoil 357?

[aterry33]

Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Anyone used this stuff?

Is 357 really that much worse than other rounds, i.e. 38SP, 9mm, 40, 45, etc., in terms of hearing loss without protection? I never really thought about it in a self defense situation but it's mentioned on the description along with the lower recoil and flash aspects.

 

[oldRoger]

I use it.
Fifty years ago I fired .357 magnums without hearing protection beyond cotton in the ears. That was what we used in the Army in the early 50s as well. As a result I have "notchy" hearing loss in both ears.
I do not shoot without plugs and muffs now.
The .357 has a particularly nasty crack, whether the BB stuff is better I would not know, and hope I never find out. If necessary I will use it in self-defense and take my chances.

 

[WR Moore]

Just as an example, some years back I was about 12 feet from a gent who touched off a full power 125 gr Federal .357. I couldn't hear squat from my right ear for 3 days and have had permanent ringing since then, also documented hearing loss.

Yesterday, I did some expansion tests on a 125 gr mid-range load, the Remington 125 JHP @ 1250 fps. Retained weight was 79.3 grains, penetration on unclothed tissue simulant was right around 12 inches. Clothing would add about 1 inch to the penetration. This pretty much duplicates a mid-range load Remington no longer offers, not sure why. Certainly easier on the gun & shooter, energy is about the same as the Buffalo Bore listed.

 

[brokenprism]

Speaking of Buffalo Bore, I bought a box of the 125 gr stuff at 1700 fps but never fired any of it. I just bought a pristine 1967 Model 28, and wonder if I even should. I don't really 'need' more than a Federal 125 at 1450, which I have.

I'm sure BB stays under safe pressures, but maybe factory offerings for the .357 have slowed down since it was developed, and 1700 fps isn't as rough on a gun as it sounds. Or is it? Could a cylinder-full fired in a clutch do real harm to an N frame...?

 

[xcop]

loudness

I fired in self defense while on the job. Once with a 38+p and another time with 12g buck out of a 16in barrel. I did not hear the shots and neither will you if it is life or death. I was able to hear completely and converse normally afterwards and so have all the guys I have spoken to who have been involved in a shooting. Firing a gun in practice is not the same as life or death and in practice your ears will ring and perhaps be distorted. Figure any handgun you fire will cause damage to your hearing without hearing protection.

 

[Casehardn]

I own some of this ammo, but I have not yet fired it in a "dark" situation.
Fired very clean and accurate on the range.

As far as recoil goes, I'd say it's on par with gold dot, golden sabre, etc.
But it is much lighter than the other "Heavy" Buffalo bore .357 rounds.