K-38, BB, and 1200fps

[AristoclesGibson]

I posted this at another forum but thought you guys might be interested. Ejected perfectly, wonderful firearm in great shape.

Buffalo Bore Heavy 38 spl +p 158 grain LSWHC-GC
S & W K-38 Model 14-4 pinned barrel
H: 1213
L: 1180
AVE v: 1200
EX SPR: 33
SD: 13

Conditions:
82F
Humidity: 45%
Wind: 9mph SSW

Truth in advertising, I suppose.

 

[PeterCartwright]

I've seen stats on that BB load before. Sure ups the "special" in .38 Spl.! I'm impressed enough with the standard pressure load which uses the same bullet. The propellants available to the BB folks offer plenty of "wow".

PC

 

[AristoclesGibson]

I think I'm going to give her a cleaning and let her rest for a while. I love that gun. Bought it many years ago, MANY years ago. Got up against it and sold it to my grandfather, I'm certain he never shot it. When he passed I got it back. Still looks great and shoots WAY better than I can.

For me, Buffalo Bore is truthful, just like my K-38

 

[bmcgilvray]

The Buffalo Bore +P 158 Grain load is enough to make a fellow who is not fond of the .38 Special take another look. It's certainly difficult to mimic with handloads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just find it hard to believe BB is getting 200+ fps more than anything I can reload and still be within SAAMI pressure limits.

 

[brucev]

I am nothing but amazed at BB. They take every single caliber and produce ammunition with standard weight bullets that is more effective than otherwise available all withing SAAMI limits. Amazing. My hat's off to them.

As to how they do it, I don't blame them for keeping that a closely guarded secret. Doubtless there are many handloaders who would very much like to be able to produce similar loads with commonly available powders. If there are any who are currently doing it, they're not talking. The prices of BB ammo are not low... commensurate with similar pricing for high performance ammunition from other manufacturers. But the ammunition offered by those other companies does not equal the velocity and power of BB ammo, regardless of the caliber.

I applaud them for developing these loads and bringing them to market. If I were a rich man, I'd probably shoot their stuff a lot. As I am not, I do not. But I am very impressed with what they have done. It will be interesting to see what the other major producers do in response.

 

[David Sinko]

I'll admit my efforts to duplicate it have fallen short but I'm not exactly brokenhearted. I'm not a fan of soft hollowpoint bullets or gas checks, so I'm perfectly content to shoot a hard cast SWC of the same weight at 100 FPS less velocity. And for literally pennies each when I cast my own. Nobody will ever convince me that my load is less effective.

Dave Sinko

 

[squidsix]

I don't know if I missed it, but 4" or 6" barrel on your K38?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'll admit my efforts to duplicate it have fallen short but I'm not exactly brokenhearted. I'm not a fan of soft hollowpoint bullets or gas checks, so I'm perfectly content to shoot a hard cast SWC of the same weight at 100 FPS less velocity. And for literally pennies each when I cast my own. Nobody will ever convince me that my load is less effective.

Dave Sinko

I so much agree with you. I build extremely accurate ammo and as we all know the fastest bullet in the world will do no good unless you hit what you are shooting!

 

[AristoclesGibson]

squidsix: 6" barrel.

David Sinko and ArchAngelCD: This thread was posted to share my honest results at testing some ammo. I provided this for anyone interested. It is contextually closed. I certainly applaud you for your reloading efforts or taste in bullet type but could not possibly care less about either/both, within the context of this thread.

BB seems to be within reason as to what they claim. The end.

I found BB to be dead perfect also with .45 ACP +p and using their 77 grain SMK in my LE6920, in five rounds, three were duplicates. It seems to me overpriced but DAMNED fine AMMO.

I build my own but see no reason to sing its praises in a thread about BB chrono tests on .38 spl +P.

bmcgilvray: My results match your own posted results. Hot, accurate, and consistent, IME.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Was I really that far off the topic to warrant being chastised by you? You posted chrono results and didn't set any direction as to where you would like the conversation to go. My first post gave my opinion that I found it hard to believe BB produced the results you tested while staying within SAAMI specs.

If you would have gave this thread a direction I would have followed it. If I knew it was supposed to be a Twitter Tweet where you didn't expect replies I would have done that too.

I'll not bother to insult you in the future by participating in your threads. Sorry to have bothered you but chastising me wasn't necessary. I'm not some little kid you can smack and set in the corner.

 

[AristoclesGibson]

Was I really that far off the topic to warrant being chastised by you? You posted chrono results and didn't set any direction as to where you would like the conversation to go. My first post gave my opinion that I found it hard to believe BB produced the results you tested while staying within SAAMI specs.

If you would have gave this thread a direction I would have followed it. If I knew it was supposed to be a Twitter Tweet where you didn't expect replies I would have done that too.

I'll not bother to insult you in the future by participating in your threads. Sorry to have bothered you but chastising me wasn't necessary. I'm not some little kid you can smack and set in the corner.

Wasn't trying to chastise you. The topic is not about your hand loads nor was it offered as a topic for any real debate. It was an informative post. I do not use twitter so I cannot comment as to its similarity. I had almost forgotten why I do not post here very often, I appreciate you reminding me. I am not being sarcastic, I mean that.

I am deeply hurt that you will now never post to my threads again. BUT do not worry! I shan't post here ever again. There ya' go pal. You've been here a long time and evidently contribute constantly. My contributions are very negligible.

If your delicate sensibilities were hurt, I do indeed apologize.

Adios and Carry on.

 

[APS]

Adios! Just in case you didn't realize, posting ANYTHING on a public forum and then telling those that reply that you "could not possibly care less" is extremely rude. If you don't like what they say, ignore them.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

AristoclesGibson, I, for one, found your BB data
highly informational. Thanks for posting it.....