Opinions on what 38 special ammo to get?

[cal45]

I'm a very vocal proponent of Buffalo Bore® handgun ammunition. They have two 38 Special 158gr LSWCHPGC offerings that are superb. The Standard Pressure load has the same velocity and energy (854 fps 256 ft. lbs.) of the Remington +P FBI load (#R38S12) w/o the higher recoil. The +P 158 gr. LSWCHPGC load gives you 1,000fps/351 ft.lbs. Both loads shoot POA/POI in all of my 357 Magnum & 38 Special revolvers. The FPS and FPE figures I quoted are from 2" barrel guns! Those two loads, IMHO; are Simply the Best.

Just orderd a 442 no-lock from my local dealer and was searching for carry ammo - due to this thread I decide to go with the Buffalo Bore Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P.

 

[badge 851]

Just orderd a 442 no-lock from my local dealer and was searching for carry ammo - due to this thread I decided to go with the Buffalo Bore Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P.

Stick with the BB standard pressure loads. They perform w/the same ballistics as the Remington®+P FBI load (#R38S12) but without the muzzle blast and recoil of a +P load. Buffalo Bore +P in any Airweight® gun like your 442 WILL BE ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL!!!!!

 

[cal45]

Stick with the BB standard pressure loads. They perform w/the same ballistics as the Remington®+P FBI load (#R38S12) but without the muzzle blast and recoil of a +P load. Buffalo Bore +P in any Airweight® gun like your 442 WILL BE ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL!!!!!

Well, considering I was contemplating buying a M&P340 and carrying .357mag loads instead of the 442 w/38spl +P, I still think it won't be as brutal as the full power mag loads in the 340 (which I have owned and fired in the past and 5 - 10 rounds at 1 range session was the limit for me ) besides its too late now as I already have the ammo on order from Midway.

 

[APS]

How does buffalo bore push the same weight bullet to the same or higher velocities, with reduced recoil?

 

[badge 851]

How does buffalo bore push the same weight bullet to the same or higher velocities, with reduced recoil?

He has a staff of engineers, chemists, and ballisticians to develop what he wants. It's all about mixing and blending powders. Additionally he has powders available to him that are not commercially available to any of us.

 

[APS]

Can you tell a big difference in recoil between his 158gr LSWCHP load and the Remington 158gr+P LSWCHP?
Has anyone actually been shot with the Buffalo Bore load to be able to compare it to the effectiveness that we know the Remington load has?

 

[badge 851]

Can you tell a big difference in recoil between his 158gr LSWCHP load and the Remington 158gr+P LSWCHP?
Has anyone actually been shot with the Buffalo Bore load to be able to compare it to the effectiveness that we know the Remington load has?

The Remington® (#R38S12) 158gr LSWCHP+P, and the Buffalo Bore® Standard Pressure 158gr LSWCGCHP (#19C/20); have the same POA/POI in my guns. Recoil feels exactly the same to me. The Buffalo Bore® 158gr LSWCGCHP (#19A/20), has much more recoil and muzzle blast. In two of my guns (both 357 Magnum steel frame) recoil is "manageable"; not so in my 38 Special snubbies.

 

[photoman]

Just orderd a 442 no-lock from my local dealer and was searching for carry ammo - due to this thread I decide to go with the Buffalo Bore Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P.

Let us know what you think about that combo after trying it.

 

[photoman]

How does buffalo bore push the same weight bullet to the same or higher velocities, with reduced recoil?

It's NOT reduced ~recoil~ ammo. It's reduced ~pressure~ ammo. BIG difference.

 

[APS]

Oh Ok I get it. So it's for those with the guns that can't handle +P.... If you are getting it thinking b/c it's not +P it's going to have less recoil, then you'll be surprised the first time you pull the trigger!

 

[38-44HD45]

The OP asked about .38 loads for his K-frame .357s. They'll handle any commercial .38 Special load, standard, +P or +P+. In my magnum Ks, I use 158gr. Speer Gold Dot, 125gr. Remington Golden Saber and 135gr. Speer Short Barrel, all .357 ammo. If, for some reason, I were relegated to using .38 Special ammo in my K-magnums, I'd likely opt for the Buffalo Bore +P offerings.

 

[ikor]

I don't think that any of the ones you listed have any kind of history yet of actual shootings - or at least none that I have read about. For the ones you listed my choice would be #2 based upon tests that I have seen in calibrated gelatin.
Outside of your list I would pick the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P first and the Remington 158gr +P LSWCHP second.
Another plus for the Speer is that you can often find them in boxes of 50 for $25-$30 so one can afford to practice with them a bit more.

I agree almost 100% except that today I'd choose the Buffalo Bore +P version of the 158gr LSWCHP for a second choice. It is what the original load was when it was introduced and your guns will handle it just fine. The Speer, however, is top dog if you can find them.

 

[Water-Man]

I prefer Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP-GC +P.