P. Plainsman
Member
I recently tried a box of Buffalo Bore's heavy 180 grain .357 Magnum ammo, Item # 19A20, in my revolver and lever carbine. I got good accuracy and very reasonable recoil for the power involved. Buffalo Bore's data indicates that the 180 grain slug is good for 1375 fps from a 4" sixgun barrel, and they have a reputation for reliability in their ballistic claims.
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357
This is efficient premium ammo, cast with a wide meplat. Here's a Gunblast.com review of the same load from a couple years back:
http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore.htm
While Messrs. Church and Fortis used single action revolvers for their exploration of the Buff Bore ammo, my test handgun was a 4" Ruger GP100 wearing Pachmayr Gripper grips. I have owned tonier .357s made by Colt and Smith & Wesson, but they have since been sold off; the Ruger workhorse remains. It is an accurate gun with a nice double action trigger.
Compared to Church and Fortis's impressions, I was surprised with how manageable the recoil was from these hard-hitting rounds in the DA sixgun. Felt like a mild .44 Magnum. The GP100's stout frame and the rubber grip just soak up recoil. I could have fired a hundred rounds without fuss -- if my wallet permitted.
Point of impact was a little high (my GP is sighted in for medium weight bullets) but right on for windage. I don't think you could ask for much more in a full-power .357 Magnum sidearm than the GP100 loaded with these heavy Buff Bore rounds.
The 180 Hard Cast LFN also proved surprisingly well mannered in my 18.5" barreled Marlin 1894C lever carbine. Buff Bore clocks the ammo at 1851 fps, in this very gun. I believe this; Church and Fortis measured 1847 fps from a 16" Winchester 94 Ranger. Yet it doesn't feel like you would expect 180 @ 1851 to feel. Again, very efficient load. The heavy flat-nosed bullets shot to point of aim with ghost-ring sights at 25 yards (the furthest I was able to test).
If I wanted to take my Marlin hunting, or use it for outdoor protection, the BB 180 ammo would be an obvious choice.
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357
This is efficient premium ammo, cast with a wide meplat. Here's a Gunblast.com review of the same load from a couple years back:
http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore.htm
While Messrs. Church and Fortis used single action revolvers for their exploration of the Buff Bore ammo, my test handgun was a 4" Ruger GP100 wearing Pachmayr Gripper grips. I have owned tonier .357s made by Colt and Smith & Wesson, but they have since been sold off; the Ruger workhorse remains. It is an accurate gun with a nice double action trigger.
Compared to Church and Fortis's impressions, I was surprised with how manageable the recoil was from these hard-hitting rounds in the DA sixgun. Felt like a mild .44 Magnum. The GP100's stout frame and the rubber grip just soak up recoil. I could have fired a hundred rounds without fuss -- if my wallet permitted.
Point of impact was a little high (my GP is sighted in for medium weight bullets) but right on for windage. I don't think you could ask for much more in a full-power .357 Magnum sidearm than the GP100 loaded with these heavy Buff Bore rounds.
The 180 Hard Cast LFN also proved surprisingly well mannered in my 18.5" barreled Marlin 1894C lever carbine. Buff Bore clocks the ammo at 1851 fps, in this very gun. I believe this; Church and Fortis measured 1847 fps from a 16" Winchester 94 Ranger. Yet it doesn't feel like you would expect 180 @ 1851 to feel. Again, very efficient load. The heavy flat-nosed bullets shot to point of aim with ghost-ring sights at 25 yards (the furthest I was able to test).
If I wanted to take my Marlin hunting, or use it for outdoor protection, the BB 180 ammo would be an obvious choice.
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