Buffalo Bore 32acp 75g +P Hard Cast FN?

[KBintheSLC]

I just ordered a box of this stuff for my P32. Has anyone tried it on something besides paper? Are there any gelatin tests online... my searches found nothing? It looks like a great round... 75g hard cast flat nose with +P pressures pushing it forward at over 1100 fps. I am betting it will make a nasty little penetrator. I hope the recoil isn't too crazy. It would be nice to see how this performs in a realistic medium.

 

[regal]

sounds very interesting, I thought Floucci was the hottest 32 acp load.

 

[Newton]

It's the perfect choice for a pocket pistol, so is their .380ACP hardcast load.

 

[MICHAEL T]

If you have a P-32 left Tell us about it.
My problem is the 32 and 380 in regular ball are known to shoot clear thru people So lets use a flat nose and drive even faster to shoot thru 2 people.
I hope it feeds well and has some degree of accuracy. But I perfer my bullet to say in target and to dunp what little FTLBS engery these rounds have into target. No just zing thru it.
Just my 02

 

[KBintheSLC]

Michael,
I understand your concerns. However, I have yet see a bullet test of a .32 in which an expanding bullet actually expanded properly. Instead, they tend to go flat and stop about 7-10" inside the gelatin. This doesn't make me feel good from a defensive perspective.
The other problem is that with round nose FMJ, it tends to push tissue out of the way and wounds tend to reseal after bullet passage. Also, round nose will have the tendency to deflect off of bone instead of breaking through.
I think the 75g hard cast FN would solve the deficiencies of both FMJ's lack of tissue/bone damage, and in JHP's lack of appropriate penetration.

sounds very interesting, I thought Fiocci was the hottest 32 acp load.

That is my regular carry load and I think they are pretty hot. I will likely keep those in the stack with a Buffalo Bore in the pipe and on top of the stack. Afterall, the BB stuff costs about $1 per round.

 

[wnycollector]

I will likely keep those in the stack with a Buffalo Bore in the pipe and on top of the stack. Afterall, the BB stuff costs about $1 per round.

Thats what my father-in-law does with is 1960's vintage llama .380. I plan of buying him a box to the BB .32 harcasts since he has been known to carry his Walther PP on occasion!

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

As long as the ammo feeds well it beats the heck out of ball and hp too. The .32 needs all the help it can get.

 

[kitsapcharly]

If you're stuck with a 32 this seems to be the best thing available but if considering buying a gun the 380 makes more sense.

 

[KBintheSLC]

If you're stuck with a 32 this seems to be the best thing available but if considering buying a gun the 380 makes more sense.

I don't feel "stuck" with the 32... I consciously chose it... 380's were already invented at the time of my purchase, but I chose the 32 for a number of reasons.
FYI... The 380 is not a miracle worker... actually, in the real world, there is almost no empirical evidence that it is any better than the 32. A pocket pistol is still just a pocket pistol even if it is a 380. Penetration is the only thing you can count on with either of them.
If I want a real combat weapon, I can always carry one of my Glocks. The P32 is a pocket pistol for carrying in more "civilized" environments, and for that purpose it is plenty.

 

[regal]

Not only that a .32 will be more reliable than a similiar weight 380, and accurate rate of fire is much better with a 12 oz .32 than a 12 oz 380.

You give up 3% stopping power for a huge benefit in reliability and rate of fire. 3% is probably smaller than the accuracy of the stopping power database.

I would say there is no reason to chose a 380 featherweight over a 32.

 

[SeanSw]

How is a .32 more reliable than a .380? I don't have a dog in this fight, I just haven't heard this before.

 

[KBintheSLC]

How is a .32 more reliable than a .380? I don't have a dog in this fight, I just haven't heard this before.

I think he is referring to Kel-Tec's models. The P32 has been refined and stable for much longer than the P3AT. The early 380's had reliability issues. However, I have heard that the newer 380's are reliable as well.

The main reason for me choosing the 32 is the shootability factor. It is just way easier for me to make fast and accurate hits and followups with a 32 in a gun that tiny. If I was to go with a 380, I would buy a Bersa, or a Sig 232 since they have a bit more mass to them. IMO, the KelTec platform is just too small and light for a 380. It was initially designed for a 32, so that is what I use.

 

[kitsapcharly]

One problem for the 32 ACP is that it's semi-rimmed unlike 380 and other later designs because it was originally intended to go in revolvers as well as autos. This slight rimming has caused magazine jams to sometimes happen...
don't know how often but a member of the KTRange named Flyer has designed what's called a Flyer Wire to prevent this problem in P-32s. Getting the Kel-Tec in 380 skips right past the problem.
As to the story of little or no difference in stopping power between 32 and 380...you've picked up some bad information somewhere. There are
"stopping power" rating systems out there that are totally discredited and worthless. Look up the F.B.I. studies on such things. There will be many things posted right here on the High Road about this subject.
Bigger works better. More power is more effective. 32 is better than 25 and 380 is better than 32 and so on. 25 has 75 pounds of energy at the muzzle. Normal 32 has a little more but the Buffalo Bore has over 130. Take a look at Buffalo Bore's website to see what they have in 32 and 380. There's a big difference.
I use Double Tap 380 FMJ in my Kel-Tecs. 200 pounds energy at the muzzle. Would give 250 in a longer Bersa barrel. Look at the Double Tap website or check their stuff at Midway.
I'm not trying to run anybody down over their caliber choice. I actually think that people who will shoot 22s enough that they can hit something with them are probably better off using them than they are to buy a 45, fire it once and consider themselves ready to go.
The KT 380 is about the size and weight of an "average" 25 but gives you much more effect if needed. It's a 24/7 gun that hides in any clothes.
My XD-45c is my favorite and carried when possible but the little KT is always on board.

 

[mavracer]

"stopping power" rating systems out there that are totally discredited and worthless. Look up the F.B.I. studies on such things. There will be many things posted right here on the High Road about this subject.
Bigger works better. More power is more effective. 32 is better than 25 and 380 is better than 32 and so on. 25 has 75 pounds of energy at the muzzle. Normal 32 has a little more but the Buffalo Bore has over 130. Take a look at Buffalo Bore's website to see what they have in 32 and 380. There's a big difference.

if thats the case I'd rethink this

I use Double Tap 380 FMJ in my Kel-Tecs. 200 pounds energy at the muzzle. Would give 250 in a longer Bersa barrel. Look at the Double Tap website or check their stuff at Midway.

I've actually chronographed Fiocchi 60gr SJHPs from my seecamp @133ftlb and 192 from my walther.
I've also chronoed DTs 9mm+p and 38+p they're 9 was 100fps short and the 38 was 200-250 short of claimed velocity.
I wouldn't be surprised if your not getting less than 130 ft lbs.

 

[kitsapcharly]

I don't have a chronograph and can't do such tests. Hope I'm getting what I'm supposed to get or close to it.
I'm a shooter up to a point but not an expert on anything. There are many makers of ammunition and in comparing various rounds we go by available information.
Wish there was some organization or group that tested them all and gave measured velocity and energy readings. Lacking that most of us have nothing to go by but published data. Midway sells this stuff and has a terrific reputation. It does recoil more than standard loads but not excessively so. I must assume it has more horsepower because it seems like it.
Anyone else tested this or any of its competitors?
Inquiring minds really would like to know more.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

You give up 3% stopping power for a huge benefit in reliability and rate of fire. 3% is probably smaller than the accuracy of the stopping power database.

3% stopping power ??
According to who?


I think this BB hardcast round is a great concept for these weak little pistols

 

[mavracer]

Anyone else tested this or any of its competitors?

don't have a .380 so I cant help directly.
I've shot some buffalo bore always right on their claims.
in .32 and 9mm Fiocchi and Sellier and bellot are always IME even hotter than claimed (not much IE the lowest velocity I record will be ~whats advertized and the others will be a little faster)
Doubletap claims 1350 for their 124 +p9mm it averaged 1240 which is 20fps faster than im getting with Speer (but I bought 2 cases of speer for $12.50/50 so guess what I'm using)
DT also claimed 1100fps with 125+p 38s none broke 900fps from my 442 bearly broke 1000 from a 4" smith.
once again I now carry real speer LE ammo found at a discount.
I don't reccomend DT anymore
I'd use BB or get some S&B or Fiocchi its too bad they dont make the SJHP that is the perfect bullet for a mouse gun.It doesn't expand just kinda flattens out when I've recovered it it's shaped like a wadcutter.