Buffalo Bore .357 loads

[627PCFan]

I was contemplating duplicating Buffalo Bores 180 grain cast hunting load, until i actually saw the advertised velocity of 1398fps out of a 5 inch Model 27 (what I have) Ive looked at all powder charts from all manufacturers and cant fathom what powder they are getting this done with. I doubt they have the volume to justify a custom powder so Im assuming they are using canister powder. Ideas?

I can get my 180's into the low 1200's still without sticky cases and AA-9, but if that slow powder aint gettin it done, I dont know what they could be using.

 

[buck460XVR]

I'm guessin' they use a proprietary powder, but 1400fPS with a 180 in .357 revolver is still hard to believe. I'd be more than happy myself with 1150.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Just for reference, my personally recorded velocities over my chrono with Buffalo Bore's 180-grain HCLFNGC from my 2.25" Ruger SP101 averaged 1,258 fps. I only shot 2 rounds, as I only had 7 left and wanted to leave 5. The first shot was 1,269 and the second was 1,247.

That's right - a 180-grain bullet going 1,258 fps from a 2.25" barrel.

Of course, your mileage (and fps) may vary...

Needless to say, these are no fun from an SP101. I wish I could duplicate these rounds, but I don't think it's possible.

In my experience, Buffalo Bore's velocity claims are pretty darn accurate. They advertise their 255-grain .45ACP +P HCLFNGC at 960 fps from a 5" 1911. These very rounds averaged 952 fps from my S&W 5" 1911 in 5 recorded shots with a high of 970 and a low of 933.

That right there is a sweet woods load out of a very concealable, accurate, fast-shooting 8-shot autoloader! Kind of reminds me of the original load for the .45 Colt. Wasn't it a 255-grainer flying at about 950?

 

[CraigC]

Tim does indeed use non-cannister powders. Straight from the horse's mouth.

 

[788Ham]

Oregon,

I just bought an SP 101 this past week, 3", don't think I'll be shootin' any BB's thru mine! My God, that sounds like sure punishment from one cylinder-ful of those! Got to be more sane loads to shoot out there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the only commercial powder on the market that will come close to generating those kind of velocities without trashing the SAAMI pressure limits would be Lil'Gun.

 

[OregonJohnny]

My God, that sounds like sure punishment from one cylinder-ful of those! Got to be more sane loads to shoot out there.

Like I said, these Buffalo Bore loads aren't much fun from the snubby SP101. From my 4" Ruger GP100, they aren't bad at all. I keep a speedloader full of these Buffalo Bore rounds to load into the SP101 when I spend time at my parent's property, where 2 summers ago I saw a lot of black bear scat.

Mowing a couple acres of grass or picking blackberries up there is a lot easier with my SP concealed on my belt, than lugging around the 870 slug gun.

This 180-grain load from Buffalo Bore really takes the .357 to another level.

 

[codefour]

Try Power Pro 300-MP.?

I have not tried it yet, but maybe the new Alliant Powder called the "Power Pro 300-MP" can get you there. Alliant lists the maximum velocity of a 170 grn Speer GDSP to be 1617 fps using a ten inch barrel. The new 300-MP may be hotter than W296 and H110.

My next powder order, I am going to get a pound or two to try it in .357 and .44 mag loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I read a few range reports about 300-MP (I think some on this forum) and the shooters were not impressed. They liked the powder but it was nothing special according to them and it didn't deliver and additional velocity.

 

[griff383]

I had a discussion with a guy at Cabelas about 300-MP. He had tested several powders against it in a 44mag with a chrony. His results, and he even had the printout, were almost 200 fps more than any other powder tested. He also noted pressure signs were less, that alone would sell me on it.

I happen to have a pound of it which I intended to load 44mag with but I have since gotten rid of that one. I supposed I could run it against 2400 in a 2.25" SP101 if anyone was curious.