Buffalo bore .45 acp

[MidRoad]

As per my old mans/brothers request Im tossing a few lines and looking to reel in some info regarding buffalo bore outdoorsman +P .Or experience with other comparable flat nosed hard cast factory ammo.

Some background

My father has a ported commander size sr1911 and brother has a full size sig emperor scorpion. Both are their preferred side arms when in the woods,checking cameras, maintaining trails,updating posted signs etc,when its not hunting season. Both carry them with hallow points. I suggested to them maybe consider something that would penetrate more than a .hallow point. Both seemed receptive and arent against it. We dhave good size black bear ,coyote, and bob cat in the area and very very rarely moose but I have yet to see one in person. its NY so no brown bears.. Now dont want this to become a monster bear defense thread , or go buy a bigger gun thread. Both have blackhawks one in 41 mag other in 44 mag and 7.5" barrels which arent fun to carry in warm weather while doing physical tasks. So they carry their 1911's . We are experienced in the outdoors and have came across black bears numerous times. Usually they run away and dont bother a thing. Live and let live kinds thing. But ya never know,and its always good to be prepared in case something ever was to happen.

Im assuming a .255 gr 45 acp chugging along at 925+ fps will offer plenty of penetration for any critter we would ever have an issue with. Buffalo bores site recommends heavier springs in guns running the +P ammo. Is it necessary?both shoot less than 1k rounds a year in their 45's. So I cant see replacing springs. They would just shoot a box or so to get a feel for the ammo and poi,than carry it in the woods. Not shoot heaps of it often.

Anyone have personal experience with this ammo? First hand accounts are always the best.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Sorry, no first hand experience with that BB loading. I would look for something else though unless they are going to change the springs out as BB suggests, doesn't take many rounds to beat a weapon up if it's not sprung right. Some hot ball ammo may be fine for their need if not the hp they are carrying now. In most places (even the middle of the woods) I worry about people more than the critters to prefer hp myself.

 

[Merle1]

Sorry, no first hand experience with that BB loading. I would look for something else though unless they are going to change the springs out as BB suggests, doesn't take many rounds to beat a weapon up if it's not sprung right. Some hot ball ammo may be fine for their need if not the hp they are carrying now. In most places (even the middle of the woods) I worry about people more than the critters to prefer hp myself.

Changing springs in a 1911 isn't that much trouble, so just do it.

 

[WYO]

Complete pass through of 10 water jugs with the BB 255 grain +P hard cast out of a Glock 30SF using stock springs. Actual chronographed velocity in my gun was 925 fps.

 

[BigBore45]

I would change the spring. No sense beating up the frame like that. Even regular loaded heavy bullets beat on frames without stiffer springs. So those +p 255 grainers are gonna really hammer the frames. Atleast with the 1911 you can,get buffers for the guide rod.

 

[Water-Man]

That ammunition occasionally has feeding problems in some guns because of the lead bullet.

They might try Underwood Xtreme Penetrators which uses a copper bullet. Check it out on youtube.

 

[vba]

I have loaded my own 255 grain hardcast round nose flat point bullets in my own 1911. Now the velocity is a little short of 925 but in the 830 to 850 fps range.

Used an 18.5 recoil spring and EGW flat firing pin stop (this is key) but did not change the mainspring from standard. The gun fed and fired just fine and the loads are very accurate in my gun pictured to the left.

Forgot to add that this gun is also reliable with standard hardball and 200 grain hardcast semi wadcutters.

 

[SDGlock23]

Probably a good idea to beef up the springs somewhat, plus also consider that at that point you can also opt for some .45 Super.

 

[TomJ]

I'd follow Buffalo Bore's recommendation, which I copied and pasted below. I use their ammo as well as Underwood's and do what they suggest with no problems.

"45 ACP +P ammo is externally/dimensionally identical to 45 ACP ammo and can be fired in any 45 ACP firearm that is in normal operating condition. However, the greater pressures and power of the +P ammo will give you greater slide velocity and if you are going to shoot more than a box or two of +P ammo, you should consider replacing your recoil spring with a Wolf Spring that gives roughly 4 to 6 lbs more spring weight than factory stock springs. A shock buffer might also be a good addition although it is not too necessary if you use the stronger spring."

 

[JTQ]

That ammunition occasionally has feeding problems in some guns because of the lead bullet.

They might try Underwood Xtreme Penetrators which uses a copper bullet. Check it out on youtube.

I think this is a valuable point, and I'd recommend the OP test both types of ammo in his guns.