The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: bsmith_shoot on March 07, 2011, 07:51:30 AM
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Hey all! This is my first post! I was wondering if my decision the go with Buffalo Bore's 158 gr +P solid lead wadcutter hollow point was a good one, or bad? I carry a S&W model 638-3 (airweight bodyguard) as my daily carry piece. I have heard that there might be problems with the bullet backing out of the brass on the 4th or 5th round when firing. Is this true? I am aware of the recoil, and the accelerated wear to my weapon over time with extensive use of this round. I am not worried about either. I just worry about a bullet backing out, and causing the cylinder to "jam". Any info or experience would be greatly appreciated. ;D
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Welcome bsmith_shoot!
I haven't heard anything about bullets coming loose. To me that would be a batch issue, because no ammunition manufacturer would want the safety issue of their product falling apart in normal use.
I also don't understand what the wear issue would be. It is lead which is softer than jacketed. I shoot jacketed +p in my airweight with no noticeable issues (I haven't taken measurements, but after well over 2,000 rounds the gun still groups like new).
My thought on a self protection gun and ammunition is to pick the largest caliber you can shoot comfortably, and carry well. And, don't worry about sub caliber (my three carry guns are a Ruger LCP (.380), a S&W j frame Airweight in .38 special +p, and a S&W 1911 in .45 acp)*, because getting hit with anything is going to be a deterrent to the bad guy. Now the actual rule: Carry only firearms and ammunition that work flawlessly! Don't start carrying a gun until it has been fired without hiccup at least 500 rounds, and the ammunition you carry must be a part of that test. Personally I will use 200 rounds of full metal jacket as a shake down, 200 rounds of a cheap but reliable jacketed hollow point, and then the final 100 rounds with my carry ammunition. All monthly (minimum) practice is done with 2/3 cheaper hollow points and 1/3 with my actual carry rounds.
My unprofessional, wait a minute - I teach several levels of firearm stuff and promote carry as well as certify, so I must be professional**, opinion is that if you have a question on the ammunition you should not use it. That suggested ammunition problem will hover in the back of you mind. If it has even a hint of credibility there will be the chance of a failure.
Welcome to the party!
* LCP is a pocket gun
j frame is a boot gun
1911 is IWB
Typically I carry two at a time - not all three, and the LCP is the default gun that is almost never left out of the mix.
** By professional I don't mean to imply that I am a MJ, RP or MB, but I am what you get in this part of the world.
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I carry them in my S&W 642. Shot 10 rounds to see what they would do and loaded 5 in the cylinder and 5 in a speed strip.
They came recommended by Tom Givens so that was good enough for me.
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The thing about bullets backing out of the casing and jamming the cylinder is far more likely in the bigger calibers like .460, 500 etc than with just a +P .38.
The guy in Alaska who was charged by a bear a couple years ago had it happen to his pistol, (IIRC it was a .454 ) but I've never heard of it happening with +P .38's.
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BB is a very good company and they do LOTS of testing in real guns.
infact thier velocity data comes from actual guns( and they tell you what kind, barrel lenght, mods and etc) not test barrels like most manufactors.
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I apologize M58, what I meant by wear is that shooting +P's out of any titanium/scandium frame revolver is said to speed up the process of wearing out, or "loosening" up of the parts on them. It is what ive been seeing, or reading, in my research. Ive carried and shot J-frames for years myself, and have never seen this happen, but.......
My biggest issue is the bullet coming un-seated. I have never seen this happen in any ammo I have used, and ive carried this particular weapon for 7 years now, and probably put 2500 rounds through it. But I have read that it has happened with the "hot" 158 gr +P BB stuff. I ordered 2 boxes, so im gonna see for myself. As a test im gonna load 5, shoot 4 fast, and check the 5th. Im gonna do that through both boxes. 40 rounds isnt a lot of ammo to do a test with, but if I make it through 2 boxes with no issues, I would feel comfy carrying this round.
Thanks for the help guys, any other info would be appreciated also.
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Post your results for future reference.
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Post your results for future reference.
Thats a good ideal. I think I will "prep" each round with a paint marker, so that when I check the 5th, I can have an obvious visual. I wont be doing groups, just rapid, controled fire at a silhoutte target. I will prob go with 5 yards from target. I will post pics. :)
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perfect!
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I also would be interested in the results as well.
If you have access to a dial caliper, it might be beneficial to get before and after measurements on the unfired rounds.
Thanks and welcome to the forum, glad to have you aboard.
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I carry BB 158 gr. LSWCHP in my 649 and have no problems with them. If you get a chance shoot them at night; the claim about reduced muzzle flash is true. After shooting them with my 649, which is a SS model, I was convinced shooting these rounds in an Airweight would not be a good idea for me; but to each his own I suppose.
I chronographed the rounds and they were within advertised velocities, which I posted the results here:
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=12846.0
Good luck!
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I apologize M58, what I meant by wear is that shooting +P's out of any titanium/scandium frame revolver is said to speed up the process of wearing out, or "loosening" up of the parts on them. It is what ive been seeing, or reading, in my research. Ive carried and shot J-frames for years myself, and have never seen this happen, but.......
My biggest issue is the bullet coming un-seated. I have never seen this happen in any ammo I have used, and ive carried this particular weapon for 7 years now, and probably put 2500 rounds through it. But I have read that it has happened with the "hot" 158 gr +P BB stuff. I ordered 2 boxes, so im gonna see for myself. As a test im gonna load 5, shoot 4 fast, and check the 5th. Im gonna do that through both boxes. 40 rounds isnt a lot of ammo to do a test with, but if I make it through 2 boxes with no issues, I would feel comfy carrying this round.
Thanks for the help guys, any other info would be appreciated also.
As long as you aren't going beyond what the gun is rated you'll be ok.
Don't shoot +p in a .38 special, and don't shoot .357 magnum in a .38 special or +p
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Thats a good ideal. I think I will "prep" each round with a paint marker, so that when I check the 5th, I can have an obvious visual. I wont be doing groups, just rapid, controled fire at a silhoutte target. I will prob go with 5 yards from target. I will post pics. :)
Bump - bsmith ever get a chance to follow up with the test?
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If there was one company I would expect to NOT have issues, it would be BB ammo. My Taurus M85 Ultra-Lite, shoots the +P or standard loads without issue. My carry rd. is Golden Sabre 124gr. +P's, or the 158gr Winchester JHP's. The recoil difference is night and day, and for a SD snub, at 3-5yds, the standard Winchesters, work for me...
The cantalope test at 5yds. was enough to me. :o
Welcome to DRTV, keep us posted. and post some pics.
tw
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Just so happens my local Sportsman's Warehouse has started carrying BB - If nothing else I can grab a paint marker and try it out my self.
Also have a caliper somewhere I may be able to dig out and measure with.
If nothing else, I'm going to get a box of their +P and the standard pressure to try.