P380 firing Buffalo Bore and WW Ranger T

[wyntrout]

Ok, I videoed firing my P380 with S&B 92-gr FMJ, Buffalo Bore 90-gr JHP +P, Buffalo Bore 95-gr FMJ Flat Point +P, and Winchester Ranger T ammo.
Lots of pictures... freeze-frames from the video with my widdle Canon.

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34182547@N04/sets/72157626903604884/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/5806297437_716ce03eb0_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5806862614_e6aeba066f_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/5806865532_57477d61e5_b.jpg
BB 90-gr JHP +P, a real power house... for .380 ACP. :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/5806864632_4c8c9bb3ac_b.jpg
BB 95-gr FMJ Flat Point +P, a very stout penetrator for heavy clothing.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/5806863588_957f96a143_b.jpg
Winchester Ranger T 95-gr JHP... a very good performer for .380 and has the lowest flash and recoil... not punishing to shoot like the Buffalo Bore.

I'll try to get the rest uploaded as quickly as possible. There are some super pix of flashes.

[wyntrout]

First the Sellier and Bellot made in the Czech Republic. This is the ammo I use for range fodder and it seems to perform well. I've shot probably close to 1000 rounds with only a few hard primers... I guess... another tap usually gets them on the way.

One thing to watch for if you're new to this ammo, is that the box has TWO trays of 25 cartridges and you migh be expecting to catch the rear of a longer tray and wind up with 25 or so loose rounds on the floor.:eek:

I include this ammo for comparison with the defense stuff.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2084/5806861512_cbf835dc9d_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5806861938_6b7b5105c8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/5806303203_48a7cfe377_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/5806303687_cbcb75ffbf_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

Okay, now on to the firing with the S&B:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5806432865_14e97142ae_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5193/5806996620_3e4befcfb8_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/5806997158_94a4c43738_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5806997678_06fe233657_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/5806997814_233d42faef_b.jpg

I've had no real problems with this ammo for range use.

[wyntrout]

Now some bright stuff... the Buffalo Bore 90-grain JHP. This is a bonded round and some versions are the Speer Gold Dot 90-gr bullets, and they are pretty stout. It's the highest performance ammo tried in the P380:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/380auto2010.html

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/5806464543_0e5735077e_b.jpg
Powerful and really kicks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/5806464849_4588998ea3_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/5806464691_51f758492f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/5806465049_440a68143a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/5807029308_7457cdef5f_b.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/5807029462_fe3755141e_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5157/5807072008_6685b7420e_b.jpg
Now the BB 95-grain FMJ Flat point +P which was #2 at the top of the chart with the #1 90-gr JHP in Ballistics by the Inch testing last year:http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/mepngs/380auto2010.png
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/5807070816_2db17b445a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/5806506993_ff92187546_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/5806507297_c59667acfb_b.jpg
A bit of burning powder bits here.

[wyntrout]

And finally, the Winchester Ranger T 95-grain JHP, a good all around performer without all of the drama of the BB. :)http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5115/5807101344_b32efbb31d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/5807101474_8b71415603_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/5807101642_7a07cf19cc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/5807102124_3c77790935_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5806538085_8c9ce8d5e0_b.jpg

[MikeyKahr]

I love the halos with the BB 95-grain FMJ Flat point +P. Excellent photography, Wyn!

[wyntrout]

I love fireworks... pyrotechnics... and Buffalo Bore really puts on a show.

Wynn:D

[wyntrout]

I don't have any tight groups to display, but I'll post a few targets. The target was previously used, but the 3" circle is relatively uncovered by tape.

I was in the leftmost lane and this is the 18" by 18" carboard with a paper plate at 15 yards... not my best range.:)

First mag on the second picture... S&B, I think.

Then 6 rounds on the plate at 15 yards... pretty good for me... old eyes and a hasty shooter.:D

Then at 7 yards I fired 6 rounds BB FP with one hit at 10 o'clock inside the 3" circle... THEN I fired 6 rounds of Ranger T and put all in the circle... that's a triple at 10 o'clock inside the ring. The Ranger T is much easier to shoot, which can be more accurate and effective .

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

I fired 4 mags of S&B rapid fire and put them all on the plate at 7 yards... just having fun.

Wynn:)

[jocko]

I believe after seeing that BB round in that little gun that one could also WELD with it to.!!!

[garyb]

Interesting and Great photo work. Thanks for sharing. (Side note: I like the T's too, but I have the new Critical Defense 90gr FTX's in my wife's 380. I wonder how these compare? I don't expect that she'd care for all that Buffalo Bore drama, but I'd expect them to deliver a bit more whallop.)

[wyntrout]

Those halos are so pretty! I would kind of like to have a high speed set up to get slow motion, but that's another hobby with expensive toys. I have too many costly hobbies now... to hear my wife talk.

I get 30 frames a second at 720P resolution and the flash usually only takes one frame or two. I show three sometimes to just show the recoil, but once in a while there will be like a double exposure in one frame with the flash and the raised gun as well.

With my 1911, the hammer is all the way back in the flash pictures before the slide seems to have moved.
I wouldn't mind trying more ammo, but that stuff's expensive! I'm kind of waiting to see if Speer comes out with a Short Barrel version of .380. I only have the SB version for 9mm and both for .45. The .45 ammo has different projectiles for the two versions and I don't know if the 9mm is like that.

I had some pretty wild flashes testing 9mm defense ammo, with some of that having quite the long plume and fantastic shapes... neat stuff.

Wifey's off for a few days now and I'll have to do something around here to keep her from nagging so much.:) The extra money she brings in makes a big difference in our lifestyle. It's above and beyond what we need to just get by. Without that, I couldn't go blow away $60 to $100 or more of ammo at the range whenever I feel like it... or shop online so much.

I ordered some more magazines to try... Chip McCormick Power Mag + in 8 and 10 round capacity. I also got two follower/spring kits... an 8 and a 6-7 round version to try in my collection of officer's magazines for the PM45. The Plus design is supposed to keep the follower in the tube and still engage the slide lock. I'll see. Also, it sounded good that they were safe for aluminum frames... how about POLYMER??:D

The danged 10-round Power Mag +'s were backordered... at CMC! They cost more there but the shipping is free... regular parcel post and no tax.

Wynn:)

[Bill K]

Outstanding work! Thanks.

The flat nose BB round would make an awesome SD round for those favoring FMJ for their pocket .380s. I believe that winter clothing can mess up the ability for even the best .380 hollow point rounds to expand. Maybe Hornady CD remedies this issue?

Bill K.

[garyb]

Maybe Hornady CD remedies this issue?

Hornady makes that claim. On their web site the show this in their videos. It's all about marketing, but who knows.....

[jocko]

hornady cd and corbon power ball are very similar. I shoot the power ball in my P380, for one reason of excellent feeding..

[jlottmc]

Ya know, if you could get in tight on just the muzzle flash, you might be able to sell prints of that as art. Might even make a killing.

[wyntrout]

Like that guy that stands in the big waves and takes photos in, under, over, or through the waves and water... professionally, now... was a hobby.

There's kind of a limit at a "public" range, though. :D

Some flashes are really interesting and could easily be "art"... beauty being "in the eye of the beholder". I just wouldn't want any of that stuff in MY eyes. :D

I would like to try some shots forward of the blast looking back, but impossible at the range... something about safety and all. :rolleyes:

Wife's off... and OFF shopping... her "hobby", I guess. Mine is accomplished mostly sitting here at the keyboard. It's amazing how much stuff I can get... and so quickly... and still sitting around... laying around.:rolleyes:

Seriously, I think I have enough polos and Tees for CCW now. I must have spent $700 and bought 50 to 60 shirts during my "spree". I had to replace all of those that had gotten too short and too wide!

These Cabela's polos sell for $14.99 and I got them for $11.99... buying a dozen. They are huge and don't shrink! It's the substantial Pique Polo Shirt. I'm 5' 8" and about 179 lbs with ~40" chest and ~38" waist, and these things are voluminous! My sleeves are 32/33"... for arm length, not the polos. :D

They don't shrink, either, so don't order too large! I can even hide my 1911 in these.

Wynn:)

[Ljutic]

Great pictures Wynn. Really liked the post. Try some Remington/UMC 88 grain HPs sometime. I've never tried BB yet, but those Remington/UMCs light up my life.

[wyntrout]

Thanks. I tried to answer earlier but got a server error 503?? Of course I lost whatever message I had already typed! I hate when I do that and it's my fault, this is server error sucks!

I finally got one of my "dream guns" over a decade ago... the Walther PPK/S (Interarms SS) and it favored 95-grain bullets over 88-grains, shooting POI=POA, but not with the lighter, so I just used 95-grainers until I sold the gun... danged biting slide! I wouldn't carry with it... just the TPH, but rimfires can get unreliable with carry and I finally got a decent center-fire CCW... the PM9, then the PM45, and now the P380. I've been carrying the others lately, but the P380 is usually on me otherwise... or close at hand as I move around the house.
I just love that little gun. It does give me a pain in the right hip/butt area... pinching a nerve or something.

I moved it to the left side once and as I was leaning over it spilled out for its second trip to the kitchen tile floor... this time without the UM IWB holster! No harm so far... got to stop that!

Anyhow, I'm happy with the Ranger T for most occasions and have the two BB's for more power and/or penetration, as needed. I've seen a lot of testing with it online and the others as well. Even the Powerball and Critical Defense don't always perform as designed and advertised.

Wynn:)

[Ljutic]

Sorry, I didn't mean for carry. If you were inclined to go for more "big fire" pictures, the Remingtons are a real stand out.

[wyntrout]

Oh! :D No, I wasn't specifically after bright stuff... just testing the stuff I have for relative brightness. It's spectacular sometimes with the freeze-frames. I would love to try closer to and forward of the muzzle, but that's not going to happen at the indoor range... something about safety. :D

Walmart might have some of that stuff. I think the UMC I have is 95-grain.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Wow! Just went to hickok45's site... Ruger SR1911 demolishing a block wall... fun from the front and the side... video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45#p/u/11/FaZyLKP9Q-Y

Wynn:D

[Bawanna]

That does look like fun don't it. Makes me want a Ruger even more.

[wyntrout]

It's hard to beat a good 1911 .45 and I want to add a 5" eventually, but I think my Champion 4" is just right, size-wise.

At the last gun show, I was really looking for something and what I found was the stainless Springfield Milspec frame(no ambi-safety) with the rounded mainspring housing, and the slide from another model with the adjustable or Novak NS would be just about perfect... sounding like an extra-cost custom model, though.

Maybe Ruger will offer more options later... or Auto Ordnance.

Storming a bit here now... knocking out my Internet and my DISH TV... about 1/3 inch of rain so far... after watering and moving hoses all night!! We can use the rain, though. I wish that Arizona and New Mexico would get a few inches for those fires!

We've had some big ones south of us in Flagler county, too... been seeing the smoke and smelling it a lot the last week... pretty big fire.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Dang! The power is cycling on and off... hooray for all of my UPS's. I don't want to have to fire up the generator... might get wet! Lightning close, too.

I was going to go shopping... tent sale at Harbor Freight... probably blown away... and then Northern Tool... sale there, too, but may abort and stay home. I'm doing some wash, too. I can't wait to see how this batch of colored clothes came out. I put a couple of new RED T-shirts in there. It might be an OOPS! I didn't throw any light stuff in there, though... like my wife's undies. She likes hers the original white... me, too... mine, that is... well, hers, too. :D

I looked to see whose thread I was hijacking before starting this post... Mine... though off the topic. :rolleyes:

Wynn:)

[TominCA]

Thanks for the test! I tried some of the BB +P in my P380 and you could really tell it was more powerful!

[wyntrout]

It's definitely impressive and should impress the BG's.

Wynn:)

[Optimus]

Wyn -Do you carry the Buffalo Bore stuff? If not why and your Thoughts on BB stuff?

What do you carry in your P380?

[wyntrout]

I'm not carrying it at the moment, but it's okay... probably the most powerful .380 round you can get. I can't remember if it's bonded, though. I still have a few boxes of the 90-gr JHP +P and I bought a bunch of the 95-gr FMJ flat point +P to carry for better penetration with winter clothing up north.

I've been carrying the Winchester 95-gr Ranger T. It's standard pressure without the recoil and brighter flash and it shoots a lot easier, though there's nothing wrong with the BB.

We're flying to Colorado... just east of Durango for Christmas and I think I'm just going to carry my PM45 so I can show off "Boomer" to my brothers-in-law. I would like to have a choice... P380, as well, but if I have to just carry one, I want the .45 out there. the critters get bigger out there than here in Florida... excepting the 'gators here. They have a lot more bears... and bigger ones... and mountain lions... not in the city, either.

Wynn:)

[Optimus]

Cool, thanks.

Side note - How do you carry when you fly? You ship the gun out there or go through the Airline procedures for transportation?

[wyntrout]

I haven't, yet, but the last trip out to SW Colorado, I asked the lady at check-in because I was somewhat confused by the hard-cased requirement. Either your bag must be hard-shelled and locked or you can put a hard case inside your baggage. It has to be separately locked... NON-TSA lock, by the way... only you have the key or combination.

I got a metal mini-safe and have some pix I'll post. I plan to carry my PM45 and probably 4 boxes of FMJ... maybe less... we're allowed to carry up to 11 pounds of ammo in its original packaging or in magazines enclosed in a case... bullets not visible. The ammo can't be in the same case as the gun, but can be in the same piece of baggage. The gun should be unloaded and be prepared to show this to the check-in clerk, before locking up the gun's case. Don't arrive too late, in case there's a delay getting your bag checked. There is a great need for tact... don't say loudly, "I have a gun". You might not make your flight on time. :D

There's a chance you'll have to open and show that the gun is unloaded when the baggage handlers x-ray and see a gun. So leave your cell number on the bag and be ready for a call. You would think they could tell with an x-ray that there's no bullet in the gun.:rolleyes:

These safes run about $20 to $35, depending on what locking system and where you purchase the Travel Safe. One full-sized 1911 will fit... my S&W 645 5" fit, OR, any TWO Kahrs will fit... just leave room for the locking mechanism... where I put a piece of yellow PostIT to show the space needed. Note the inexpensive, but very functional bike tube (1.75") grip covers. They work and don't detract from the looks.

I plan on using the included cable to lock the safe to the luggage bag's steel post spine. I might take the barrel out and put the trigger lock on it as well. I have some of those water-tight plastic cases like Pelican or others sell, that I'll put the ammo in, along with maybe a few loaded mags in their holders.

Check your airlines requirements and the relevant TSA or Federal website and the rules, etc. there. Some others who HAVE done this will probably be better able to answer questions.

I'll try to post what I found:

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=70


http://www.nraila.org/issues/factsheets/read.aspx?id=169&issue=009


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm


American Airlines:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/firearms.jsp

Wynn:)

[Optimus]

Cool deal, thanks.