Buffalo Bore .44 +P+ for Deer/Elk

RickE · September 24, 2012, 08:17 PM

Can anyone report back after an actual kill when using the BB 340gr +P+ out of a handgun? Any/all details appreciated.

tahunua001 · September 24, 2012, 11:45 PM

I would exorcise caution while shooting it. I've heard(but never confirmed) that buffalo bore, being designed more for rifles than handguns can cause serious issues with most revolvers, S&Ws in particulars. Ruger Black hawks are supposed to be ok with them but never heard anything about vaqueros.

standard 44 is good for deer but I would have serious doubts about it for elk unless you can poke it out your back door and shoot one in your yard.

publius · October 1, 2012, 03:17 PM

I shoot BB's occasionally out of my S&W 629. They will not blow up your gun. The smith is not as strong as the Ruger so it will wear out much faster if heavy loads are used but a few every once in a while is no big deal. They would not sell them if they would cause a catastrophic failure. I have killed whitetail w/ the BB and it works just fine. Yea, I know, overkill for deer.

Zorro · October 3, 2012, 05:06 AM

S&W makes Artistically Refined Guns. But they are not Ruger Strong.

BB Suicide Overloads are for Ruger Super black Hawks and Super Red Hawks Only.

They are designed to withstand a 200% overloaded cartridge.

S&W has slicker revolvers but they are NOT designed for anything more than factory Loads.

Pond, James Pond · October 3, 2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

BB Suicide Overloads are for Ruger Super black Hawks and Super Red Hawks Only.

Is the fine Redhawk standard not including in that list?

(typed with hopeful anticipation)

Edward429451 · October 3, 2012, 10:34 AM

Redhawks are on the list. Wont be fun to shoot with those loads but wont hurt it.

jmortimer · October 3, 2012, 11:53 AM

The Buffalo Bore +P+ .44 mag is some crazy insane power. Since a "regular" Buffalo Bore .44 mag will easily take an Elk, or anything else for that matter, it will work for sure. With a hard cast bullet and a large meplat, you are going to shoot through the Elk on a broadside and probably will go from stem to stern. Like Elmer Keith said, you want two holes.

Pond, James Pond · October 3, 2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Redhawks are on the list.

When I read that my love of the Redhawk took a big step toward plain old "worship".

feets · October 4, 2012, 12:08 AM

You don't need +P+ to get the job done. All you'll do is beat your S&W and yourself mercilessly.
Keep it to short handgun range and you'll be fine with a more sensible load. Be prepared to pass up the trophy bull because he was too far for a reasonable handgun shot.

As for the guns that will sustain that kind of load, you're looking at the full size Blackhawk/Vaquero (NOT the SAA size New Model Vaquero), Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Freedom Arms revolvers, and the Contender/Encore platforms.

As for the Super Blackhawk mentioned above, it's fine too. After all, it's nothing more than a Blackhawk with a larger grip frame. The actual gun frame is the same as the non-Super Blackhawk.

Pond, James Pond · October 4, 2012, 01:40 AM

So a number of members have reported back saying that +P+ is excessive or unwarranted. The OP also mentioned a 340gr bullet.

Is that also overkill? What would be the minimum or ideal weight to get the job done? (if this is not straying from the initial question too much

)

Edward429451 · October 4, 2012, 09:45 AM

In my opinion, yes. I think 300 gr bullet is plenty excessive enough for a 44 Mag. I have a load that drives a 300 gr boolit to 1401 fps and shooting it shows me that I really don't need it, or at least at 1400. The 245 gr bullet will do alot more than people give it credit for. At times I thnk even the 300s are in all practicality, unneeded. Just a little added insurance.

YMMV, but I doubt it.

feets · October 4, 2012, 09:13 PM

Yes, that bullet weight is excessive. If you can punch a 240 grain bullet through something what difference will it make if you make the bullet longer with more weight?

September 24, 2012, 08:17 PM	#1
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 491	Buffalo Bore .44 +P+ for Deer/Elk Can anyone report back after an actual kill when using the BB 340gr +P+ out of a handgun? Any/all details appreciated.

September 24, 2012, 11:45 PM	#2
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,607	I would exorcise caution while shooting it. I've heard(but never confirmed) that buffalo bore, being designed more for rifles than handguns can cause serious issues with most revolvers, S&Ws in particulars. Ruger Black hawks are supposed to be ok with them but never heard anything about vaqueros. standard 44 is good for deer but I would have serious doubts about it for elk unless you can poke it out your back door and shoot one in your yard. __________________ all guns lost in a tragic smelting accident. I never said half the crap people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin Bean counters told me I couldn't fire a man for being in a wheelchair, did it anyway. Ramps are expensive.-Cave Johnson.

October 1, 2012, 03:17 PM	#3
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,349	I shoot BB's occasionally out of my S&W 629. They will not blow up your gun. The smith is not as strong as the Ruger so it will wear out much faster if heavy loads are used but a few every once in a while is no big deal. They would not sell them if they would cause a catastrophic failure. I have killed whitetail w/ the BB and it works just fine. Yea, I know, overkill for deer. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

October 3, 2012, 10:34 AM	#6
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Redhawks are on the list. Wont be fun to shoot with those loads but wont hurt it. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

October 4, 2012, 01:40 AM	#10
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 1,607	So a number of members have reported back saying that +P+ is excessive or unwarranted. The OP also mentioned a 340gr bullet. Is that also overkill? What would be the minimum or ideal weight to get the job done? (if this is not straying from the initial question too much ) __________________ You cannot wake someone who is pretending to sleep. Stop pretending. Wake up. Doubt: ...it's the only thing I'm sure of... -Marsupials: Nature's idea of Concealed-Carry-

October 3, 2012, 05:06 AM	#4
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2000 Posts: 976	S&W makes Artistically Refined Guns. But they are not Ruger Strong. BB Suicide Overloads are for Ruger Super black Hawks and Super Red Hawks Only. They are designed to withstand a 200% overloaded cartridge. S&W has slicker revolvers but they are NOT designed for anything more than factory Loads.

October 3, 2012, 11:53 AM	#7
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	The Buffalo Bore +P+ .44 mag is some crazy insane power. Since a "regular" Buffalo Bore .44 mag will easily take an Elk, or anything else for that matter, it will work for sure. With a hard cast bullet and a large meplat, you are going to shoot through the Elk on a broadside and probably will go from stem to stern. Like Elmer Keith said, you want two holes.

October 4, 2012, 12:08 AM	#9
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 193	You don't need +P+ to get the job done. All you'll do is beat your S&W and yourself mercilessly. Keep it to short handgun range and you'll be fine with a more sensible load. Be prepared to pass up the trophy bull because he was too far for a reasonable handgun shot. As for the guns that will sustain that kind of load, you're looking at the full size Blackhawk/Vaquero (NOT the SAA size New Model Vaquero), Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Freedom Arms revolvers, and the Contender/Encore platforms. As for the Super Blackhawk mentioned above, it's fine too. After all, it's nothing more than a Blackhawk with a larger grip frame. The actual gun frame is the same as the non-Super Blackhawk.

October 4, 2012, 09:45 AM	#11
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	In my opinion, yes. I think 300 gr bullet is plenty excessive enough for a 44 Mag. I have a load that drives a 300 gr boolit to 1401 fps and shooting it shows me that I really don't need it, or at least at 1400. The 245 gr bullet will do alot more than people give it credit for. At times I thnk even the 300s are in all practicality, unneeded. Just a little added insurance. YMMV, but I doubt it. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

October 4, 2012, 09:13 PM	#12
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 193	Yes, that bullet weight is excessive. If you can punch a 240 grain bullet through something what difference will it make if you make the bullet longer with more weight?