I've heard everything from one end of the spectrum to the other regarding Buffalo Bore and I've checked out the website repeatedly. I haven't shot any but am considering the 255 gr. hard cast .44 magnum load and the 180 gr. hard cast load for my .357. I know some of you probably use it regularly, any thoughts one way or the other regarding BB? The guns I have in mind for it are a S&W Model 29 4" (pre "endurance package") and a Super Black Hawk 4 5/8" for the .44, and a S&W Model 19 2 1/2" for the .357 load. Not for a steady diet but for fly fishing & camping/hiking trips into black bear and mountain lion habitat. May even consider some .454 loads for my Ruger Toklat.

I think you hear that about any premium grade handgun ammo from time to time, I know I've heard it before to. I've never shot any Buffalo Bore ammo so I can't say first hand but it's been around for a long time, somebody (Tim Sundles) must be doing something right.
Not sure I'd want to shoot much of it through an early model S&W, but the Ruger should be fine. As for the model 19 you might be better off letting the bear attack you than you would be running a cylinder full of those hot 180's through it!!!!!

Dick

I have shot a lot of the 180gr hardcast buffalo bore in a previous 627 Performance Center with 5" barrel and a Freedom Arms model 97 with a 5.5" barrel. Great ammo, burns very clean, very powerful but not a lot of muzzle flash. I use it in a Ruger GP100 3" barrel for woods carry when I use that gun and tend to practice with the Remington HTP 180 grain which is about 250fps slower. Out of my 3" barrel I would guess I am getting about 1300FPS with the Buffalo Bore and can handle it fine double action.

I am shooting the BB 158 grain jhc in my CVS Scout 357 mag pistol for deer hunting this year. I am getting a little over 1900 fps with the 14 inch barrel and hood performance in water jugs at 50 yards

I would choose the 44 every day and twice on Sunday.
Model 19 strength issues aside the 44 is a more powerful round, by a big margin, to even a hot loaded .357. Any interaction with game that will require the use of your handgun is likely to be at pretty close range so any potential ballistic advantage a flatter shooting .357 gives is pretty much going to be a mute point when at "me to the bear" distances.

Factor in the the fact that your Model 19 is not likely to put up with those hot 180gr'ers and I think your choice is pretty well set.

Your pre-endurance 29 shouldn't have an issue with a few cylinders full of the 255gr bullets.

Not to jump in front of Dick, but the Model 19s were known to have issues with cracking forcing cones. The 586/686 L frames were a redesign to better handle the stresses of the heavy recoiling loads and had noticeably thicker forcing cones.

In short, don't feed a Model 19 hot loads.

98Redline nailed it! Buffalo Bore ammo is some hot stuff & the only way you get there is with high pressure. A model 19 is better suited a more moderate 357 magnum load or pretty soon you're going to have a loose gun or as mentioned a cracked forcing cone.
Better to go with the Ruger 44 magnum if you want to shoot toasty loads. The S&W will digest a few of them from time to time but there are better choices than one of the early guns.

Dick

The Buffalo Bore 44 Mag 255 Hardcast GC suppose to be within SAAMI Specs on pressure. Or at least that is what the website says. It is not jacked up over SAAMI Specs.

I've been using buffalo bore handgun ammo (45 colt, 44 mag, and recently 454) for several years with great results. Just follow his guidelines for the higher pressure loads.

l believe Smith & Wesson solved the forcing cone issue with their

latest version of the MODEL 19... l think they lengthened the frame

opening bit to allow for a barrel without an angle cut at the breech end