Buffalo Bore Ammunition 38 Special +P Outdoorsman: The Ultimate Backcountry Defense Load

For adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals who demand uncompromising stopping power and deep penetration from their .38 Special or .357 Magnum firearms, the Buffalo Bore Ammunition 20H/20 Outdoorsman 38 Special +P 158 grain Hard Cast (HC) load stands as a definitive solution. This isn't just another box of ammunition; it's a meticulously engineered cartridge designed to solve critical challenges faced in the wild, offering a potent blend of velocity, bullet integrity, and low-light performance.

Who Needs This Ammunition and What Problem Does It Solve?

This specialized load from Buffalo Bore Ammunition is tailored for a very specific audience and set of circumstances. Are you someone who:

• Spends time hiking, camping, fishing, or hunting in areas where dangerous wildlife (such as black bears, cougars, or even alligators) might be present?
• Carries a lightweight, compact .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver as a primary or backup self-defense tool in the backcountry?
• Seeks a deep-penetrating round capable of reaching vital organs or central nervous systems of formidable threats, even through tough hide or bone?
• Requires ammunition that performs reliably in low-light conditions without compromising your night vision?
• Owns a smaller, alloy-framed revolver and is concerned about issues like "crimp jump" under recoil?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Buffalo Bore Ammunition 38 Special +P 158 gr Hard Cast Outdoorsman load is engineered precisely for your needs. It addresses the critical requirement for superior penetration against threats where expansion is less important than driving deep into the target to incapacitate it effectively. Traditional hollow points, while excellent for human threats, often lack the necessary penetration for larger, tougher-skinned animals or in situations where bone barriers are present. This Hard Cast load ensures that your shot counts, delivering its energy precisely where it's needed most.

Engineered for Extreme Penetration: The Hard Cast Advantage

At the heart of the Buffalo Bore Ammunition Outdoorsman load is its 158 grain Hard Cast (HC) bullet. This isn't your standard lead bullet; it's a precisely crafted projectile designed for maximum penetration and minimal deformation upon impact.

What is a Hard Cast Bullet and Why Does It Matter for Outdoor Defense?

A Hard Cast bullet is typically made from a much harder lead alloy than traditional swaged lead bullets. This increased hardness prevents significant mushrooming or fragmentation, which is crucial when dealing with threats that have thick hides, heavy bone structures, or dense muscle. Instead of expanding and expending all its energy near the surface, a hard cast bullet maintains its shape, cutting a consistent wound channel as it drives deep, maximizing the chances of reaching vital organs or the central nervous system.

The "flat nosed" design of this specific 158 gr Hard Cast bullet further enhances its effectiveness. While many bullets have a rounded or pointed profile, a flat nose ensures that the bullet transfers its energy more efficiently from the very start of its impact, while still allowing for straight-line penetration without tumbling. This combination of hardness and nose profile allows this .38 Special +P load to achieve what many might consider astonishing feats for its caliber, such as full penetration of a gator or a bear in the head, even from a compact 2-inch barrel. This capability underscores its utility as a potent defense against large, aggressive animals encountered in the wild.

Unleashing Power: Ballistics and Performance

Buffalo Bore Ammunition is renowned for pushing the envelope of cartridge performance, and the 20H/20 Outdoorsman load is no exception. This .38 Special +P offering delivers impressive muzzle velocity and energy figures that translate directly into real-world effectiveness.

• Muzzle Velocity: 1250 feet per second (fps)
• Muzzle Energy: 548 foot-pounds (ft-lbs)

These figures are significant for a .38 Special +P, approaching the lower end of .357 Magnum performance, demonstrating Buffalo Bore's commitment to maximizing the cartridge's potential. The high velocity ensures that the hard cast bullet maintains its trajectory and kinetic energy, driving deep into the target. The substantial muzzle energy provides the necessary force to facilitate this deep penetration, making it an excellent choice when dealing with dangerous game where outright stopping power through depth is paramount. Whether it's for self-defense against four-legged threats on a remote trail or as a potent backup in a hunting scenario, the ballistics of this load deliver confidence.

Designed for Versatility and Reliability: Firearm Compatibility

One of the standout features of this Buffalo Bore Ammunition load is its broad compatibility across a range of modern firearms. It is specifically engineered to be safe to shoot in all .38 Special and .357 Magnum firearms of modern design in normal operating condition. This means that whether you carry a dedicated .38 Special revolver or a .357 Magnum that can also chamber .38 Special rounds, you can confidently utilize this powerful ammunition.

Addressing the "Crimp Jump" Challenge in Lightweight Revolvers

A common concern with powerful loads fired from very lightweight alloy revolvers (those weighing around 11-12 oz.) is "crimp jump." This phenomenon occurs when the bullet begins to pull out of the casing under the extreme forces of recoil, potentially binding the cylinder and rendering the firearm inoperable. Buffalo Bore Ammunition has meticulously engineered the 20H/20 Outdoorsman load to mitigate this risk.

Through precise manufacturing techniques and a robust crimp, this load is designed to prevent crimp jump, ensuring reliable feeding and firing, provided you do not subject an unfired round to more than 5 or 6 firings. This caution is specific to the most extreme lightweight revolvers, recognizing that repeated exposure to severe recoil without being fired can eventually lead to issues. For those using all-steel guns, even short-barreled ones, crimp jump is generally not an issue due to the increased weight of the firearm absorbing more recoil energy. This attention to detail highlights Buffalo Bore's understanding of real-world firearm dynamics and their dedication to producing reliable ammunition for various platforms.

The Tactical Edge: Flash Retardant Powder

When navigating the wilderness or facing a threat in low-light conditions, maintaining your night vision and situational awareness is paramount. Many standard ammunition loads produce a significant muzzle flash, which can be disorienting and temporarily blind the shooter, especially in dim environments. The Buffalo Bore Ammunition Outdoorsman load addresses this critical factor by utilizing a specialized flash retardant powder.

This advanced powder formulation significantly reduces the visible muzzle flash upon firing. Why is this important?

• Preserves Night Vision: A large flash can severely degrade your adapted night vision, making follow-up shots or threat assessment difficult in darkness.
• Maintains Situational Awareness: Without a blinding flash, you can better observe the environment, the target's reaction, and potential additional threats.
• Concealment: Reduced flash also makes your position less obvious to others, whether it be an animal or a human adversary.

Given that wildlife and criminals often become more active when darkness falls, having ammunition that minimizes muzzle flash is a tactical advantage that could prove vital in a critical self-defense scenario. This thoughtful inclusion elevates the 20H/20 Outdoorsman from merely a powerful round to a truly reliable defense tool for any time of day or night.

Beyond the Numbers: Real-World Applications and Trust

While specifications and ballistic data are crucial, the true value of Buffalo Bore Ammunition lies in its real-world application and the trust it instills in its users. This 38 Special +P 158 gr Hard Cast load is specifically formulated for:

• Backcountry Protection: Ideal for hikers, backpackers, campers, and anyone exploring remote areas where encounters with aggressive wildlife are a possibility.
• Hunting Sidearm: A formidable backup for hunters, capable of dispatching wounded game or deterring larger threats.
• Rural Home Defense: For those in less populated areas, where potential threats might include both human and animal intruders, this deep-penetrating round offers robust capability.
• Law Enforcement Backup: Some professionals may find this load suitable for backup revolvers when deep penetration is prioritized.

Buffalo Bore Ammunition has built a sterling reputation for producing high-performance, purpose-built ammunition. Their "Strictly Business" series, under which this Outdoorsman load falls, signifies a no-nonsense approach to terminal performance and reliability. Every box is a testament to rigorous quality control and a commitment to providing serious cartridges for serious situations. When your safety in the great outdoors is on the line, choosing ammunition known for its reliability, power, and deep penetration, like the Buffalo Bore Ammunition 20H/20 Outdoorsman, provides an unparalleled sense of security.

Conclusion: Your Reliable Partner in the Wild

The Buffalo Bore Ammunition 20H/20 Outdoorsman 38 Special +P 158 grain Hard Cast (HC) ammunition represents a pinnacle of defensive and hunting performance for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum calibers. It is meticulously designed to offer superior deep penetration, crucial for stopping dangerous game, while ensuring reliable function even in challenging firearm platforms like lightweight revolvers. With its flash retardant powder for low-light efficacy and a hard flat-nosed bullet engineered for maximum terminal effect, this load is an indispensable tool for anyone venturing into the wilderness or seeking potent self-defense. Trust Buffalo Bore Ammunition to deliver the performance you need when it matters most.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Buffalo Bore Ammunition
Model	Outdoorsman
Caliber	38 Special +P
Bullet Type	Hard Cast (HC)
Bullet Weight	158 gr
Muzzle Velocity	1250 fps
Muzzle Energy	548 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	12
Casing Material	Brass
Application	Hunting, Outdoor Defense
MPN	20H20
UPC	651815020280