Understanding the Power Players
The world of firearms and self-defense is constantly evolving. From advancements in firearm technology to the ever-growing selection of ammunition, shooters are faced with a myriad of choices. When it comes to protecting yourself, your loved ones, or when pursuing game, the ammunition you choose is absolutely critical. It’s the final piece of the puzzle, the link between you and the desired outcome. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparison of two titans of high-performance ammunition: Underwood Ammunition and Buffalo Bore. Both companies have carved out significant niches in the market by focusing on delivering superior power, penetration, and overall performance. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison, helping you navigate the often-confusing landscape of ammunition choices and determine which brand is the best fit for your specific needs.
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of performance, it’s helpful to understand the philosophies that drive Underwood Ammunition and Buffalo Bore. Both brands share a commitment to quality, but they approach the task with slightly different perspectives.
Underwood Ammunition has a reputation for its relentless pursuit of innovation. They focus on creating cutting-edge loads utilizing premium components and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. They strive to offer a wide range of options across various calibers and bullet types. Their approach is often characterized by a desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible with existing cartridges, optimizing performance through careful load development and component selection. They are also known for their commitment to providing very detailed information regarding the specifications of their rounds.
Buffalo Bore, on the other hand, often emphasizes a more traditional, yet powerful, approach. Their founder, a passionate handloader, created the company to fill a need for heavy, hard-hitting loads. They are renowned for their dedication to deep penetration and consistent performance, particularly in situations where stopping power is paramount. They often focus on creating loads that are specifically designed for specific applications, like bear defense or hunting large game. They generally emphasize ruggedness and reliability, with the focus being on delivering the maximum potential of a given cartridge.
The Science of Stopping Power: Performance and Testing Methods
Understanding ammunition performance necessitates understanding how it’s measured. While “stopping power” is a complex concept, the key metrics used to evaluate ammunition are velocity, energy, penetration, and expansion. Each of these contributes to the overall effectiveness of a round.
Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore publish data on their ammunition, but it’s crucial to understand how these measurements are obtained. The most common method to measure velocity is with a chronograph, a device that measures the time it takes for a bullet to travel a set distance. Energy is calculated from the bullet’s mass and velocity. Penetration is typically measured in ballistic gel, a synthetic substance that simulates the density of living tissue, allowing the bullet to be recovered and the penetration depth measured. Expansion is another vital element, especially for self-defense rounds. This refers to how the bullet expands upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and transferring energy more effectively.
Comparing ammunition performance directly from each company’s website and/or their published data is a starting point. However, factors like barrel length, environmental conditions, and the specific testing protocols used can influence the numbers. Ideally, you’d consult independent tests conducted by reputable firearms publications or independent reviewers. Look for consistent testing methodologies and realistic comparisons to get a true sense of the performance you can expect.
A Deep Dive into Popular Calibers: Underwood vs. Buffalo Bore in Action
Let’s examine how Underwood and Buffalo Bore stack up in some of the most popular calibers. We’ll examine examples of their popular ammunition offerings, emphasizing the key performance characteristics of each.
The .45 ACP Arena
The .45 ACP is a classic cartridge, known for its effectiveness in self-defense. Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore offer compelling loads for this caliber.
Underwood’s offerings in .45 ACP often feature bullets like the Xtreme Defender or Xtreme Hunter. These bullets are known for their solid copper construction, designed for controlled expansion, excellent penetration, and a large wound cavity. This can translate to impressive energy transfer and effective stopping power. Underwood typically pushes these bullets to higher velocities than standard .45 ACP loads.
Buffalo Bore’s .45 ACP loads are often focused on achieving deep penetration, often using heavy-for-caliber bullets, or jacketed hollow point (JHP) designs. These loads prioritize reliable expansion and the ability to defeat barriers. Buffalo Bore loads often feature a heavy emphasis on maximizing the power of the .45 ACP cartridge. The goal is to push the bullet to the very edge of what the cartridge can handle.
The Ten-Millimeter Auto Showdown
The ten-millimeter Auto is a powerhouse cartridge that offers incredible performance, especially when loaded to its potential. Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore are known for producing exceptional 10mm Auto loads.
Underwood’s 10mm Auto offerings are often at the forefront of performance, with a wide range of bullet weights and types. Underwood frequently partners with bullet manufacturers to create custom loads designed for maximum velocity and optimal performance. Their loads are often tested extensively to ensure they meet their stringent standards.
Buffalo Bore’s 10mm Auto loads are often focused on achieving maximum penetration and devastating terminal performance. They offer several options, including heavy, hard-cast bullets, designed to penetrate deeply, or powerful jacketed hollow point loads, optimized for expansion and energy transfer. Buffalo Bore often aims to make the ten-millimeter a near-magnum class cartridge.
The Nine-Millimeter Luger Duel
The nine-millimeter Luger is a widely-used cartridge for self-defense, favored for its balance of power, manageability, and availability.
Underwood’s 9mm loads feature advanced bullet designs. The Xtreme Defender is a notable example. Its solid copper construction allows the bullet to be driven at high velocities, while its unique fluted design creates a large wound cavity. They also offer traditional jacketed hollow point designs, optimized for reliable expansion and energy transfer.
Buffalo Bore’s 9mm loads often emphasize deep penetration and consistent performance. Buffalo Bore offers several different bullet weights and bullet constructions, to give the shooter a wide variety of choices.
Bullet Design and Construction: The Core of the Matter
The design and construction of the bullet is at the heart of any ammunition’s performance. Underwood and Buffalo Bore take different approaches to achieve their desired results.
Underwood frequently utilizes bullets made from solid copper or advanced alloys, with innovative designs like the Xtreme Defender. These bullets are designed to achieve controlled expansion, deep penetration, and a large wound channel. The solid copper construction eliminates jacket-core separation, which can affect performance. This provides greater structural integrity and increased weight retention for maximum energy transfer.
Buffalo Bore often uses hard-cast lead bullets, particularly in hunting and bear defense loads. These bullets are exceptionally resistant to deformation and can penetrate deeply through tough materials like bone and muscle. They also offer jacketed hollow point designs, with careful attention to achieving reliable expansion and energy transfer. Buffalo Bore often aims to get the most amount of penetration from the ammunition.
Caliber Variety: What’s Available on the Shelf?
The availability of different calibers is a key factor when choosing ammunition. Both manufacturers offer a wide range, but there are differences to consider.
Underwood Ammunition typically produces ammunition for many popular calibers, and has a good selection of more obscure calibers as well. Their commitment to innovation often leads them to develop loads for new and emerging calibers. This breadth of choices makes Underwood a solid choice for many shooters.
Buffalo Bore’s focus sometimes leans towards a select group of calibers, particularly those where they feel they can maximize performance. Buffalo Bore has a deep interest in cartridges like the ten-millimeter and a strong following. They are also notable for their offerings in more specialized calibers, such as those designed for bear defense.
Cost vs. Value: Investing in Performance
High-performance ammunition often comes with a premium price tag. Understanding the cost versus the value is important when making your choice.
Underwood Ammunition’s ammunition typically comes with a higher price tag compared to many standard factory loads. However, shooters often find the increased performance justifies the expense. The use of high-quality components, combined with the advanced manufacturing processes, result in superior performance, and that often comes at a price.
Buffalo Bore Ammunition is also priced at a premium, but its reputation for extreme performance and reliability frequently makes it the preferred choice for those who need absolute confidence in their ammunition. Buffalo Bore does not sacrifice performance for price, so a higher price tag is often the result.
It’s important to weigh the cost against your specific needs and expectations. The added performance of premium ammunition may be well worth it for self-defense, hunting, or other applications where reliability and stopping power are paramount.
Applications and Recommendations: Putting it All Together
The ideal ammunition choice depends on your specific application.
For self-defense, Underwood offers outstanding results with its Xtreme Defender and similar rounds, providing a balance of penetration and expansion. Buffalo Bore can be a fantastic choice as well, with a greater focus on penetration and reliability.
For hunting, both brands offer loads tailored to specific game animals, from whitetail deer to larger game. Consider factors like penetration and bullet expansion for your target game.
For bear defense, Buffalo Bore is often a preferred choice due to its emphasis on heavy-for-caliber bullets and deep penetration.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary
Underwood Ammunition
Pros: Innovative bullet designs, wide range of calibers, excellent performance metrics, well-supported by testing data, and a strong reputation for quality.
Cons: Premium price, and the selection can be overwhelming.
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
Pros: Exceptional performance, a strong emphasis on penetration and power, and a reputation for reliability.
Cons: Typically higher price point, and sometimes a slightly less diverse selection of calibers.
The Bottom Line: Choosing Your Ammunition
In the end, the choice between Underwood and Buffalo Bore depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the following:
Your primary use: Self-defense, hunting, or target shooting?
The specific caliber you’re using.
Your budget.
Your tolerance for recoil.
Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore are leaders in the high-performance ammunition market. Underwood is known for its dedication to innovation, while Buffalo Bore is revered for its focus on extreme power. By carefully evaluating the performance data, bullet designs, and your own specific requirements, you can confidently choose the ammunition that will best meet your needs.
Remember to always prioritize safety and proper handling of firearms and ammunition. Conduct thorough research, and practice responsible gun ownership at all times.
