best s.d. ammo for my 686 2.5"

lilop · #1 09-16-2009, 03:34 PM

In previous posts, I discussed a S&W 686 2.5" that I recently acquired. I have since obtained a Fist #9 holster for it, and I have spent a fair amount of time at the range with it. It is quickly becoming my go to gun for ccw. I am interested in fellow members' opinions of the best self defense ammo from the short barrel 686. I have searched, but I am still interested in recent opinions. Recoil and muzzle blast are non issues for me (don't know why, but they just don't bother me in this gun). I am merely interested in stopping the threat (human) as quickly as possible with minimum over penetration. I have also done a lot of reading on the difference between the 125 vs 158gr rounds, and I am interested in people's opinion of over penetration risks between the two. Thanks in advance!

alde · #2 09-16-2009, 04:06 PM

I carry 125 grain Hydrashocks in mine. I don't know if it's the best choice but I think it will do the job if needed.

dalewelch · #3 09-16-2009, 04:30 PM

Federal Personal Defense Handgun Cartridge
125-Grain JHP Bullet @ 1450 fps

flop-shank · #4 09-16-2009, 04:45 PM

Remington .357 125 gr. SJHP (R357M1). The noise and blast and recoil are second to none, but they whip *****. The Federal .357s Dale listed are excellent too.

photoman · #5 09-16-2009, 05:54 PM

CorBon DPX in either .38+P or .357 Magnum. Speer 125gr Gold Dot in .357 Magnum. Give those a try and see if your gun likes 'em.

#1805 · #6 09-16-2009, 06:31 PM

I use the Federal HydraShoks for everything I can get ammo for. In my .357s I prefer the 158gr bullets. That is what the cartridge was designed for and it has always seemed to work best for me. I could say I've seen this and that about the 125gr loadings but I'd be repeating myself. They work but not ALL the time.

vytoland · #7 09-16-2009, 09:58 PM

any of these will get the job done.................

Buffalo Bore Ammunition 357 Magnum 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point High Velocity Box of 20 - MidwayUSA
Buffalo Bore Ammunition 357 Magnum 158 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point High Velocity Box of 20 - MidwayUSA
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammunition 357 Magnum 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20 - MidwayUSA

sabashimon · #8 09-16-2009, 10:24 PM

I've been impressed with these
(1425 fps out of 17/8" barrel)

DoubleTap Ammunition

skeeterbait · #9 09-16-2009, 10:35 PM

Like #1805, Hydra-Shok is my choice for SD rounds in everything I carry and I prefer heavy bullets in SD hollow points. I carry 158 grn Hydra-Shok in my 60 and 686 and 230 grn Hydra-Shok in my CS45. Hard to find them but you can catch them on Gunbroker sometimes.

badge 851 · #10 09-18-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilop

In previous posts, I discussed a S&W 686 2.5" that I recently acquired. I have since obtained a Fist #9 holster for it, and I have spent a fair amount of time at the range with it. It is quickly becoming my go to gun for ccw. I am interested in fellow members' opinions of the best self defense ammo from the short barrel 686. I have searched, but I am still interested in recent opinions. Recoil and muzzle blast are non issues for me (don't know why, but they just don't bother me in this gun). I am merely interested in stopping the threat (human) as quickly as possible with minimum over penetration. I have also done a lot of reading on the difference between the 125 vs 158gr rounds, and I am interested in people's opinion of over penetration risks between the two. Thanks in advance!

Speer® 158gr Gold Dot™ is a very viable option for you.

Nframe357 · #11 09-19-2009, 02:10 AM

I keep Winchester 145 silvertips in my 686 snubs, good street rep for stopping without the issues of the 125's. I do however keep 125's in my 4 and 6" 686's, I prefer Federals load but Remingtons load will work just fine.

Hoptob · #12 09-19-2009, 06:01 PM

In this gun any 125-158 gr. full house load from a reputable manufacturer will do great. I carry R357M1 but won't hesitate to load Win, Speer, Corbon, BB or Federals. In 125 gr. expect 1250-1300 fps from a 2-1/2" bbl. Overpenetration is a concern with any full house 357mag load, that's just the way it is.

Mike

PS. This is OT but what was the holster that came with the gun? Looks very nice. Is it Milt Sparks or something else?

flop-shank · #13 09-19-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoptob

Overpenetration is a concern with any full house 357mag load, that's just the way it is.

Not any more than any other major caliber.

Hoptob · #14 09-20-2009, 02:37 AM

That is certainly true, flop. Here is my favorite quote about overpenetration.

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Sundles (link):

9 out of 10 shots fired in our depts. shootings, miss the target and those bullets that miss, go where ever they are going. So, the one out of 10 that hits the target is not as much a concern as all the gun writers make it out to be. The dept. would prefer to have a load that will work even when the perp is barricaded, than worry about over penetration. Over penetration is a problem created by gun writers, more than it is a reality.

LoboGunLeather · #15 09-20-2009, 05:34 AM

If recoil and muzzle blast are not issues for you when shooting a 2.5" revolver in .357 magnum, you are one bad dude! Are you sure that you even need a gun?

Joking here, of course. During all the years that I carried a .357 revolver on duty I never carried magnum ammunition in it. Muzzle blast and flash are no help at all in a gun fight. And, in the shorter barrels, the increases in velocity are very small with any loads, so the increases in flash, blast, and recoil provide very little real benefit.

The best self-defense ammunition in any weapon is the ammunition that you can consistently shoot well. The bullet that hits the intended target will be the one that ends the fight.

lilop · #16 09-28-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoptob

PS. This is OT but what was the holster that came with the gun? Looks very nice. Is it Milt Sparks or something else?

It's a Milt Sparks Summer Special