|
|
08-21-2012, 03:01 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 12
Likes: 9
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
S&W 686 Ammo recommendation
I am happy to own a S&W 686 4"
I am not exactly an expert when it comes to specifics of ammo means, as far as the bullet weight, grains etc...
What I am looking for is a good, somewhat cheap, all around plinking ammo. I am looking for .38 as well as .357, as I would like to get used to both.
Also, any info on using jacketed, non jacketed, etc.
Anyways, thanks everyone.
|
08-21-2012, 03:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 3,605
Liked 5,199 Times in 2,172 Posts
|
|
If there's any commercial .38 or .357 ammo my 686 won't shoot, I haven't found it.
For .38 plinking ammo, there's no need to use expensive jacketed bullets, but in .357 I shoot little plain lead except a few SWC reloads. As to cheap, good luck. Ever consider reloading? The commercial 158gr softpoint .357 hunting loads are expensive.
My homecast .38 148gr wadcutter plinking loads are as cheap as .22s, counting my time at about 25 cents an hour.
As to bullet weights, my choice ranges from 125gr up to 158gr. Using very light bullets in .38 makes it a poor imitation of a 9mm, and using very heavy bullets is like a wannabe .44.
Others' opinions may vary.
__________________
Science plus Art
Last edited by OKFC05; 08-21-2012 at 03:19 PM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-22-2012, 04:50 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seoul and Iowa
Posts: 307
Likes: 3
Liked 81 Times in 53 Posts
|
|
|
08-22-2012, 05:24 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 474
Liked 1,447 Times in 670 Posts
|
|
FWIW, my first choice for all-around pinking ammo in .357 Magnum is CCI Blazer 158 gr. JHP followed by American Eagle 158 gr. JSP. They're both reasonably priced and fun to shoot from my own 4" barreled 686.
|
08-22-2012, 02:52 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CO
Posts: 402
Likes: 10
Liked 260 Times in 101 Posts
|
|
My plinking loads are typically 38 Special 158gr jacketed RNFP ammo and similar bullet in 357 Magnum.
Source I've been using Freedom Munitions for most of my ammo requirements. Good selection of 38s but 357 is waiting on bullets.
Ammunition Online at Factory Direct Prices | Freedom Munitions | Handgun Ammo & Rifle Ammo
Good source of new, reman and cosmetic flawed blaster grade ammo. Never had any issues with any of it and I typically buy reman or blaster grade ammo.
|
08-28-2012, 06:04 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,759
Likes: 7,836
Liked 25,616 Times in 8,661 Posts
|
|
For target shooting and informal plinking I'll use hand loads of 158 grain RNL .38 Specials - cheap, accurate and does not lead up barrel. For defensive work INSIDE A HOUSE I like the Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158 grain (heavy) LSWCHP-GC, and for field use (protection against Bears let's say), I'll use the 180 grain Buffalo Bore hard cast .357 Magnums.
My personal feeling is that in a residential setting with homes close to one another a .357 would be too much of a liability. In my home my .38 Special is only a back-up to my Remington 870 12 gauge anyway.
Chief38
Last edited by chief38; 08-28-2012 at 06:07 AM.
|
08-28-2012, 06:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
I am using the Remington 125 gr. UMC .357 Jacketed Soft Point from Walmart. Shoots well but is a little dirty.
|
08-28-2012, 11:33 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 5,658
Likes: 15,661
Liked 7,682 Times in 2,744 Posts
|
|
lead 158gr for both .38 special and .357 magnum ammo.
"ammoman" includes shipping in their prices.
|
11-05-2012, 07:35 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,376
Likes: 3,183
Liked 12,712 Times in 5,669 Posts
|
|
The poor man reloads 148 wc.
The average guy buys 158 Lrn target loads.
The rich shooter gets JHP' or buys Remington 148 HBwc's.
Amazing how prices have changed and gone up over the years. I remember when 148's were bottom of the line,price wise. If you can find a box of ammo (50) for around $14 you better grab it in a hurry.
|
11-05-2012, 07:46 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 13
Liked 831 Times in 390 Posts
|
|
Seriously,... is there ANY .357 Mag. or .38 SPL ammo that DOESN'T shoot well in a 686?
I've never found any.
You either shoot light .38's if you don't want the recoil and noise, or you shoot full-on .357's BECAUSE you want the recoil and noise.
Am I missing something?
As a matter of PERSONAL PREFERENCE, I quit stocking 125-grain .357 bullets. I now only stock 158's. Only reason for this really is that in addition to the buncha .357's I have accumulated, I have also accumulated a buncha .38 SPL's. The fixed-sight .38's shoot to point-of-aim better with the 158's.
After 40+ years of collecting this stuff, the ammo-components pile really had gotten too big. I don't miss the 125's.
__________________
WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?
|
11-09-2012, 02:16 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: South Texas
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by baccusboy
|
I agree 1000%. They're my main ammo source too.
|
11-09-2012, 02:57 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Liked 88 Times in 40 Posts
|
|
So I own a 686+ Pro and honestly the most accurate/reliable/cost efficient rounds I shoot out of it are the Federal 158gr JSP .357 Magnums from Wal-Mart. Those or the same rounds from Independence which are basically the same. I get a 50rd box for about $23 and they always shoot great. I don't shoot .38s anymore for a lot of reasons but if you do shoot them make sure to clean your cylinder thoroughly!
__________________
S&W 686-6 Plus Pro Series
|
11-16-2012, 04:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: RI
Posts: 72
Likes: 23
Liked 30 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by baccusboy
|
I buy all of my ammo from them. Best prices and assortments. I use only FMJ for plinking and Speer Gold Dot 158GR for a defensive load. Not bad prices if you buy them in the box of 50s. I don't use non jacketed ammo b/c I hate the lead cleanup. I shot a few boxes for 38 special lead and it took me a long, long time to clean the lead from the cylinder and barrel.
|
11-17-2012, 08:55 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
When I bought my 686 the only ammo I had in .38 Special for target was American Eagle 130g FMJ. I could barely keep it on the paper at 25yds. It shot fine in other guns. I was ready to sell the 686. Then I tried other ammo, including my own reloads, and it shot very accurately. I find WWB .38 Special from Wally World to be very accurate thru it. So, my advice is to try a variety and stick with what your particular firearm likes best.
|
11-21-2012, 12:54 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 66
Liked 1,116 Times in 324 Posts
|
|
WalMart $29.97/100
(over adjusted the Matchdot a little after the first shot)
__________________
Professional Trainer
Last edited by doc540; 11-21-2012 at 01:00 AM.
|
11-21-2012, 01:05 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Roanoke, Va
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 1,697
Liked 1,284 Times in 640 Posts
|
|
I have had good luck with the Georgia Arms, copper washed 158 grain SWC's, and there 158 grain JSP and JHP stuff, check there web site.
|
11-22-2012, 10:40 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 286
Likes: 5
Liked 98 Times in 59 Posts
|
|
Start reloading if you want cheap ammo.
|
07-10-2018, 04:33 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 702
Likes: 386
Liked 1,189 Times in 467 Posts
|
|
ok gang
major issues w my 686 at the range today.
quite possible due "cheap" ammo that I used.
"Tula" 357 Mag
"lacquer coated steel casing"
158gr
I couldn't get the extractor to work unless I used heavy force
the casing was stuck and couldn't be removed w/o excessive force
Absolutely zero issues using brass cased ammo
thoughts?
|
07-10-2018, 08:39 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 185
Liked 3,297 Times in 1,523 Posts
|
|
Georgia-Arms was my choice when I was at a point in my life that I couldn't reload yrs ago . I still highly recommend them to those that don't reload . Great quality at a great price . Never found anyone that wasn't happy from my recommendation . Good Luck , Paul
Last edited by cowboy4evr; 07-10-2018 at 08:41 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-13-2018, 02:14 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: above ground, under water
Posts: 760
Likes: 722
Liked 594 Times in 263 Posts
|
|
I got tired of the magnum kick so I’m using 158gr sjhp by Fiocchi. Plinking, indoor range, and probably self defense as well. Box of 50, $16.00
|
08-13-2018, 05:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Southern FL, East side.
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 2,312
Liked 3,011 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief Wiggums
ok gang
major issues w my 686 at the range today.
quite possible due "cheap" ammo that I used.
"Tula" 357 Mag
"lacquer coated steel casing"
158gr
I couldn't get the extractor to work unless I used heavy force
the casing was stuck and couldn't be removed w/o excessive force
Absolutely zero issues using brass cased ammo
thoughts?
|
Anything obvious with the case when you got them out? Leaded up chambers from shooting lead 38's? The chambers look OK? Otherwise I'd say don't use that ammo. I don't like Russia enough to buy ammo from them.
|
08-13-2018, 07:57 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 11,606
Liked 9,018 Times in 3,192 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief Wiggums
ok gang
major issues w my 686 at the range today.
quite possible due "cheap" ammo that I used.
"Tula" 357 Mag
"lacquer coated steel casing"
158gr
I couldn't get the extractor to work unless I used heavy force
the casing was stuck and couldn't be removed w/o excessive force
Absolutely zero issues using brass cased ammo
thoughts?
|
Chief, I remember reading some time ago about someone else having problems like yours with that cheap Tula junk ammo in 357 Mag. Stay away from it and buy something better or better yet, learn to reload and roll your own.
You can set yourself up to reload for not too much money and you can make whatever you want to shot, from powder puff to fireball producing screamers.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|