Newbie Ammo Question

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NJ Diver

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I am still considering my first purchase, but I seem to be favoring a 686.

There is an awful lot of information on here about ammo, but as a newbie to this, not all of it is clear to me. I think I understand the difference on many of the acronyms and weights I see mentioned (Ballistics101.com was a big help with the acronyms).

I guess what I am not totally clear on is what these different types of rounds are good for, or more specifically the use of one type over another? There was one manufactures web site, that I thought I saved but apparently didn't) did a nice job in calling out recommendations for target vs. home defense vs hunting etc.

Overall, I guess my real question is what 38 special and 357 magnum ammo should I be looking for in stores for home defense and target shooting?

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
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Any thing in either that you can find!

Any of the FMJ (full metal jacket) would be mostly your range ammo. The 38 spl or 38 spl +p (inbetween 38 n 357) will have less kick than the 357 mag. Make sure you get 357 mag and NOT 357 sig!

As for the SD (self defense). Something in a hp (hollow point) is the norm. But as for what, every member here will give you their favorite.

Now get out and shoot!
 
Your name "NJ", are you in the people's republic of new jersey? I think they have their own crazy ammo rules!
 
If you're in NJ carefully check the law regarding hollow point ammo of any caliber. The 686 will handle .38, .38 +P or any kind of .357.
 
Diver, your best bet is to ask a NJ law enforcement officer that question. I hope you have a firing range you can go to and practice and get professional guidance.
Jersey has some major anti-gun laws, be careful getting information over the internet. Good luck to you.
 
Like said above, be very careful getting law information on the NET unless it's from a very trusted source like the State Police or Attorney General's Office of that state. I hope the links below help you...

Check here:
New Jersey | OpenCarry.org

And check here:
New Jersey State Police - Firearms Information

Here are the laws governing hollow points in NJ:
New Jersey State Police - Transportation and Use of Hollow Point Ammunition by Sportsmen

And check here:
Table of Contents View Frame Page

And here is a source for more links:
NJ Guns
 
Thanks for all the information. Fortunately I do have several NJ law enforcement members within the family for specific advice on NJ laws. I just always like to solicit input from multiple sources.

Thanks again.
 
NJ Diver said:
Thanks for all the information. Fortunately I do have several NJ law enforcement members within the family for specific advice on NJ laws. I just always like to solicit input from multiple sources.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Just be aware, not everyone in law enforcement knows the exact laws as they pertain to you. I have asked 3 officers in the same town about open carry laws in PA and all 3 had a different answer and all 3 were wrong. This is not uncommon. BTW, I in no way think any of them were intentionally misleading me.
 
Ammunitiondepot.com has 357 magnum gold dot 158 gn 50 rnd boxes for $50+ a box, while it is expensive, it is gold dot, great home defense rnds...
 
Dsklink said:
Ammunitiondepot.com has 357 magnum gold dot 158 gn 50 rnd boxes for $50+ a box, while it is expensive, it is gold dot, great home defense rnds...
Click to expand...

True a good round, but unless I'm mistaken, in New Jersey hollow points are still illegal.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJ Diver
Thanks for all the information. Fortunately I do have several NJ law enforcement members within the family for specific advice on NJ laws. I just always like to solicit input from multiple sources.

Thanks again.

ArchAngelCD said:
Just be aware, not everyone in law enforcement knows the exact laws as they pertain to you. I have asked 3 officers in the same town about open carry laws in PA and all 3 had a different answer and all 3 were wrong. This is not uncommon. BTW, I in no way think any of them were intentionally misleading me.
Click to expand...

Very true.

A year ago several officers I work with responded to an accidental shooting. A convicted felon shot himself in the leg with a 10mm 180FMJ. The officers found a loaded Taurus Judge revolver in the house (belonged to his G-friend who moved from AZ to CA). They didn't realize that the Judge is considered a short barrel SGN here in CA (a felony crime).

Just the other day another officer responded to an accidental OD medical aid call (heroin user). He had an assault rifle case with three 30 rnd AR mags (no gun) loaded with what the officer thought was some type of yellow tipped AP .223 ammo in the mags. He called the DA and was told to find out exactly what type of ammo was in the mags. From the photo the officer had on his phone I quickly determined it was Hornady Zombie Max ammo!

Cops can't know every law in the books and those cops that aren't gun nuts...er, gun knowledgeable, are some of the worse in giving gun advise.
 
Last edited:
Dsklink said:
Ammunitiondepot.com has 357 magnum gold dot 158 gn 50 rnd boxes for $50+ a box, while it is expensive, it is gold dot, great home defense rnds...
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. Any 158JHP 357Mag round have the greatest risk of overpenetrating a human body. 125JHP's by the major U.S. manufacturers have proven to be the KING of the 357Mag when it comes to actual shootings. If the 125's prove to be too much to handle then step up to the Win 145 Silvertip or down to the 110JHP (which was the issue load of the USBP when they dumped the 38Spl 110JHP+P+ load).
 
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