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Old 03-16-2017, 07:03 PM
longshanx longshanx is offline
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Default 357 mag factory ammo of choice?

Just purchased a 686 and was wondering what factory ammo you guys like? I've been a fan of Winchester white box fmj's but doesn't look like this is available. I like a clean load for range fun. Thanks
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Old 03-16-2017, 07:15 PM
TANKLEGACY TANKLEGACY is offline
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In a revolver.... my favorite ammo is the one that goes BANG.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:17 PM
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I have too much fun shooting my 686's for a woman who doesn't reload, so price is key for plinking rounds.
I wait for Cabela's store brand "Herters" .357 158gr FMJ & .38SPL. 158gr FMJ to go on double sale + rebate.
Occasionally, they run 20% off sales simultaneously with 20% for their credit card holders. Combining those sales with the rebate for using the credit card, gets me the .38's for $14 and .357's for $16.
I order by mail, for store pickup, so that I get all I want, regardless of what's in stock locally.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:31 PM
Joe Hohmann Joe Hohmann is offline
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I just use Fiocchi .38 wadcutters in my 686. Accurate, less noise, less recoil, less cost. I shoot paper bullseye targets at 25 yds.
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Old 03-17-2017, 08:43 AM
amd6547 amd6547 is offline
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For just a fun 357mag day at the range, or as a general purpose load, the American Eagle 158gn JSP shoots very well.
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Old 03-17-2017, 08:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TANKLEGACY View Post
In a revolver.... my favorite ammo is the one that goes BANG.
This is the one I buy too!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
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Old 03-17-2017, 08:57 AM
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For range fun, I really don't care all that much. As long as it goes BANG, I'm happy.

That being said, I reload, so I roll my own range ammo.
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Old 03-17-2017, 09:55 AM
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For range fun - Magtech 158 gr SJSP - I LOVE the fireball and report!!!
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Old 03-17-2017, 10:01 AM
oldiesradio1560 oldiesradio1560 is offline
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For carry Hornady Critical Defense 125gr .357 magnum. Range 158 gr FMJ.
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Old 03-17-2017, 11:00 AM
hoc9sw hoc9sw is offline
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All of my WalMarts have WWB in .357. A bit expensive, but there. Some still have Perfecta. They have run clearances on the Remington UMC .357 at stupid prices, so I bought more than I'd ever shoot. Most of that has been passed along to friends.
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Old 03-17-2017, 11:38 AM
longshanx longshanx is offline
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For some reason I forgot all about Wal-Mart. Were the WWB in fmj?
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Old 03-17-2017, 11:52 AM
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You want "Clean ammo"............

Does that mean you do not want to clean your weapon
after shooting it ?
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Old 03-17-2017, 12:01 PM
longshanx longshanx is offline
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I am absolutely anal about keeping guns clean.
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Old 03-17-2017, 12:14 PM
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Winchester WWB .357 Mag is only offered as a mid-range 110 gr JHP loading.

I second the Federal American Eagle .357 Mag 158 gr JSP mentioned above. It is available at a good price, relatively clean, full power with a full weight bullet that will serve well for triple duty- target shooting, rural two-legged defense and rural four-legged defense.
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Old 03-17-2017, 12:35 PM
hoc9sw hoc9sw is offline
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I don't know the weight or type on the WWB, as I normally just shoot .38+P, and didn't investigate. The clearance RUMC was 125g SJSP and 125g SJHP.
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Old 03-20-2017, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amd6547 View Post
For just a fun 357mag day at the range, or as a general purpose load, the American Eagle 158gn JSP shoots very well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by .455_Hunter View Post

I second the Federal American Eagle .357 Mag 158 gr JSP mentioned above. It is available at a good price, relatively clean, full power with a full weight bullet that will serve well for triple duty- target shooting, rural two-legged defense and rural four-legged defense.

I picked up a box of PMC, same specs as the Federal AE from my LGS because I hate to leave empty handed. Only been through a couple cylinders worth but it seems adequate for a general purpose load. Any out there have a track record with this brand?
AmmoLiquidator has a decent price on a case but the shipping cost kills the deal.
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Old 03-20-2017, 12:11 PM
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Default Easier to say.....

It's easier to say which NOT to buy. I make my own ammo but I've never been disappointed with any major brand. Often when I buy an 'off' brand the worst problem I've had is inconsistency or smokey/dirty I don't know if PPU makes .357 ammo, but they can be pretty bad. I call it Pee-Eww ammo.
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Old 03-20-2017, 01:23 PM
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I roll my own but for my factory .357 Mag stash is the Remington "scalloped bullet" 125gr JHP load. Good performer back in the day and still a "lightning bolt" round in my mind. Got a really good buy on PMC awhile ago and stocked up, on 158gr JHP that seems to be a good load for the standard 158gr bullet. With that said I think it would be hard to go wrong with most of the reputable manufacturers these days.
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Old 03-20-2017, 02:01 PM
Buford57 Buford57 is offline
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PPU can be dirty, but has always gone "BANG" for me. Can't say the same for S&B. Everything else is pretty much a matter of price, but then I do roll my own.
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Old 03-20-2017, 02:41 PM
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For paper - punching I roll my own. For more serious work it's Buffalo Bore.
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:46 PM
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I usually roll my own but a few years ago when brass was hard to find I bought some Fiocchi 158 grain JHP that were some good, hot ammo. And also bought some PMC Bronze 158 grain JSP and it shoots OK but not as hot as the Fiocchi. I don't remember either being particularly dirty.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by longshanx View Post
Just purchased a 686 and was wondering what factory ammo you guys like? I've been a fan of Winchester white box fmj's but doesn't look like this is available. I like a clean load for range fun. Thanks
For awhile now, I have been buying loose ammo (less than 1K rounds) from Academy Sporting Goods online. They offer FREE SHIPPING on orders over $25.
Currently, I am buying their house brand ammo, Monarch. It's clean, my guns like it, and, it's cheap in price!

Monarch(R) SP SJHP .38 Special 158-Grain Pistol Ammunition | Academy

Monarch(R) SJHP .357 Magnum 158-Grain Pistol Ammunition | Academy
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Old 03-22-2017, 10:38 PM
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for range use i buy PMC, Federal, magtech. for a carry load i prefer Speer Gold Dot 158 grain.
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Old 03-22-2017, 10:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 686-380 View Post
For range fun - Magtech 158 gr SJSP - I LOVE the fireball and report!!!
Have you ever used Blue Dot?
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Old 03-25-2017, 09:35 PM
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For factory range ammo I generally use Fiocchi, either 125 SJSP or 142 FMJ. My carry load is Remington 125 Golden Saber. My reloads are 125 LRN.
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