I am seeking some advice concerning carry ammo for a 686+.

As much as I would prefer to carry a semi-auto for self-defense when I can carry out-of-state, emptying magazines before reentering the State just won't be pragmatic for day trips.

As a qualification, carrying a loaded magazine in NJ is a felony mandating a minimum of a 3 year prison sentence. For day trips, it is easier to dump a cylinder, while a loaded speedloader is perfectly legal, since speedloaders are not part of the handgun.

When on day trips where I can carry, I would be carrying a 686+ 3". Being disabled, I can't run, so any required use of a defensive handgun would require a decisive neutralization of the threat.

Thank you in advance for your help.

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Judge control not gun control!

You don't have the round I would choose in your poll. I would carry the Speer 38 Special +P 135 grain GDHP SB load.

I also like the Speer .38 Special 135gr GDHP Short Barrel and the Speer .357 Mag 135gr GDHP Short Barrel, but not on the list.

I thought hollow points were a problem in NJ. If hollow points were an issue I’d think about Buffalo Bore .38 Special 150gr hard cast wad cutters or check into the Underwood .357/.38 with the Lehigh Extreme Defender bullet.

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Vegan by proxy.

Tough call. When I had a 3" 65, I used either Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P or Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP standard pressure, and one of those is probably what I would go with if I was in your situation. I've also used the .357 Magnum SB-GDHP from Speer.

Now, with an L-frame .357, I might look at true Magnum rounds. I always wanted to try the 145gr Winchester Silvertip, so that might be an option. I know BB had a 140gr JHP that looked interesting. Of course, with an L-frame, the issues associated with the 125gr JHP and K-frames wouldn't be a concern, though muzzle blast/flash would be, for me at least.

So, more than likely, I'd stick with one of the two .38 Special loads I mentioned earlier. The Remington FBI load would be a good alternative to the BB load if you prefer something from one of the bigger manufacturers.

I am another fan of the Speer Short Barrel 38 Special +P 135 grain JHP load.

Yes, the 135 gr. Gold Dot or the newer Federal 130 gr. HST +P.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Optimal bullet weight for BOTH 38/357 is 158gr, as would be expected, cartridge was developed around 158gr bullet.

Reply is a statement of fact, not a political commentary!

As an FYI, my carry would be outside NJ, since only retired LEOs, the politically connected, and criminals can carry in NJ. Law-abiding citizens don't yet have that right.

In NJ,you can own hollow points in your home, at the range, and in transit between same. The illegal possession of hollow points is more an add-on charge for when someone is committing crimes. But then, too, people have faced prison time for possession of hollow point key chains!

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Judge control not gun control!

I carry and prefer the 145 grain Winchester Silvertip load (not an option in poll) in my .357 snubbie. That said, the 125 grain JHP .357 magnum is a very proven stopper of bad behavior. If recoil, and/or muzzle blast are an issue, I would use the Speer 135 grain short barrel loads in .38 Special or .357 magnum in your 686+ snubbie if I didn't have my Silvertips. The Speer SB magnum is a lighter load.

Decisive neutralization = Federal 357B 125 JHP . Indoors Buffalo Bore 38+P 158 LSWCGCHP 20A .

You'd be hard-pressed to find a combination that has proven more effective in real world encounters than the .357 with a 125gr JHP.

Of course from a 3" barrel it's likely to have a vicious muzzle blast.

I like the 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo in .357 Magnum if not loading my own.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

357 125 hollow tips, best stopper.

Remington UMC/HTP 38 Spl +P 125 gr sjhp. Proven load. Practice is cheap with the UMC version.

Honestly, I think a 3" 686+ would make a fine fighting revolver and I would prefer it to an auto. With superb sights, trigger and accuracy, what's not to like? I would pick a 125 grain .357 load that suited my humors.

Definitely the .38 loads. 3" just gives more blast and kick , and won't make Th*** any deader.

Good point regarding blast from a 357 Magnum in a shorter barrel as a three incher. I reserve my 357 Mag loads for longer barrels.

With a 3" barrel, I would go with 125gr to get as much velocity as possible to help with expansion.

Full house .357 loads in a 3" bbl. will just kill them with flash burns.
You don't even have to hit them.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Just a note, the powder that delivers the highest velocities from a 6" barrel will do the same in a 3" barrel too. IMO for SD accuracy is more important than a few extra fps. All the velocity in the world will do you no good unless you make good accurate hits.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

3" .357 Magmum revolver;

K frame or heavier.....
the 125gr JHP is street proven with the new 135 Gold Dot and heavier 145 Silver tip also being very doable.

J frame .357 revolver.
The old standard 158 gr. "FBI" had a reason why it was used..........
but the newer 135 Gold Dot and Federal 130 HST +p loads are fine also.

Whatever tickles your fancy.