Best powder for S & W 686 w/4'' barrel

[btmonnat]

I must be doing something wrong. I have been loading lead bullets in all my handgun cartridges including the .357 Magnum and in a few rifle cartridges too and I never get any leading. I wonder what I'm doing wrong?

No you must be doing it all wright. Like I always said ''You can not beat experience''

 

[MarkDozier]

I just made a load for 158 gr XTP. I use 14 grains of w-296 with small pistol magnum primers.
vel - 1527 fps in my 1894c with a 18 inch barrel
in my 686 - no chrono data - but it fill wonderful. You know your shooting a 357 mag, but oh my it feels wonderful with the rubber grips.

 

[Freedomfirst]

Google Hornady's ballistic chart which gives the muzzle velocity and energy at 50 and 100 yards for a wide variety of ammo. I cannot personally know if everything on it is totally accurate, but it is good enough for me. IMO either a 125 gr. or 158 gr. 357 Magnum round will certainly accomplish what you need it to do.

 

[Terry]

I have a 586 L-Comp and use primarily Bullseye or Unique depending on the bullet I am loading. I think Unique is excellent for hunting loads.

 

[phils]

As for feral hogs.....

I would use .357 mag only as a backup and use ww296 with at least a 158 gr. sp or solid.
Keep with the M29 as your carry. I use Sierra 240gr. HP and 24 gr. ww296 with mag. primers.

 

[Ahab]

Bullseye, Unique and 2400 will do anything you need or want in .357 mag and .38 Spl.

Yah, if you want to load like I did 40 years ago.

 

[Murphy's Law]

Surprised 300MP powder has not been mentioned.

 

[rwsmith]

What advances have you made?

Yah, if you want to load like I did 40 years ago.

Certainly, BE, Unique and 2400 are old school but they are old reliables. What have you found out in the last 40 years that works better for you?

Since this shortage thing I've had to try new powders and I'm really pleased with Red Dot and Acc #7 and the whole Accurate line looks good to me. VV is supposed to be excellent but it also has an excellent price. I have Titegroup but haven't tried it yet.

Bullets have gone through transitions, too. Moly, plated, coated. I'm really happy with coated.

 

[mesaman]

Same advice

Can't go wrong with Bullseye, unique, 2400, or W231.

Save the 2400 for top end loads with heavy bullets.

I would agree with your comment and in the order you presented except I find W231 more versatile and use with bullets lighter than 158.

 

[bigsteve113]

I use 2400 and Lil Gun for my .357 158 XTP's and LSWC '

XTP 158/ 14.5 2400 = 1201 fps in 4" 66
LSWC 158/14.5 2400 = 1341 fps in 4" 66

XTP 158/17.0 Lil Gun = 1270 fps 4" 66
LSWC 158/17.0 Lil Gun = 1341 fps 4" 66

Yes I know, 1341 fps with both 2400 and Lil Gun. Not a typo, it's just the way it fell. Also the LSWC is home cast, no gas check, and no leading , go figure.

This weekend I'm gonna try that XTP with 15.0 gr 2400 and test them. 14.5 appeared to be able to take more and Alliant lists 15 gr as max with the JHP. 15 gr of 2400 with the LSWC started showing some signs of pressure. Will let Ya'll know how it works out.

I also use 2400 in the old Skeeter Skelton load. 158 LSWC/13.5 2400 in .38 special brass, crimped in the top lube groove. Nice mid level general purpose, field load. Gets an honest 1200 fps out of that 4" 66 tube and very accurate.

BTW I tried 300-MP for the first time this weekend. Alliant's recommended 18.6 gr with the 158 XTP gave me 1230 fps in my 4" GP100.

I think that 15.00 2400 under a 158 XTP is gonna do the trick. If I could only have one magnum powder it would defiantly be 2400.

 

[norsemanhp]

I am also a fan of 2400 for the 357 mag. Excellent velocity and accuracy with minimal flash and blast.

 

[Win]

I use Unique for EVERY handgun I own....9mm, 38 Special, .357, .44 mag and 45acp. I do own a couple of jugs of 4227, but haven't loaded any of it in ages. That's it...2 pistol powders and mostly always Unique. I also never load lead bullets.....you can wear out a barrel from cleaning it by shooting lead.

 

[rwsmith]

With the 6" 686 and 140 gr jhps....

With the 6" 686 and 140 grain jhp it definitely starts to hurt around 15 gr. of 2400. 12-13 is very good but I get a lot of golden powder residue with 2400. I don't care. it cleans up easily.

 

[Snapping Twig]

My favorites are 231 for midrange and 2400 for mags.

My bullets are 160g and 175g home cast sized to .358, I avoid the light bullets.

Big fan of 296/110 and I use the Skeeter trick of non magnum primers, but if your manual says use magnums, well... what do I know...

Never had one fail to fire since 1983 when I started.

I keep the 296 for the 44 and up, much preferring the 2400 for the .357.

 

[bigsteve113]

I use Unique for EVERY handgun I own....9mm, 38 Special, .357, .44 mag and 45acp. I do own a couple of jugs of 4227, but haven't loaded any of it in ages. That's it...2 pistol powders and mostly always Unique. I also never load lead bullets.....you can wear out a barrel from cleaning it by shooting lead.

Actually lead bullets should be easier on your barrel than jacketed bullets.

 

[btmonnat]

After reading this whole thread it looks to me like 2400 would have the biggest following if shooting coated lead or XTP's. I am reconsidering the 6'' barrel over the 4'' only for a little more velocity and the longer sight radius. Good idea or not? I think I could still use 2400 but I do already have H 110 and 231. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks to all so far.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I have a can of H110, but I'm just a much bigger fan of 2400 in magnum handgun applications, especially the .357 Magnum. 2400 is much more flexible, and gives up little.

As far as the barrel length, I've owned both 4 and 6 inch L frames in the past, and while you CAN carry the 6, I found myself reaching for the 4 inch most of the time. With regard to accuracy, both guns will likely be equally accurate, but the longer barrel is easier to shoot to the standard it's capable of. The sight radius is some 30% longer with the 6 inch barrel. As with all things, it's a compromise of ease of use and carry versus velocity and sight radius. Which one matters most is something only you can decide.

 

[Warren Sear]

I use Unique for EVERY handgun I own....9mm, 38 Special, .357, .44 mag and 45acp. I do own a couple of jugs of 4227, but haven't loaded any of it in ages. That's it...2 pistol powders and mostly always Unique. I also never load lead bullets.....you can wear out a barrel from cleaning it by shooting lead.

If you are getting significant leading, you are doing something wrong.

 

[Shooter Magaven]

Surprised 300MP powder has not been mentioned.

Me too... but does it actually exist? I hear stories about this powder, but I personally don't think it exist, must be one of those urban legends. Maybe its a concept powder and never mass produced. I was told Alliant only produced 4 pounds of 300-MP and misplaced 3 of em.

 

[Ulose2]

Win 231 is best I found 4 my 686., tite group is best for my 1911s