I wonder, from the 696 owners, what is your favorite bullet/powder combination for target and for carry? I've been shooting Skeeter loads (240 gr over 7.5 gr Unique) in my N-frame but understand this is too heavy for regular use in the lighter 696. Do I need to stick to the @200gr bullets or is 240 gr over a lighter powder load o.k?

Ive been using 7.5 gn of Universal clays with 220-240 gn cast and also the same load with the 200 gn Gold dot with excellent results.

I use 5 grain Trail Boss and 200grain swc lead heads. And on 27 yards I shoot target with great satisfaction.

My 696 is quite happy with Berry's 240gr plated bullets over 5.8gr of HP-38. I have also shot 240gr. lead SWC bullets and the gun was OK with it, but I didn't like the extra cleanup. Haven't tried the lighter bullets yet, but hope to soon.

5.4 grns of 231 with 240 swc works for me. 6 grns should be good with 200 grn.

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

One of my favorite plinking loads is 5.3 Bullseye,standard primer under a Speer 240gr LSWC for about 820fps out a four incher.

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Stay safe people!

Thanks guys. Good information.