Ran 20 rounds thru the 686 this afternoon.

New Rock Chucker's all set up.

Looking for an effective, accurate load for 50yd silhouette matches (with power to lay down the plates).

158gr SWC
4.5gr Unique
OAL 1.46

Didn't group as well as the Remington 125gr +P Semi-JKTD HP's I've been shooting.

But everything went bang safely, the crimp was good, and primers seated well.

Going to try 4.3, 4.7, and 5.0 loads to see what the 686 likes best.

Any advice regarding accuracy?

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Professional Trainer

Try 231 or 2400 or BlueDot with 158 gr SWC. I use good hard cast .359" from Moyers with great results in my 686 6" and 6" Blackhawk.

I run a little heavier SWC out of a Henry big boy 357 using 2400.
the load is far from max and thus far has taken every factory load to school.

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it just needs more voltage

I have Win231 and Unique powder and Missouri Bullets 158gr SWC's to work with.

Without buying more stuff, any ideas on improving accuracy over the 4.5 Unique loads?

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Professional Trainer

For best accuracy make sure the sights don't move as you squeeze the trigger. Guns, powder and bullets are just minor factors.

Please advise

I loaded four different powder charges behind 158gr SWC.

Unique Powder
4.3gr
4.5gr
4.7gr
5.1gr

NONE of the four grouped as well as factory Remington .38+P 125gr SJHP's.

Should I try Win231 and repeat the test?

If so, what's a +P load for Win231? (I can only find standard .38 data for Win231)

Note: I'm shooting for metal silhouette knockdown power and accuracy and would like to use the two powders and one bullet I already have.

Thanks for your help!

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Professional Trainer

How are you testing accuracy?

Doc
I am relatively new at reloading, but I do reload and shoot a 686. I shoot at paper and at 25 yards - so not the same goals here. The Alliant website shows max load for a 357 as 6.0 G Unique with a Min OAL of 1.570 - that's for 158G Speer LSWC. I haven't gone into max load territory yet. But it seems to me there is some room for you to increase your loads.

When I posted questions on this forum, mostly regarding shooting/reloading a 686 with 158G LSWC's - I got some great feedback and advice. I'd suggest you search and read through my previous posts - not for the issues and problems I had - but for the replies written by the guys who know what they are doing about the 357, Unique & W2231 and other powders and the 158 G LSWC.

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

25yds from a pistol rest

And, thanks, forestswin. I'll do that.

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Professional Trainer

One thing you might consider, you like the accuracy you get with a 125 grain jacketed bullet.
Why would you not try to get closer to that load ?
You are shooting a lead 158 grain bullet at 38 special level loads.
I am actually surprised that doesn't work well for you , I would think it would.
Lead shoots well for me when it fits the bore well, are your bullets .357
or .358 diameter ?
I would be very surprised if adding a couple of tenths of powder changes much for you.
I would try a different style of bullet, I usually find loads less fussy with jacketed bullets, but when matched up right I think lead is all out best, but it all has to be right.
When I shoot a light 38 Special load I like 148 HBWC, but thats just me.

Guns are individuals too. Shooters are as well. Shooting style and ability play a much bigger role in "accuracy" than you think. I would like to see one of the "groups" that you shoot with the 125gr bullets and then one of the groups you shoot with the 158gr handloads.

If you can do pictures, please do. Shoot 6 shots with each from the same stance and rest without changing the sights. Aim the exact same place on the target, POA/POI or pumpkin on a post or whatever, but the same on each. Then, pictures and I can help you better.

I can tell you this, if you are making your handloads correctly, there is NO way that this scenario, it if is really happening need continue.

Find you some 2400 powder and look up Elmer Keith's loads.

They'll make that iron flop over pretty good.

2400 or blue dot and it will sing a sweet song

Here's the 125gr at 50 yds, and the benchmark I'm working from:
(after that first shot I did two clicks right and two clicks down, one click too many in both directions)


The rest setup:


I'll try to get comparison photos tomorrow and should have done so today.

Reloading some more 4.7 Unique and some 4.5 Win231 for tomorrow's range visit.
How does that sound, gentlemen?

Thanks

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Professional Trainer

4.7grs w231 with a f-100,med. crimp in my 6" 686 gave me 890fps and 6@ 1.43" at 25 yards with a +/- 57 fps.

the maximum Lyman load of 5.2 grs gave 956 fps.

5.5grs of Unique in the 38 case (+p) with a 158 lswc Oregon Trail bullet and cci500 primer gave 1044 fps 6@ 1.49 and +/- 58 fps.

If by chance you shoot the Speer 158 Lead bullets the company suggest that they are kept under 1,000 fps to reduce leading.

Note;
You may get better accuracy using 357 mag brass, with the bullet closer to the barrel and less jump
to disturb the bullets alinement from chamber to rifling. Good shooting.

doc,
I am going to step out on a limb here but, you are not going to get the accuracy you are wanting from these wimpy loads. First off, the bullets are too hard to obturate and grip the lands and grooves at the pressure you are running them. Secondly, you are not pushing these fast enough to get them to "spin" as the 125gr is. The 125gr is rated at almost 1000fps while the loads you have tested to this point are, well, wimpy to say the least. Probably no more than 780fps to 850fps.

Suggestion: Go to each powder manufacturer's website and see if they have +P loadings for these powders and for the weight of bullet you are using. If so, take them all the way up there and see if accuracy improves. Remember, you are going to feel the recoil more with the same velocity so, make sure your shooting abilities are up to it.

I have shot TONS of wimpy loads out of my M586 6", in fact, I used it stock out of the box for PPC, and I have never had a problem with accuracy. My bullets are home cast and softer than most though and I believe that plays a critical factor in accuracy in light loads.

But, YMMV, every firearm is an individual and you may have happened onto one that likes fast light bullets. If so, buy them and be happy!

I think you might have it figured out.

7.0 and 7.5 Unique in .357 brass worked fine

shot the 158 grain SWC's out to 50 yds with accuracy and authority

thanks

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Professional Trainer