S&W 686 target champion

J

jennyaspot

Joined
Jun 16, 2017
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Location
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Dear fellow target shooters,

Just purchased the above pistol (a ‘speced” up 686 -
S&W%20TARGET%20CHAMP.jpg

. Extended firing pin
· Wolff power rib #2 mainspring
· Headspace reduced to 60 – 64 thou
· B/C gap cut to 6 thou
· Forcing cone recut to 11 degrees (lead)
· Barrel recrowned
· Bead blasted frame
· Bead Blasted hammer and trigger
· Action tuned to minimum Smith & Wesson specification
· ‘686 Target Champion’ laser engraving
· LPA rear sight
· Patridge Front Sight
· Altamont deluxe engraved grips.
in 6” barrel and eager for any suggestions from anyone who has already developed an accurate load for their best 25 yard centerfire target loads.

I have only just got back into target pistol shootings after some years out and sadly my late father’s loading data that we used was somehow lost for my 586. I do recall we used our own 125gr cast lead projectiles, 357 cases, CCI primers (can't remember if they were standard or magnum) and Win 231 powder. (still have the powder) and loaded them as 38 special. Which several reloading books suggest.

So….. I was planning to get Starline .357 brass cases to start with, ideally use the win 231 powder but open to others more experience and expertise . Not even sure what the the thinking is with the projectiles for this Olympic event. I know 148gr wadcutters were very popular years ago. Also loads can't exceed 1000’/sec which makes sense with a lead projectile.

Again any suggestions will be welcomed and any load will incrementally increased to any suggestion made to protect everyone with all responsibility accepted by me with what I ultimately put down the barrel.


Thanks and safe shooting,
Boyd
 
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First of all, welcome to the forum.
Target Special is a rare bird here.
Pictures always appreciated here.
Consensus is that regular 38 Special wadcutter loads perform just fine in most 357s.
Using 357 brass, Try 3.5 grains Bullseye or 4.5 grains of Unique. These work well in most revolvers.
Should give you about 800 FPS.
But, as every gun is a story unto itself, you may need to adjust some.
 
My 686 6" likes 38 special and long 357 cases with lead bullets.

The 125 gr LRN & LTFN bullets are accurate as well as the 158 gr Lswc design bullets in the 38 case.
I don't shoot the 148gr lead in my 686 6", I save them for the 2".

The large 158 gr lead bullet can be a 38 "Powder Puff" up to a full target load around 1,000 fps.
I had ten powders to sort through to see what my revolver liked best.

For target work, any thing faster than Unique powder, will work.
Some like Ball powder and some like me, have a lot of flake powder to burn up.

Good luck on your Quest.
 
Check out Bullseye-L, I do believe some of the Distinguished Revolver guys have loads up there.

I would start at 2.8-gr of Bullseye under a 158 and ladder my way up from there. WW-231/HP-38 is popular, but you should also consider Winchester SuperTarget.

Another avenue to look at is a slightly different bullet. I've heard of great success with 158-grain jacketed bullets from Zero (which are also not terribly expensive, but obviously more than lead).
 
38 special brass, win primer, 158 LSWC, 3.4 grains 231, COAL of 1.475" has always worked good for me.
 
I don't know what powders are available to you in Australia, but I'd think you would be wise to start with the W231 you have. Hodgdon shows a max of 3.4 with a 148 LHBWC which produces 908 fps. I'd assume they are loading low to prevent leading. Another good option would be Unique or Bullseye. Unique can be tricky to meter properly, but gives very good accuracy by volume. It fills up more of the case than Bullseye, which is also quite accurate under lead in .357. Regardless, no one here can tell you what will shoot the best from your firearm. Only trying many options and shooting will tell you that. If you are to legitimately compete, you will be constantly adjusting/changing loads chasing your own "Holy Grail" load. Go out and shoot the damn thing and see what she likes!
 
As the OP stated he had W231 powder I would suggest just going to the Hodgdon Website and plug in the bullet he decides to use.

Without knowing the weight of the actual bullet it is hard to say??

W231/HP38 is fine and made for the 38 special/light 357 mag target loads.

90% of your accuracy is going to be you the shooter, not the powder or minutia of .5 grains or such. You will need to chronograph your loads to determine if they are within required velocity.

What works for others from a bench rest may not be "your" best load.

As you live down under I imagine ADI powders are available also??

Hodgdon Reloading | Home


ADI Powders Handloaders' Guide
 
Big, soft Heavy....

First, a Hound Dawg Howdy from SC and that is a beautiful piece of gunwork.


Everybody's advice is great but, generally speaking, a slow, heavy soft swaged bullet will give the best accuracy. A 148 grain HBWC
is best for most or a 158 grain SWC should be dandy.
 
Welcome to the forum.You'll find like I did lots of gentleman willing to share their secrets!
For target shooting,I've found that up to 25 yds(or meters),a 125gr WC was as accurate as the 148gr in same shape.I've used pounds after pounds of quick burning powder but must say that I've got a soft spot for 2.6gr 700X.
I also like Red Dot at a slightly increased amount of(0.1 to 0.2gr more)and of course,the old standby Bullseye at 2.7 or 2.8gr.
BTW,I use the same charges under the 148gr WC.
Have fun experimenting.
Qc
 
357 load

My model 27 really likes a 158gr LSWC in 357 brass loaded with 5.0 grains
Of HP38/W231. This load is slightly hotter than a 38+P. Willyboy
 
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