6" 686 Newbee ammo question

[Michael5959]

Hi everyone,

After decades of wanting and months of looking, I am now the proud owner of a 6" non-dash 686 in immaculate condition. I had finally narrowed my choice down to a 4" vs 6" 686 after months of looking. Was at a gun show this past weekend and walked back and forth for 3 hrs trying to decide between two pieces, a 4" vs 6" 686. Settled on the 6" which I bought from a retired police officer, who had used this piece as his service revolver for many years. Had fired a 6" at the range and loved the feel and accuracy. CC is not a big deal to me and this 6", an early model 686 had been professionally tuned, and had the sweetest trigger I have ever pulled. I compared it to a Python and while different, felt it was just as smooth and good.

My question now is what to get for ammo. I have 3 scenarios I need to solve for:

1) HD - need for self and wife, and was thinking of a good 38+P load since this could be in my wifes hands (novice shooter), and I want something she could handle and be comfortable with.

2) Range loads - looking for a mix of good quality but economy priced 38 spl and 357 loads.

3) Camping/recreation - looking for good quality 357 loads with enough punch to handle a cougar or black bear.


What do you think?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike.

 

[Steve C]

1) HD - I use 125gr JHP's, best man stopper there is. If you want less muzzle blast and recoil use Remington Golden Sabers, a medium velocity load but much better than any .38 spl.

2) Range loads - any .38 spl or .357 mag, you just have to shop price.

3) Camping/recreation - may want to go with a heavier bullet like 158gr JHP's or JSP's. You don't want to pick on a bear with any handgun but plenty have been killed with the .357 mag.

 

[badge 851]

Hi everyone,

After decades of wanting and months of looking, I am now the proud owner of a 6" non-dash 686 in immaculate condition. I had finally narrowed my choice down to a 4" vs 6" 686 after months of looking. Was at a gun show this past weekend and walked back and forth for 3 hrs trying to decide between two pieces, a 4" vs 6" 686. Settled on the 6" which I bought from a retired police officer, who had used this piece as his service revolver for many years. Had fired a 6" at the range and loved the feel and accuracy. CC is not a big deal to me and this 6", an early model 686 had been professionally tuned, and had the sweetest trigger I have ever pulled. I compared it to a Python and while different, felt it was just as smooth and good.

My question now is what to get for ammo. I have 3 scenarios I need to solve for:

1) HD - need for self and wife, and was thinking of a good 38+P load since this could be in my wifes hands (novice shooter), and I want something she could handle and be comfortable with.

2) Range loads - looking for a mix of good quality but economy priced 38 spl and 357 loads.

3) Camping/recreation - looking for good quality 357 loads with enough punch to handle a cougar or black bear.


What do you think?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike.

1. Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

2. 38 SPL 158 Grain Full Metal Jacket Flat -

2a. Product Search Results

3. Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[1sgret]

686 no dash 6 inch

Mike,

I picked up our 686 (no dash) in June of 1986. I bought the 6" also. The weapon was for my wife. I put Pachmeyer grips on it for her & had it mag-na-ported. We were doing the early form of Action Shooting (Called combat shooting then). She developed a jerk with her 1977 Gold Cup .45. I thought that a double action revolver would suite her. She went into it flying. I did (still do) all my reloading and I worked up a really "stout" but safe load for her. When she hit a pepper popper target it would go down & rebound off the tire and reset in the vertical. She always hit dead center on the head. She is a small 5'1" woman too.

With the weight of the revolver, the 6" barrel and the mag-na-porting, she had no muzzle flip at all. That is her go to gun ever since then. She never fired anything else other than those reloads (over 10,000 of them). We do have some flame cut on the revolver, but not too bad. It is as accurate & tight as the day we got it.

You will have to experiment with your wife shooting, but don't assume that she will need mild loads.

Some people say the Mag-na-porting doesn't work, well my wife will disagree with them. Some say that it will reduce the resale value, maybe so, but we are not selling it & don't plan to.

Good luck with it

John