686 3" ammo

[stoppingpower]

So I've been lurking here for a while, but I've never posted. I'm going to pick up a 686 3" and I'm hoping for a little advise on ammo which is certainly not my area of expertise. All of the discussions I find about the best ammo for shorter barrels are about reducing recoil in j frames. I'm not really worried about recoil in the heavier and larger 686, I'm only worried about the performance out of the 3" barrel. Maybe some folks here can point me in the right direction, do I need to look towards short barrel ammo in the 3 inch 686 (maybe short barrel gold dots or 125gr golden sabers) or should I stick with the full power loads. Again, I'm not as concerned with recoil as I am with velocity, expansion, penetration, stopping power. Thanks in advance.

 

[StatesRightist]

You are only going to get so much muzzle velocity out of a 3" barrel. I would either go with the Gold Dot SB or the Corbon DPX. The DPX's get to almost 1300 fps out of a 3" barrel. Their solid make up will be better for barrier penetration etc, but either is a good load. *** far as recoil goes, do not underestimate it. Your follow-up time with the DPX's will be measurably longer than the SB's. I have a 2.5 686 plus, I carry the SB's in the gun and 2 speed loaders with the DPX's in them when I carry it, figuring round 2/3 if needed, will probably involve a better chance of needing penetration rounds. JMO, good luck with the new gun.

 

[indiandave]

Look at Buffalo Bore. I use their standard pressure 158gr LSWHP's made to be used in short barrels. They also have low recoil and flash .357's for short barrels. They make a good product.

They are not cheap but if my love ones were in danger I wouldn't care how much my ammo costs. Only how it would shoot.

 

[murphydog]

I would try both the "short barrel" and full .357 loads in the 125 gr range under different lighting conditions and see which work best for you and your gun. I don't think you need to think you are under gunned by using the SB loads if you and the gun like them.

 

[stoppingpower]

I would try both the "short barrel" and full .357 loads in the 125 gr range under different lighting conditions and see which work best for you and your gun. I don't think you need to think you are under gunned by using the SB loads if you and the gun like them.

Thanks for the replies. It could be just because ammo is not my strong suit, but dont the stronger loads function worse in the shorter barrels or is it just a matter of shooting the biggest rounds you can handle?

 

[hawgleg]

Try 125 remington Golden Sabars as they are a milder load for 357. I like them alot in my 3in Mod 60.

 

[handgunner356]

Two I like in 3" guns are the Golden Saber Remington 125gr, they are loaded to the older medium velocity specs. The Winchester Silvertips 145gr also work well. The hotter .357s' don't seem to get that much gain but a lot more flash from shorter barrels.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A 3" barrel isn't all that short. When it comes to .357 Magnum ammo the fastest ammo from a 4" or more barrel will also be the fastest in a 3" barrel too. Find an ammo that you can shoot well in your revolver and don't worry about the barrel length, really...

As I've said before, the best ammo in the world means nothing unless you hit what you aim at.

 

[686fan]

The Federal 357B 125 grain is a great round. It has a lot of recoil, but with a 3" 686, you'll be fine.

 

[Stu Honea]

I don't think you'll have any worries with an L frame regardless of what you use in it. My 4 inch duty gun handled the hottest rounds fine.No control problems.

 

[riverrat38]

I use BB 150 gr hardcast WC's in my 3 in 686 plus. Should get over 900 FPS. My speed strip has Federal 125B's loaded. I figure that if I need my reload, something is more than unusual.

rat

 

[johns961]

I have a 686+ withthe 2 1/2 inch barrel.
I use Buffalo Bore tactical light. A 158 grain gold dot at 1100 FPS.

John!

 

[mod29]

Welcome, 'stoppingpower'.

For what it's worth, I like to keep things simple.
For my Mod 66-1, or my 686 no-dash (both have 2 1/2" barrels), I load with standard offerings from either Remington or Winchester, 357-Magnum 158-gr semi-jacketed hollow points.
If that won't do the job, time for a different handgun...or maybe a rifle or shotgun.

-Jim

 

[Alk8944]

Contrary to popular lore, ammunition is not barrel length specific, notwithstanding the Speer "Short-Barrel" loads.


The load that gives the best performance in a 6" barrel will also be best in a 2" or 3" barrel. Will it give the same velocity? NO! But that is a limitation you have chosen by selecting a shorter barrel. It is one of the trade-offs between performance and concealability/convenience.

 

[mlevans66]

Well the type of ammo you have won't be that much of a factor compared to the grip you have on the 686. I have one with a 2in barrel and almost every 357 I shoot used to fly out of my hand it felt like. What you should be looking into is grips. I have the Hogue grip which is larger and helps reduce the kick a lot. Use those and some winchester 357 110 grains and you have a easy day. The stock shorty grip I had with any 357 left me feeling like I needed a new hand. Have fun with the gun!