686 ammo question

[fishead]

I have a 686 with 6inch barrel that I bought new in the mid 1980's. I used this gun for hog hunting and target practice over the years ,but now I want to use it to protect my family at home.
I thought about using 125 grain .38 plus p ammo to avoid over penetration in my home. Any thoughts on if this is a good choice for this gun and application ?
thanks for any help

 

[Fishinfool]

It will certinaly work for home protection. Using 38spl ammo is not a bad choice as far as controllability and muzzle blast go, especially when fired inside a structure.

I would look at plus P loadings in the current state of the art bullets such as Gold Dots. The Remington 125 grain semi-jacketed hollowpoint plus P load used to be among the better stoppers in 38 spl.

Larry

 

[fishead]

thanks,
I am no expert in this area and I want to make sure I am making a good choice for this particular gun.
thanks again

 

[BobR1]

I have mid range 125 Grain 357 magnum Golden Sabers in my wifes 686 House Gun.

I normally carry 135 Gold Dot 357's in my 3 Inch 66-2 which I conceal carry a great deal.

Gold Dot 125 grain 357's are not a bad choice either.

Bob

 

[OKFC05]

I want to make sure I am making a good choice for this particular gun.

The gun will shoot anything you put in it, from .38 wadcutters to 158gr XTP .357 magnum hunting loads.
The real question is what can you handle and what are you comfortable using inside your house.
By the way, any of the loads I listed will penetrate a sheetrock wall, so you still have to be very careful about where the bullet goes if you miss.

 

[fishead]

thank you for your help,
I know what ammo to use for shooting pigs ,but after researching H.D. ammo my head started spinning. The technical info concerning powder burn speed vs. barrel length,bullet weight vs. velocity , bullet type and ft. lbs. and on and on. My concern was that the 357 rounds would be a bit much indoors and I wanted to make sure the .38 plus would perform ok from this gun. Somewhere I read that the .38plus was made for shorter barrel guns and may not work as intended in longer barrel guns. ???
thanks again

 

[mod29]

I carry 158-gr JHP factory .357 Magnum ammunition in my 686 no-dash.
The 686 will shoot .357 magnum or .38 Specials all day long, and do it very well.

Whatever factory .357 magnum load you choose for your 686, you are right to be concerned with the muzzle blast. It's unpleasant. .38 Special loads are worth considering.

Just about any good defensive load can pass through several walls in the typical house, so you'll need to consider that with whatever you might choose.
Not sure if you're gaining much in that regard by choosing .38 Specials over the magnum loadings. Maybe a little.


-Jim

 

[S&W Fan]

I've been very happy with the accuracy, recoil and mild muzzle flash from Winchester Silvertip 148gr. jhp in my 686.