686 Target Load

[BLUEDOT37]

What are your suggested loads (or at least powders of choice), for accuracy w/ the Xtreme 158SWC / .358"? ...w/ Unique ...

Uniq @ 7.0gr= ~965fps

CFE-P @ 6.3gr= ~900fps

G-D @ 5.7gr= ~975fps

P-P @ 7.5gr= ~940fps

- Xtreme 158gr P-RNFP, all in S-L 357 cases, using CCI-500, & a light/moderate taper crimp at the cannelure (1.525"), shoot great in my 686+, 327TRR8 or 627PC w/5" bbls.

- I only used a small batch (100?) of the P-SWC initially & then experimented with the others, later settling on the RNFP for no overwhelming reason. I seated these a little longer at 1.550". These are the few powders I tried, with them, that I noted shot the best:

HP-38 @ 5.6gr= ~1000fps

B-E @ 6.0gr= ~1050fps

- Now you know everything I do.

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[GCF]

- Now you know everything I do.

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Thanks for the tip!

 

[gehlsurf]

I use close to the same load as bb57, but with red dots brother, blue dot.

So a 158 LSWC (Tumble Lube variety) over 6.2 grains of blue dot. It meters like ****, so I use the Lee powder dipper, .3 cc x 2 for each load. DOUBLE CHECK WITH YOUR SCALE!!!

This is the most accurate load out of my 327 TRR8. In fact, most accurate handgun load I have out of any of my hansguns, the 10mm, 44 mag and others feel neglected.

 

[Jupiter01]

I really like the "slip fit" Lyman M Expander. I use them on my Dillon 550 for .38 / .357 / .45acp. Big improvement over the standard design.
Takes an extra step - as it's not "powder through", but well worth it, IMHO. Currently on sale at Midway:

"M" style dies are a goodness...when I first started reloading, only Lyman had this. I have one for each of my guns.
Another alternative...Newer RCBS .38/357 dies now have an "M" style expander .
I read that somewhere, and called the company to purchase one of the newer expander stems. The rep sent me one...no charge! It works a treat! Thanks, RCBS!

 

[OldChief]

I find a nice mild accurate load for .38 spec. to be 3.2 grains of HP38 pushing a 158 grain plated semi-wadcutter.

 

[riverrat38]

Can't use lead at my range, so I use Xtreme plated flat nose, both 125 gr and 158 gr. I also use MGN cases, and a load of HP-38 that is between plus P and bottom of MGN. My last trip to the range, 5.0 gr for the 158 gr and 6.0 gr for the 125 gr. My revolver is the 4 inch M686 6 shot. Easy shooting for the M686, and a little snappy in my M640 Pro. I have also used the plated 148 gr WC's. Was very accurate, but seemed to stress my Starline cases with deeper seating depth. I have read that WC's need a different case because of this. But, I did shoot a 1 inch group at 30 feet. My best of the day, but the gun and bullet seemed up to the challenge. I was using 5.0 gr Bullseye, again in MGN cases. I might use heavier loads if this was the only revolver I was loading for, but I have a lot of Arthritis in my wrist and fingers and like to use the same cartridges for my carry gun, the M640 Pro. The 125 gr cost less, about 8 cents instead of 10 cents, a round. I only load some 158 gr to emulate my 158 gr BB LSWCHP non plus P carry ammo for the 640 Pro. The 640 shoots low with lighter ammo, or I would use Speer 135 gr SB and just load 125 gr bullets for everything. Unfortunately, I can't shoot my lead carry ammo at the range, but plated works well for practice. I shot a cylinders worth of the lead and got busted. They could see the smoke on the TV cameras.

Best,
Rick