Wad Cutters vs FMJ for 686---Questions

[John G C 1]

I am new to shooting anything other than 22 LR.

So I am in the process of getting a 686 and plan to shoot 38. special rounds for target.

The more I read on ammunition, the more confused I get.

1. Am I correct that I can switch between wad cutters and FMJ as long as I clean the gun bore well? I clean whenever I finish using the gun. Usually I run a bore snake through a few times with some Hoppes sprayed on the copper bristle part. Then another bore snake with Hoppes oil at the tail end. This seems to work well with the 22. Would that be good enough if switching between wad cutters and FMJ? I usually shoot 100 rounds per session, twice a month.

2. Is FMJ ammunition really wildly inaccurate? Or for a newbie will FMJ and Wad Cutters likely group more or less the same at 15 yards?


I know for many of you this is a bit of a repeat, but I appreciate any comments here, as I have read many threads here and online in general and I get more confused the more I read about, especially about the issue of switching back and forth between wad cutters and FMJ. I began to wonder if it would make sense to choose one and stay with it.

Thanks a lot. J

 

[mag318]

I shoot wadcutters through my 686/681 all the time. They were invented for target shooting, they cut a cleaner hole that makes scoring easier and more precise. My wife who is recoil shy can comfortably shoot wadcutters in any of my revolvers, so they are great practise loads.
As for FMJ loads being inaccurate, that is a complete falsehood. I clean my guns after every range session but seldom during a range session even if switching between FMJ and lead bullets.
Most firearms be it a rifle or handgun will have a preference for one or two loads. You have to experiment to see what is more accurate in your 686. The earlier 686s no dash and dash 1,2 and 3s have deeper rifling that some say are more accurate with lead bullets than the later shallow rifling.
Again just experiment and see what your 686 shoots best.
Before this ammo shortage started last year I bought 2 (1000) round cases of Federal 148 grn 38 Special wadcutters and find them to shoot well in all my revolvers.
Here's a photo of a group shot at 15 yards using cheap Winchester White Box 38 Special FMJ from WalMart, seems accurate enough for me out of this 686-3.

 

[John G C 1]

Great. Thanks. That looks plenty accurate. I am sure I will not do as well. I am leaning toward wad cutters but no one around here carries them and most people here seem more into power than accuracy, from what they tell me.

I will experiment and then buy a case.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Most shooters shoot the 148 lead wc and 158gr lead bullets
at low target velocity in the 38 case in the magnum pistols.

38 ammo is usually accurate in magnums but some weight
bullets tend to shoot better than other in different guns. You
just have to see which 38 load works best for you in the 686.

Right now the 158 LRN load is cheaper than the 148gr target
load, if you can find them. Nothing wrong with 110, 125 or 130
Jacket bullets if the price is right for breaking in that new gun.

Good luck.

 

[OKFC05]

About the only ammo my 686s really don't like is the 130gr FMJ like the USAF used to issue, but frankly, a beginner at 15 yds won't notice the difference.
My 686s will all shoot 1" at 25yds with their favorite ammunition, which is far better than most novice shooters can manage with anything. In match conditions, any hit on an IDPA target outside the "zero down" with my 4" 686 and minor .38 158gr loads is strictly my fault, even out to 35yds.

 

[riverrat38]

If you shoot in an indoor range, they might not allow lead bullets. Full metal jacket only. It is that way at all of the indoor ranges around these parts. The range officer goes over my ammo with a fine tooth comb and a magnet. No steel, either. I hand load my own ammo. I use copper plated bullets. These are acceptable. Costs about $17 a hundred for target ammo. Hand loading is why I switched from a .22LR to a .38Special. Its half the fun!

Best,
Rick

 

[Darkenfast]

I used to have an early six-inch 586, and my wife had a stock of wadcutter ammunition from her employer. It was a happy combination. When things calm down a little in the industry, Georgia Arms sell .38 wadcutters in their "Canned Heat" economy line. I haven't used it, but I hear it's decent stuff.

 

[rwsmith]

The difference is...

The difference is that jacketed bullets are very accurate and wadcutters can be extremely accurate, especially out of a 686 with a well tuned load. I don't believe that I will ever be good enough to blame the gun/ammo combination for my lousy performance. I might dry brush a little during a range session when switching types of ammo (especially after shooting .38 special ammo), but I've never fouled up a revolver enough in a few hours to really affect accuracy. Shooting the jacketed bullets can help clean out your barrel somewhat. If you shoot lead bullets to high velocities it can cause leading of the barrel, which can affect accuracy more than just some powder residue.

Oh, and I commend you on your choice of gun!