Heavy .38 spl +P BB From a 686

[The_Shootist]

Tried a box of Buffalo Bore "heavy" 158 SWCHP 158gr +P out of my 686+ at the range today. In the past, had found it to be kind of a handfull from my 3" bbl SP 101 but was pleasantly surpised today.

The load was very accurate, allowing for quick followups and more than manageable. For those carrying a full size .357 type revolver for CCW duty, my guess is this would be a pretty good compromise load. It easily provides the POA punch of a medium .357 load or +P 9mm load in a heavier bullet. A 686+ with a couple of speedloaders of this load would be nothing to sneeze at.

For practice, Georgia Arms makes a plated semi-wadcutter 158gr .357 at 1100fps which duplicates (for $ 16/bag of 50) the feel of the Buffalo Bore so there is a similiar load you could plink with to stay in practice.

I think my G19 is going back in the safe for awhile

 

[jad0110]

Great info, thanks for posting.

Just curious, what barrel length is your 686+ and how do you plan to carry it (holster make)?

 

[The_Shootist]

Nod

Its a 4" bbl 686+ (prelock ). It gets carried in a thin DeSantis IWB leather holster that simply disappears, even in shorts-untucked t-shirt mode. A couple of 7 shot HKS are carried left side in a double speedloader pouch to complete the outfit.

Judging from how quickly I burned through 100 rds of .357 ammo at the range today, my reload times are pretty respectable . It would see me through all but the most "doomsday" situations (ie ie 3-5 multiple opponents in a late night stop and rob).

Maybe even then