S&W 686 Big Bore load

[geo01]

I have got a S&W 686 8 3/8" barrel that I want to get going in Big Bore Revolver class. I am chasing ideas on what weight cast projectiles I should be looking at putting through it. I currently use a 200gn cast projectile in front of 13.5gns of AR2205 (similar to W296) in my Contender barrel. Can a 686 handle a solid load or will it rattle to pieces after constant use? Should I stick with a 200gn projectile or back off to a 180gn one? Any pet loads would also be greatly appreciated. I am trying to stick with that AR2205 powder which is similar to H4227/H110, IMR4227, W296, R123, AA1680 and N120.

Thank you in advance for any information that may be provided.

Geo

Edited to change from "equivalent" to similar.

[willk]

I'm not a chemist but there are significant differences between IMR4227, WW296, and AA1680. I am not sure you are saying Loosely equivalent or exactly equivalent but those three powders alone are very different in metering, burn rate and ignition properties.

All that said, there is a very good article about shooting heavy bullets in a .357 in the February issue of Handloader's magazine. Finally to answer the question of beating the revolver to death with heavy loads, Using light loads for the chickens and turkeys will take half of the stress off of the firearm. Both critters fall very easily.

The rest needs to be addressed to Charlie and Philip. They have great experience with shooting silhouette with a .357

[geo01]

willk, thank you for that. I meant to say similar rather than equivalent.

Geo

[high standard 40]

For several years I have used a DW 15-2VH8 for silhouette. My load was a 170 gr Sierra FMJ Silhouette bullet with 15.2 gr of 296. My brother and I had good success through the years with that load. Last year I started experimenting with the RCBS 35-200 cast bullet. This bullet was designed for rifles and is somewhat heavy and long for 357 Mag revolvers. To fit the cylinder I have to seat very deep and crimp over the ogive. I am using 296 again with a CCI 550 primer. I can't really offer the charge weight because it is an unpublished load. I will say I used the "SWAG" method and started low and worked up slow. I stopped short of what pressure signs would suggest a Max load. It is very accurate, recoil actually feels less than my old 170 Sierra load, and I have yet to lose a Ram with it. I use an alloy consisting of clip-on wheel weights plus 2% tin and use Hornady gaschecks with Felix lube.