I'm getting back into reloading because my kids are older - two in college, one in high school, so only the youngest still has "parent activities" - and I have more free time on the weekends. I'm starting with .38/.357, for which I have numerous revolvers as well as a Marlin 1894c. The specific revolver I'm looking for advice on is a S&W 686 with a 4" barrel. The type of loads I'm contemplating are .357 general defense including dangerous animals. I'm not doing this for actual home-defense as I have other firearms dedicated to that for which I use factory ammo; this is solely for learning and enjoyment.
Basically, I want to test powerful but efficient loads for the particular platform I'm using. I'm looking to find a load that I can shoot accurately double action at close range but can still hurl lead 25-50 yards downrange offhand single action with paper plate accuracy. I have 296, 2400, 4227, and Alliant Power Pro 300-MP (which I've never used before). I also have Unique. I want to use a heavier bullet and I have cast 158gr SWC, cast 170gr RNFP, and 158gr XTP. For what it might be worth I also have Speer swaged 158gr SWCHP and Hornady swaged 148gr HBWC.
The specific question I have is regarding 4" vs 6" barrels in the .357. I've long read that many consider the 6" barrel to be optimum for .357 because the shorter you go the more you're blowing unburned powder out of the barrel. When I was young I just worked toward max all the time but now decades later I find myself wanting to take a more measured, thought-out approach. In a 4" .357 is there a point where below-max loads get you substantially the same performance as max loads?
Basically, I want to test powerful but efficient loads for the particular platform I'm using. I'm looking to find a load that I can shoot accurately double action at close range but can still hurl lead 25-50 yards downrange offhand single action with paper plate accuracy. I have 296, 2400, 4227, and Alliant Power Pro 300-MP (which I've never used before). I also have Unique. I want to use a heavier bullet and I have cast 158gr SWC, cast 170gr RNFP, and 158gr XTP. For what it might be worth I also have Speer swaged 158gr SWCHP and Hornady swaged 148gr HBWC.
The specific question I have is regarding 4" vs 6" barrels in the .357. I've long read that many consider the 6" barrel to be optimum for .357 because the shorter you go the more you're blowing unburned powder out of the barrel. When I was young I just worked toward max all the time but now decades later I find myself wanting to take a more measured, thought-out approach. In a 4" .357 is there a point where below-max loads get you substantially the same performance as max loads?