Just bought a S&W 686-3, now what???

[smong2000]

  OK seriously, I'd been thinking about getting a decent revolver for a while and got this one for $500 with holster, belt and a couple boxes of ammo (heavy hunting), hope I didn't get hosed.  It was an 'old guy's revolver 2x previously and saw little use and no cleaning so I'm scrubbing out the bore and chambers to clean steel right now.  I have only 3 other handguns, a Keltec P32, a Glock 23 and an Encore 7-08.  Love the Glock but wouldn't think much of hunting with it, the Encore just doesn't light my fire, fun to shoot but not what I would want to hunt and hike with either.  I guess the 4" 686 fell right in the middle.
  What should I load up with for the odd encounter with a whitetail and how much difference is there really going to be with light .38 loads vs a hunting load in POI and recoil/shootability?  I won't be shooting much until I get set up for reloading and am hoping to get some components that work with light loads and full-on mags and hoped some of you would share some recommendations how to get started.  Should I even bother with the light stuff and do all my practicing with the hunting loads?  I shot several hundred rounds through the 7-08 last summer, usually 30-50 per session and didn't mind the recoil too much.
Thanks,  Steve

[Siskiyou]

I have fired an agency owned 686-3 with full house 125-grain Winchester .357 loads on a 60-round course.  I had been use to firing a 2.5 inch model 66 and a 4-inch model 19 a lot.  I have never weighed the 686 but felt it was slightly heavier, and the muzzle jump slightly less. 

I would not use 38 Special loads for deer.  I have seen deer put down in a hunting situation with 125-grain, 140-grain, and 158-grain factory loads in the .357.  I have also seen a number of deer injured by cars put out of their misery with the described loads.  One of the concerns when up close to deer being put down was over penetration and putting bystanders at risk.
 
I owned, and loaded for the .357 for years before I received my L.E. training.  The .38 and 357 cases are simple to load.  When loading lead bullets the goal was to keep velocity below a 1000 fps to reduce leading.  I suggest getting a good manual, and go from there.

[Autorim]

For general purpose loads, the 158 - 160 grain bullets are hard to beat.

[Mohawk]

  Shoot it-Shoot it-Shoot it!!! That is a great L-Frame Smith and Wesson. Throw some 158gr hollowpoints in her, sight them in, and hit the deer woods. You should be good to go! I used simple factory .357 Magnum 158gr. Semi-Jacketed Hollowpoints from my S&W Model 28 4" barrel on two whitetails last year and they work fine. Both ran 40 yards and died. Great eating!!!!