686 cartridges, loads

[swamphunter]

This has probably been posted before, so I apologize if I am bringing up old news.  I have a 6" 686.  Can you shoot the Hornady Lever evolution ammunition out of it?  I also have some 139 grain cast bullets that I am looking for a good .38 plinking load for.
Thanks,
Swamp

[Mohawk]

Contact Hornady. They should be able to tell you. In my experience target .38 loads are "gun" specific. This is with factory loads. Just shoot until you find out which target load you like.

[Graybeard]

If it isn't too long for the cylinder yes you can. Whether your gun will like them I dunno and I see absolutely no benefit to doing so unless you just have some you want to shoot up. They are made for tubular magazine rifle use and I don't personally even see a reason to use them for that.

[swamphunter]

Thanks for the replies.
Are the Hornady Lever Evolution cartridges not what they are cracked up to be?
Take care,
Swamp

[anachronism]

To me, they're an ingenious solution to a nonexistent problem. They do fill one purpose though, they do generate revenue for Hornady. I would really be astonished if you found a real advantage in them with a revolver.

[Mohawk]

Honestly, I've killed two deer within two weeks with my .357 Model 28 a few years ago. Load was a standard Remington 158 gr SJHP(Semi Jacketed Hollow Point). Both deer were shot through the lungs and neither deer went more than 30 yards. So I can't tell you if the Hornady will work well, I've never needed any thing more that the Remmy's. I think any modern expanding .357 is fine. Remington Green Box, Gold Dot, Corbon, Buffalo Bore, etc.

[jlchucker]

To me, they're an ingenious solution to a nonexistent problem. They do fill one purpose though, they do generate revenue for Hornady. I would really be astonished if you found a real advantage in them with a revolver.

I gotta agree with you, and Graybeard's comment about this.  Not only do they generate revenue for Horady, but they give the gun magazine writers another topic to write about.  Ingenious, and accomplishing nothing that can't be accomplished with a well placed shot with a Remington Coreloct or Winchester Powerpoint.  Or even a properly-fitted cast bullet, for that matter.

[Mohawk]

That is the reason for most calibers........... IE: let's "improve on the .30-06". Now we have the .270!!!!.....but wait, now we have the .280..............etc. It's all about sales....