How can you tell if a older like 1985'ish 686 S&W is a Lew Horton?
Will it have a special serial# or stamped letters of some variety?
Also whats the" best" weight bullet for self defense in a little short barrel 357magnum and what range is "best" to zero the sights?
Thanks for any info or help in advance

I don't know about "best" but Speer makes a short barrel load. Off the top of my head I forget the bullet weight.

Your the best judge of where you zero for. I'd say 10 to 25 yards. My 1911 is zeroed for a 6 o'clock hold at 50 yards. Makes it about an inch low at 25, bullet passes through the sight line at 75 ish and puting a six o'clock hold on a "head" on a sillouette is a center mass shot at 100. Is 100 yards a self defense shot, no. Why did I do this? I shoot bullseye and leave my sight set for 50 yards most of the time so I shot the range one day to see where it hit.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

135 grain bullet. Short barrel info is at bottom of the page.

Thanks sam,That link is a great help