I actually have and have carried both of these. The j-frame was a go-to ankle carry as backup on duty (LEO) and off for years. I tucked it in a belt holster occasionally too.
The 43 is more accurate, higher capacity and easier on the reload. As far as appendix carry, perhaps the Smith will...
All auto-loading .308’s kinda suck because they are expensive to feed! That said, my only experience is building a Fulton Armory M14 barreled receiver with USGI parts. It’s nice, but all depends what a person wants to do.
There is a Blackhorn breech plug that works with all loose powder. It is not flat faced but concaved on the powder end. I run this one in my Optima V2. Here it is:
The flat faced breech plug that came factory in mine, I believe, is for pellets. I went back to loose powder a few years ago...
I don’t know about the SX4, but my old SX2 is a great gun. Killed a few turkeys. Even better now that the tacky, peeling camo stock finish was redone on Winchester’s dime last summer.
Step 1: Dawn dish soap, water, fully dry by the stove or with a hairdryer.
Step 2: Butch’s blackpowder bore shine.
Step 3: Final bore coat using CVA slick lube non petroleum grease or lube. It’s like a bore butter. Exterior metal use any regular rust prevention gun oil. All this is for...