magnum0710
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2025
- Messages
- 21
What do you carry in the woods/outdoors and what load or ammo are you using? I'm in NE Ohio so we have quite a bit of black bear sightings, it's a slight concern but definitely not the main concern. Stray dogs and coyotes are my main concerns.
I normally carry my Ruger Speed Six in 357 magnum, my woods load is a hard cast (16-18 bhn) 158 grain SWC with 13.5 grains Accurate #9 and a small magnum primer. I pretty much have to load my own to get the load I want. All of the hard cast 357 factory options are 180 and 200 grain, and they're loaded hot! Those are true bear loads capable of thwarting a grizzly attack. For my neck of the woods a full power 158 makes much more sense. The problem is no one makes a full power 158 hard cast 357, the Underwood and Buffalo Bore 38+p Outdoorsman loads are close but more of a 38/44 load. I figure a 158 running at 1200 fps or so from a 3 inch barrel should be able to thwart a black bear in the small chance of an attack but not be overkill for smaller threats. My revolver also has fixed sights so that's another point in favor of 158s.
ETA: I forgot to mention, my woods load used to be 9.5 grains HS6 with the same bullet. I switched because I was able to get #9 for less and I knew it would get better velocity than HS6.
I normally carry my Ruger Speed Six in 357 magnum, my woods load is a hard cast (16-18 bhn) 158 grain SWC with 13.5 grains Accurate #9 and a small magnum primer. I pretty much have to load my own to get the load I want. All of the hard cast 357 factory options are 180 and 200 grain, and they're loaded hot! Those are true bear loads capable of thwarting a grizzly attack. For my neck of the woods a full power 158 makes much more sense. The problem is no one makes a full power 158 hard cast 357, the Underwood and Buffalo Bore 38+p Outdoorsman loads are close but more of a 38/44 load. I figure a 158 running at 1200 fps or so from a 3 inch barrel should be able to thwart a black bear in the small chance of an attack but not be overkill for smaller threats. My revolver also has fixed sights so that's another point in favor of 158s.
ETA: I forgot to mention, my woods load used to be 9.5 grains HS6 with the same bullet. I switched because I was able to get #9 for less and I knew it would get better velocity than HS6.
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