What is your woods load?

magnum0710

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Jun 29, 2025
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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.
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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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What hard cast bullet are you using?
Right now the 357 powder coated grooveless from Missouri Bullets, I also use the 158s from T&B Bullets but theirs still have the lube groove. Summit City's were good too but they've been out of stock for a while now. I'm thinking about trying the 170 grain Keith bullet from Matt's Bullets next, I think theirs drop at 178.
 

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