I pretty much agree with everything you said.

I guess I have been trying to find the best "hybrid" load for carrying in a 2.5 or 3" K frame that would deal with most animals I'm likely to encounter in the NC woods as well as the potential human agressor as well. I'd like something that could theoretically stop a black bear or wild boar, although a snake or coyote is far more likely to be the threat.

If I were carrying strictly for the woods, I'd choose a 180-GR Hardcast 357. Strictly for the city, a 125GR if I were carrying 357, although I'd probably be comfortable with 38SP+P.

To fulfill both situations when a reload is not possible, I guess I have kind of settled on 158GR 357 Hardcast loads. The problem is I feel the 158GR Hardcasts will overpenetrate in the city, but 158GR Hollowpoints will underpenetrate in the woods. Part of me feels that the likelihood of encountering a larger animal where the hardcasts would be necessary is probably low enough that 158GR 357 hollowpoints would be a better choice.

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Aaron Terry