Load recommendation for woods carry

gfors

gfors

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I have a 4" M66, that I plan on carrying during fishing and hiking trips, in the mountains and streams of Colorado. I imagine my most likely threat will come from an unattended dog, or 3. Encounter with an evil 2-legged critter is also a possibility. Not too worried about bears or lions, although, they, or an angry moose are possible. What would be a good round, to carry? Different rounds, in a specified order in the cylinder?
Any help appreciated.
Regards,
George
 
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I'm partial to 158 gr hard cast swc.

You can pot a bunny or blue grouse for lunch or deal with a black bear, moose or bipedal beastie. Won't wreck lunch with too much expansion and will penetrate and smash bone in large animals.

I certainly wouldn't carry bird/snake shot in any chambers. You're talking Colorado mountains: snakes aren't an issue.
 
Go to a zoo and watch the animals move and visualize where you'd place defensive shots on them.

I certainly wouldn't discount a cougar attack.

If your gun doesn't suffice, like if it's knocked out of your hand or malfunctions (unlikely with your M-66), a suitable knife is in order.

I know of two cougars who were dealt with via knives. Also, look up Harry Wolhuter on Wiki. Read about how his knife saved him from an African lion. Very stirring story!

In your shoes, I'd probably choose my M-66-3 and load with a 165 grain round that Remington made. May still. I have a box. It's constructed for deer hunting. Otherwise, I'd use 158 grain JSP or my usual 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shoks. Their PR man said it works well on deer.

I like Winchester's 145 grain Silvertips, but for men and other relatively small targets. I'd want more penetration on big stuff.

Moose can be very dangerous, as can elk in the rut. Try to avoid them. The long, sloping shape of the of their heads makes a handgun shot difficult.

I think Buffalo Bore makes a hard-cast .357 load. Might want to check that out.
 
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Best be lugging a riot shotgun, alternating slug and 00 Buck to cover all threats, Pilgrim...or carry some bear spray, along with a full load of hard cast in your 66 :) The former would be preferable in AK, but I think the latter will fulfill your needs. Make lots of noise when traveling through brushy terrain around streams and other water sources to warn critters out of the way. Seriously, the safest way to travel in wild backcountry would be to partner up, in case of an accident or a medical problem...a piece of wisdom I often ignore. Have fun, and good luck fishing.
 
I like a number of those suggestions. I am mostly indifferent to the specific bullet as long as it is not a lightweight round. Some kind of solids are probably best and in the 147 or 158 grain variety although I would not gainsay a top quality hollow point, either. The concept of snakeshot is good but the problem is that if you are concerned about serious threats you probably don't want two rounds of snake shot coming up before the hard bullets are available. If the Colorado mountains don't have dangerous snakes (I have no idea) then it is a moot issue. But, if that's a concern, some smaller gun with snakeshot might be useful if your dress, strength, and equipment package permit that.

Different rounds in a specified order only works when you know what is coming. If you do not know, which is obviously the case, six rounds of heavy hitting .357 that are all the same will be just fine. I would not discount lions and bears - I don't know what part of the woods you are going to be in but in my experience in northwest Colorado lions and bears are far more common than moose.

I personally like your choice of sixgun. A 4" .357 Magnum has always been my choice for the bear woods (so many bear threads, so little time :D) whether it is a K, L, or N frame, or similar Ruger, for example (Ns are a little much in the weight department for trudging in the woods but they are excellent for the situations we are referring to).

Never forget that knife..........!
 
Buffalo Bore

I recently purchased some of the Buffalo Bore 180 grain hardcast ammunition for my Ruger GP-100 3 inch to use while hiking in Vermont.
 
Don't worry about snakes. Even on the plains where you may encounter them, you can just go around. In the mountains, your most likely threat will ne mountain lions, and they are very rare. Anything you feel would be an adequate defense for two legged vermin would serve you well. Stay away from moose.
 
I guess I should seriously consider the possibility of a moose encounter. They are plentiful in the mountains of central Colorado. I even saw one in Fort Collins, early one morning in June, last year, while leaving on a fishing trip.
And a 90pound lioness was caught in the apartments, across from the police station, several years ago.
Thanks for all the input!
 
For the K-frame S&W's my go-to ammo has always been .38 Special +P with 158 grain semi-wadcutters. Although I carry a .45 just about all the time for the past 20 years or so I still burn up a couple thousand +P .38's every year staying current with the 6" Model 19, 4" Model 66, 2" Model 64 and a few other revolvers. The Model 19 and Model 66 both see some use in the woods while hunting, camping, fishing, etc.

I handload 158 cast SWC's by the thousand. Range loads are 5.0 grains Unique, +P loads are 5.4 grains Unique. Either one makes a good general purpose loading for the steel framed K-frame revolvers.
 
ISCS Yoda said:
I like a number of those suggestions. I am mostly indifferent to the specific bullet as long as it is not a lightweight round. Some kind of solids are probably best and in the 147 or 158 grain variety although I would not gainsay a top quality hollow point, either. The concept of snakeshot is good but the problem is that if you are concerned about serious threats you probably don't want two rounds of snake shot coming up before the hard bullets are available. If the Colorado mountains don't have dangerous snakes (I have no idea) then it is a moot issue. But, if that's a concern, some smaller gun with snakeshot might be useful if your dress, strength, and equipment package permit that.

Different rounds in a specified order only works when you know what is coming. If you do not know, which is obviously the case, six rounds of heavy hitting .357 that are all the same will be just fine. I would not discount lions and bears - I don't know what part of the woods you are going to be in but in my experience in northwest Colorado lions and bears are far more common than moose.

I personally like your choice of sixgun. A 4" .357 Magnum has always been my choice for the bear woods (so many bear threads, so little time :D) whether it is a K, L, or N frame, or similar Ruger, for example (Ns are a little much in the weight department for trudging in the woods but they are excellent for the situations we are referring to).

Never forget that knife..........!
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I have encountered rattlesnakes in the Colorado mountains at elevations above 8000 feet. I would not discount the possibilities of rattlesnakes just about anywhere in Colorado where there are mice, packrats, or other little critters they can dine on. A good walking stick can be real handy anytime you need to go through brushy terrain; mine is about 5 feet long and can be used to rattle the brush several feet ahead before I step into something I don't want to get close to.
 
Dont think a rat shot loaded gun would do u any good against a snake,, except maybe to kill it after it bit you.
Not like they gonna come charging you. Seems if u got time to draw you got time to step back. Pretty much all a snake wants u to do anyways.
Most snake bite victims are bit cause they were dicking around with the snake.
But as the poster above mentioned a hard cast 158-170 gr SWC bullet is really hard to beat as a do anything bullet in 357
 
Even though I am an avid reloader and practice with reloaded ammo 99% of the time, when in the woods with my M65 I carry Factory Buffalo Bore .357 Mag. 180 grain hard cast LSWC. They are just awesome performers, consistent, accurate and reliable and I can not come up with a better hand load that would perform better against Bears. I do not use reloads for CCW, SD, HD or Woods carry - but that's just me.
 
357 hornady custom 158 xtp. would be my choice for woods walking with the treats you describe . deep penetration with controlled expansion .
 
Ive been reloading for my M60 3" sixgun for years. It is a perfect concealed carry weapon in the potent 357mag class. But I do not enjoy shooting it at full 357mag power. I adjusted down to what I would call is 38+p loads say 950fp using 158gr slugs. Hornady XTP are good as are Rem SJSPs. 12gr of 2400 or 6.2gr of W-231 get you there with tight accuracy. If you don't have accuracy you have nothing but noise. I use 180s in my Marlin 1894 carbine but that's for big game out to 100 yards. A bit much out of small revolvers.As for snakes just walk around or back up from them on the trail, no need to shoot them. back pack of the usual supplies and your good to go.
 
Personally even though the 357 is adequate for some protection...the mountain country just north of you all in Colorado is complete with grizzlies. I even hear stories they are in the back country down there. Though the 357 is better than rocks I would go somewhat larger. If not then the heavier loads like the 180 gr Buffalo Bore loads would be the better choice. I know of two locals that even feel adequately armed with 10mm Glocks. I myself carry either a M57 or 58. I also agree with the statement that you may have more concerns with 2 legged critters than 4 legged. I can say shooting in defense of your life is nothing like shooting targets. And most instances will be at very close range. Practice hitting what you look at...and where you look. Sights are almost an after thought at such ranges
 
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Super Vel..I also used some of his ammo. Still have a few boxes and some partials too. It was not always the most accurate ammo though. I always thought their pressures were pretty high
 
I have become a huge fan of the 180gr Coated Cast Bullet from Missouri Bullet. Was looking for a Hog Hunting Load and the 180 Cast was recommended. It is very accurate and I think would make a good all around woods carry round.
 
I reload 38/357 and when I'm out N' about in the woods I carry a 4" 686 loaded up with 6 of my reloads.

180gr Hornady XTP
12.5gr H110
OAL 1.590"
 
nachogrande said:
1-2 rounds of snake shot, & the rest 158/180 gr hard cast.
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TBH I've never seen a snake charging someone or deliberately trying to bite them. I cannot see the need for a defensive shooting of a snake. Just walk away...step to the side maybe? I like snakes and can't understand why so many people kill them on sight.
 
500SNW said:
TBH I've never seen a snake charging someone or deliberately trying to bite them. I cannot see the need for a defensive shooting of a snake. Just walk away...step to the side maybe? I like snakes and can't understand why so many people kill them on sight.
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Well I leave most snakes alone even here in Wy and have always found them fascinating...but rattlesnakes here are on the list of what needs killing. Especially around the house. We also have scorpions(small ones) and they have to go.. so do black widows. Had one dog bitten by a rattler. It survived(at a significant expense) but was never really the same after the experience. I also do not like those transplanted wolves in my yard. They have no fear of humans yet. I fear the native wolves have been killed off by the transplants
 
gfors said:
I have a 4" M66, that I plan on carrying during fishing and hiking trips, in the mountains and streams of Colorado. I imagine my most likely threat will come from an unattended dog, or 3. Encounter with an evil 2-legged critter is also a possibility. Not too worried about bears or lions, although, they, or an angry moose are possible. What would be a good round, to carry? Different rounds, in a specified order in the cylinder?
Any help appreciated.
Regards,
George
Click to expand...

First of all, you have an excellent revolver for just about any use you might find for a handgun in the woods/fields. It sounds like most of your concern is with feral dogs and such varmints. Having carried and used a .357 S&W Magnum for years in the woods I'd suggest you load up with whatever is the heaviest most powerful accurate load you can handle well. The 66 is a very fine pistol. The four inch is about the easiest to carry. Touching off heavy magnum loads if you have little or no experience with them will prove exciting. In the event you need to pop a pooch quickly, repeat shots might be a bit of a handful. Good heavy loaded .38 Plus P ammo would work well and allow for faster recovery for a repeat shot or two. You might want to look at Buffalo Bore and see what they offer. I will say, the need for a cannon is highly overrated when it comes to killing game. One of my church members is a hog hunter par excellent. He hunts with dogs. His weapon of choice is a plain Jane S&W Victory model ... loaded with standard lead 158 gr. ammo. Hard to argue with his success. He shoots and they fall down. Load your 66 up with whatever is the heaviest load you can handle well and you will be well prepared for any eventuality you might encounter while on a walkabout. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.
 
500SNW said:
TBH I've never seen a snake charging someone or deliberately trying to bite them. I cannot see the need for a defensive shooting of a snake. Just walk away...step to the side maybe? I like snakes and can't understand why so many people kill them on sight.
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You've never been around a cottonmouth moccasin have you?
 
If it hasn't been mentioned, there's Garrett ammo not far from you in Idaho? I think.
I bought some .44mag and 45-70 super-hard cast Hammerheads from them for my Alaska trips.
I'm pretty sure he makes them in .357 also.
It would be hard to find a better penetrating heavy load.
 
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