Load recommendation for woods carry
- Thread starter gfors
- Start date
Like others here have said, 158 grain and up. If you go light in a .357 you might as well carry a 9mm.
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.
RGVshooter
Member
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"
180gr Hornady XTP
12.5gr H110
OAL 1.590"
500SNW
Member
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.
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
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.
You've never been around a cottonmouth moccasin have you?
elpac3
Member
173 grain Keith / 13.5 of 2400
All that needs to be said
All that needs to be said
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.
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.
S&Wrevolverfan
Member
Ditto ! Killed one yesterday that was coming after me. He didn't quite make it. And no I wasn't crossing his path or bothering it. Moccasins don't need a reason to chase you I actually think they like to do it.
This time of year they are very aggressive, at least they are here in Louisiana.
For what it's worth here in Louisiana our biggest threat is moccasins,hogs,bugs,and humidity. I just use my M66 or M10 loaded with 158 grain Buffalo Bore .38 special LSWC-HC.
Occasionally I'll load my M66 with 158gr JSP's.
Seems to work good on the smaller creatures we have in the woods and swamps here.
Last edited:
.455_Hunter
Member
I find that the American Eagle .357 158 gr JSP is an outstanding "general purpose" load for non-urban carry here in Colorado.
- Available pretty much anywhere ammo is sold (Walmart, Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabelas, JAX).
- Low-cost encourages practice with the same load you are carrying.
- Relatively deep penetration suitable for feral dogs, mountain lions and black bear.
Nothing wrong with something like a 180 gr hard cast, just harder to gain and maintain proficiency when 20 rounds of that costs more than 50 rd of the AE.
- Available pretty much anywhere ammo is sold (Walmart, Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabelas, JAX).
- Low-cost encourages practice with the same load you are carrying.
- Relatively deep penetration suitable for feral dogs, mountain lions and black bear.
Nothing wrong with something like a 180 gr hard cast, just harder to gain and maintain proficiency when 20 rounds of that costs more than 50 rd of the AE.
I've caught a lot of snakes, mostly Copper Heads and a few
Rattlesnakes- not counting non poisonous varieties. I never did
handle a Cotton Mouth but I've shot a few. I don't believe I've
every shot a snake that I had to. I will shot poison snakes in
areas they may be a threat to people.
Rattlesnakes- not counting non poisonous varieties. I never did
handle a Cotton Mouth but I've shot a few. I don't believe I've
every shot a snake that I had to. I will shot poison snakes in
areas they may be a threat to people.
Triathloncoach
Member
I just Googled Moose Attack's in Colorado. Maybe 3 per year. Interesting fact that dogs are often what instigates a moose attack. Moose view all dogs as wolves. Momma Moose does not like dogs. Your dog encounters a moose, gets startled and runs back to you. With an angry moose close behind.
Ps. I could definitely see my pack of fools doing just that.
Ps. I could definitely see my pack of fools doing just that.
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white cloud
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This has been an interesting thread and very timely for me. I just purchased a GP100 for a walk around the woods gun and was thinking about loads. I find it remarkable that so many recommend heavier bullets for critters that don't weigh much more that a human.
I have a Ruger M77/357 and use the Hornady 158 XTP hollow points with a stiff charge of H-110 in it. This combination works great on deer. I had read that the hollow point would blow up on game if used out of a rifle. That has not been my experience as all my bullets have passed through the animal. .
I may try this load in the GP100. This is not a light weight revolver so recoil may not be too bad. It would be nice to use the same load in both guns. Thoughts?
I have a Ruger M77/357 and use the Hornady 158 XTP hollow points with a stiff charge of H-110 in it. This combination works great on deer. I had read that the hollow point would blow up on game if used out of a rifle. That has not been my experience as all my bullets have passed through the animal. .
I may try this load in the GP100. This is not a light weight revolver so recoil may not be too bad. It would be nice to use the same load in both guns. Thoughts?
nachogrande
Member
IF YOU DON'T KNOW.
Don't know which round is up next???
I can't imagine anyone with ANY revolver experience, NOT knowing this.
***Different rounds in a specified order only works when you know what is coming. If you do not know, which is obviously the case, ***
Don't know which round is up next???
I can't imagine anyone with ANY revolver experience, NOT knowing this.***Different rounds in a specified order only works when you know what is coming. If you do not know, which is obviously the case, ***
kthom
Member
For any critter that needs shooting, adequate penetration is priority one! That leaves out the lighter weight more frangible bullets, at least if you wish to be certain. The 158 grain semi wadcutters or jacketed soft points will do just fine on most critters, with the other harder hitting rounds mentioned also on the list of things that will work.
Remember that you must place your bullets accurately on the target, especially the second or third or ?? ones which might be needed on larger animals. Unless a major nerve center or weight bearing bone is shattered, it takes several very long seconds before a critter will bleed out and collapse. One that shoots back or continues it's attack can do a tremendous amount of damage to you in that extra fifteen or so seconds before collapse!
The advice given to shoot something that you can handle well and accurately for as many rounds as the gun holds is excellent advice. Shot to shot recovery time is also important. An adrenalin dump, common in these kinds of incidents, is a given, and things don't go as smoothly as when standing on the range shooting at a stationary target. It's important not to get caught woolgathering by a predator or other creature prone to attacking humans, defensively or not!
The 158 grain loadings mentioned, will also do the job nicely on smaller critters while being likely sufficient on the larger ones, IF the bullet(s) land in the right spot, and that is the challenge! Remember, the "target" is very likely to moving! Try hard to be aware of a potential threat as early in the game as possible when out and about. It's almost impossible to catch up when you are surprised at very close range!
Remember that you must place your bullets accurately on the target, especially the second or third or ?? ones which might be needed on larger animals. Unless a major nerve center or weight bearing bone is shattered, it takes several very long seconds before a critter will bleed out and collapse. One that shoots back or continues it's attack can do a tremendous amount of damage to you in that extra fifteen or so seconds before collapse!
The advice given to shoot something that you can handle well and accurately for as many rounds as the gun holds is excellent advice. Shot to shot recovery time is also important. An adrenalin dump, common in these kinds of incidents, is a given, and things don't go as smoothly as when standing on the range shooting at a stationary target. It's important not to get caught woolgathering by a predator or other creature prone to attacking humans, defensively or not!
The 158 grain loadings mentioned, will also do the job nicely on smaller critters while being likely sufficient on the larger ones, IF the bullet(s) land in the right spot, and that is the challenge! Remember, the "target" is very likely to moving! Try hard to be aware of a potential threat as early in the game as possible when out and about. It's almost impossible to catch up when you are surprised at very close range!
ParadiseRoad
Member
...double ought buck in one barrel...
...and a slug in the other...
...and a slug in the other...
Boogsawaste
Member
Don't know which round is up next???
***Different rounds in a specified order only works when you know what is coming. If you do not know, which is obviously the case, ***
I took it as "what danger is coming next". In other words not wanting to shoot a couple rounds of rat shot at a bear or moose before the solids.
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