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I've settled on Speer Gold Dot in .38 spl. for home defense in both the S&W "J" frame and the Ruger SP 100 .357 mag. In the woods I'd like something stronger and will carry the Ruger. What would be the best load for a .357 mag for the kinds of threat I might run into in the Oregon/Washington forests (animal or human). I can hand load, too, but would prefer factory ammo for defense. What load/ammo would likely stop an angry black bear or stalking cougar or at least make it wish it were somewhere else?

If your wanting Magnum loads out of the 357Mag, my first choice would be WW-296. You must use Magnum primers with the powder, and you can only back of 3% from max, not the normal 5% like other powders. You definitely want to work up your load on this powder and what ever bullet your going to use.

I find that Speer Gold Dot has a 170 gr in .357 mag. Would that be a good choice for woods carry? Is a heavier bullet better?
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/de ... adNo=23959

I wouldn't go with the 170gr in your sp101..... go more towards a 125 gr, that will do you just fine and not whack you too bad in recoil. I have shot some 180gr 357 mags in my GP100 and they were noticabley stouter in recoil than 125 or 158 gr rounds. a 170 would be a bear to shoot in your sp101. just about any quality hollowpoint would do you just fine, as long as you gun likes it. Of course the new Bonded stuff looks interesting.....

bgreenea3 wrote:I wouldn't go with the 170gr in your sp101..... go more towards a 125 gr, that will do you just fine and not whack you too bad in recoil. I have shot some 180gr 357 mags in my GP100 and they were noticabley stouter in recoil than 125 or 158 gr rounds. a 170 would be a bear to shoot in your sp101. just about any quality hollowpoint would do you just fine, as long as you gun likes it. Of course the new Bonded stuff looks interesting.....

I don't think I'd make a habit of shooting lots of 170gr rounds from an SP101, but for a defensive, rarely fired, round, it is fine. Being a wimp, I'd prefer a heavier frame.

greener wrote:

bgreenea3 wrote:I wouldn't go with the 170gr in your sp101..... go more towards a 125 gr, that will do you just fine and not whack you too bad in recoil. I have shot some 180gr 357 mags in my GP100 and they were noticabley stouter in recoil than 125 or 158 gr rounds. a 170 would be a bear to shoot in your sp101. just about any quality hollowpoint would do you just fine, as long as you gun likes it. Of course the new Bonded stuff looks interesting.....

I don't think I'd make a habit of shooting lots of 170gr rounds from an SP101, but for a defensive, rarely fired, round, it is fine. Being a wimp, I'd prefer a heavier frame.

Guess I am too, 230 JHP and slow moving from a .45 will get the job done just fine. Love them big bullets.

I think the locals may be carrying something a little more potent than a 357mag, more like a 44 mag and 500's.

I would pick up some of the pepper spray rated for using on bears. It's a larger can with more spray and can shoot longer distances.

Now if your planing on shooting your partner in the leg or foot so you can out run them, that another story.

Now if your planing on shooting your partner in the leg or foot so you can out run them, that another story. Very Happy

Best bear defense is someone who moves slower than you between you and the bear

When I was Alaska last year, I fired a Vaquero .45 Colt described as a "varmint" gun. It went roar and had a pretty hefty recoil. Then the guy told me it was loaded with 325 gr bullets pushing a pretty high MV, since the "varmints" can weigh over a 1000 lbs.

I'm leaning toward the heavier 170 gr. as I have the impression that heavier is better...although I'm not totally convinced that is correct. Thinking about what I'm most likely to need it for, while strolling in the woods of Western Oregon. Bear and cougar are plentiful, but usually not a threat to humans. Still, their numbers are growing and the threat, however small, is there. Humans are the biggest threat. Some violent types grow pot in those woods and go to extreme lengths to protect those crops. It's more for Peace of mind, I think. Just knowing I have something for protection against the unlikely is soothing. I've always carried when I leave the safety of numbers (lately even with the numbers). Before the SP101, I didn't have any choices. The S&W 36 was it. Now, with the SP101, I think it should be loaded to its full potential......what ever that is. I won't be using them for practice....at almost $1.00/ea. my budget won't take it.

At 71+ I'm not running far or fast.

For maximum knock down, I'm with you the heavier bullet (HP) is better. And if your reloading push it as fast as you can. With short barrels the ultra fast burning powders will give you a higher velocity. I just don't like the fist burn powders due to pressure spikes that can accour.

The Hornady 180gr XTP would be a good choice. http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-180-gr-HP-XTP/

blue68f100 wrote:For maximum knock down, I'm with you the heavier bullet (HP) is better. And if your reloading push it as fast as you can. With short barrels the ultra fast burning powders will give you a higher velocity. I just don't like the fist burn powders due to pressure spikes that can accour.

The Hornady 180gr XTP would be a good choice. http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-180-gr-HP-XTP/

I can reload. but dies are set up for .38 spl. to reload light practice rounds and I hate to change just for a few mag. loads. I don't even have any mag. cases (yet) and probably won't load any magnums, for awhile. I'll just buy a box of factory mag. loads to fire a few now and then to keep the "feel" in mind. I've been using Bullseye powder, but recently bought a container of Trailboss to try out. The bullets you mentioned sound like what my son has been looking for. He just bought a Marlin in .357 mag. and has been looking for a suitable bullet to load for it. This bullet is also interesting. A spitzer in a handgun? Hmmmm.
http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-140-gr-FTX/

The FXT has the polymer/rubber tip similar to whats used in the Critical Defense ammo. So it's expansion after penetration would be very good.