[Pecci]

Well, it looks like I'm stuck with my S&W Model 15, for my woods carry gun. At least for now.

My question is, what factory ammo woud be best to use in this situation? Where I go, the threat is occasional/aggressive feral dogs. I probably want to stay away from +P's at this time.

Thanks guys!

[OFallon]

For dogs, +P would be a bit of overkill. I would go with a good brand of lighter weight HP ammo. I like Winchester... but most brands are good... just make sure to practice and not mix loads.

[Joe B.]

I would think a lead 158gr SWC would be a good load. Penetration is fairly good and the wide flat tip and sharp shoulder contribute to the damage and wound channel. An HP round would probably need to be higher velocity for reliable expansion and usually the only way to get that is +P or much lighter bullets, such as the XTP 125gr HP.

But I have to recommend not to use any old style lead roundnose loads. They have been proven to leave a much smaller diameter wound channel. My thoughts are that a jacketed bullet that doesn't expand will do pretty much the same.

[wadcutter]

I recommend a 158 grain lead swc in front of 4.0 to 4.5 grains of Unique. It ought to suit your purposes well. 4.8 grains takes it to +P.


John

[jimfox]

I'm not fond of round nose - with the exception of soft lead .22 LR. Those I think highly of.

I'd lean toward most any flat point (or semi-wadcutter) load. My lead farm revolver is a S&W Model 60 with the 3 inch barrel and adj. sights. It's chambered in .357 mag., but what I use is S&B 158 grain jacketed flat point. (Mostly because it's low budget and my particualr gun just likes it.)

[wolfsong]

Why not go with the 158 gr. SWC hollowpoint? Best of all worlds, in my experience...

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

[Rob]

Buffalo Bore makes a nice standard pressure WC that still scoots pretty good from a 4".

[Tusker]

I am in the same camp as most here. I have NEVER felt under gunned with SWC in this part of the country. I carry a 44 on my trips out west, but the truth is, SWC would do the job, except for a bear. I like them. !!:up: :)

[demented]

Plus P 158gr. lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint. The best all-round load ever for 38's in any barrel length. They are not overkill for some of the 100 plus pound wild dogs we have around here. Contrary to current marketing hype, the new speedy light bullet loads do not have sufficient penetration to do the intended job on anything larger than a 25 pound racoon.

[StrawHat]

I will second the 148 WC load.

Accurate and easy to shoot, plus the meplat can not get any bigger without going to a different caliber.

I've used them on raccoons, groundhogs, dogs and cats, they work fine.