Abslolutly!


Regarding wild (or not wild) dogs. Dogs are the ONLY critter I've been bitten and threatened by. I had an out-of-control great dane bite me in the ribs. I have a scar on my upper lip from a dog biting me in the face as a kid. Twice, while working in my nature preserve, I had a pit bull lunge at me only to be tackled and restrained by it's owner, and a loose rottweiler I had to hold off with a pair of pruning lopers. Can't tell you how many dogs have chased me on my bike. I don't know about other cities, but here in Dallas it's now cool for young adults to have personal attack/fighting dogs tugging at the leash for no more than the terror factor. Our little town of 47,000 has passed a "pit-bull" law because of our animal control officer's dealings.
There is nothing more unnerving than trying to mow/trim trails and being blindsided by an unleashed dog, or being passed by a "hiker" with a mean dog snarling at me. I see/hear/smell humans long before they see me because they tend to keep to the trails. Dogs cut through the brush and pop out anywhere.
I've had two loose/lost pit-bulls wander out of my park with no owners behind. I don't dislike well behaved, pet dogs, in fact I sometimes work with a local SAR dog group. However, I do not know you or your dog. If said dog appears aggressive or threatening, I'll be aggressive and threatening back! Lead based pepper spray is certainly one clear option.


Hot loads= FUN! Jim, I use to make up "accuracy loads" for .25x06 and other varmint rounds. You can push a rifle round to mid-air dissentigration. .38 Super is a good round to push but as you say, it's possible to accede the pressure limits of the chamber....i.e., it's hard on the weapon. Gun metal 'work hardens' just like a scuba tank with use, and that's when cracks, bulges, and shaved lead (your .44 mag sounds like it's cylinder timing is off... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) happens.
When I started shooting air pistol contests, I backed off all my powder ammunition velocities for accuracy. Instead of hot loads, shot placement has taken front burner. The result is more shooting and less hand hurting.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Guess I'm getting old and soft.