Ed, I live in S.E New York, its almost like another state here, nice contry side, but i've taken a good number of whitetails with my Ruger, a few skunks, quite a number of 'yotes, and an unknown number of snakes, squirrils, 'chucks, and other vermin. i like a good load of 18.5 grains of Herc 2400 and a 255 grain Keith cast SWC, its quite a powerful load, the other load is the one i have uesd when I went on a hunt for, but never got a black bear, and its the same, except its a full 20.5 grains of 2400, and it does bark quite loud.
JAG