Choices for feral hog whilst walking the dog

T

Tortuga12

New member
Apparently, the parks we like to take our dog to down here are having feral hog problems (as is most of the state, from what I understand!). A few questions:

1. how dangerous (or perhaps I should say agressive) are feral hogs? My dog is a rescue greyhound, so it's more likely I'd be protecting her than the other way around! Any tips for avoiding a confrontation?

2. Should I decide to aquire a new "toy" to carry whilst on our walks, which would you reccommend?
-Vaquero in .357
-Remington 1858 w/Kirst Converter, .45 LC (would just need to buy/install converter, already own the pistol)
-other revolver? (really like the ease of reloading straight-wall cartriges!)

Thanks in advance!
 
Feral hogs are bad news. Personally, I would go with a double action revo, over a single action. Chances are if you've got one hand in a leash, you may want the ease of a double action so you can draw and start shooting.

I think either a 3" SP101, or 3" GP100 would fit the bill nicely. I own both, and carry both depending on my mood/season/mode of dress/etc.
 
Tortuga12:

You'll be up close so a short barreled pistol will do. Purchase one of the Smith & Wesson 4 inch N frames in 45 auto rim, .45 colt or .44 mag. I was up close when I shot a boar at point blank range with my .45 auto rim.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
.44 Mag, .45 ACP, or .45 Colt. Let's not get in a match about which of these calibers, just be prepared to hurt the pig bad-while lessening the chance that the critter will hurt you, or your companion.
 
Shortwave, I can work up an excuse to buy almost anything!:D Although I've done pretty good so far, I passed up a new carry gun (finally got my PA-63 running well), and a new .22 (Single Six Hunter).

I do like the idea of the convertible, just for the cool factor, but the cost plus installation pretty much equals a new Ruger, and I already reload .38 SPL, so...

Tough decisions!
 
Hogs can be very dangerous. All my experience is with domestic swine raised for food. If a 400 pound hog body slams you against a tree, a broken leg is likely. Sows can get very aggressive if their "babies" are threatened- and the little ones squeal at everything. Since the domestic swine were so accustomed to us, they walked up facing us looking for a treat. We shot them between the eyes with a .22 rimfire rifle. Occasionally one would shake their head and look at you, a second shot would be necessary. In one case the .22 slug aligned perfectly with the spinal column and traveled about halfway down the spinal cord- center of the backbones. That hog just collapsed instantly. After 250 pounds, the flavor is not as good as the smaller hogs. I would want a big caliber for a feral hog, .357, .44 or .45.. Feral hogs are edible. Hogs must be bled, dressed out and cooled quickly. The meat spoils faster than does ruminants such as cows and deer.
 
In 357, go for a hardcast lead slug of 158gr or heavier. 170 or 180 is probably optimal. Buffalo Bore, DoubleTap Ammo and Grizzly Ammo all have maxed-out monsters in this class.
 
I would use what you already have, but if you want to buy something, a DA 357 mag revolver would be my choice. It is just a very flexible caliber. A 10mm Glock would be good medicine too. Hard cast bullets are best for penetration as was stated.

Have you ever seen one during one during one of your walks? They are generally pretty shy of people unless they are cornered. They do a lot of their feeding at night. Your dog could corner one.
 
If I were going to buy a new gun for the use stated, I would go with either the .44 or .45 DA revolver.

Jerry
 
No Colts? .357 for the win!!


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I'm very happy with my 329pd for a walking/hiking weapon. The 44mag is more than adequate for piggies. See the following for ideas:
 
I mtn bike in a park that is chock a block with wild pigs, also deer, turkeys. coyotes, ground squirrels, and various hawks. I see pigs at least once a week and have never observed any agressive behavior. I've always read that their eyesite is bad, I can now verfiy that from my own observations. It is clear that they see me sometimes but they do not run off until I'm close enough to identify as human and not one of the cows that also graze in the park. Many people walk dogs of every type and size in the park, I have not heard of any problems with pigs.
If, however, you are looking for reason to buy a hand gun, pigs are large agressive, constantly looking for trouble, and would rather eat a greyhound than a bushell of acorns.
 
Walklightly, if you have the hog tangled up with a dog, you could use a knife, or some guys will even just apply a quick hog tie.

If you are hunting, and get a good angle, you can drop a hog with a .22 behind the ear.

However, the OP is not talking about running hogs with his dog, and he is not asking about hunting. He's asking about a scenario where a hog attacks him, or his dog. (I find the skirmish with the dog more likely than an unprovoked attack on a human, but...)

A .22 won't remotely cut it for that. I've watched hogs absorb a 240gr .44 JHP to the shoulder; a 12ga slug to the side; a crossbow bolt to the lower spine; and a .357 to the wrong spot behind the ear. Each of those hogs had either some fight left in it, or the ability to run off (creating the need to follow them into brush to finish them).

I've had a friend achieve what should have been killing shots (heart, aorta) on two separate hogs using .357 158gr out of a Security Six, only to have them still charge him. Follow up shot to the head with a .357 dropped the first; follow up shot to the head with a 5.56 dropped the second.

So what exactly are you basing your advice on? Bravado?

For a dedicated hog defense sidearm, I'd go with a .357 with 180gr hard cast, minimum, and would prefer a .44 with 255gr or 305gr hard cast.

YMMV.
 
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