Hunting Wild Boar with a .357?

N

NukeCop

New member
I'm looking at getting a .357mag, but I'm not into the 6 inch barrels. I'm thinking a 4 inch, something like a ruger GP100... Is it possible/sportsmanslike to take Wild Boar/Deer with a wheel gun like that?
 
Possible, yes. Sportsmanlike or safe, absolutely not. You can kill a wild hog with a .22LR if you hit him right (just behind the ear). However, a body shot requires something different. How much different depends on the size of the hog. I've killed a hog with a .357 and would feel confident again assuming I have the ability to shoot only the hog I wanted and had the time to place my shot. In my .357 case, the pig weighted only about 80 lbs and the .357 penetated the vitals just fine.

However, an 80lb BBQ sized pig is a far cry from a full grown boar. If you ever skin a wild boar, you'll see the thick shield of gristle that protects his vitals. In the case of a really old trophy boar, this gristle is enough to stop many rifle bullets. You don't want to get in the situation of wounding a mad boar with a pea shooter.

If I'm out hunting hogs, I carry a rifle. If I'm hunting small game in a hog area, I carry a .44mag - even then knowing I would use it with prudence.
 
For the same price range a Taurus Tracker in .41 or .44 would serve you very well. The porting is a real bonus for keeping the recoil down. I shot one at the range a few months ago and was very impressed.
 
If'n I was on my back getting gored by any hog I would poke any gun I had anywhere possible and fire til empty... Short of that i would only shoot a hog intentionally with a .357 mag if it was from a long gun allowing full potential to be accomplished. 4 or 6 inch barrel IMHO is just to limiting in accuracy and moreso ballistic capacity... At one time I considered carrying a side arm for defense against a hog gone pissed but after my first dog caught hog scenario I decided if the hog gets loose and comes for me I got NO CHANCE of decide, draw fire... NONE better to climb a tree or try to grab his ears and fend him off that way... seriously folks... I would rather take a tusk to the hand/wrist/arm than lay on my back trying to draw a pistol while he does his rendition of field dissection!
Brent
 
what about a .357 out of a rifle?
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Not much better. You are still dealing with a round with pretty low energy. The real advantage a rifle would give you is a better chance of getting a behind-the-ear shot.
 
Load up with 180gr JHP's and don't look back. You CAN kill a hog with a .357Mag, just pick your shots, put the bullet where it'll do the most damage and take your time stalking in on the boar for the best shot you can get. Heck, when the .357Mag first came out back in the 30's guys were killing Elk and Large Bear with it all day long. I'm sure it'll take a little ol' hog, LOL.
 
you might check your state's barrel length regs. in NC it's 6" and over. .357's are allowed for big game. with a hot loaded hard-cast slug or a semi-jacket soft nose I'd say you're OK but good placement of course is primary concern. I've seen several taken with .22Mag. and I took small one with .22LR but it took 10 of the 11 cartridges I had. these were rifles.
 
I agree with TNFrank. Load it with heavy bullets and pick your shot. They aren't that hard to kill.

I've killed a few, one was over 300 pounds. That gristle IS thick on the bigger boars but they aren't grizzlies......

Kev
 
what about a .357 out of a rifle?
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Well, I've got one, Marlin 1894C, and with the right loads (heavy, 158-180gr), I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a hog. Heck, you're looking at 1800+FPS and almost 1200 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle. At close range (say, <50yds) that's going to drop just about anything.
 
what about a .357 out of a rifle?
Click to expand...

Not much better. You are still dealing with a round with pretty low energy.
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18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!
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http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357
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Yep low energy out of a rifle...only 1369.74 foot pounds out of a rifle with the 180 grain bullet.

Nope cannot be done....the 357 is irresponsible.

Here is one I killed with my Ruger SP101 and 145 Winchester Silver Tips.


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If you choose the right bullet and are willing to take the time to place your shots the 357 is an adequate gun for hog killing. Notice I say adequate, not perfect, adequate.
 
A .357 will do the job on wild pig. I have used a Browning 92 carbine in this calibre on wild boar. I got rid of it though because it is only of use at short range and better options exist.

If you are hunting with dogs who are bailing the pig and your shots are therefore very short range it is a better option than if you are hunting on foot or from a stand.
 
I don't shoot 357, but I don't think it would be a safe thing to try to hunt a wild boar with a close range and light weight 30cal bullet, that I have also heard is prone to a failure in ballistics.

If I was hunting something that could chase after me, I want to know it has the ability to kill with one shot. 45/70 comes to mind.

I can see taking a 357 lever out, and getting one shot that doesn't kill it right away and then taking 8 more "OH SH!T" shots, that are hitting the dirt behind the boar as it charges to tear up your leg.
 
I never said it couldn't be done. Those of you who have done it (including myself) are probably experienced hunters who are capable of waiting for good shot placement in the right sized pig. However, I don't think the original poster fits that category. That being the case, I stand by my original statement that he should look for something with more oomph.
 
We americans are privileged and blessed to have a lot to choose from when it comes to hunting, so many like to use a higher/more powerful caliber than needed. NOTHING wrong with that when done safely. But saying that .357 is not enough for hogs is not a true statement. It's plenty for the task BUT using the appropiate bullet. It would be foolish to shoot them with a 110 grain HP or other highly frangible bullet but a 180 Hornady XTP or 180 Nosler partition or even a 180 hardcast will ethicaly kill a hog at an average hunting range even out of a 6" revolver. But can he aim ETHICALY with a revolver at more than a short distance??? I know I can't and I don't know many that can.
 
Anyone actually been attacked?

Personally I've hunted hogs quite a bit here in Texas, mostly with an AK, shotgun or scoped 44 Mag with a 45 or 10mm at my side. I've one come running at me that I took down with buckshot, but I think it was more just running away from us, rather than trying to get me.

Everyone talks about pigs chasing them into trees, etc, etc. But I'd like to see an instance where someone was actually SERIOUSLY INJURED or KILLED.

Not trying to rain on a parade but I think that alot of the stuff you hear here is a little overstated about the need for this or that (but it makes a great excuse to buy a gun :D).
 
While I can't find pics (board was changed) I know of one man who got literaly MAULED by a hog that had a higher power rifle bullet wound... Gut got opend and hand was mangled (i hope he recovered well) from going in on hands and knees and confronting a much less than dead wounded hog...
They are one of only a few "DANGEROUS" animals in North America...
I will let ya'll call me a sissy... I hunt hogs with dogs and as I approach a dog caught hog I FIRST determine where the trees are at.... Second is the dogs and third is the hog... a sure nuff good hog makes me make a second glance for trees! I have scars from hog bites but luckily for me they were already "detained"... Tee-rust me a hog is less than friendly and well... Do what you want...
Brent
 
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