Double Naught Spy
New member
In a previous thread, several of us discussed ear shots and what happens to a pig's CNS and skeletal structure when hit. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=482209&highlight=external+auditory+meatus
Regardless of what does or does not actually happen, the general consensus seemed to be that any shot (at least from a rifle?) close to the ear hole should bring down the pig. The skull may be hit, the brain may be penetrated, the brain stem may be hit either just inside or just outside the base of the skull, or the hydrostatic shock will be sufficient to drop the pig even without a direct impact on the critical CNS structures. Pigs may be fairly tough animals, but if you overload their little cerebral capillaries with high pressure blood flow from a nearby impact, the usually drop (I have never had one run, anyway).
So back in February, I shot two boars, both fairly young. The first was shot directly below the ear with a .45-70 Leverevolution 325 gr. hollowpoint traveling close to 1800 fps at impact from an elevated firing position (muzzle at about 10 feet, pig at about 30 yards). This little boar weighed about 140 lbs (heart girth estimate). At the time of the shot, this boar was broadside, facing to my right, nose was up, and he was stationary.
The second boar came in later to investigate the first boar. He weighed just over 200 lbs and was nose down sniffing the first boar and was slightly in motion. Everything else was about the same.
Both boars were impacted under their right ears (see pics) and the bullets exited both on the low, left side of the neck. Both boars kicked minimally after being shot. The small boar fell on his left side and the big boar fell on his right side.
My original assessment of both of the shots was that they were well placed in almost the exact same location on both animals and given the slight downward trajectory and locations of the entrance and exits wounds, I had undoubtedly blown through both skulls, apparently hitting the brains. The lack of leg movement probably indicated part of the brain stem was involved (but I figured the shots might have been too high for that).
So this is just for fun, but follows with the previous thread on what you can expect to happen with such a shot. So what do you think the bullets did to the bones and soft tissue? I will give you these hints. Initial assessments were not necessarily completely correct. Also, the entry wound on the large boar was problematic. There were 3 apparent wounds. Two were circular holes that were excellent candidates for being created by the .45-70. One was on the ear lobe and the other just forward of the ear. It would appear that the ear was down when the bullet impacted. The third wound was a slit out which blood would come if the area around it was depressed. I have absolutely no idea about how these three wounds could have been made as a result of the animal being shot just once. Maybe somebody can tell me.
Today, I was able to locate the pigs and the vultures and other scavengers had done a fairly good job of cleaning the skulls. I will post the pictures in a couple of days. Like I said, this is just for fun, but I think there will be some interesting and informative terminal ballistics considerations.
Regardless of what does or does not actually happen, the general consensus seemed to be that any shot (at least from a rifle?) close to the ear hole should bring down the pig. The skull may be hit, the brain may be penetrated, the brain stem may be hit either just inside or just outside the base of the skull, or the hydrostatic shock will be sufficient to drop the pig even without a direct impact on the critical CNS structures. Pigs may be fairly tough animals, but if you overload their little cerebral capillaries with high pressure blood flow from a nearby impact, the usually drop (I have never had one run, anyway).
So back in February, I shot two boars, both fairly young. The first was shot directly below the ear with a .45-70 Leverevolution 325 gr. hollowpoint traveling close to 1800 fps at impact from an elevated firing position (muzzle at about 10 feet, pig at about 30 yards). This little boar weighed about 140 lbs (heart girth estimate). At the time of the shot, this boar was broadside, facing to my right, nose was up, and he was stationary.
The second boar came in later to investigate the first boar. He weighed just over 200 lbs and was nose down sniffing the first boar and was slightly in motion. Everything else was about the same.
Both boars were impacted under their right ears (see pics) and the bullets exited both on the low, left side of the neck. Both boars kicked minimally after being shot. The small boar fell on his left side and the big boar fell on his right side.
My original assessment of both of the shots was that they were well placed in almost the exact same location on both animals and given the slight downward trajectory and locations of the entrance and exits wounds, I had undoubtedly blown through both skulls, apparently hitting the brains. The lack of leg movement probably indicated part of the brain stem was involved (but I figured the shots might have been too high for that).
So this is just for fun, but follows with the previous thread on what you can expect to happen with such a shot. So what do you think the bullets did to the bones and soft tissue? I will give you these hints. Initial assessments were not necessarily completely correct. Also, the entry wound on the large boar was problematic. There were 3 apparent wounds. Two were circular holes that were excellent candidates for being created by the .45-70. One was on the ear lobe and the other just forward of the ear. It would appear that the ear was down when the bullet impacted. The third wound was a slit out which blood would come if the area around it was depressed. I have absolutely no idea about how these three wounds could have been made as a result of the animal being shot just once. Maybe somebody can tell me.
Today, I was able to locate the pigs and the vultures and other scavengers had done a fairly good job of cleaning the skulls. I will post the pictures in a couple of days. Like I said, this is just for fun, but I think there will be some interesting and informative terminal ballistics considerations.
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