Dusty Rivers
New member
What caliber would you feel well heeled for an accidental wild hog encounter? Not wild boars, Texas size wild hogs. Is a 357 enough? I'm trying to talk myself into a 454 Casul but they are expensive.
side arm calb. for accidental wild hog encounters
- Thread starter Dusty Rivers
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.45 with FMJ rounds would be the minimum IMO.
I've seen folks take hogs with .22lr, but it was from a distance, waiting for the optimal shot. For an Oh S#!* encounter, you want something big bore, but you also may need more than one shot, so take recovery into consideration.
ETA: .357 would be sufficient with the proper load.
Jason
I've seen folks take hogs with .22lr, but it was from a distance, waiting for the optimal shot. For an Oh S#!* encounter, you want something big bore, but you also may need more than one shot, so take recovery into consideration.
ETA: .357 would be sufficient with the proper load.
Jason
The biggest chambering you can fire quickly and accurately.
When I had a .454 SRH shooting accurately was not a big problem, but shooting quickly sure was. Follow-up shots were tough to place in a timely fashion. It was a peach with .45c loads, but it was a fairly huge and heavy revolver for that kind of ammo.
A 1911 with cast SWCs, FMJs, or maybe 230gr HP loads would probably do the job well while being pretty easy to haul around and shoot quickly. The .357 could be a great choice as well I bet. If you shoot it well, it would put pork on the table just fine.
When I had a .454 SRH shooting accurately was not a big problem, but shooting quickly sure was. Follow-up shots were tough to place in a timely fashion. It was a peach with .45c loads, but it was a fairly huge and heavy revolver for that kind of ammo.
A 1911 with cast SWCs, FMJs, or maybe 230gr HP loads would probably do the job well while being pretty easy to haul around and shoot quickly. The .357 could be a great choice as well I bet. If you shoot it well, it would put pork on the table just fine.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
A friend of mine is quite happy to hunt them with a .357. Seems to work just fine, looking at his office wall. 
45Marlin carbine
Moderator
your .357 will do fine with heavy slugs. I took 2, one small(100 lb field dressed) and a large 300lb live weight with BP revolver .44 and cast slugs.
Sidetracked
New member
Because it is easy to carry, and I know it well....
I would probably go with my 9mm Ruger P95. 9mm 147 grain FMJs or HPs would be prefered. 124s FMJs would suffice. I'm not saying it would be universally accepted as a good choice for the job, but I wouldn't be afraid to carry it.
.357 Mag would be fine. .44 Mag would be even better.
I would probably go with my 9mm Ruger P95. 9mm 147 grain FMJs or HPs would be prefered. 124s FMJs would suffice. I'm not saying it would be universally accepted as a good choice for the job, but I wouldn't be afraid to carry it.
.357 Mag would be fine. .44 Mag would be even better.
Fat White Boy
New member
I carry a Ruger Security Six SS in .357 Magnum when I hunt hogs.
phil mcwilliam
New member
357 magnum is enough
I have shot a lot of pigs over the years as pest eradication, riding on a motorcycle with a rifle slung over my shoulder(22-250 or 308) & carrying in a cross draw holster either my 38 super colt govt 1911 semiauto, or my S&W 629 44MAG revolver with 8inch barrel. I would mainly use the pistols for close in encounters, or for finishing off wounded boars. I found the 38 super had enough power to consistantly drop boars if hit properly at ranges up to 50 yards. I also like the controlability of the 38 super for quick follow up shots on charging boars, or mobs of pigs. As the 357 magnum has more power than the 38 super you shouldn't have any problems dropping a boar if hit correctly.I found my 44 magnum a bit cumbersome with the long barrel to quick draw, & there is a noticeable recovery time between follow up shots with the 44 magnum.I also find my 44 magnum extremely loud when compared to a 38 super- something you should check with the 454 casul. Although the 44 magnum is a more accurate & powerful handgun than the 38 super, I found that realistically I did not shoot at pigs any further with either pistol- 50 yards or less accounting for 90% of shots, with 75 yards stretching my capabilities of placing a fatal shot with iron sights. If you've always wanted a 454 casul then go buy one- you sure won't be undergunned. There is something satisfying about hunting with a heavy calibre revolver, but for pigs that may be encountered in mobs, or a charging boar - a semi-auto in 38 super gets my vote.
I have shot a lot of pigs over the years as pest eradication, riding on a motorcycle with a rifle slung over my shoulder(22-250 or 308) & carrying in a cross draw holster either my 38 super colt govt 1911 semiauto, or my S&W 629 44MAG revolver with 8inch barrel. I would mainly use the pistols for close in encounters, or for finishing off wounded boars. I found the 38 super had enough power to consistantly drop boars if hit properly at ranges up to 50 yards. I also like the controlability of the 38 super for quick follow up shots on charging boars, or mobs of pigs. As the 357 magnum has more power than the 38 super you shouldn't have any problems dropping a boar if hit correctly.I found my 44 magnum a bit cumbersome with the long barrel to quick draw, & there is a noticeable recovery time between follow up shots with the 44 magnum.I also find my 44 magnum extremely loud when compared to a 38 super- something you should check with the 454 casul. Although the 44 magnum is a more accurate & powerful handgun than the 38 super, I found that realistically I did not shoot at pigs any further with either pistol- 50 yards or less accounting for 90% of shots, with 75 yards stretching my capabilities of placing a fatal shot with iron sights. If you've always wanted a 454 casul then go buy one- you sure won't be undergunned. There is something satisfying about hunting with a heavy calibre revolver, but for pigs that may be encountered in mobs, or a charging boar - a semi-auto in 38 super gets my vote.
UniversalFrost
New member
I have a contender with the super 14 barrel that Bellm redid into a .357 max for me. The .357 max chamberin allows you to shoot the normal 357 mag or 38 spcl or go for the big .357 maximum round 
This is a hog killing rig. Shoot em when they are charging and down they go.
I also carry the same contender with a super 14 barrel in 30/30. Again this is strong pig medicine and will drop a hog that is in a charge towards you.
This is a hog killing rig. Shoot em when they are charging and down they go. I also carry the same contender with a super 14 barrel in 30/30. Again this is strong pig medicine and will drop a hog that is in a charge towards you.
Dusty Rivers
New member
What about a 40 cal semi auto or 45LC
Would a 40 cal work on wild pigs? What type of ammo would work out of the 40 cal?
I also have a 45 LC single action 6 shot ruger. Would that better than the 357 or the 40 cal for carry when fixing fence?
Would a 40 cal work on wild pigs? What type of ammo would work out of the 40 cal?
I also have a 45 LC single action 6 shot ruger. Would that better than the 357 or the 40 cal for carry when fixing fence?
milemission
New member
If you want a .454 Casull, this is the perfect excuse to get one!
W. C. Quantrill
New member
Dusty,
No doubt that the .45 Colt will do in a hog especially with some 250 or 270 grain Keith bullets. I use 270 grain Keiths over max load of Unique. It is a real penetrator and provides intense hydraulic shock . The gristle plate is no match for this load on a normal hog. I have not tried it on a hogzilla yet, but I would not be afraid.
Ted the rocker took out what I'd estimate to be a 350# wounded boar on one of his TV shows recently with a .40 S&W. I dont know what bullet he was using, but my choice would be something on the order of the Hornady 200 gr XTP. It will penetrate and expand to create that terminal performance you need. That is why they call it eXtreme Teminal Performance. I dont get a cent for the advertizing but I have had good luck with these bullets.
No doubt that the .45 Colt will do in a hog especially with some 250 or 270 grain Keith bullets. I use 270 grain Keiths over max load of Unique. It is a real penetrator and provides intense hydraulic shock . The gristle plate is no match for this load on a normal hog. I have not tried it on a hogzilla yet, but I would not be afraid.
Ted the rocker took out what I'd estimate to be a 350# wounded boar on one of his TV shows recently with a .40 S&W. I dont know what bullet he was using, but my choice would be something on the order of the Hornady 200 gr XTP. It will penetrate and expand to create that terminal performance you need. That is why they call it eXtreme Teminal Performance. I dont get a cent for the advertizing but I have had good luck with these bullets.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
Wildey .475. Anything less would be suicide(not really, but I want more people to get this absurd gun so I can have a chance to shoot it)
simonkenton
New member
I can tell you that one shot from a 1911 Colt with military ball ammo will kill a 145 pound wild boar.
gadgetguy1288
New member
i just have to ask, why has no one mentioned the 10mm yet? I know a couple guys down here in FL and a few over in TX that wont leave the house on a hike without it, all the benefits of a semi with the power to put em down
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