Boar Hunting in Texas.. Back up gun is 45. FMJ's or JHP's???

[geronimo509]

I Might go boar hunting in Texas and i would like to know which is better in my sidearm. fmj or jhp? in case of emergencies i would want the best round for a charging Boar. It would be federal 230g hard ball or 230g Golden Sabers. Im not trying to be attacked by a boar, even an injured one, and especially a cornered one.

 

[geronimo509]

This goes for any decent size game. I always CC when it is legal. This is going to be the first time hunting and im going with my father in law. so which is a better SD round for an animal.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Given the 'shield' on the hog, I think most folks will tell you that ball ammo is a better choice for a BUG pistol while hunting hogs.

I carry hollowpoints in mine, but then again, I hunt from a tree stand and I don't plan on getting back on the ground after shooting unless my rifle is fully reloaded.

 

[geronimo509]

Shield?? i wish i had more details on how we are going to be hunting. Im sure my father in law will keep me safe ( he really likes me lol) So ball ammo is better for animals?

 

[janobles14]

how big are the pigs? if they are huge then i would go with ball ammo or maybe a hornady xtp. if they are little mini piggies then any hp should do fine but i would go with a hornady xtp.

in closing...hornady xtp or ball

 

[geronimo509]

Like i said i wish i had more details. I dont know how big. But i have a surplus of Golden Sabers because they function flawless in all of my guns. I do not have time to make sure the xtp's function properly and I will not carry ammo in my guns without properly testing them. ya know. What makes the xtp better than the sabers?

 

[3pairs12]

The shield the above poster was referring is the area right at the shoulder that is harder to penetrate than the rest of the hog. They are also a pretty thick hided animal. I carry JHPs. I have killed a number of hogs including several with a knife. I have NEVER needed my pistol. Ball would probably be a little better of a choice but I wouldn't by into the crazy hogs will run you down for no reason stuff. They ussually would rather go the other way when they see or smell you. I have been with in 20 yards of 500 +/- pounder before with just my bow. I was prepared to climb a tree and hang on but just yelled at it and he high tailed. A wounded hog no matter the size can be dangerous so make your first shot count and always approach with caution. Other than that have fun and good luck.

 

[janobles14]

xtps penetrate better than sabers

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Right, the shield on a pig is an oval, strongly developed area of cartilage over the shoulder region of adult boars. It is there to protect them from tusk and other damage from fighting other boars. I have read that it can be up to 2.5" thick on larger boars and is capable of stopping some ammo. See http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-169527.html (H&H notes reputation for stopping bullets)

 

[txcookie]

Dont carry a Side arm man! I hunt the things with a bow and a knife. Just make that first shot count! I plan to make a hunt in Mar using my CVA Hakwins and my PSE Brute! May sub the bow with a RUGER OLD ARMY THOUGH HAVENT DECIDED!

 

[txcookie]

tasty

 

[rich636]

I killed a 200lb hog with 145grn +P .38's. Either load would do fine but you don't need a backup gun unless it enhances the experience for you. If anything I'd bring a backup long gun in case your primary malfs on your trip.

 

[35 Whelen]

Back up gun? Personally, if'n I can't hit 'em with a rifle, I damn sure can't hit 'em with a pistol! Seriously, I've lived in and hunted in Texas all my life and you're about as likely to be charged by a hog as you are win the lottery. The only thing to watch for is surprizing a sow with little ones. Thing about hogs is, they're extremely intelligent and wary. It's very, very difficult to walk them up.
Also, they're not as big as most folks think. Last Saturday, I went out with a buddy on his ranch. He has several thousand acres with 6-7 miles of Brazos river flowing through it. As such he is absolutely covered up with hogs. To ease the population problem, he traps and sells them by the pound when the market price is good. Having sold around $16,000 in hogs this year alone, it's safe to say he's been around more than a few. He told me flat out that 250 lbs. was a really big hog.
Hope this helps!
35W

 

[alsaqr]

Back up gun? Personally, if'n I can't hit 'em with a rifle, I damn sure can't hit 'em with a pistol! Seriously, I've lived in and hunted in Texas all my life and you're about as likely to be charged by a hog as you are win the lottery.

I hunt them with a muzzleloader. My only safety consideration is to wear chainsaw pants when going into a thicket after a wounded hog. Your friend is right about the size. It takes a huge wild hog to go over 250 pounds.

 

[DrPerry]

Skip the hp's and use a 230 grn ball

I just use Winchester White box

 

[mikle76]

Make sure FMJ is legal where you will be hunting!

 

[Deer Hunter]

Seriously, I've lived in and hunted in Texas all my life and you're about as likely to be charged by a hog as you are win the lottery

Tell that to my dad.

He was rushed by a 350 pound hog while hunting with a buddy of his. He was using his buddy's gun, which was an old lever-gun in .35 whelen. Well it gummed up after the first shot, which hit the hog's shoulder and didn't phase it.

My dad was run over and held the hog's tusks at bay with the rifle. He was able to roll away, jack another round (finally) and place the bore of the rifle on the hog's skull right as it came back around for another mauling.

He's lucky to be alive. And somewhat uninjured as well.

I don't mess around with hogs. They can be mean creatures and hard as hell to kill if they get riled up enough. Make my back-up a pistol, please.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Don't matter - just file down the front sight.

But I guess FMJ/ball is better than a sharp stick (or JHP), for penetration.