Experiences with .357 on hogs...Recommendations?

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PhiloebeddoUSA

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I have a few weeks before I will head out to a new camp with some friends.

These are the feral pigs that are tearing up crops, etc... 100-250 lbs is what I'm expecting. :uhoh:

I would greatly appreciate recommendations/opinions on round selection for a 4" N frame revolver. TIA
 
If you got some Black Talon laying around they work really good. I know they are expensive but they have been working for me for quite some time. (I bought them when they were cheap and its more fun shooting them instead of looking at them.)
 
Thanks for the replies. MC's thoughts were what I was looking for. Nowadays there are so many ammo manufacturers that are putting out mild357 loads. When you couple that with a 4" barrel, a lot of the magnum magic disappears.
 
Buffalo Bore's advertised ballistics.

4 inch S&W L frame Mt. Gun

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1375 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr JHC = 1411 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1485 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1603 fps

From those figures, the 180 is putting up 755 ft lbs from a 4" barrel. That's plenty for the job at hand. It's not THAT hard to push a 180 that fast by handloading and stay within pressure limits, so these claims are reasonable.
 
I to prefer a 180 hard cast bullet. It will go through both shoulders or a front on shot will always punch threw. Used them for years in florida and Federal use to load them too.
 
357MAGelk-1.jpg

This elk was killed with two well placed shots at typical archery distances. First shot was fired at approx. 50 feet and second shot fired at approx 85 feet. My 357 MAG was loaded with 158 grain hollow tip ammo by PMC.

If you hunt big game with a 357 MAG revolver, I suggest you keep your shots well under 50 yards. Think of yourself as a close range hunter like an archer and you'll have success.

Good hunting to you.
TR
 
TR

Thanks for the photo.

One of the reasons that I am going handgun on this hunt is the lay of the land. We are talking some serious Mississippi jungle bush. It would be a miracle to get a 75 yard clearing.

I need maneuverability and the pistola has it in spades. Forget what you have seen on the discovery channel with Thermal Night Vision from 100 yards + and all that crap. This will be up close and personal, low light condition hunting.

I appreciate all of the input. It helps tremendously. ;)
 
One of the fellas has a team of dogs and uses them regularly. From what I hear, the lead dog is as fearless as they come. Thanks for all the input. I'll try to get some photos and get em up.
 
I've killed a few with my S&W 686. I like a 158 gr jacketed soft point. They do better on penetration than HP bullets. Are you going to be stalking? Hogs don't see very well, but they can hear and smell what you're thinking.
 
Yeah, in heavy cover like that, still hunting really ain't an option. I have, on occasion, glimpsed a blob in the brush as it moves. More often, you hear a grunt, and the patter of feet and the rustling of bushes as he hauls tail outta there. Ya never know, might get a shot. Either use the hounds or dump some rotted corn on the ground and sit. One thing that really seems to work for me is fresh corn and strawberry jello mix poured over it. They can smell that and love it.

If they ain't hunted much, not used to hunting pressure, or if they're grossly over populated, you'll see a lot more of 'em.
 
Rasberry Jello works too. It smells a lot like the hog attractant "Hog Wild" I've used it in traps before with positive results, as long as the hogs weren't to trapwise.
 
A standard 158 Grain Soft point will work on hogs as well. Cheaper and easier to get sometimes than Buffalo Bores.

I believe Federal also has a 180 grain "hard cast" load, but I don't have any experience with it.

Don't count out the Corbon's BTW.

I go for neck shots at close range. If you stick with that formula you have your best chances for bagging a boar.
 
Have a Marlin 1894 357 rifle and plan on using handloaded Hornady XTP 158gr flat points for the same application. Would like to use them on deer also out to 100 or so yards. Have heard good things.
 
357impala.jpg

This photo is courtesy of the LeverGuns website. A small group of Americans head to South Africa each year to hunt with their leverguns. This trophy impala was taken with a 357 MAG carbine and as you can see, the damage is quite ghastly.

Big brother to the 357 MAG is 35 Remington. It's been knocking over big game since 1908 and continues to be popular with forest hunters. New ammo by Hornady makes the 35 Remington into a genuine 200 yard cartridge. No kidding!

TR
 
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