Going Hog Hunting with a 357 mag!!!

[Dorin62]

I have been invited to Mississippi to hunt feral hogs with some family. Planning to use my Smith 4inch 686 for the hunt. I would like to handload some 357mag 180grn softpoints for this. Do you guys out there have some tips for powder charges or different bullet weights that are going to be able to take down the pigs. Yeah I know its all about shoot placement but I have heard a fast heavy bullet is needed to get through the tough hide of these critters. A 44mag would be much better for the the job -I just have'nt bought it yet.

 

[MCgunner]

158 hard cast SWC, 14.5 grains 2400. Place it properly and it will do the job. Got great penetration, what you want on a hog. Be a little dicey on a big 300 lb plus bruiser, but 200 lbs or less, no problem. 13.8 grains AA#9 behind a 180 grain XTP is accurate and powerful. I juice that one up a bit in my Blackhawk.

All in all, I prefer more gun for hogs, but the .357 will work at close range on meat size porkers and I hunt occasionally with mine, though my first chance at one this season and I missed. :banghead: I shot over him at about 65 yards. He was a 150 pounder or so. I shoulda had my scoped contender, I guess.

 

[Moondancer]

Lucky Dog!

When did this come up? Going with Eric?

 

[critter]

I have killed a few hogs (no big ol bruisers) with a GP100 4" in .357. I used a Hornady 180 gr XTP over a good load of H110. Got plenty of penetration and textbook expansion.

I would also consider a hard cast flat nosed gas checked lead bullet if you think you need more penetration and less expansion.

PLACE THE SHOTS WELL in either case.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Hog load

I would also consider a hard cast flat nosed gas checked lead bullet

This is the "standard wisdom" among those with whom I've talked. I use a 180 grain hard cast bullet over a close-to-max load of 2400. Gettin' through all that muscle and gristle, in to where he lives, is the thing.

 

[sansone]

wish I were going.. but I would want a 6"brrl in .357

 

[mbt2001]

+1 on the 6" barrel.

There is a steep velocity fall off from 6" to 4" in .357 mag. As Chuck Taylor once said:

...when barrel lenghts fall below 6", the .357 looses it's magic.

Good for defense and OK for hunting smaller game or as a back up, but when used as a primary, one should really have the 6" barrel...