hog handgun?

[BigBore44]

I think the first time ole susieqz walks up on a good sized hog, she'll wish she had a bigger gun. The first hog I ever encountered was about 400-450lbs @ maybe 10 yards. No joke. I had my XD45 with 14rds of 230gr PDX1's and I felt EXTREMELY under gunned. In fact, I never pulled the trigger because of it. Looking back, I probably had enough. But the next day I ordered a Ruger 44mag.

You say you aren't a hunter. And by all accounts, you're right. Which is all the more reason to have enough gun. Can't handle the recoil? You come up on a decent hog that can hurt you and you pull the trigger, you can be shooting a 22, 9mm, 38, 357, 44 or 45. You won't feel the recoil.

Taking a life, even a hog's life should be done cleanly. I know what hogs can do. I've seen them decimate everything from farmland to golf courses. But it's not the hogs fault. They don't wake up each day and think about how much money they can cost a landowner, farmer, or business owner. They are just another animal out there surviving with the resources and tools God gave them. But, they're doing a really good job of it.

I know people in a neighboring state that gut shoot bear because they eat their deer corn and keep the deer away during deer season. Even though they have bear tags and could kill them legally, they'd rather not have to drag a dead bear off to gut it. So they gut shoot them with 22mags and 17hmr's and let the bear carry itself off to die. Shameful.

 

[rodwha]

Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned the neighbor's statement of gut shooting, but she didn't say that was her intentions.

I can also understand the rancher's anger and call for extermination, but cannot side with causing unneeded suffering.

Italian reproduction .44 cap and ball pistols can be had quite cheap. BassPro often puts Remington 1858's on sale (mine was something like $200 shipped). These can be loaded fairly hot (~500 ft/lbs) or not, which is a nice thing about them as you can tailor your load as you see fit. Just don't get a brass framed gun as they can't handle the warm loads, much less hot ones.

Or just let the bigger ones go or have a tree to climb quickly. They are known for waiting hours for you to come down and are smarter than dogs.

They generally don't attack, but if they do you'll have your hands full in a hurry! Check out some YouTube videos on hog attacks and you'll see.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

One thing I know is that wounded hogs are no joke.

This particular hog is a decent sized specimen but certainly is no monster. The gaping wound you see was made by a 7mm Rem mag. Now granted, it was a glancing blow that struck that big shoulder plate they have. It was shot right at the end of shooting hours.

The two gents posing in the photo with the hog went into the thicket the next morning, not knowing whether it was alive or not, to bring it out. Well it was very much alive.
Being wounded and in a thicket, it came after them.
The short feller, my brother, had a 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt loaded with standard power loads. The other guy had a Glock 22 loaded with Hornady XTPs.



Now they were not just standing there carefully choosing their shots, as there was a couple hundred pounds of pissed off hog coming at them with rather ill intentions. They were firing in self defense and when the hog fell to the ground it was about 5 feet from the toes of their boots and they were clean out of ammo.

When we skinned that darn thing it looked like Swiss cheese there were so many holes in it. But it took a lot to put that hog down.
Now I realize that if they were 25 yards away and little piggy was standing still, either one of those firearms would have done the job. A bullet in or behind the ear and the pig would have likely made no more tracks. But things don't always go like you plan. And I for one, especially after this scare, am not going after a pig with a .22 or a .38 or a 9mm. If you feel comfortable with it, then knock yourself out. But I'll pass.

I would suggest, as a poster above did, that you trap them. Then you can walk right up to the pen with your .22 or .38 and you'll be fine.

 

[rodwha]

I like large calibers as they make large holes. I like large meplats as they make large wound channels without expansion. This is the hog bullet I designed for my Ruger Old Army percussion pistol:

http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-245C-D.png

With a 30 grn powder charge it should give me over 500 ft/lbs of energy near the muzzle. It has some recoil but is no magnum.

I'd not go after an adult with a 9mm or .38 Spl either.

 

[AStone]

One more point.

Sausage, BBQ

 

[RPRNY]

A big 7" barrel single action 45 lc shooting 200 gr soft lead wad cutters over 25 grs black powder with a little corn meal filler will allow confident, comfortable duelist style shooting and would be effective on hogs under 250 lbs in as much as I would feel comfortable that five shots would sufficiently wound and deter attack. It may still take a good deal of tracking as sometimes a hog will take a good deal of punishment before it drops.

I would absolutely not be comfortable shooting hogs with anything less than 44 cal. 44-40 black powder would be another good choice. Black powder takes the sharpness out of the recoil. Cap and ball revolver is interesting but I'd want more than 140 gr round ball. Maybe a Walker with 200 gr conical ? ;-) That's a lot of iron for walking around...

 

[rodwha]

I'd prefer something more substantial than a ball myslf, though I've read of several accounts of them providing complete passthroughs on deer. Ultimately a handgun shooting a ball is no different than a rifle that shot a ball 100 yds back and those have tons of game animals to their name giving complete passthroughs as well.

But I'd prefer a wide meplat and more substance, and have thought about my 195 grn version of that bullet, which I created for deer and such.

 

[X-Rap]

A 92 carbine would be an excellent compromise, a 16" barrel is compact enough to carry and it's a cowboy gun. I think the OP likes the whole cowboy thing.
Modern production runs from 38 to 454 and for big money old 92's can be had in some very soft shooting calibers.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

First off I will say that I have killed a few hogs while hiking with various concealed carry style guns in 38 and 357. That being said if I was actually intending to go shoot pigs I would take a rifle. I like 223s and 22-250s.

 

[joem1945]

Unable to hunt anymore. I like the big magnums and try to become proficient with them. If I was hunting I would carry a .41 magnum, S&W 57.

 

[susieqz]

thanks, guys. i didn't realize how scary they are.
i won't go out actively looking for them.
i just said i'd shoot one if i saw one.

most likely, i'll see one feeding on crops n shoot it from my door, then hide in the house.
poison is sounding like a better idea.
the farmer has to pay for seeds, fuel, fertilizer, water, etc.
then he pays the mortgage.
what's left he splits with the govt.
only then does he feed his kids.
so, i understand his feelings.
no, i won't take a deliberate gut shot to kill it slowly.
if i find a centerfire that shoots as good as my 22/45, i can hit a 3'' circle at 50 yards.
any bulls eye shooter can.

 

[susieqz]

jom, you must have real strong arms.
you need to move someplace where you can hunt from the house.
i practice in my backyard.

 

[rodwha]

Maybe a lead/hard cast SWC/WFN might work amped up to +P levels in your .38? Something in the vicinity of 140-158 grns.

Not sure if FMJ ammo is lawful where you are but one in a SWC style might work in a 9mm. Not sure if a 124 grn has enough mass. Never use a RN style though as they allow the flesh to expand leaving a smaller than caliber wound channel. Lead/hard cast in 147 grn might do.

I didn't see anything suitable from Buffalo Bore or CorBon... Might need to reload.

 

[BigBore44]

A bullseye is MUCH different that shooting at an actual animal. And if the hogs feel pressured or hunted, they will go nocturnal. Then you have a whole nother set of problems. More than likely, the first hog you encounter will cause you to subconsciously place both hands on your firearm.

 

[CraigC]

I'm going to be rather blunt here. Dump this idea that using an inadequate cartridge is "more fun" or that using two hands is sissified. Neither belong in the mindset of a handgun hunter. Sure, you can get away with minimal weapons on brain shots or small pigs but miss the brain or encounter a 200lb boar and you'll wish you'd brought a bigger hammer. Hogs are not built like deer. The load that will exit on a 90lb doe will likely do the same on a 200lb buck. Conversely, the load that does fine on a 50lb piglet may just piss off a 400lb boar with a 2" thick gristle plate and heavy fur packed with mud. So yes, size matters.Cartridges like the .357 (or even a properly loaded .38Spl) are fine for smaller hogs but when they get over 150lbs, you need more serious medicine. I prefer a moderately loaded big bore over a hot loaded .357, as there is no replacement for mass, diameter and penetration. For really big hogs 200lbs and up, there's no such thing as too much gun.

 

[Patocazador]

susieq, something to keep in mind: Hogs can't climb trees. Hunt where trees are numerous and you can scurry up out of the way if things don't work out.

 

[susieqz]

you guys are scaring me. not many trees on the prarrie.
oh, i don't mind shooting a hog 2 hands. i actually get smaller groups that way.
i just want to use a gun that i can also shoot 1 hand bulls eye,
i know a rifle would be better but i'm unlikely to have a rifle with me,
during snake season, i always wear a handgun.

 

[rodwha]

A wounded hog can be a very serious problem and ought to be respected. They don't always charge but if they do it can be viscous. Check out hog attack videos and you'll see for yourself.

It doesn't take anything big or powerful through the ear, but if you have a problem it can become an issue quickly, at which time bigger holes are better.

Unless magnum guns are used it's likely better to use a SWC or WFN type of bullet. Talking adult hogs here.

 

[BigBore44]

Susieqz,
Not sure what state you live in, but if you occasionally kill "evil bunnies" and shoot targets of opportunity that look good to eat.....that's hunting. And taking a game animal to eat it or because it's evil, requires a hunting license. So either you are hunting without a license (poaching) or you have a hunting license and you're a hunter. So.....which is it?

Hopefully you have a license. And if you do, why not hunt hogs? You want to talk about tasty? Feral hog is VERY tasty. Some here will argue that large hogs are not good to eat. They simply have not properly prepared the meat. Large hogs require a good brine soak for 3-5 days and a good smoker. But they are fantastic and tender. Plus, at least here, they have no season, or limit meaning they can be hunted year round. If you're going to go in the woods anyways, you can pull double duty; get exercise, and put healthy pork on the table. I'm not sure how that's not appealing unless you're a vegetarian. Then you're completely justified in saving money to purchase "hunting handgun". And as far as the weight of the gun goes, a pair of wooden or plastic shooting sticks, that double as a walking stick, alleviates that obstacle also.

 

[Patocazador]

The first hog hunt I was ever on, the hog tried to escape the dogs by running right towards me. I stood my ground and, luckily, he turned when 10 yards away. I rolled him with my .44 auto mag. I turned around saw the dog handler sliding back down a small tree. He was relieved to say the least.

A hog will cut you in a heartbeat.

 

[Manny]

Seems like the responses to this post have wandered a great ways from the OP's original post. Will a properly loaded 9mm or .38 special work to take smallish pigs? Yes, it's been proven countless times times over the years. The fact that she wants a gun able to be used for one handed shooting, ala bullseye style, doesn't really have any bearing on the shooting pigs part. If she's shooting 3" groups with a 22/45 @ 50 yards, she obviously has the shooting skill to cleanly take a pig, regardless of how many hands she uses to do it.

I believe a nice .357 revolver would be a fine tool for what this lady is looking to do. I have a 4.2" adjustable sighted Ruger GP100 Match Champion that would fill the bill admirably. I generally shoot it with 125 gr +p .38 Specials and the recoil is very reasonable. I also have a sister gun, a 6" GP100 that would be superb, though it may be a bit long & heavy for her to use as a belt gun. If the recoil from either is a bit much the Houge grip for the Ruger Alaskan can be used to tame it. It specially designed to tame heavy loads like .454's and is an easy $25 upgrade.

Regardless, a nice .357 revolver shoots well enough to be interesting and good .38 loads are available that will give adequate power for what the lady is looking to do.

For 9mm the same applies. A gun such as a Glock 34 or similar might fill the bill, and there are getting to be quite a few 9mm 1911's out now that would be maybe the best choice considering her interest in bullseye shooting.

 

[Stony]

The subject of mean attack hogs is way overblown and people give it a lot more attention than it deserves. I am among the hogs on a regular basis, and other than one that is already wounded, you will very seldom see one wanting to do anything but run the other way to get away with you. Even wounded, they normally just want to run unless they are cornered.
I had one in a trap a couple days ago that my buddy had shot in the ear with a 9mm, and it was laying like it was dead. I was bent over trying to manuver in the cage and grabbed it by the front leg to drag it out and it was sort of playing possum I guess. It started screaming and thrashing wildly but never tried to do any damage to me. I pulled out a Shield from my holster and gave it another one between the eyes and lights out.
Folks will come up with all kinds of stories that may or may not be true...but if I was merely walking in the woods I would worry more about some nutso human than I would a hog....and arm myself accordingly.

 

[susieqz]

thanks guys.
by the way. no license is needed to kill evil bunnies or hogs here.
no closed season either.
this is an ag state n the laws reflect that.
evil bunnies cost me over $200 in ornamental plants my first year gardening.
i had to build a fence n bury chicken wire to grow anything.
cottontails are not native here. some idiot introduced them 60 years ago.
the natural food isn't as available here as it was back home.
i'm talking 100% destruction by the cute little things.
this is why i understand how people here think of hogs.
since someone who does me favors asked me to kill hogs i will.
it's good to hear that a 38 will do for them as i have other uses for a 38.
i can;t afford big expensive bullets anyway.
thank you all for your input.
i needed to hear your thots.

 

[22-rimfire]

thanks guys.
i can get smaller groups with 2 hands. it's just not fun.
if i got a gun that always needed 2 hands i wouldn't use it much.
i'll tell you something. my friend doesn't care how they die.
if he could buy a disease to spread among them he would.
this isn't hunting in his mind.
it's more like eliminating termites in the house.

is that 327 capable of small groups at 25 yards?

I suspect it is capable, but I would lean toward 357 mag. Since I like 41 mags, that is what I would use (4" SW M57/657) if I am wandering around and only taking shots of opportunity. A 22 will kill one, but not the way you generally want to kill them. That or carry a rifle.

No need to be frightened. They are generally only a problem if you happen to corner one or wound one close up. If I were just carrying a 22, I would just not shoot. They can hurt you. But you still don't need to be scared as they tend to be nocturnal and you won't see them during the daytime often especially if you're just taking a walk and not really trying to be quiet.

Hunting or the like is generally a two hand affair. But on quick shots on a hog, certainly you can one hand a handgun. Basically you shoot the handgun in the most accurate fashion for you.

 

[Jeepergeo]

TimSr is right on the mark.