hunting with Ruger SP101

[TexasPatriot.308]

I just bought a new SP101 with the 4.2" barrel in .357 mag. I usually hog hunt year round usually carry Blackhawks in .45 colt, .44 mag and .357 mag all with barrels no shorter that 5 1/2". Just wondering what the best ammo for hogs out of this 101 will be, will it handle loads like Buffalo Bore well?? I got a box of Hornady Leverevolution 140 grain FTX which I heard handles well out of carbines. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Just wondering what the best ammo for hogs out of this 101 will be, will it handle loads like Buffalo Bore well??

Yes, but without a large grip it could sting the hand pretty bad.

I got a box of Hornady Leverevolution 140 grain FTX which I heard handles well out of carbines. Any input is appreciated.

Personally, I'd use a bigger gun to hunt with, but that's just me. Depending on the size of the hogs, I'd use 158 gr hard casts at a minimum. I'd be more likely to choose 180 gr hard casts, or 200 grainers from Cor Bon. Assuming they will chamber.

That's just me though. Hogs are dangerous as you know. Choosing a heavy bullt that's sure to penetrate seems a good idea to me.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I was just thinking of it for a backup with the small barrel, Normally I carry a Blackhawk .44 mag loaded with 300 grain cast Buffalo Bore and sometimes carry an old Ruger .44 mag carbine in the brush, which I have lots of hogs in brush. In rifles I prefer a .308. I have noticed with the factory grips, even factory load .357 makes your hand tingle.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Oh I see. The way I read your OP, I thought you were going to actually use the SP101 as your primary hunting gun. As a backup makes a lot more sense.

I guess it doesn't really change my answer though. 180 gr hard casts from any of the reputable makers would probably be fine. 158 gr loads are a little less slap happy on your hand though, and would probably do fine for a backup. Heck, even a HP would probably be alright. I'm partial to Speer Gold Dots.

 

[Boarhunter]

I have killed a bunch of Russian hogs with a variety of handguns as my primary, and the last one was killed with a 9mm...one shot, one kill. Estimated weight 275 pounds. But I was using "magic" ammo (literally). Extreme Shock 115 grain 9mm with sintered tungsten core. The entry wound was virtually invisible, but inside the hog looked like he had been gutted with a weedeater!

Extreme Shock tests its ammo on Russians, and it works better than advertised. Magical stuff.

BOARHUNTER

 

[FL-NC]

Contrary to popular opinion, hogs aren't armored vehicles. Any good American hollow point will probably do fine for terminal performance. I carry a Glock in either 40 (G23) or 45 (G21) when hunting with dogs. More than a few guys carry 9mm for the same purpose. Its on the shooter to put that bullet where it needs to go.

 

[pinehtr]

I have taken 3 hogs with a glock 26 using range ammo.

 

[jmr40]

I wouldn't do it with any of the shorter barreled SP's. But heavy bullets from a 4"+ barrel should do the job. I'd shoot 158-200 gr bullets. I'd think 180's would be my top pick in a 357 mag.

 

[Tacoma]

A large part of this equation is your ability to shoot this little gun with big loads.
Grips will help but they aren't a magic wand. Personally, I've found the SP 101 to lack in accuracy when called on for anything beyond self defense distances and needs. Your results may vary.

Still I'm reminded of rule one in any hunting. "Bring enough gun to do the job humanely"

 

[98Redline]

I agree with Kodiak and Tacoma.

I have one of the 3.25" SP-101s and I can tell you that 158gr full boogie .357 loads that little SP is a handful. A 180gr bullet would bump that up a notch.
It is not that the SP or I can't handle the recoil it is that the grip is a touch too small to get a good purchase on it.

If that is what you got, then pick the heaviest hitting load you can control and carry that.
I would stay away from anything hollowpoint and the Hornady FTX. Not that hogs are indestructible but those bullets are designed to expand in creatures like deer, which are much less dense than a hog. The wound will probably end up being fatal, however there is a difference between taking a shot on game you are stalking and putting down a pissed off and potentially wounded porker, at close range

WFN hard cast all the way for deep penetration.

 

[japike]

I carry 180 gr buffalo bore in my sp101 for defense against predators and scoundrels while bow hunting in Michigan's UP. It isn't my choice when I'm shooting for fun but, it's tolerable for a few rounds.

 

[Macchina]

I have the same gun and am very comfortable shooting full power loads with the slightly larger Houge grips. My woods load is 158gr XTPs over a lot of H110. I am not an expert shooter by any measure and I can shoot this load into about 4" at 20 yards fairly quickly. The same load does a great job on deer from an 18" rifle barrel.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the SP101 is too small and light for hunting. Even the GP100 would be better but not great.

 

[fireman 9731]

I have spent a lot of time in a butcher shop and seen a lot of hogs drop dead with a 22lr behind the ear.

Shot placement is key.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have spent a lot of time in a butcher shop and seen a lot of hogs drop dead with a 22lr behind the ear.

Shot placement is key.

And I'm betting those hogs were already being held stationary. It's quite difficult to place a shot behind the ear of a running or thrashing hog.

Anotger nights, the recoil from a .22 is considerably less than a full power .357 Magnum load from a small frame revolver. It's just a bad idea. I'm sorry to the OP that I cant answer the question. I don't think it will handle Buffalo Bore ammo well or any other suitable ammo so I can't answer the question as asked.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

again I say I usually carry large magnums from .357 to 44 mag when I go in thick brush for hogs, just asking about using the little SP101 for a pocket gun.

 

[Water-Man]

Change grips and use 180gr. loads. It's the best for 357mag.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

again I say I usually carry large magnums from .357 to 44 mag when I go in thick brush for hogs, just asking about using the little SP101 for a pocket gun.

My apologies, I thought you meant as a replacement.

Since hogs are tough critters and have that thick plate on their shoulders I would carry a 158gr JSP round. That bullet will penetrate better than a HP bullet will.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

my part of Texas is overrun with hogs and I run cattle on 3 800 plus acre pastures. I have killed hogs with a .17hmr to the heart/lung area and the little 20 grain hunting tip made jello out of their innards. I have a few creek bottoms and stock tanks surrounded by brush and the hogs hang out there in the shade, sometimes I get real up close and personal with them. I usually carry a holstered revolver and a carbine in there, the little 101 fits nice in my coat pockets especially if I have to drop my carbine and get up in a tree.

 

[fallout mike]

My uncle came back to the deer camp one morning after a squirrel hunt with his .17hmr with 5 hogs. One shot one kill each. They were good shots. Couple weeks later he shot one with a .444 and tracked it for a while until he lost the trail. It was not a good shot. Bullet size doesn't make up for shot placement .

 

[Desert Dog]

Hogue grip. A must. It changed the gun handling incredibly.

As for ammo? Handloaded 200 gr. Hardcast over AA#9.

Good luck.

 

[edmo01]

Of the 3 different barrel lengths, your 4.2" version would be my choice for hogs... If I were so inclined.

Edmo

 

[mavracer]

Heavy cast will work good but I like 180gr expanding bullets IE Hornady XTP they provide plenty of penetration and a slightly bigger wound channel than hard cast.