Suggested Handgun for Boar Hunting?

[Daddywagz]

What are your thoughts on an appropriate caliber for a sidearm when hunting boar? What's the minimum? What's perfect? (There's always some guy who will say .22LR... )

 

[RockinU]

Primary weapon? I would go for a big revolver, .357 and up. Maybe .38+p out of a longer barrel. Secondary...whatever I guess. I usually only have my Winchester model 94 with me...works well in tight quarters, and seldom leaves me under-gunned.

 

[huntershooter]

I've used heavy bullet cast lead (gas check) loads in .44 mag and (+P).45 Colt with good results on larger (300#+) hogs.

 

[MCgunner]

Big magnums from base line .357 magnum, but I prefer my .30-30 Contender, personally. Basically, just like rifles, anything that'll kill a deer'll kill a hog. Big monster boar can require more bullet for penetration, but meat hogs are little different from deer. It don't take a cannon to put 'em down.

 

[SPW1]

Anything from 357 on up if your have a choice, if not use what you have. Earlier this year I had a target of opportunity come up at about 20 yards. I had nothing but my S&W 2inch 38 snubbie on hand. Hit no major bone but was a complete pass through on about a 170lb sow and a clean kill. Moral being the average hog isn't bullet proof and a lot of things work as long as the bullet isn't to lightly constructed.

 

[The Bushmaster]

BIG!!!

 

[Sunray]

"...for a sidearm..." You hunting with a rifle? If so, why do you think you need a handgun? If you miss with a rifle having a handgun won't help. You'll never be fast enough nor accurate enough with a handgun.
"...always some guy who will say .22LR..." Send him into the thickets after a wounded pig.

 

[qajaq59]

If it's going to be your primary weapon, pick the one you shoot the best from .357 and up.

 

[kanook]

You hunting with a rifle? If so, why do you think you need a handgun?

mainly because we can. We still have that right to hunt with a handgun if we choose. And if you have ever walked up on a wounded hog you will know why a fast handling firearm is a good idea.

You'll never be fast enough nor accurate enough with a handgun.

People hunt with and harvest animals all the time with a handgun. Just because you think it isn't possible doesn't mean it is.

 

[Geordie]

I have used the 44 mag with 265 gr Hornaday bullets to great success.

 

[chas08]

My prefered "Hog Handgun" is a .357 magnum with 158 gr jacketed soft points. Mine is a S&W 686 with a 4" bbl. It has proved itself more than adequate.

 

[LEVRLOVR]

Heavy .357 at a minimum.

By heavy I mean 158 gr. soft points at least.

I did a test on a boars shield a few years back and found the .38 special snubby loaded with 110 grain hollows would not completely penetrate a 3" shield.
The 130 gr. trunctuated penetrated 4 1/2" which would have barely gotten into muscle, let alone vitals.

3"es of shield pictured.
This was a 400lb+ boar.

 

[countertop]

.45 Colt out of a Ruger Blackhawk (I call it the Ruger Load, but I guess you could also call is a +P load) pushing 300 grain Sierra Sports Master bullet

 

[Daddywagz]

I'm hunting with a .270 win rifle, but lots of people say it's good to keep a handgun while on a hunt in case the boar charges or you have to get into some brush. What about .40 S&W? Too small for this purpose?

 

[chas08]

but lots of people say it's good to keep a handgun while on a hunt in case the boar charges or you have to get into some brush. What about .40 S&W? Too small for this purpose?

In my opinion, the .40 S&W is only adequate with a well placed headshot on a large Boar with heavy armor. But it's a whole lot better than nothing. As you can see from Leverlovr's picture the rhine can be quite formidable on a large boar. (great pic Leverlovr) It takes some power and the right bullet to penetrate it. I've found all types of bullets lodged in rhine on various hogs over the years. Nowadays I just drag the big beasts off for the coyotes and buzzards. The .270 you own is plenty of rifle. If you do your part with it, you won't need a pistol. But if it makes you feel better carry it, and try your best to never put yourself in a position to need it.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Several people have mentioned .357 mag as a minimum and I tend to agree. Hogs are going with a marginal round is different when shooting at a deer. Hogs however pose a threat to you. If I'm going after something that can harm me, I want a little extra insurance. But then again, I want a little more no matter what I'm shooting. Ideally, I would say .44 or .45 Colt.

 

[farscott]

I use my FA 83 in .454 Casull loaded with 300-grain LFP or 325-grain SWC with gas check at about 1200 fps. I want a big hard bullet for boar. I also want a quick second shot.

That said, the .44 Magnum or the .45 Colt can deliver those ballistics, and the .454 is not needed. So I would look at a Ruger Super Redhawk or Super Blackhawk.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I took 2 wild/feral hog (one about 150lb another 300lb) with cap&ball revolver .44's loaded to max with conicals. the big one I didn't hit well to far back and high but still got both lund-tips that one we tracked nearly 1/2 mile. the small one got him at base of skull/neck juncture DRT. both times had a nephew with 20ga magnum H&R #2 buck in ground blind w/me. the big one spun and ran off so fast neither of us could get a shot off. they can move fast.
took another 300lb w/my Camp .45acp 185gr jhp +P load blew his skull apart.
my .02 if purposely going hunting with a pistol then at minimum a .357 158gr.

 

[Jonah71]

Just a few short years ago, I woulda suggested .44 mag. But now.....I'll stick to a grocery cart in a small store about 23 miles away. Too old and slow for wild things that can hurt me.

 

[BP pistol hunter]

I hunt in Florida and we have some big mean hogs here. I have shot them with a Ruger .357, a Super Blackhawk 10.5 bbl .44 mag, 45acp out of a Colt Goldcup, Ruger P90 and a Glock 30. Heck I even shot them with my 1858 Pietta stainless 12 inch 44 cal buffalo cap and ball revolver using 35 gr 777 and a .454 ball. Believe it or not most fell quicker to one shot out of the 1858 Remington revolver (1200 fps 450ftlbs) than to the 357 mag and about the same as the 44 mag or 45acp guns. Hogs are tough but not bulletproof. Get the gun that you can hit them with and aim for the vitals or neck and head and avoid the shoulders and you will be fine.

 

[Yarddog]

I've took hogs up to about 125LBs with a 1851 cap & Ball 44cal loaded with 30gr of pyrodex pp=fffg. Head shots always worked for me JMO YMMV ; )
Y/D

 

[Buck Snort]

Call me a grade A #1 All American chicken schitt if you will but I refuse to hunt them with anything less than a 44 mag loaded hot or preferably a 454 Casull. All it takes is getting chewed up just once and a guy changes his mind about what is "adequate" for porkers.

 

[nathan]

I have a SW 686 4 inch and some Monarch 158 gr JHP self defense load. I think with a headshot at 20 yds it will do the trick.

 

[Sevenfaces]

I've used a .45 acp to down a 250lb+ hog, but I typically only carry it for a sidearm in case I get charged and for some reason am out of rifle ammo. I'd prefer .357 with 158g or heavier fmj or wadcutter, whatever, anything not hp.

(I havent been hunting since getting my two new .357s)

 

[LRS_Ranger]

I would like to take my new .480 out after one...