Things that go OINK in the night?!?!? .357 or .45 Auto?

Which caliber and gun would be better for wild hogs (as a backup while bowhunting)?

  • S&W 686 snub-nose revolver, .357 Magnum

    Votes: 43 64.2%

  • Ruger P90, .45ACP with +P ammo

    Votes: 24 35.8%
  • Total voters
    67
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BoneDigger

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Tyler, TX
Of these two guns, which would be more appropriate for a backup for pigs while hunting:

1) S&W 686, .357 with a 2.5 inch barrel
2) Ruger P90, loaded with Core Bon +P ammo

I am asking about these two since they happen to be what I already own. Which would be more practical and good for defense against oinkers?

Todd
 
Glad you cleared that up. I though this was a Shooter Jennings type question... "chitty, chitty, bang, bang and I hit the floor....." :D
 
Neither, with a 2.5 inch barrel you lose velocity on an already insufficient round. Using .45acp on a wild hog (or at least in southern texas) only makes them laugh at you and they keep going. :uhoh:

I dont like large caliber revolvers nor can I hit the broad side of a barn with one. So when I go hunting for wild hogs I bring my marlin in 45-70 and my Desert eagle with either the .50ae barrel installed or .44 magnum which more often then not I use 44 magnum.
 
neither

I voted 357 and would use buffalo bore 180 cast load.you would probly be better served with 230 ball in the 45.but ultamatly neither I've seen boar soak up alot of energy and keep truckin' IMHO 44 mag 300 grn about minimum
 
I would rather have a 4" barrel on the 686, but would still choose the .357 over the .45 for hogs if forced to carry the .25" tube.

I have a 2.5" S&W 19 and a 2.75" Ruger Speed Six, and I plan to try out some of Buffalo Bore's new loadings for the shot barrel .357 (thanks Tim, they arrived today!) for self-defense, but if I was hunting hogs I would carry my 4" S&W 686 stoked with heavy (180 grain) loads.
 
S&W, but, I'm not so sure about the snub-nose part. I prefer the longer 4" barrel for better control, increased muzzle velocity and ease of belt carry. I think the 4" bbl is a nearly perfect length for belt carry. Even with a bull barrel, it's fairly light and easy to tote around all day.
Also, I think the other posters are right about using Buffalo Bore ammo.

I'm a huge fan of .45 ACP, but, I have little info on it's use as a hog huntin' gun. So, my opinion there would essentially be blowing smoke. :scrutiny: :neener:
 
Go with the P90, I'm going to guess your a better shot with a 4.5 over a 2.5 inch barrel.(once agian I'm guessing) What ever you shoot better is what I'd take, that and some hot loads will serve you fine.

PS how has the P90 been reliability/function that type of stuff.
 
A good friend of mine put three rounds from a .357 into the head of a boar, they skipped off of the skull and just made it mad.

His dad came back to the campsite, saw him in the back of the truck, pulled a .45 and put the pig down IIRC

so I'd probably roll with a .45, nice big slow bullet that transfers Kinnetic energy well.
 
I used to do a fair amount of hog hunting, usually with a .22mag. lever rifle. I shot a 250/300lb. boar twice with my .308 150gr. silvertips and then the fun began. He charged me. I dropped my 742 rem. and took out my colt 1911 with fmj flat nose and commenced firing. It took 7 rounds from the .45 before he finally had enough. The funny thing was I had my brother in law with me as my backup. When it was over I said something to him, but got no reply. I turned around and he was GONE!!! He dropped his shotgun and ran back to my truck. Never took him hunting again. I gave the meat to my mother in law as they needed the meat. Every so often she would give me another bullet that she found in the meat. I ended up with 1 .308 silvertip and 2 or 3 .45 slugs.
 
Exactly what I Take on a pig hunt. Remington 700 .30-06, Remington 870 Slugs, ans a S&W 686.

I figure I've got it covered for long medium and short distances.
 
.22LR, some wipes and a towel.... anyone???

I use a .444 Marlin express with a 1911 or my Glock 32. Never had a hog get up and complain after a .444 shot, but I know a few guys that hunt with .45 FMJ and they do quite well.
 
Well, since the options are limited to what you have available...well I chose the 686. I would rather have a .45acp handgun, but I used to own a P90. Not exactly all that accurate, if you know what I mean. And it's a rather big gun. Clunky, and slow to bring to action, especially if you have a charging pig.

So I had to go with the more accurate firearm. .357 is decent enough I guess, just aim small, pull trigger, repeat until empty. If that doesn't do the job, you better be looking for a tree until the sucker dies.

Conclusion: In a defensive situation as you are talking about I would trust the revolver over the P90. If it were a 1911 in .45ACP, well it would be a different choice.
 
Since I cycle more rounds through my ever-present .45 (but it's a 1911) than anything else & have grown quite proficient with this round (read: "I trust this gun"), coupled with the fact that accuracy is extremely important, I'd opt for the .45 (but just for insurance, a Python might well be in the cross-draw rig). That being said, I've never had the opportunity to hunt hogs, tho I'd like to . . . any offers?
 
I normally hog hunt with a .223, and normally it kills them but not allways. That's why I carry a .45 also. One time I shot at a young one with my .223 but he turned just as I shot. The bullet hit an old sow in the hindquarters and she couldn't move. I wasted the rest of the .223 ammo I had with me dropping hogs. when I went up to her, I put a 230gr FMJ in her eye from 10ft away. the tough little B**** was still alive I put another .45 slug in the back of her head and it still took her a minute to stop moving. A .357 wouldn't do better than that. I would go with the .45 cuz' if some hogs charge me, I ain't gonna stop shooting till they drop. and a .45 will hold more
 
I voted for the 357, but either will work fine. Usually, my son and I use a light 44 mag (Georgia arms 240 @ 1100 fps) and a Winchester 10mm 175 gr @ 1290 fps but I'll also use a 357 mag 158 sp. A 185 +p 45 is a good round But I would probaly go with the federal 230 +p if I was using a 45 auto.
 
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