Hi all, new to hand-gun hunting and to owning a 629-6. Am not a hand-loader. I have read different things about rounds for hunting large hogs in terms of penetration vs. expansion. What are your thoughts about an ideal factory round that's right for the game and right for the gun? Thanks.
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What is a great, factory, .44 mag round for hog hunting?
- Thread starter Mr.Harry
- Start date
AveragEd
Well-known member
I have three S&W 629s, a 6.5" -4 Classic, a 6" -1 and a 5" -3 Classic DX. Although I am a handloader, I can't see setting a loader up for a recipe I will shoot perhaps a half-dozen shots of a year (including an annual zero check) so I also use only factory loads for hunting. All three of those 629s shoot the Hornady 240-grain XTP load with great accuracy and the bullet's on-game performance is highly regarded.
In fairness, I must state that I only hunt deer with that cartridge so I can't speak for its performance on hogs.
As a side benefit, that factory load shoots to the same 25-yard point of impact as my handload of a 240-grain cast SWC over 10.0 grains of SR4756 and at 50 yards, the added drop of the handload is less than an inch so I can use my handloads for practice without continual sight adjustments.
Ed
In fairness, I must state that I only hunt deer with that cartridge so I can't speak for its performance on hogs.
As a side benefit, that factory load shoots to the same 25-yard point of impact as my handload of a 240-grain cast SWC over 10.0 grains of SR4756 and at 50 yards, the added drop of the handload is less than an inch so I can use my handloads for practice without continual sight adjustments.
Ed
ostlund
Well-known member
Do a hardcast SWC 250 gr or more. No hollow points. I've never shot a hog but many deer with the 250 at 1240 fps and they work, even tail end shots (not necessarily proud of this but Blacktails in thick stuff don't occur often on public land). As another data point a friend did shoot an eastern WA ranch "hunt." the "guide" was very skeptical from his previous experiences with other using hollow points. Multiple shots and exciting moments jumping into the p/u bed with the frenzied piggy. Friend used a factory Buffalo Bore load with a straight on to the chest shot. The bullet stopped in the ham and stopped the pig with one shot. The guide was very surprised and impressed with the performance.
Kid44
Well-known member
I've never used this as I don't hunt hogs, this is from Winchester:
Symbol S44MWB (Razor Boar)
Cartridge .44 Remington Magnum
Weight 225gr
Recommended Use Wild Bore
Symbol S44MWB (Razor Boar)
Cartridge .44 Remington Magnum
Weight 225gr
Recommended Use Wild Bore
BigBill
Absent Comrade
For hunting and penetration the jacketed soft point bullets is what I would use. The 240gr if I was going to buy new ammo Winchester I like.
Pisgah
Well-known member
Okay, so it will work on my brother-in-law, but how about wild hogs?
I had success hog hunting in eastern Georgia using 240gr Federal Premium HydraShok.
I've never killed wild hogs but I have killed large deer with Winchester 240 grain JSP and never had to shoot more than once using a Ruger SBH Hunter. I'm planning a boar hunt and I will go with the same load. I expect to hunt normal sized wild pigs, not monsters. I have some 300 grain Federal Cast Core ammo in the event the pigs seem larger than l expect.
I know guys who hunt wild pigs regularly and they say to bring your deer gun and ammo.
I know guys who hunt wild pigs regularly and they say to bring your deer gun and ammo.
Any 240 gr., .44 mag. works on hogs; bullet placement is important, wait for a close up broadside shot and aim for a spot that is between the eye and ear. Head shots drop them in their tracks and you don't have to blood trail them through thick brush.
If you want to shoot them in the lower shoulder area, go with a heavier bullet that has better penetration for punching through a big boar's shield. Study a hog's anatomy and you will see that his heart is located low in the chest area, almost in line with the "elbow" of the foreleg.
If you want to shoot them in the lower shoulder area, go with a heavier bullet that has better penetration for punching through a big boar's shield. Study a hog's anatomy and you will see that his heart is located low in the chest area, almost in line with the "elbow" of the foreleg.
For what it's worth,...... I have shot upwards of 15 Hogs with .44 Magnum,... most of them using 240 grain HC's at around 1250-1300 FPS, I personally have never had an issue of lack of penetration or the Hog not giving up the Ghost, so to speak. I did shoot one in the Spine with a 275 grain Remington Golden Sabre and it did not make it through said Spine. It did destroy approximately 4-6 inches of bone and muscle tissue but in my opinion did not give the penetration I would have liked. Comparatively, I shot one at approximately 10 yards with a factory .45 Colt, 225 grain LHP in the seat of the pants and it made it all the way to the chest cavity and the critter dropped after 25 yards or so. Shot placement is very important and with Hogs and I would avoid hollow points in most circumstances.
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JJEH
Well-known member
Which one? I had a feeling heavier was better with larger swine and their breast plates, but what is 'enough' and ok for the gun too. The 255 reduced recoil, 270, 300 ?
Kid44
Well-known member
Only reason they call it "Reduced Recoil" is because it doesn't recoil as much as 270, 300 and 300+ grain bullets. I bought a box but have yet to shoot any of them. Double Tap has a nice hard cast 240 gr. load in .44 magnum you may want to check out.
JJEH
Well-known member
I'd contact them just to make sure. Tim and Suzie are great guys to deal with and they know their stuff.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=page_view&p=contact_us
(208) 756-3434
Also, have a look at their technical articles.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=51
I know BB is excellent ammo but I don't think you have to spend the money on high-end boutique ammo to shoot the hogs that are plaguing wildlife all over the country. A literal boatload of hogs have been killed with 22 caliber bullets with well placed shots behind the ear. As another thread on this forum shows, the important thing is that you skin that smoke-wagon and go to work. Winchester white-box 240 grain JSP is far cheaper and available. Heck use a Ma Duce if you've got one.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/470089-hogs.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/470089-hogs.html
Scott in NCal
Well-known member
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Anything in a 44 Mag will work if you hit them right. In my experience in California and Texas wild hogs die easy. When copper only came around I switched from 30-06 to 223 with Barnes bullets and noticed no difference. Over dogs I use a convertable Blackhawk and lead free 9 mm ammo. The only time I ever saw anything like agressiveness is when they are cornered. Otherwise they just try to get away. Be warned though, if you crawl into a thicked after them they may try to flee the same way they came in, if you are in the way it seems like they are in a charge.
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