I have a pig/wild hog problem. It is trashing my front yard at the ranch and has basically root plowed up about a third of an acre so far. So "piggy" has got to go.

I have seen the little pig/hog. I would guess it runs about 80 lbs give or take and has definitely grown over the last 4 months. I saw one big sow (2 to 300 lbs?) but it took off as I approached.

I don't really want to use a rifle due to the layout of my property. I have a long strip of land not a rectangle and so I don't want to loft a rifle round into the neighbors land. While it would be legal to shoot rifles on the land, I think it would not be prudent in a snap hog hunting situation. Handguns on the other hand are fine since there is plenty of trees and topography to slow down a ricochet.

I am currently using a 6" glock 20 due to the firepower (15 rounds) and its cheap/plastic so I don't care if it gets wet or scratched up. I am concerned about the glock trigger and walking through the brush with it though. Also being the cheapskate I am, I don't like losing my 10mm brass so I am thinking of switching to a revolver. Currently I am loaded with 200 grn LTC's with max loads of Blue Dot so they cook right along at around 1200. I know the 10mm will take out good south Texas Hogs, but I have not experimented with lighter calibers.


Anyone take out a pig/Hog with a 357 magnum or a 38/44?


I would go after it with a 158 LSWC doing right at around 1300 and 1200 respectively. I was really thinking hard about the 38/44 HD since I have a bunch of them, I am comfortable carrying them and I have several beaters. Most of my more high powered revolvers are too nice to abuse in the field like that.

Otherwise it is just back to the 6" Glock G20.

So suggestions or thoughts?

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SWCA 1646

I've spent a lot of time hunting hogs on foot using handguns. I'd recommend a full power .44 Magnum loading. A heavy bullet .357 Magnum round should be fine at close range. If you want to make sure you put the things down, use a rifle or carbine and keep your shots within 50 yards (handgun range). I stand over 6' and the target is a couple of feet off the ground. My missed shots should be angling into the ground. Shot placement is the thing, a .22 LR will do the job if placed properly.

Shot gun 00 buck.

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Old Age Ain't For Sissies

Thanks for the feedback.

So far I have come upon the pig when I did not have the gun with me. At most the shots are going to be 25 yrds and I am only going to get one or two rounds off since I basically am "springing" the pig up at night or when hiking on the property.

I was thinking of the shotgun, but they are kind of ungainly to carry all day long when working outside. That is why I was debating a 38/44 in a flap holster.

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SWCA 1646

Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum. Used ones can be bought for very
reasonable prices. They are tough and accurate and get full power out
of the 7.5" barrel. Buy used and don't worry about adding a few more
scratches to it.

With neighbors that close, I would probably use a shotgun.
I would be carrying a 44 mag.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I agree with the .44 mag for the job.
We used to go down to Tennessee on Wild Boar
hunts with pistols only. Lots of fun and easier
to carry trudging up and down the mountains.
The Wild Boar have a "grissle plate", that covers
most of their rib cage area and it will stop some
under powered bullets if thick enough on an older Hog.
The lightest caliber any of our guys carried was the .45acp.
Most shot .44 mags from Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawks,
Desert Eagle, etc...
I shot a Thompson Contender in .357 Maximum and it
was effective. Even harder hitting than the .44 mag
with my handloads.
My advice is carry plenty of gun.


Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

The 10mm should get the job done. If you're afraid that isn't sufficient a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with rifled (Foster) slugs should split the porker down the middle. Foster slugs are relatively cheap and quite powerful. As my daddy used to say, it should, "stomp him into a mudhole and stomp him dry".

Happy hunting!

There is testing being done to poison feral hogs with Sodium Nitrite.

Texas testing poison to battle feral hogs

Now what fun is that???
I like the machine gun from a helicopter approach
they use in Texas. And it's legal !!!!!

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Sounds like you need to elevate and wait. Get up so you are shooting down. Even that glock 10mm is gonna shoot a long way. Set up some bait and spend some time sitting in the yard. Up high

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

This .41magnum works pretty well: I'll trade you one of those heavy dutys you're stuck with

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Halfway and one more step

About 20 years ago we used to go to East Tennessee and shoot hogs with only handguns. We used scoped 629's with 6" barrels. BUT, the guides carried rifles and they said it was for our safety? In case we missed or had a miss fire. And we never needed their help. But glad they were their for safety's sake.

The farthest shot I ever made was about 50 yards. And it was lethal. Average shot was about 25-35 yards.

And the hogs were NOT as large as they are now. These were European hogs, not the mixed hybrids of today.

I'd recommend 44's.

And hogs are a BLAST to shoot! Probably the most fun I ever had shooting a animal!! Because sometimes, you would get a double with either a through shot or a rapid second shot. FUN FUN FUN!

I have to concur with the above-- for myself, even though there are many choices I have only ever used this non dash Mdl 629 --
Has always worked for me-- a bit of Practice may be in order with the stocks on the gun you intend to use. I once changed stocks the night before leaving on a hog hunt-- she shot 6 inches low-- luckily I caught it in time-- some of the best meat I have ever had has been wild hog. JMHO

I wouldn't care if I lost a few cases. Nothing is going to happen to the Glock in the brush unless something is in the trigger.....like any other gun. If the trigger is covered you can beat the thing with a hammer to your heart's content and nothing is going to happen.

If you YouTube Glock 20 there is a video of a guy taking out hogs with one shot from his Glock

Just some random useless knowledge. ....hogs have an excellent sense of smell. They can walk around a mine field without tripping one off!

It depends on how they intend to carry!

I, for one, like the 10mm Auto Cartridge. It works well and will stop a hog DRT. The best loads for the purpose would be either Underwood, Buffalo Bore, or Double Tap Ammunition weighing a minimum of 200 grains and running out the barrel as hot as you can fire them. FMJ is the best for the purpose with the round, because when it comes to hogs, PENETRATION IS YOUR FRIEND!

The advice to get up high is a good one. If you can cover your scent, and determine when this intruder is likely to appear appear, you're ahead of the game. When you lie in wait and spot him, you can safely place a shot precisely where desired and put an end to this problem once and for all.

I would take 'em from a stand or position where they could not get me as previously mentioned. What happened to your lawn can be your leg. I do not know about you, but I am no longer 12 foot tall and bullet proof. I no longer have any interest in "fair fights".

You are wise and need the rifle or carbine of your choice.

Shotgun is a good suggestion. Buckshot would do the trick if you can get close enough, but I think I'd go with a slug.

I've taken several feral hogs with M1 carbine using Winchester soft hollow points. Also take several with my .357 magnum lever gun.

The trick is getting close enough if you use a handgun, I think you'd be better off with shotgun or handgun caliber carbine if what's downrange is your concern.

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- Change it back -

I help manage 6500 acres of East Texas Piney Woods
"paper company" land.
Have been loaded with hogs for years.
Shot placement is key.....Right behind he ear.

One Ol'Boy that was raised in this area had him
a surpresed rig made up last year or so.
IIRC ...****ger 10/22. You only hear it cycle.
The scope is near as long a the little carbine.

He will kill as many as 4 in one sitting.

Never hunted hogs........ so with that grain of salt...from earlier posts .....and ... for neighbors safety...... shotgun......

first couple slugs? maybe.... again safety first....... but

last 2 00 buck in case they/it turns on you

Wild hogs out my way are common. I have shot them with .22 magnums to .44 magnums. I pretty much gave up on going out and hunting them and started using hog traps. Hogs are easier to shoot once they’re caged.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

...the launcher. I've got this nice Ruger Vaquero chambered in 10mm. It would suit your situation just fine.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

44 mag rifle? It will be a lot easier on your ears & quicker to get a shot off. Just a thought. A lot easier to lean against a tree & look around with a 4-6 power scope. It would probably be safer & more accurate also. I do have a 44 mag pistol.

Attached Images

DSC04221.jpg (92.5 KB, 51 views)

Hogs are so bad in my part of Texas
That they cannot be controlled from the
stands.
Trapping is the best solution.
Good video if you have ten minutes or so...

But not the most fun solution.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

I'd stick with the G20 as long as it and the load are proven. Some kind of solid round, like a hardcast SWC, would be my preference, although there are also good JHPs out there. Study the physiology from the perspective of bullet placement, so you know the best places to put rounds. I have a vague recollection that someone posted a link within the last year or so to a site that had a nice body map of hogs for just that purpose.

As far as risk to others - just about anything bigger than a pellet gun might send a round off your property with enough residual energy to present some level of risk. 1) shoot from high enough that misses or through and through wounds go toward the ground, which should be easy if you are standing and piggy is not on higher ground, and 2) DON'T MISS.

Generally, don't walk around with the pistol in your hand. Holsters exist for a reason. If you must have it in your hand for a period of time, keep your booger hook off the loud switch. A decent hip holster with modest security, like one of the Safariland 7377 or 6377 should be a great choice. If it is available for the G21, I believe it will work with the G20. I have a duty holster for a G21 that I would cheerfully use with a G20, and if I were to buy a specific woods gun that's what I would get, even though I don't want to add another caliber. I would not use a flap holster, period, but that is driven by my LE background.

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NHI, 10-8.

A little trapping tip I learned from a hog-hunting acquaintance back on Oahu: he would find a spot along the hog trail where the ground sloped away at about a 45° angle. He'd get some help and muscle a 55 gal steel drum up to the spot and dig it in so it was secure from rolling or shifting, open end up towards the trail, and throw some corn cobs in it. Hog takes the bait, and then can't get out- the drum is too slick for them to get any traction.

Check daily with your trusty shootin' iron ready. Good Hunting!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I would use a .45 Colt with my 270gr Kieth at 925 fps. The mid frame Ruger .45 Colt flat top with the 4 5/8th inch barrel is a handy holster gun.

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Stay safe people!

Again, thank you for the feedback.

I will start looking for a 44Mag and in better holster for the Glock. I guess I am just being too cheap on the brass issue.

I did pull out my M1 Carbine and have some softpoints to go after piggy with. That is about the most rifle I really want to use on my property due to the ricochet issue. It would be hard to get a stand up and get a view down on the hogs since they are in my front yard.

I did pull this rig out for wearing when I am working the property. I figured it is better than just carrying the glock in my hands and setting it down all the time.



It is obvious from the comments you guys have made that this is only a very short term solution. I am underestimating the abuse piggy can dish out and need to get more aggressive.

I did read up on traps. Unfortunately, I live in the hill country and my problem with a big tear drop type trap is getting the T-posts set in the ground solidly. I only have at best 4" of soil layer before you hit bedrock.

My next step up is to go the NFA route and get a suppressor, thermal imaging and some sort of modern rifle. One fortunate thing in Texas is we can at least go that way.

Thank you again for all of the advice and comments. I knew I was out of my league on this one.

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SWCA 1646

I should add my G20 is a nice shooter. I have good solid hot solid 200 grn Truncated Cone reloads in a KKM 6" comped barrel. It is a great shooter and easy to carry but the comp is a problem. While I really love it, I expect it would be murder on the ears if I take a shot without plugs.

My alternatives are the following:



I have a 610 6.5" that I am deadly with and a 10mm Witness Hunter that is exceptional. I was not really considering the Witness because it was so nice but I won it, so maybe I just sacrifice it to the cause. Same barrel length as the Glock, but no comp!

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SWCA 1646

I hunted hogs and guided on hogs for many years and all through grad school earning an M.S. in Biology.

I've seen wild hogs shot with everything from 22 WMR to 454. With proper shot placement, I would say anything from 357 on up with a good penetrating bullet (Caveat: Worst failure to stop a hog was with a 357 and almost got me some real good scars). My preferences were 41 mag (better penetration than a 44 mag) and 45 Colt with hardcast lead slugs (Heavy and fast).

I see no reason your 10 mm won't work and losing a couple of brass is minimal compared with buying a new gun (unless you just WANT a new pistol). If so, I'd go with the 45 Colt in a Blackhawk or Vaquero.

The M-610 with a hot soft point or hollow point hunting load is prefect for the job.

I almost thought it was Model 629 Classic 6 1/2" hog gun for a second.

A scoped 22 mag right behind the ear, or between the eye & ear depending on the angle, from out a bedroom window. Quiet/accurate and will put em down fine. For a handgun what you have is fine, but forget about the mag capacity/spray & pray thinking. Wait for 1 good shot. A good penetrating bullet, +1. For a shotgun the Dixie tri-balls are like 3 slugs at once. Buckshot size would depend on the range & size of the hog.

Maybe my thinking is wrong, but if I was concerned about ricochets and close neighbors I’d be inclined to use a lightweight & fast bullet like a 55 grain 5.56 out of a rifle, thinking that bullet would pretty much disintegrate upon hitting anything. I would think a comparatively heavy and slow pistol round would be the worst to use.

The Capt. knows of what he speaks. If your planning on a close encounter with a Hog, nothing beats a 12 gauge with a Foster slug. It flat knocks the stuffing out of them. I have used the .44 magnum on them. It works well. I switched to the .45 Colt with the heavy Corbon loads,.. 300 grain soft or Hollow Point rounds as that also knocks the Swine out of them. My last Hog fell to a 300 grain WFN at 1300 FPS. One shot. They are not bulletproof but a reasonable caliber in the right spot is required.

*
Now that BCM has .300 BLK uppers, if I wanted to go with an AR platform specifically for the setting and purpose described, I would have an SBR in that caliber with a can. Not a good use of money for me.

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NHI, 10-8.

On the front of them pigs... ya got to penetrate that gristle on front flanks...

With a handgun.... .357 or better. Nobody wants to go in brush lookin' for a wounded hog. Up close... they can be as bad as lions.

Was thinking the same thing, don't think you are wrong.

I used that 629 long before I had a 10MM but I would feel well armed with this 'BUCKEYE' SPEACIAL My handloads will beat any factory loads and get the job done just fine.

To the folks suggesting slugs, I can easily manage that. I have a bunch (hundreds and hundreds) of 2 3/4" slugs left over from field work and an 870 18" slug gun to go with it.

I actually keep the slug gun out at the ranch with bird shot in it for snakes and critters around the place. I will just go grab some slugs to go with it and take them out for my next trip.

So I will table the search for a 44Mag 629 and just use my 610 instead. I am ok with that. I had not really thought about the 610 as a possibility since I consider it a range toy only. Just perceptions of what the gun can do.

Thank you again for the tips and suggestions.

I will outline my plan currently is to set up a game camera and start trying to document the pigs timing and pathways. I think I know right where he goes so I will do some preliminary stalking over thanksgiving and see if I can sus him out.

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SWCA 1646

If you want a handgun on purpose, the Glock20 you already have, and presumably shoot well will work just fine. You just need to break down , and get a holster with covered trigger guard.

Depending upon the size of your "front yard" , the rifle from the window is an interesting concept.

I read that .22lr works with perfect shot placement. I suspect perfect shot placement is most frequent when said hog is in a pen, or otherwise corraled. In my personal experience, .357 has been very unimpressive.

Just go ahead and use the 10mm. Accept the fact that you may lose a casing or two, but console yourself with the fact that your acreage won't be rooted up anymore!

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Stay protected my friends.

If it were me, I's spend $300 or so for a trap. trap them and shoot them. That's the only way you're gonna put a dent in it.

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Forum consigliere

Will buckshot penetrate the gristle plate?

After 46 posts IM going with the lawyer. Seems so much easier.


No ricohett there.

This is the best idea for a property owner with "pig problems", because they are like Lays Potato Chips "you can't have just one!!" They breed like rabbits. You better take all you can, even the little ones, or they will take a property over.

For the non-property owner, hunting them is much more fun. This one voted to be taken with a Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum:

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I think that you have plenty of good options regarding your pig/wild hog problem. Just choose a heavy bullet (i.e. Buffalo Bore) and you should be fine.

SGM (Ret) Kyle Lamb uses a 9mm M&P for pig hunting, so you should be fine

https://youtu.be/CXU1GkTj48c

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Jorge

AS a rancher, you should be more concerned with possible diseases they may spread than some torn up acreage. Think of hog eradication, not fair chase ethical type hunting. You have more than 1 hog. They make rabbits look infertile. It is easy to see where they have been from wallows when sleeping & rooting when feeding. They are not quiet in a group and all they want to do is eat, sleep, fight, & make other piggies. I would check your local laws, apply for nuisance permits if needed, you may be able to shoot them 24/7. +1 on trapping.