Hunting Hogs with a .44 magnum

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Izzydog

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I reasently have had a mad desire for some fresh bacon. My wife has encouraged me to try my luck at, hog hunting here in the swamps of South Carolina. She suggested that I only use my US Camilius marine combat knife:eek:. Since its deer season here and the "Sound hunters " are out in full force, I,m a little nervious about taking to the woods. It seems that no amount of safety orange is enough, since hunters seem to die here every year. Can hogs even see in color? Anyway I'm seriously conciderind employing a Marlin 1895 lever action rifle in .44mag/special. I was wondering what your thoughts are about my choice. Should I arm myself with a diffrent rifle, or should I keep my fat butt at home and watch football?
 
I'm up for a hog hunt too. Call me and my fat butt will join you...

I would suggest wearing your orange in, set up your blind, then remove orange or wear it on your back side only?
 
Never and I mean never miss an opportunity to get in the woods and hunt. You will soon find yourself too old to hack the program far too soon, do it while you are young. Besides wild pig is good eating, no preservatives, no chemicals in the food. The .44 Mag is good choice, only I would prefer handgun unless the range is longer. Good luck on the pork.
 
That caliber is perfect for hogs. I know a lot of guys use a .30-30 for the wild pigs, but I think a .44 magnum, .30-30 or something similar in a brush-gun configuration (i.e., lever-action) should be totally sufficient.

I also have a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum and it's a sweet gun and although we don't have the wild pigs where I live now, it would definitely be the right medicine for 'em.
 
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Ahhh, hunting hogs with a knife.... I know two guys here from PA that went on a hunt and did just that. Worked for the first guy, the second not so much. One of the dogs that was holding the hog let go, and bit him instead. The hog got loose, and knocked him down as it fled. He is luck he didn't get cut.

The .44 mag will work fine, but the only thing I'll ad is use the right bullet - either a hard cast, or heavy jacketed bullet like the 300 grain xtp. I hunted with a guy who wanted to take his first hog with a handgun. He insisted on using the then new Winchester "Black Talon" ammo. I had my doubts, but he was sold on it. Sure as heck, it took 6 shots before the 250 lbs. hog was down for the count. All shots hit the boiler room, but they just plain expanded too quick, and did not penetrate. What a mess. This is especially a concern with the increased velocities you will get in a rifle barrel.

Larry
 
A Marlin for hogs will work well. The .44 is the 1894. 1895 is 45/70 and .450 Magnum. I have both and love them. The .44 is light and compact. The 1895 Guide Gun is somewhat heavier but still compact. Both are fast and in my opinion great brush guns. You may want to look into peep sights.

old 1911 fan
 
It is shot placement on hogs.
Check or google for some hog hunting sites and it will
show how the Boars have a protective shield/grissel.
It starts at the top of the back and runs down to mid shoulder.

Just behind the ear is the sweet spot.

Boys on the North lease killed a hogzilla boar last season.
When sliced and diced he had two .22 slugs in his right shoulder.
Likely from a farmer, One .30 cal. in the left and a broadhead arrow point
in the left ham. All healed over.
Tipped the scales at 322lbs
 
Got a Marlin .44 my own self!

Only caveat would be on distance. SP bullets in rifle calibers carry further, but in a carbine I notice a .44mag that's @ 1200fps at the muzzle of a revolver gets @ 500fps more from the longer barrel.

Should be good to 100 yards with a heavy cast and good placement.
 
My son shot one in Florida few years ago with a Ruger carbine using 240 gr hp's from around 20 yards hit it in the neck dropped like a rock never moved. Sure was good eaten.
Have fun, just lost out on a Texas hunt and I'm just sick about it.
 
I'm prepared, should the opportunity to hunt hogs arise: Winchester 94 AE in 44 Mag.
240 gr. solids clocked 1,600 ft/s out of the 16" barrel.
 

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I haven't hunted since I was a teenager, but hog hunting is one sport I would love to do.
 
Izzydog said:
I reasently have had a mad desire for some fresh bacon. My wife has encouraged me to try my luck at, hog hunting here in the swamps of South Carolina. She suggested that I only use my US Camilius marine combat knife:eek:. Since its deer season here and the "Sound hunters " are out in full force, I,m a little nervious about taking to the woods. It seems that no amount of safety orange is enough, since hunters seem to die here every year. Can hogs even see in color? Anyway I'm seriously conciderind employing a Marlin 1895 lever action rifle in .44mag/special. I was wondering what your thoughts are about my choice. Should I arm myself with a diffrent rifle, or should I keep my fat butt at home and watch football?
Click to expand...

Ok; #1. Hogs do not see in color; ie they are color blind. They see some color definition, like a human who is colorblind. They see contrast well, at closer distances.
As to #2. The 44 mag in a rifle makes a good short range hog gun, from 0 to 75 yards it will do a very good job. A lot of knockdown energy.

As to #3. Go kill a hog, and MAKE a football out of his hide. Friends will be very impressed with you having the only football in town with fur and tusks on it..........;)
 
Like Caj said, the Ruger .44 semi-auto rifles are a wonderful thing. Good luck hunting and be safe.
 
Our local game warden advised us to be careful hunting hogs. They have made a behavior change in recent times.
If you shoot one and don't make a clean kill 50% will charge you. Before they would always run away but not now.

A Texas hunter made a shot on a 150lbs sow at a 100 yards. He was using a .243. It knocked her down and she jumped up and looked around and spotted him and charged. He kept shooting hits & misses and she died 10 feet from his feet.

Also the game warden advised to wear gloves when skinning one out. They are carriers of Tularemia (Rabbit fever)

They do have poor sight. I had a group of about 10 surround me as they were eating acorns. I never budged and they went on their way. Besides I was carrying a Ruger #1
 
I have taken MANY hogs with a 30-30 here in Florida. But, whenever I hunt in the swamps of Georgia or South Carolina I use a 30-06.

.44 Mag will work fine in heavy brush and close distances. But, reaching out to tap a swamp hog I really like my 30-06.

The one time I hunted them in Texas I used a .223 very effectively.

Bob


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
3dots said:
I agree that shot placement is everything with these pests. .44 will work just fine but there are alternatives....
Click to expand...

I am not supposed to enjoy that, I am sure.:rolleyes:

But I enjoyed it ANYWAY!!!:p

Nothing beats your game being quartered, skinned, cleaned and cooked all in a 2 second timeframe!! :eek:
 
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