Handgun for Hogs & Pigs

[Peter M. Eick]

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?

 

[kwselke]

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.

 

[perryhd]

Shot gun 00 buck.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

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.

 

[alwslate]

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.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

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

 

[chud333]

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

 

[Captain O]

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!

 

[bigwheelzip]

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

Texas testing poison to battle feral hogs

 

[chud333]

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

 

[35Rem]

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

 

[Old TexMex]

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

 

[SW MP15]

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!

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

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.

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

 

[Arik]

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!

 

[Chuck24]

It depends on how they intend to carry!

 

[Captain O]

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.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

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".

 

[kwselke]

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.

 

[Faulkner]

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

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.