EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

After reading a few post on the .357Mag topics relating to another post on here, I had to bring this question up here on this site. I used a .22Mag revolver for a long time and never had any problems. Well, I had a mean old boar run 5 steps from me while on a hunt and he had a few rounds from a .223 in him when he met up with me. To make a long story short, the hog ran another 100 yards before the dogs stoped him, then he ended up cutting one of the dogs up pretty good. We ended up shooting him again at point blank range.

We all know a .22 short will kill a pig when the bullet is placed in the right spot. My question is, what has been most succesfull for everyone here. We have public land hunts here in La. where the state WL&F requires us to use "centerfire" pistols only. I have also seen where .357 Mags have been a let down. As a former law enforcement officer, my .45 Sig has never let me down!

Just FYI, my newest best friend hog killer is my wife's Taurus Judge, loaded w/ .410 slugs. Slow, heavy bullet that will absolutely eat up a pig! That thing is fun! - but make sure he is close, cause it 'aint no long shot gun!

For me it's always been 30-30 or 357 but I now carry a 22 mag and get close. If I was carrying the gun because I was worried about being rushed then I would go with a .45 or 44!

For where I hunt I carry a 45-70 lever for my rifle and I have two handguns that I carry. Depending on if were gonna be on long runs and with a good posibility of ending up in a creek I'll carry a Glock model 30 in 45 acp. If were hunting fields I carry a Desert Eagle 44 mag. But with that gun I dont like to carry it being it weights alot. But since I've been hog doggin I've only had to use a rifle once and a handgun once. But its better to have and not need than to need and not have.

 i use a 357 with hollow points. but if you want the knock down power use the 357 hornady lever evolution they do the trick

I use a 45 acp and it works.

i use a ruger super red hawk with crimson trace laser grips chambered in 44mag neither  have failed!

I have used my 22 mag with hollow points for years. Its a Rueger single action. I shot it horse back and have never had any problems with it. But I wait for shot placement. It doesnt spook the horses too bad or the dogs.

   Same here!  I use to carry a .45 cal as a duty weapon.  It will hit and mushroom out on you.  I would go with a .357 or .40 cal. as far as pistols are concerned.  I use a .375 H&H if I am using a rifle.
 Gilbert 

what are yals thoughts on a .38 sp.

I have had very little success with 40's and 45's on hogs.  My brother and I shot one hog 6 times (3 times from each caliber) and the hog still ran off.  Some of these shots where from the 5 yrd range and i could see the point of impact so I know it was getting hit.  About a month before that I saw my brother have to put 3 in a boars head to kill it.  Upon inspection all three shots were well placed head shots.  All hogs were shot with FMJ's for maximum penetration. 

I never had those kind of problems when we shot them with slugs or 30-30. 

I use a PB 80 does the trick everytime!  ;D Thats him on the left. AKA Jughead                                                    (http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/ETHHUNTERS/2010hoghunts011.jpg)

Hah, now I like that!!!!! lol - good looking dog and you gotta love a PB named "jughead"!

I shoot a 38 sp. and it does a good job! Just remember what ever caliber you use on a hog it's all in shot placement. Be sure and get the right shot!

I had a bad experiece with a .40 caliber and a 350 lbs hog once.  We use a catch dog 95% of the time unless their is too much water, and if that is the case I use either a .45 kimber 1911 or a ruger carbine .44.

.45 ACP loaded with Corbon DPX bullets from a pistol and 6.8spc loaded with Barnes Triple Shock from my AR.  Don't have a catch dog but never had a hog get away from either one.

for the guys that are using thr .22mag,  winchester makes ballistic tip hollow points that explode when they enter. this will stop defection, but shot placement is still the key. just right behind the ear with ballistic tip. dropped everyone i have ever shot dead in their tracks. my .02