Pistols for hunting pigs?

[bufford]

I never wanted to find out if my 9mm with SD ammo would stop a hog, but on my lease I might just happen across them. I just picked up a 1911 and am wondering if it in fact might be a good hog gun, and what ammo you guys might suggest?

 

[cuate]

Been many killed on farms for butchering with a .22lr bullet right between the eyes, one shot....But body shots with anything less than a lethal possibly rifle or magnum pistol and the situation gets "iffy" . Realizing that feral hogs aren't anybody's favorite animal, it still seems unsportsman like to shoot one with less than a killing shot, knowingly, and the hog running about or away squealing in pain and suffering from the wound.

I do not have this bleeding heart, opinion concerning enemy soldiers, fighters, and terrorists with whom our United States is at war ! For them, kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out !

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

If you're gonna use .45 I recommend FMJ. In general, the hollowpoints don't penetrate well through their tough hide. I've killed tons of them and saw the evidence first hand. Their hide is tough enough to dull cheap knives real quick. It also really depends on the size of the hog, is it 200lbs or 400+lbs.

For anything 400+lbs I'd make sure you have a head shot or go with a rifle.

 

[Clockwork]

Most people I know that have taken down a hog with a handgun have done so with a .357 or .44 magnum and those people weren't out actively looking for hogs, they just kept it as a sidearm in case they encountered one while out actively hunting for deer. Never know when a hog might come out of the brush.

 

[Charlie]

If you prefer semi-auto pistols, the 10mm loaded to it's potential (especially with a FMJ FN) makes a dandy hog killer.

 

[bufford]

Thanks, most of our hogs are smaller... 50-100 pounds... but there are some BIG BOYS too. I am talking about mainly while deer hunting, for serious pursuit I think I'll stick with an open sight 30/30

 

[Mikewood]

Any good self defense round from a moderate cal from 9mm and up should do fine on pigs below 250#. That's 90% of what wou will see.
Some folks don't shoot pigs at all. They stab them with knives and some folks tie them up live.
It's crazy fun times.

 

[Tatsun]

I have found out first hand that a 9mm round on a larger hog can do exactly as Cuate stated. Last year while hunting deer, I was shocked to see a 250+ lb hog come right out of the brush as I was walking back to camp. My brother had went ahead carrying my rifle as I was carrying a 50lb bag of deer corn, all I had was my S&W 9mm on my side. The first shot hit him right above the left shoulder, and did not even slow him down. It took an additional 3 rounds to take him down. Now, I ALWAYS carry either my .45 or .357. Bigger round, bigger punch, bettter results.

 

[DBDawg]

Most people I know that have taken down a hog with a handgun have done so with a .357 or .44 magnum and those people weren't out actively looking for hogs, they just kept it as a sidearm in case they encountered one while out actively hunting for deer. Never know when a hog might come out of the brush.

Clock, I've had it happen twice while hunting whitetail. Sorry to say, I only killed one and wounded the other. S&W 686 does well with them.

 

[zembonez]

I would stick with a powerful rifle round... and use a handgun for backup.

 

[seeker_two]

If you carry your 9mm for hog defense, I'd carry nothing but FMJ....penetration is the key here...and 9mm ball will penetrate better than .45ACP ball in that case...

I usually prefer a .357Mag with hard-cast flatpoint or FMJ flatpoint ammo in hog country....

 

[TheDan]

I would stick with a powerful rifle round...

Yep... and mount your bayonet, too.

 

[matefrio]

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

FYI, the angle you shoot them at matters too. Some of the big males have a sort of armored up chest/shoulder plate with real thick tissue. So, if you shoot them through the shoulder from up front (e.g. coming towards you) it doesn't go as deep as if you're shooting from towards the rear (e.g. running off).

 

[Stumpy]

A friend of mine told me he has killed more pigs (and javelinas) with a Glock17 than anyhing else.

 

[Clockwork]

Whats a javelina?

 

[Stumpy]

Whats a javelina?

are you serious? how long have you lived in texas? anyways, let me use my ancient google-fu powers to help you with that. BA-DA BING!!

 

[TheDan]

Whats a javelina?

A rat that looks like a pig...


lol... Matefrio, I was talking about a bayonet on a rifle. I was half joking, but if one charges at you it'll be in stabbing range faster than you can aim at it. If you take down a pig with a "pistol bayonet" you'll earn a gold star on your man card, however

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

Whats a javelina?

They're mean little bastards that can tear you up. I've had them run me off from putting corn in a deer feeder. They can't see real good, so if you stay down wind you can get real close to them (think spear hunting). I think I've shot roughly 500,000 (probably exaggerated) of them but they breed like rabbits

 

[cpileri]

If 9mm is your caliber choice, and FMJ is your preference, maybe these will fit your bill:
9mm Luger +P +P+ Pistol and Handgun Bullets Pistol and Handgun Bullets
or
DoubleTap Ammunition
C-