Ruger Redhawk w/7.5" and 240gr hard cast bullets on an 80lb pig in thigh high barley on a ranch outside of Parkfield. Range was about 15 yards. Was there the day before with a scoped .270 and it was just too close to see/shoot. Came back the next day and they were still there.
Speckmisser
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My brother took his Tejon hog with a Blackhawk, 7.5" shooting plain ol' Remington green box, 240 gr. Not too sure of the range, but it was less than 50 yards. The hog charged him from the brush, then turned. He popped it on the retreat.
The hog dropped with 25 yards of the shot, perfectly placed behind the last rib and exiting ahead of the off-shoulder.
The hog dropped with 25 yards of the shot, perfectly placed behind the last rib and exiting ahead of the off-shoulder.
HOGHUNTER714
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I use a Ruger RedHawk 7.5 barrel 44 mag. I use a 300 grain Federal hardcast. Seems to knock em down pretty quick. Upclose and personal is a blast.
As all of the hogs I have taken have been at point blank range (bayed with my dogs), I rely heavily upon the use of a pistol. I primarily use a Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2" .357, but have used a Blackhawk 7 1/2" .44 on occassion.
There is no doubt that the .44 will do the job well; it will drop them in their tracks with a good shot and mortally cripple them with a fair shot.
I can't remember off hand what the bullet specifications were but my only advice would be to NOT buy hollowpoint rounds.
There is no doubt that the .44 will do the job well; it will drop them in their tracks with a good shot and mortally cripple them with a fair shot.
I can't remember off hand what the bullet specifications were but my only advice would be to NOT buy hollowpoint rounds.
Speckmisser
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I dunno, Josh.
Some hollowpoints, such as Winchester's Partition Gold and Hornady's XTP are great hog rounds. They penetrate well, and although I've only used them for finishing shots, they performed just as they're supposed to (as evidenced by the post-mortem). I wouldn't hesitate a second to use them for a primary round.
I know the hollowpoints made for home defense tend to be more frangible, and may not be as good for hogs, but the hunting bullets are fine.
Some hollowpoints, such as Winchester's Partition Gold and Hornady's XTP are great hog rounds. They penetrate well, and although I've only used them for finishing shots, they performed just as they're supposed to (as evidenced by the post-mortem). I wouldn't hesitate a second to use them for a primary round.
I know the hollowpoints made for home defense tend to be more frangible, and may not be as good for hogs, but the hunting bullets are fine.
Come to think of it, Speck, you are right in pointing this out. In most applications (heart/lung shots) they would almost certainly be just fine.
I made the mistake of warning against their use soley from my experience in using them to dispatch hogs that were bayed by my dogs...all head shots.
I have found that the hollow points break up upon impacting the bones in the skull and do not cause nearly as much damage as the other rounds available. The density of the bone in the skull is greater than that anywhere else on the body and can put a hollow point round to shame. When hunting with dogs at point blank range, you need a round that will drop the hog where he stands at the FIRST shot; anything else puts the dogs and the hunters at risk.
Thanks for pointing that out!
I made the mistake of warning against their use soley from my experience in using them to dispatch hogs that were bayed by my dogs...all head shots.
I have found that the hollow points break up upon impacting the bones in the skull and do not cause nearly as much damage as the other rounds available. The density of the bone in the skull is greater than that anywhere else on the body and can put a hollow point round to shame. When hunting with dogs at point blank range, you need a round that will drop the hog where he stands at the FIRST shot; anything else puts the dogs and the hunters at risk.
Thanks for pointing that out!
DILPRXO
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In .44mag I have always used the Remington 240gr soft point that Speck mentioned above..Remington appears to have scalloped the jacket on more recent versions as opposed to the version made 10 years ago..but I have always considered it the "kiss of death" on anything I was using it on...Great load.
