Hey folks,
I'm planning on picking up a Ruger BH in .41 mag in a month or so. I reload and plan on working up some loads for whitetail and hogs. However, I keep wondering, "How much is enough"? I've read through and tried out numerous killing formulas only to be told that they're imperfect and inaccurate. Well, that makes sense. Also, everyone tells me that, "it's all about bullet placement". Ok, I agree. However, in the same breath I'll be told that such and such caliber / load (ie. .357 mag in a handgun) is "marginal" for hunting. I've hunted with shotguns, muzzleloaders, rifles, and crossbows, but not handguns.
My question is, how do I know if my load will be reasonable for deer and hogs? My plan is to shoot no further than 50yds and hopefully have enough power that I can shoot broadside, quartering away/to, etc.
Any advice? Any ballpark numbers I can look at?
-Kevin