Getting ready for my first pig hunt with a Handgun

[adstrin]

I been planning this for over a year. I've bought a Ruger Redhawk 44 and I already have a Glock 20 that I fixed with a Glock hunting Barrel. I've been shooting this summer and seem more comfortable with the Glock. I'm will be hunting the Upper Mobile Delta WMA near Mobile Alabama, very swampy, so the shoots won't be far. So which is it,  the Glock for close in or the Ruger for power.    :grin:

[Zeus]

I may not be with the masses on this one but I would leave the plastic gun at home when I went to the woods for pigs.  In the South, there really isn't much else that is as mean as a pI**ed off pig if he or she is wounded.  I would without a doubt opt for the 44 with a good heavily constructed bullet probably 300 grains or more.  A good hard cast would probably be the way to go.  Dry Creek bullet works (www.creeker.net) has several bullets that would fill the bill.  One of the better ones from him that I've tried is the 313 grain RCBS bullet over 21.5 grains of 296 with a Win. LP primer.  From my 10.5" SBH, it was getting 1430 fps and shot groups that were awesome at 100 yards.  Kelly Brost at (castperformance.com) also has some good ones.  Federal uses his 300 wfngc bullet in their cast core line of ammo.  I've loaded that one and it shoots very well also.  I think that since you have the 44 available, you should use it.  I'm sure the 10mm will take the game but I would opt for something with a little more butt to it in case the shot is not just perfect.  Like I said earlier, an upset pig is not something that you really want to mess with in my opinion.  GS

[Mikey]

Adstrin:  practice with the 44 and heavy slugs.  Pigs will root your guts if they get you down and they are cunning predators.  We are a part of their food chain friend, don't forget it.  I would practice with your 44 as your primary sidearm but I would also pack a backup with skull penetrating capability.  That would be either a 45 with ball or a 10mm with a flatnose jacketed slug.  Mikey.

[crawfish]

Adstrin,

Old hoss from what you posted in another thread "Think I made a mistake" leave the handguns at home and take a rifle. What with all the problems you have said you are having with shooting your pistols you really don't want to take on something that can and will eat you if it gets half the chance.
I shoot almost exclusively .41 caliber handguns, hunting load was a Sierra 210g Power Master with a heavy load of 2400. That load killed everything I put it against with out a problem UNITL I had a dance with a 300+LB feral sow at 18 yards. That dead pig came straight at my shooting house hit the door so hard the frame was sprung. The only thing that kept that beast outside was that the door opened out. My sons had to move it in order for me to get out. I still shoot .41 caliber handguns mostly but I now load a much different bullet (250g hardcast LBT) for really big pigs, now when they are dead they know it and drop in place like any dead animal should.
My whole point is just because you kill them sometimes they don't know it and they will try to get you if they can. You HAVE to be able to call your shots to kill that thing so even it knows it is dead. From what you have posted you can't do that yet.

[ahunter55]

Fellas, I am a Bowhunter & your right-them pigs will rip you a new A-- even when the ARE NOT wounded.  I just finished a tour of 7 Hog hunts making a  informational video.  Stand, bloodtrailing & 1 hound hunt.  I have  chased & BEEN CHASED and charged.  What ever you hunt with IT WILL BE A THRILL.  Good Luck & keep a tree close.
ahunter55-Bowhunting North America Videos

[TonyRumore]

I have shot 25 or so hog with handguns, and you really need to choose a bullet that is good for deep penetration.  I shot a hog one time with 41JMP AutoMag using the light 170gr Sierra HP, and the bullet barely got through the shoulder.  Luckily the second shot ended up in the spine, or he probably would have gotten away.  

I shot another hog on the same hunt with a Wildey 45 Win mag and the Speer 260gr HP didn't fare much better.  On the shoulder, it never made it to the other side of the chest cavity.

As for 10mm cal, I use a 6" 40 Super, pushing a 200gr XTP at 1400fps and it always blows clean through side to side.  If you choose the 10mm, I wouldn't shoot anything under 180gr and perferably a 200.

[markc]

exactly is a hunting barrell in a Glock?   A .45 auto is not a hog hunting round, and no matter what ammo you shoot from it, it still will not be a hog hunting round.  No matter who says their uncle, or neighbor killed a hog with one,  it is not a hog hunting round.    .44 mag with almost any ammo would be better than a .45 auto for hogs.   Choose a 300 gr hard cast, or good jacketed SP.  but don't go less than a 240 gr SP.  180 gr bullets are too light for hogs in my opinion.  Good luck.
markc

[Questor]

Markc:

Is it really a 45ACP being proposed as a hog hunting round? If so, I wouldn't recommend it. Penetration stinks in a 45ACP and that's what's needed most in hog hunting. I have an opportunity to hunt little hogs (100 - 150 pounds) and I wouldn't dream of using the 45acp on those either (let alone the big 300+ pounders). It may work, but a 44magnum will work a whole lot better.

[adstrin]

The Glock 20c can be converted with a 6inch hunting barrel. Its very popular for Glock enthusasit for deer hunting in the 10mm. I know the 44 is better suited for hogs but the Glock is fun to shoot. It probably wouldn't be with a 300 tusker on my arse  :-)

[willis5]

I'll have to agree with everyone else.  I love my glock 22, adn I shoot it like it is a part of my hand, but it just isn't a hog gun. I wouldn't go for a 10mm either... Kick butt with a rifle until that 44 feels like it is part of you hand.

[redhawk44p]

I saw a russian hit twice in the chest with a 480 and it got up after being knocked down twice and was trying to turn to face us when the 3rd shot clipped its spine and finally put it down.  What animal in the world gets up and tries to come at you after two hits in the chest with a 480?  They are the most awesome thing to hunt this side of a griz.

www.ruger454.com

[Mikey]

redhawk44p, the kind of an animal that takes two to the chest and then turns toward you is one mean sumnuvabeach, and boar hog and bear fall into that category.  I've found that if you manage to corner something like that and wound them they are most likely either going to try to run right over you trying to get away or try and take you with them.  Lots and lots of guys favor chest shots as that is usually the largest target available but I always go straight for the shoulder to break large bone and either drop them flat from that perspective or hobble them up for a second shot.  

That russian boar you described sounds like two I encountered in South Carolina back in the mid-70's.  I hit one crossing a marsh road, square through the chest at 50 yds with a 444 that sang right through him but pizzed him off enough to turn right on to me to see if he could spot me.  Fortuantely the next one took him just under the chin and coursed up through his spine and dropped him.  I followed the second one through knee-deep marsh scum and saw that he had turned in behind a hillok (?) and was waiting for me to come past - I don't think he was hoping I would go away.  Again I was fortunate - I was able to put a steady shot just under his left ear and it was into the fryin' pan for him.  But to this day I still think that bugger was set up to ambush my butt and that's the kind of animal they are. right mean, yes sir.  Mikey.

[Old Griz]

adstrin,

Like most everyone else, I'd take the Redhawk. If you don't reload take a box of 300-gr Federal CastCore to the range and see how well they shoot in your gun. I have a .44 Bisley that likes them for accuracy better than anything else. Plus, they're going to give you the penetrating power you need. That 10mm is fine for deer, but when was the last time a wounded deer got mad because you shot him and came after you to rip you apart? Don't get me wrong, I love Glocks and I do think the G20 is a fine gun for hunting--certain things. Pig just ain't one of those things!

Also--order the gold bead front/V-notch rear sights for that Redhawk and give them a try. I think it's less than $15 and you won't believe the difference they make. Great sight picture!