Author Topic: .357 + pigs. Need advice (Read 1507 times)

Tom H. · « **on:** February 01, 2005, 04:55:11 PM »

I probably know better but I have to ask.

I shoot a .357 blackhawk and I use the lyman 165gr gas check (slightly harder than WW) at 1350 exclusively. It is not the hollow point version. I have shot deer with it and I am pretty happy with the performance.

I plan on bringing it on a boar shoot in Vermont in April and I will ask, where should I shoot it with that slug?

I know the vitals on a pig and I have shot a few of them, but should I take the heart shot or is it enough to shoot the shoulder? The pigs are around 200#live.

Thanks

Tom

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2005, 09:15:52 PM »

OK, you're out with your 357 mag. looking for 200 LB hogs when from under a bush a 300 LB boar with nice big tusks emerges. Do you have the discipline pass on that shot, knowing you are under gunned?

Tom H. · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 11:20:32 AM »

Dusty, honestly I go there to shoot a pig. It is close to a hunt but it's really a shoot.
There are pigs there thsize of a pony, but I would rather eat 100# of the small one over 200# of the big one.
I've shot them with rifles, muzzleloaders and shotguns, but never with a pistol and although I have a number of other pieces I like the .357.

Tom

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2005, 07:02:31 AM »

Tom H. If you reload, try the 200 grain cast semi-wadcutter over 12.4 of WW296. I know that will plow on through a 200 lb pig and put you on more of an even keel with a larger one if he happens to come around.

That load is listed by Winchester as generating 1335'/sec - probably from a 6" bbl. It should do the job for ya. HTH. Mikey.

sawfish · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2005, 08:40:26 AM »

Shoot them in the head. That is the only reliable "stop em now" shot for a big pig with the 38/357. Of course, you have to be able to pick your shot. In anticipation of the receipt of sticks and arrows from other posters, we killed many a pig in the swamps with 9mm, 35/357, and even .22 LR in days past with head shots. Now they have gotten so big and mean, nothing less than a .500 S & W is acceptable.

Before the age of policical correctness, rural slaughterhouses killed thousands, if not millions, of head of beef, swine and sheep with the .22 LR and head shots. In the interest of "kindness", and bowing to the "Friends" of animals, they changed methods to a sledgehammer between the eyes. Come to think of it, maybe thats where the notion that an extra heavy projectile is needed got its start !

Regards, Sawfish

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2005, 09:54:39 AM »

If you choose to go after dangerous game with a firearm that leaves you little or no room for safety, in case your well laid plans don't work, then that's your business. One could argue that with the "right shot placement" we could take a Kodiak bear with a slingshot (remember David & Goliath?). I guess I'm just an old fashioned All-American chicken doo-doo but I prefer a bit more of a margin of safety when dangerous game are involved. BTW, it should be clear that it is sheer idiocy to compare shooting a domesticated farm animal (in a slaughterhouse) with hunting a wild animal whose behavior can be unpredictable. 'Nuff Sed.

sawfish · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2005, 10:57:34 AM »

Dusty, You are of course entitled to your opinion. The writer's question was where to shoot them with a 38/357, not how big a gun he should use. If you re-read my post, I did not compare slaughterhouse killing to hunting. I only pointed out that under the right circumstances even a .22 would do the job. Lighten up.

Regards.

david69 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2005, 11:29:07 AM »

tom h a 357 is a great weapon for a wild boar hunt if I had my choice of bullets I would use a 125gr put that bullet tight behind the shoulder and half way up that hog will be waiting for the seasonings...all the heavier bullets are fine but they seem not to give the shock the 125 gives wish you luck the 357 is my choice also.....

Tom H. · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2005, 02:33:30 PM »

Thanks for the replies/advice. Please send more.

I don't use the 180/200'sa because the gun runs out of adjustment and I have already taken enough off of the rear sight.
I went with the 357156 mould after alot of reading. It is very accurate and clocks at 1350 over 14.5 of 2400.
The bullet penetrates extremely well and will more than likely shoot through both shoulders of a pig, but I haven't tried it for that yet.
The bullet doesn't expand to speak of and that was why I was wondering about the shot and what other people's experience was.

I shot a pig with it once before and without thinking about it, put the slug in the same place I might have shot a deer (centered just behind the shoulder, I should have shot the knuckle). The shot was too high and the pig ambled off. After studying anatomy a bit more, I found that I hit absolutely nothing vital. That will not happen again.

BTW - my backup is a drilling in 7mm with 2 16ga slugs.

Tom

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2005, 02:44:26 PM »

I would have to say, give it a try.

I think your combination will do the job. A hard cast bullet is hard to stop, even from a .357 MAG. Good luck in your hunt.

DCB1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2005, 04:53:47 AM »

357 max is great for hogs.

S.S. · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2005, 07:42:16 AM »

How are you hunting these pigs!
Walking?
Tree Stand?
Dogs?
One of the previous posts was correct in my opinion,
Too many folks believe that they need a cannon to kill
Hogs or whitetail deer for that matter.
I understand some of the arguement that you never know
what you may see when you are in the woods and need enough
gun for the job. But I do believe in "OVERKILL".
I have seen hogs that I would have under no circumstances
shot with a .357 mag. And was irritated that I did not have my .44
therefore I now take both. I have never had a hog run very far after
being hit with my .300 gr reloads. I would not therefore feel undergunned with it and would not feel the need for something any bigger.

Tom H. · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2005, 03:31:19 PM »

SS,
I agree to some extent on the overkill issue. I'm convinced though that most of the stories about pigs soaking up lots of lead comes from the fact that people just hit them in the wrong spot. This isn't to say that they aren't tough, just not that tough.
I have probably looked over 40-50 pigs in the cooler and have seen a lot of different cartridges used. The only thing they seem to have in common was that whenever there was more than one hit, one of them was in the wrong place, usually high.

These pigs are hunted on stand from the ground and typically bolt after they see you. The pig that I made the bad shot on was broadside at 15yards so hopefully I should be able to set the shot up, hey, I have the weekend to do it.
I don't have to worry about the large pig issue, I just wouldn't shoot it. If I was hunting wild pigs that might be different but I'm really just there to enjoy myself and fill the freezer.

Tom

stuffit · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2005, 01:08:09 AM »

Tom H.
Your mention of your 16/16/7mm backup caught my attention. I used a 12/12/30-06 in a hog hunt and carried both my FA's .454's. I suppose I wanted to be ready for anything. My first shot was also fired with whitetail anotomy in mind. I hit nothing but the fat below the chest cavity. Fortunately the hog turned and came directly toward me for an easy frontal shot to the neck (head lowered). Instant pork.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/PhilHarris/1BoarHuntWorkmansBayou.jpg">
Here's my "friendly local guide" with my "back up" Sauer drilling.

Interestingly, the backup he relied upon was a Ruger single six .22 Mag.
I'm in accord with the head and spine shots on boars with any shot, particularly with a pistol. Good hunting.
:wink:
stuffit

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2005, 01:26:05 AM »

I do not under stand this overkill issue. :? It is OK to use a 50 cal muzzleloader but if you choose a 454 Casull or a 500MAG it is considered overkill. When are we going to realize dead is dead. A hog is not hard to kill as long as you do your part. But if things go bad I want to have enough gun to stop it cold and quick.

ga41 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2005, 12:50:01 PM »

I have had success with a 6" 357 with a nice handload using 180 Rem JHP, no problem at all , good bullet placement is the key

sawfish · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2005, 10:44:00 AM »

Stuffit,

Nice looking group. Reminds me of some of the hunting forays with my kin in the Deep South. Anyone who criticizes the use of dogs in hunting has never (1) tried to rustle a hog, deer, bear, etc. out of a swamp and/or (2) has never listened to "hound music". Regards. Sawfish

Hooker · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2005, 06:52:17 PM »

Sawfish now look what you done It's hard enough to make it in between one deer camp and the next without you talking about hound music. Their ain't nothing like the sound of a race.

Pat

sawfish · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2005, 08:11:23 AM »

Yep, many times when the hounds (real ones with long legs) were running a deer, I would hear the crashing brush which usually precedes extreme heart pounding, and be rewarded by the sight of a dad gum nanny doe. No matter, the thrill of the race and the crescendo of the hounds provided almost the same thrill as a mossy horned buck. I said ALMOST. :lol:

drdougrx · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2005, 01:20:13 PM »

Hi Tom,

I suspect you are going to Wild Hill. Been there 4 or 5 times and will be going back in the fall. Your 357 will be just fine for hogs. You will be hunting with dogs and the dogs will bay up the hog so that you can get a clean shot (just don't shoot the dogs). Don't worry about a 300 pounder materializing unless you want one (and will pay for it).....sorry. The trophy stock is not what runs around loose. You will shoot a hog that will weigh from 125 - 250lbs so take your time. Your shots will be within 25 yards.

Have a great time!

Doug

Here are some of mine:
http://public.fotki.com/DrDougRx/

Tom H. · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2005, 05:09:49 PM »

Stuffit, fine looking pig there and wi will also say that there are few things better than a good dog.

Doc, I have gone to Wild hill for about 5 years and I really think that the place gives you what you pay for. For a few of my friends and myself it has become a yearly tradition.
I am going to guess that the pigs I have shot have gone about 180# or so and that is fine with me. When I saw another guest take a 250#, I was amazed at how much larger it was but to quote the butcher, "I'd rather eat 100# of the small one than 200 of the big one"
The only time I shot a pig with Bill's dogs, the pig was wounded and the dog had it bayed up.
When it saw us it took off with the dog in pursuit. It took both barrels from the combo gun I was shooting to drop it, but both were good shots and there were feet in the air within 15yds of the second.

Looking forward to all of those pork chops. One of these days I would like to take a serious trip to possibly Hawaii, or Texas, but for now Vermont is fine.

Tom

drdougrx · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2005, 03:25:44 PM »

Hi Tom,

I do agree. I took a 150lb and a 300lb out of there. Lots of fun. Will try sika and/or fallow this fall....probably October. Whan are you guys going? Maybe we'll meet up.

Doug

Tom H. · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2005, 05:22:33 PM »

Doc,
I only go there in the spring. This seems to be the perfect time for us because it is inbetween seasons. In the fall I'm either out for birds or deer every weekend that it is open.
This coming year deer should open even earlier so I have a feeling that the birds are going to have to take a back seat, al least briefly. The dog may not be happy, but the freezer should be full.

Tom