Will a 45 Cal. stop a wild hog?

[Garandman]

That was back when bullets were just round nose solid lead bullets and heavier was better. A modern 9mm will outperform those old .45s in ballistic damage hands down. .45cal is just too slow in most cases to get deep penetration although the newer bullets do improve the performance and penetration much more they are still too slow in most instances to get proper expansion AND penetration.

My beef with the .45ACP (which I had to qualify with, and carried an M1911A1 in the Army) was that it was too hard to hit anything at more than maybe 20m, and that the diameter of the round meant capacity was low. One of my DI's had been in the AMU and could easily hit at 50m, but he was talented....

Issue was three magazines, I bought my own ammo (from the Rod & Gun Club, $5 a box ) and magazines and carried seven back when we patrolled the East/West German border.

 

[k0ua]

My beef with the .45ACP (which I had to qualify with, and carried an M1911A1 in the Army) was that it was too hard to hit anything at more than maybe 20m, and that the diameter of the round meant capacity was low. One of my DI's had been in the AMU and could easily hit at 50m, but he was talented....

Issue was three magazines, I bought my own ammo (from the Rod & Gun Club, $5 a box ) and magazines and carried seven back when we patrolled the East/West German border.

Keep in mind those old "chicken callers" pistols you guys had that fit so loosley that they rattled when shook (hence the chicken calling function) in no way would compare to the fit, finish and accuracy of my custom fitted Springfield Armory. And thank you for your service to our country.

 

[Garandman]

Keep in mind those old "chicken callers" pistols you guys had that fit so loosley (sic) that they rattled when shook (hence the chicken calling function) in no way would compare to the fit, finish and accuracy of my custom fitted Springfield Armory. //

Had? :confused3:

The DCM sold many M1911A1's to the populace.

In the latest version, S. 1356, there is a section, 1087, which re-authorizes the Civilian Marksmanship Program to sell surplus 1911 and 1911A1 pistols and their parts and accessories to the public.

The sales are limited to 10,000 per year. There are about 100,000 of these pistols available that are surplus, so they should be available for several years.

Read more: Obama Signs NDAA; DCM to Sell Surplus .45s

I had a Colt Gold Cup National Match. After getting a Sig P220, I sold it, and haven't had much interest in civilian M1911's since.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Obviously the only thing that will stop a short pig is a BFR. Magnum Research .45/7 Revolver Shooting - YouTube

 

[deanocraft]

I'm with FTG-05... I have hunted hogs with a bow since 1988, with many of those hunts on the ground. I have been in close proximity to some large hogs. In all that time I have never been charged. Although my heart raced at times, the pigs are more scared of me than I am of them. I have also killed hogs with a .22lr. Shot placement is key with a .22, but at least they are accurate! Actually, shot placement is key with hogs, period. Their vitals are not in the same spot as a deer, and so many people shooting them don't put them down in a single shot. I think this may add to their reputation as hard to kill. If you familiarize yourself with their anatomy, it will help you place a killing shot. I would have no fear using a 9mm on one, if that was my easiest to carry option.

 

[dmccarty]

Those full house loads in those lighter auto pistols get a bit "snappy". :shocked:

The sad thing was that the 10mm I was shooting is NOT light in any sense of the word and the recoil was more the snappy! :shocked::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[beowulf]

Stx,
Thanks for the information. We live on 90 acres in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in Central California - with a national forest behind us and a 3000+ acre ranch on one side. We have our share of wild pigs and are very familiar with the damage they can do. I am glad you mention that I don't need to carry a cannon with me when I hike back there - I carry a .357 magnum but have never had to use it on a pig. I have shot a few - those who found their way into our yard (5 acre yard) and used a Russian made army rifle - when they are hit by that they drop like a sack of potatoes - but I don't hit all of them.

I agree they will avoid you if they can. They don't run away in a panic but will trot off to cover when they see you.

We have seen as many as 15-20 in a pasel, but most often they come down in groups of 5-8 or so.

I have seen a few pigs with a legit weight of 300 lbs or so - I base that estimate on pigs I have seen at the state fair where I have learned the weights - even saw a 900 pounder there once. But I agree, most are in the 100- 150 pound range.

I will post a picture of one I shot but forgot how to do that. . .

 

[beowulf]

OK, hopefully I have managed to load a photo:

 

[deerefan]

Be sure to polish up on the hog anatomy too. Shot placement is crucial. Hogs have thick skulls, think of a football player-helmet and pads. They are most vulnerable behind/in the ear, eyes and snout. Also, mid-upper back-lung/spine shot. I have avidly hunted hogs since 2005, killing roughly 2100. In tight fields/cut overs, I carry a Browning Auto 5 12ga, loaded with slugs and 000. Over open fields, I use a choice of 3- 100 yards in, my .17 Savage bolt action or Henry .22mag lever action do the trick fine. I also use a Marlin .45/70 lever action, 450gr. compressed load, non-hollow point. Depends on the size pigs I have seen in a particular area. Over 100, my Mini 14 or .270. I am very careful with my weaponry as a thru shot can easily travel and hit other non-targeted livestock. Keep in mind, they do not see or hear well but there sense of smell is extremely keen. Most times they are not charging you, just running wild, you happen to be in the way. The only time I have had pigs defend themselves is either trapped, wounded or protecting piglets. As for the meat, I do not care to clean it and have enough to spare. I donate it to local folks who can use it more than me. I kill the pig, make a couple calls and it is gone.

 

[beowulf]

Deerefan, I don't clean them either and also give them away - there is always someone wanting to take them - they will rush over as soon as we call. I have not shot that many though, perhaps a dozen or so. One guy that took one of the pigs said it almost cost him his marriage as he apparently caused a real mess and stink in their kitchen.