The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: Rocnerd on April 15, 2006, 11:56:22 PM

Title: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decisions
Post by: Rocnerd on April 15, 2006, 11:56:22 PM
Ok, so I would like to try and take my next hog with a handgun.  Problem is all my revolvers were .357, and while I know I could use this, I'm not confident that would be the best caliber for taking a thick skinned heavy boned wild boar.  

I know I want a Ruger Super Blackhawk, and thought I wanted a .41 mag.  Now I'm not so sure.  What do you guys think?  .41 mag or .44 mag?  
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Aglifter on April 16, 2006, 01:26:54 AM
Russian boars/European wild boar or feral hogs?  For Russians, personally, I'd want a 454 casull -- they are VERY tough.  Also, what size hogs?  The Russians on our place got up to the 400-500# range -- I don't think you want to go below 44 mag, but that's just me...  Good part about a 454 is you can always shoot 45 LC out of it for practice.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: theirishguard on April 16, 2006, 12:11:11 PM
I would also go with the .454, it is fun shooting .45LC out of it.
Tom
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Richard S on April 16, 2006, 08:13:53 PM
Roc:

If I were going to stand before a charging wild boar with a handgun as my hunting weapon, I think I would prefer to have one of the S&W X-Frame Model 500 Magnums:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/

As we used to say in Germany, "Weitmanns heil!"   8)
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Rocnerd on April 17, 2006, 08:49:52 AM
Well isn't that just like gun enthusiasts!  I ask about two specific calibers and you guys give me two additional ones not on the list!   :) :D ;D  How is a person supposed to make up his mind?  LOL!  Well, I've only shot a .454 Casull once and at this point I think the .44 magnum is plenty for me.  I think the .500 is a little too big, though the .460 would be very versatile since you can shoot the .460, .454, and .45 LC out of one platform.  

The hogs I'm after are whatever is running around Lake Okeechobee and are most likely a mixed bunch, so chances are just as good for a 300-400 lb Russian as a 100-200 lb run of the mill feral hog.  The last time out I know the one I killed was a feral (it was black and white) but the largest hog killed by a friend was probably pushing 300 lbs and had some impressive size teeth.  

I guess I have pretty much decided on the .44 mag because of the round selection and availability, not to mention a little more power is welcome.  

Oh, and Richard, if a 200+ lb hog is heading for me I'll be getting out of its way looking for the nearest tree to put between me and that ill tempered beastie.   :o ;D
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: theirishguard on April 17, 2006, 09:32:51 AM
Roc, smart move in getting out its way. A .44 mag is minium.
Tom
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Richard S on April 17, 2006, 12:35:07 PM
Roc:

Of course, there is always this option:

http://www.dealerease.net/catalog/product.asp?pid=8214&ret_id=139995

 ;)
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Rocnerd on April 17, 2006, 02:09:53 PM
I saw a couple of those at the gun show this weekend.  I'll stick to firearms for now and the near and distant future thank-you.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Billmack on April 18, 2006, 02:12:13 PM
Roc,

I believe a .44 Magnum with the right load, in the right hands is a great “Hog Gun”.

This is my S&W 629. Clark Custom Guns preformed their magic and transformed it into a Hunter.

A Leopold / Gilmore Red dot sits on top.

The Ammo is Garrett 310-gr. SuperHard Cast Hammerhead. (1325 fps)

Regards,

Bill

(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/Billmack/ClarkCustom629.jpg)
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: theirishguard on April 18, 2006, 03:50:16 PM
Bill, what a great looking wheel gun for hunting.
Tom
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: DTM_39 on April 18, 2006, 06:38:13 PM
Richard ,  How do you reload that thing ???  Roc,  I've never hunted with a handgun so can't help you there.  I do have a Dan Wesson 357  with a scope that I shoot pretty well.  Never seems to be what I'm carrying when I leave the house.  I always figure if I walk out without a rifle thats when old BIG BUCK will show up at 125 yards.  Dan










Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Richard S on April 18, 2006, 09:08:23 PM
Bill:

What a beautiful revolver!  Clark Custom Guns really works "magic" on a gun!  I've previously posted photos of my Clark-customized Colt 1911.  They can truly transform a "Plain Jane" issue gun into a spendid work of art.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Billmack on April 18, 2006, 10:10:10 PM
Richard,

Your so right. They do outstanding work.

I've had Clark work on a number of my guns including a 1911.

Always happy with their work.

Regards,

Bill
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: R9SCarry on April 19, 2006, 12:00:45 AM
I would like to do some hog hunting - won't happen here tho!

Re .44 mag - indeed that would work pretty well - but it's worth checking on hog anatomy - a site somewhere has a chart which helps - shot placement will be worth taking care over.

So for me, in .44 mag I'd use my long tube SRH.  From choice tho I'd actually want to use my BFR (45-70) - it will NOT leave a hog standing, I very much doubt. ;)


(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/srh_s.jpg)


(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/bfr02-s.jpg)
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Rocnerd on April 19, 2006, 08:17:56 AM
Bill, that is one nice Smith.  

Chris, optimal shot placement is between eye and ear.  My friend has shot hogs with his Marlin .45-70 and always anchored them.  He used his .41 magnum Blackhawk last time out with very good results.  I have only used my .30-30 and since most shots are in fairly close while stalking through the palmettos I thought a handgun would be fun as well as challenging.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Richard S on April 19, 2006, 10:07:05 AM
Chris:

I think you're right about that .45/70!  

Have you seen this video put out by Magnum Research?  It's not only instructive but also "easy on the eyes."   ;)  The .45/70 is the last revolver demonstrated.  

Enjoy!

http://www.magnumfilms.com/movies/BFR02_trans_sv3_1.mov
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: theirishguard on April 19, 2006, 10:12:27 AM
Wow, way to go girls. :D
Tom
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: R9SCarry on April 19, 2006, 11:55:55 AM
Many thx for the link Richard - I thought I had most of their vids - but no - hadn't seen this one.

I expect the 45-70 they shot was the std load per Remington, which is ''trap-door safe''.  Quite useful but, I load up towards what would be classed as suitable for a modern lever gun - quite a lot hotter.

Forget now whether I posted this before (probably did, sorry) but real short clip I made up of my BFR shooting these fairly stiff loads (http://www.thingameez.com/vid-download/bfr.wmv) - and it shows how my buddy who is not so used to recoil in larger revo,s holds and braces rather tight - so recoil travels into his body quite hard.  I tend to let gun move freely and it looks even a bit exaggerated but - not too much recoil hits me up the arm so not too punishing.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Richard S on April 19, 2006, 12:33:57 PM
Very impressive, Chris!  That indeed appears to be a hot load!  :o

Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: theirishguard on April 19, 2006, 01:31:44 PM
.45-70 is a nice wheel gun hunting load but not something to spend a lot of time shooting off the bench.
Tom
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: Rocnerd on April 25, 2006, 02:44:59 PM
Went to the range this past Sunday and shot the new, to me, Model 57 in .41 magnum and my friend's Colt Anaconda in .44 magnum.  I didn't feel that there was much difference in felt recoil between the two.  The two guns are similar in weight, or at least they felt that way with the old gun in each hand bob up and down measurment method.  The first cylinder full of .41 magnum kicked a bit until I remembered Chris's video and let my arms ride up with the recoil.  We shot both 300 grain cast core's and 240 grain soft points through the .44 with no problems.  We put Gold dots and Platinum tips through the .41, don't remember the bullet weights, but the Gold Dots were quite hot.  All in all a fun couple of hours and I will definitely be getting the .44 magnum.
Title: Re: Handgun Hunting - Decisions Decisions Decision
Post by: R9SCarry on April 25, 2006, 03:48:31 PM
Sounds good Roc - not too surprised re feeling similar - a ''good'' .41 load is probably very little different from a .44.

But indeed, get the .44 also - can't have too many (but don't tell the wife!)  ::) ;D