[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Defense Against Wild Hogs (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 5/15/2007 4:38:50 AM EDT
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I ran into A PROBLEM out at my place in Anderson County Texas a few weeks ago. I was out heading for the creek bottom area, and in the distance I saw some wild hogs, so I froze, hoping to get a better look at them. More and more of them came down the hill, and instead of going down toward the creek, they congregated, until there were about 60 of them, about 25 full grown and the rest piglets or adolescents. They were all grunting and rooting for grubs in the soil. Slowly, they grew closer to me, ignoring me. They must have smelled me. I reeked of insect repellant, but they ignored me. As they slowly approached, their tails switching, two of them got into a brief skirmish. I became painfully aware that all I had, in the event of an attack, was my 9mm semi-auto pistol with 8 rounds in the magazine. Of course I had another loaded clip, but there would not have been time to get the other clip in there. I could not defend myself against 25 adult hogs. When they got within 50 feet of me, I had to do something, so I took one step backward. That spooked them, and they took off, moving (thank goodness) away from me. I know that if they had perceived me as a threat to their piglets, I easily could have become lunch for the hogs. What should I get to carry out there that will have at least 30 rounds in the clip, that would be large enough caliber, not too heavy or kick too much, and not too expensive? Have you ever had any experience with a drum mag for a .45 ACP? Do they jam? What about aMAC 90? a 44 magnum carbine? an AK47? I need to get something before I go back out there!! |
If you're serious, let me correct a few errors in your post. -They are not "clips", they are called magazines. A clip is a device that bullets are CLIPPED onto. A magazine is a box or tube style feeding device that contains the ammunition. If you use the wrong terminology around people who know the difference, you will be ridiculed... like you have been here. Your handgun utilizes magazines, not clips. -A Mak-90 and an AK are practically the same weapon with slightly differing features. -.45 ACP is not hog medicine. Go with a .357 magnum and larger. A .44 magnum lever-action with the right ammo would work just fine for most hogs you could run into. You want a heavy, dense bullet for penetration. You can get a Marlin or Winchester lever-action .44 Magnum for around $400 if you search local pawn shops. You will have decent capacity, ease of use, not too much recoil, and it should do well against any hog you run into. |
| We had a litter of a dozen or so approach us at the shooting range one day. I was not very worried about them (they are not all that aggressive, I have walked through larger groups with a lot of adult hogs after a hunt before - mostly pigs are pretty mild - big and scary, but not really aggressive). Anyway, a shooting buddy decided to "protect" me when they got about 20 feet from me (he was behind me and to my side), plinking off the 3 leading hogs with a Rock River Tactical and an aim point sight. While I would never consider an AR15 to be the best pig gun, it was three down with three shots (shot placement is king) - including a sow in the 400-500 lb range (darn biggest pig a lot of us have ever seen - including the local sheriff). |
The part in red is key. The poster is obviously inexperienced with firearms, and has likely never even fired an AR. The AR is NOT a good choice. |
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If you are going to carry something to protect yourself from hogs, I wouldn't suggest anything in 22 caliber. I've killed them with .223, but it took a very well placed shot to make them go down right away. 45 acp doesn't penetrate enough. Stay away from auto pistol calibers. Hogs are tougher than hell and if you want to stop one, you need something with plenty of power. The 44 mag you were talking about would work nice if you were charged by one or two pigs. I think the AK with a thirty round magazine would be a pretty good choice. Believe me, I've seen quite a few calibers tried on hogs. Many of them do fine, but do you want to take chances on caliber when one is running at you? 
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I think you're agreeing with him.
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9mm doesn't do jack against wild pigs. We found that out through experience.  My dad shot one in the head twice from less than three feet away and just made it mad. For the third shot, he shoved the muzzle into its ear and shot it. Still took forever for it to finally die..45 ball isn't effective either. He shot another pig in the flank with it and just pissed it off too. My .357 Magnum, on the other hand, hit it in the forehead and blew its brains out both ears in rather spectacular fashion. For pigs, I'd go with .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum. I'm gonna tell you now, that pigs CAN and WILL tear you a new one if they decide to. And in groups, they're much more likely to want a piece of you than alone. Pigs are aggressive and they ARE carnivorous when they want to be. Our neighbor watched one tear the shit out of a live possum and eat it. What 9mm are you carrying with only 8 rounds in the magazine, a Walther P-1? |
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First if you are serious, pigs are more scared of you than you are of them. They WILL NOT protect their young, at least I have never been able to get any to. AND I have tried many times by taking the babies I caught and making them squeal and have never had "mom" come back. I have heard that a boar will attempt to protect a sow in heat. I have never witnessed this, but I know a guy who claimed it and he would not lie. Just about the only place "clip" isn't a proper term is on the internet. If you went to any gun store with money in your pocket and asked for a clip they would know EXACTLY what you wanted and be able to help you. It is a mag, but everyone here, knew what you meant. I have killed so many animals with a .223 that I can't even remember the number. There is OVERWHEALMING evidence to support this. A .223 will smoke a pigs ass. Bullet placement is certainly key, but a gut shot with a 300 Mag will net the same result as a gut shot with a .223.
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Hey, I like the looks of that... I may need to try to build one  
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Big difference between sneaking up and shooting a hog, and defending against a charging hog. The OP is worried about a defense situation. If he/she wanted a weapon that could kill a hog the way TRG does, he/she could get by with just about anything. Two buddies of mine shot a hog a total of 12 times using a 20 gauge with turkey loads (poor choice) and a .38 revolver (another poor choice). They had definite hits but never recovered the hog. They weren't hunting for hogs, so they used what they had. |
Just because the ignorance is commonplace, doesn't make it right. |
I've been killing wild pigs for 30 years....I have never been charged. It is VERY rare. I have had a few that acted like they wanted to, but were too near death to make it happen. How many times have you been charged? How many charging pigs have you defended against? How do you know which caliber will do what in those situations? |
That's due more to some internet chest thumping know-it-all wannabe BULLSHIT artists who try to elevate their stature in this community by picking on a new member (a grandmother if her handle is any indication) who made a common mistake... thanks for correcting her politely |
Did you know what was meant? Was the OP's thought communicated through even the poorest of mediums? I know it's mag.....but damn. It's just starts a dogpile for a first time poster that really isn't needed. 
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I've never personally been charged, but my uncle has been charged twice. the first time, he got bitten by a sow who was protecting her piggies... yes, it happened and it's on film. Despite your experience, it apparently DOES happen. Second case, a hunting partner shot and missed a very large boar. The boar charged straight at my uncle who was filming the hunt. He drew his .44 mag revolver and fired once, hitting the hog in the chest, which caused it to change course slightly. His second shot hit the spine and dropped the hog. It was a paid hunt and he was charged for a "trophy kill" even though he was shooting in self defense. A member here, Skid2964 can back me up on this story... I respect your personal experience, but you can't claim that things don't happen just because YOU have never personally seen it. There can be variations depending on the part of the country you're in, and any number of different factors. |
Did you read the fucking post or are you going to insult my intelligence some more? Do you think shooting a pig at point fucking blank range with a 9mm counts as actually shooting something? |
You could host an ARFCOM hog ambush and BBQ? |
Absolutely true....just because it hasn't happened to me doesn't mean it NEVER happens. I hate people who look at things through such a narrow view. We are dealing with living animals that do react differently. I believe it does happen, but most of the "charges" are from startled pigs not knowing which way to run. At least in my experience.  I want one to charge me.....I got just the medicine. |
Considering how many pigs I have shot with a .22 in the head that dropped them in their tracks.....your post seemed more like some of your WalMart posts. How am I supposed to know when you are serious or "just funnin"? |