.357 loads for semi-feral hogs?

[massmanute]

I recently bought a Rossi model 92 lever action carbine chambered for .357 magnum.

There is a pay-to-hunt ranch nearby that features what might best be described as semi-feral hogs. They say their "meat hogs" average about 300 pounds and their "trophy hogs" average upwards of 600 pounds. I am considering going there to harvest a meat hog.

My question is, what .357 magnum load would be best? My interest would be hot loads (Buffalo Bore), and I can't decide whether it would be best to use the 158 grain hollow point or the 180 grain hard cast.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks.

[Old Ironsights]

Buffalo Bore 180gr WFN or equivalent.

This is a good article too. It describes how one gent made his own version of the Buffalo Bore 180:

http://castbullet.com/shooting/rossi-s3.htm

[1894c]

massmanute--thank you for posting the article... :)

Old Ironsights--thank you posting this question...this is a topic I'm interested in too... :)

[El Chivo]

You might consider a load with the Barnes bullet, only 140 grain but has out-penetrated all others in tests.

I used my own load with that bullet on a smaller hog. The advice I got was to go for a brain shot, and then cut the throat while the heart was still pumping, so all the blood leaves the animal. Worked perfectly, no chasing or tracking.

[MrMurphy]

From what a friend's recommended (having shot hogs with everything from 9mm to .45-70), hard cast or maybe a softpoint in .357.


When i had a .44 Marlin I had JSPs, but never had a shot at one. Did the trick on a coyote though.

[bdhold]

I've shot Buffalo Bore, Double Tapp and BVAC bear loads in my .357 rolling block.
Without question, the BVAC JHP is the most accurate out to 100 yds.
MV is about 1400 fps, and this is a 22" barrel.
You could get higher impact energy loading your own, but the BVAC is probably the choice for shooting hogs out of the 3 I listed, and the most cost-effective.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM3160-1.html

[O.S.O.K.]

Maximum load of H110 under a 180 grain Hornady XTP. Or that Buffalo Bore hard cast. Something heavy and either solid with a flat nose or controlled expansion.

[86er]

This depends on the range and the type of hogs. A sow or any hog that is a high percentage domestic stock will not have a heavy gristle plate. A low quartering away shot behind the leg will get the heart and only needs 8" of penetration to reach it - a few more inches to get through it. High shoulder at the spinal junction only needs 4" of penetration to put the animals down. Any frontal or side head shot in line with the ears should drop it like a sack of potatoes. Probably most important is to know the exact point of impact at 50 and 100 yards for whatever projectile you choose. If you're going to hedge your bets and take "less than perfect" shots you should opt for a bullet that will penetrate quite a bit. The new Winchester Supreme 180 grain Nosler Partition has been proving itself and gaining respect on hogs in my area. Also, the Swift A-Frame 180 gr if you are loading your own or can find the Federal Premium factory stuff that is loaded with it. Either a 158 or 180 hardcast with a wide metplat will penetrate enough. Sometimes the non-expanding stuff will not put the hog down as quickly as an expanding bullet in the same spot, but they'll work. If finding a shot hog is a concern, an exit wound should be your goal, or a perfect head shot should be taken. Your 357 is plenty of gun if you pick a good load, make a good shot and keep the range where you know the shot placement will be precise.

[FWiedner]

In my experience, many hogs won't leave a good blood trail if they are shot in the body with something that doesn't leave a massive open wound. I don't shoot for the "boiler room" on a hog unless there's just no other choice.

Almost any bullet right behind the ear or in the neck at the base of the skull will drop them on the spot.

A .357 is plenty to drop even a large hog if you're taking one of these shots. As I said in another thread, all I use is 158gr JSP, and I've taken a bunch of hogs with my .357.

[stickfred]

Just wanted to say Howdy and Welcome to the Forum massmanute. Congrats on your Rossi 357 and best of shooting on your "hunt". Lots of good info from lots of good folk here.

[tman]

Buffalo Bore 180gr WFN or equivalent.

This is a good article too. It describes how one gent made his own version of the Buffalo Bore 180:

http://castbullet.com/shooting/rossi-s3.htm

+1

[1894c]

Just wanted to say Howdy and Welcome to the Forum massmanute. Congrats on your Rossi 357 and best of shooting on your "hunt". Lots of good info from lots of good folk here.

+1

[olyinaz]

Just wanted to say Howdy and Welcome to the Forum massmanute. Congrats on your Rossi 357 and best of shooting on your "hunt". Lots of good info from lots of good folk here.

+2

[buckeyeshooter]

I like the idea of the hard cast in a heavy weight. I think the 180 XTP and the Barnes would work too. Although I do not like only 140 grains in the Barnes.

My grandfather used to kill his winter eating hog with a 32 long and a shot in the forehead from about 2 inches. So, I figure the 357 will work--- hopefully you will not be that close.

[massmanute]

Thanks for the replies so far. There are some good comments.

One question I had about a heavy (180 grain) hard cast bullet is whether the lack of expansion would be a big disadvantage.

By the way, when I was young my uncle used to keep a milk cow. It came time to retire the cow to the freezer. My uncle placed a little feed in a container in front of the cow and let the cow munch on it. He then took my old single shot .22 caliber rifle, placed it close to the forehead of the cow and fired. The cow dropped to the ground and died instantly. It was an impressive display of the deadliness of even a small caliber gun.

Of course, in a hog hunt things might not be quite so ideal as they were when my uncle killed his cow, so all your comments on what would be a suitable rifle for a hog hunt are very helpful.

[El Chivo]

I think you will find the hogs fairly docile. Ours were trapped in Arkansas and brought in. When the first one went down, the others stood by the body looking lost and bewildered. This was repeated as the group got smaller and smaller. When the guides came with the ATV to take the kill back, their dog had to run off the other hogs, which kept trying to come back. The dog was familiar with the procedure so I got the impression it was standard behavior.

About the Barnes bullets, don't think of them in terms of grains so much. Think about design. Those 140's act like 180's, they are actually a little longer than 180's. They shoot great because they are so stable. As I mentioned, they out-penetrate all others, including 180's. Getting back to the design, the petals open up at fairly low velocity, and so are somewhat fragile if driven super-fast. However, if that happens they retain a high percentage of weight and the core penetrates.

I think they would be a good choice for a boiler-room shot at distance (the petals open up nicely at a moderate velocity). Remember you will get more velocity because of the lighter weight. Or a good choice for a brain shot close-up, as the bullet should hold up in bone. But if you take a close shot at the body, it might lose its petals at the hide and pass through leaving a pretty small hole.

Bottom line accuracy is important and the Barnes are hard to beat there.

[Old Ironsights]

Thanks for the replies so far. There are some good comments.

One question I had about a heavy (180 grain) hard cast bullet is whether the lack of expansion would be a big disadvantage.

No. Note that many of the best "dangerous game" loads are monolithic solids. Though I haven't shot any pigs with them, I've never had a critter fail to right now, or within less than 50yds anyway, when hit with one. (the 25-yarder was a really young culll fawn who "only" got double-lunged...)

[massmanute]

...About the Barnes bullets, don't think of them in terms of grains so much. Think about design. Those 140's act like 180's, they are actually a little longer than 180's. They shoot great because they are so stable...

Can you tell me more about the Barnes bullets? I have a lot of questions, but let's start with your comment about stability. The twist rate of the Rossi .357 magnum rifle barrel is very slow, only 1 turn in 30 inches. Would the Barnes 140 grain lead free bullets stabilize when fired from a rifle with such a slow twist rate?

Thanks.