Best .40 S&W Load for Pig?

Ikari · December 14, 2002, 01:48 AM

Hello everybody. I'm going to have the opportunity to do some pig hunting this month and next month. I'll be using an SKS with 123-grain soft point bullets, and carrying my XD-40 as backup. What, in your opinion, is the most effective bullet design/weight for pigs in California? I'll be going after pigs under 175 lbs. I know .40 isn't the first choice for this job, but it's all I've got.

Preacherman · December 14, 2002, 03:13 AM

You'll need penetration rather more than you will expansion, if California pigs are anything like their Louisiana brethren... I'd suggest a good heavy bullet, in FMJ format, rather than a hollow-point. On the other hand, if a modicum of expansion is required, try the Remington Golden Saber 165gr. JHP - good penetration, reasonably good expansion, and perhaps a better choice than the slower 180gr. JHP's on both counts. Just my $0.02 worth...

Art Eatman · December 14, 2002, 10:31 AM

Odds are, if you use the pistol at all, it'll be for coup-de-grace on a hog that's down but not yet dead.

If you're not taking a hurried shot at a big old sow or boar and wind up with a bad hit, and all of a sudden you find that somebody else that's bigger than you wants to do grievous bodily harm, you probably will never have to worry. Unhurt, hogs tend to work hard at being where you're not.

Folks down in the Florida swamps are pretty strong in their view that the best eating is the 40-60 pound range. Doesn't mean they'll turn down a second helping off a larger hog, of course.

Best luck,

Art

Ikari · December 14, 2002, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll take a look at the Golden Sabers.

December 14, 2002, 01:48 AM	#1
Ikari Member Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Arcata, CA Posts: 41	Best .40 S&W Load for Pig? Hello everybody. I'm going to have the opportunity to do some pig hunting this month and next month. I'll be using an SKS with 123-grain soft point bullets, and carrying my XD-40 as backup. What, in your opinion, is the most effective bullet design/weight for pigs in California? I'll be going after pigs under 175 lbs. I know .40 isn't the first choice for this job, but it's all I've got.

December 14, 2002, 03:13 AM	#2
Preacherman Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2002 Posts: 791	You'll need penetration rather more than you will expansion, if California pigs are anything like their Louisiana brethren... I'd suggest a good heavy bullet, in FMJ format, rather than a hollow-point. On the other hand, if a modicum of expansion is required, try the Remington Golden Saber 165gr. JHP - good penetration, reasonably good expansion, and perhaps a better choice than the slower 180gr. JHP's on both counts. Just my $0.02 worth...

December 14, 2002, 10:31 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Odds are, if you use the pistol at all, it'll be for coup-de-grace on a hog that's down but not yet dead. If you're not taking a hurried shot at a big old sow or boar and wind up with a bad hit, and all of a sudden you find that somebody else that's bigger than you wants to do grievous bodily harm, you probably will never have to worry. Unhurt, hogs tend to work hard at being where you're not. Folks down in the Florida swamps are pretty strong in their view that the best eating is the 40-60 pound range. Doesn't mean they'll turn down a second helping off a larger hog, of course. Best luck, Art

December 14, 2002, 02:44 PM	#4
Ikari Member Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Arcata, CA Posts: 41	Thanks for the input, guys. I'll take a look at the Golden Sabers.