Has anyone taken a broadside shoulder shot on a hog with a 357?

kcub · February 16, 2013, 06:40 AM

Curious if a heavy 180 - 200 grain bullet has enough power to break through shoulder bone into the vitals.

kahrguy · February 16, 2013, 01:51 PM

I did , more than a few shot that way. 180gr hardcast at 1150fps turned out to be my standard load over the years and it can easily break one maybe both shoulders depending on size. 200lbers it should pass thru. It will at least bore throught to the far side shoulder. If you hand load step the loads up to 1400fps and bore through both side. Recovery between shots does tend to slow down with the hotter loads. I used a 8" DW revolver for 20 years as my go to hog getter. I also slowed my loads to 1150fps . Speer still has a 170gr sp that worked very well too at 1300fps. Never tried any 200gr.

heres a great page to give some insigt to hoter loads- http://handloads.com/loaddata/defaul...Powder&Source=

Chesster · February 16, 2013, 01:53 PM

If hardcast and from a 6+ inch barrel, possibly. I would prefer a larger caliber. I have seen a 160gr HC fail to stop a porker.

Old Grump · February 16, 2013, 03:03 PM

I use the same thing as I used to use for deer. either 158 gr Kieth style LSWC or SJSP. Never had a through and through but never had a problem getting through the shoulder into the heart/lung and that was all I cared about. I have switched to 41 magnum now just because I have it but I would have no qualms about going back to the .357.

Super Sneaky Steve · February 16, 2013, 03:37 PM

I saw a youtube video of a guy who got full pass through with a 125 grain bullet. So yeah it's possible.

Double Naught Spy · February 17, 2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

If hardcast and from a 6+ inch barrel, possibly. I would prefer a larger caliber. I have seen a 160gr HC fail to stop a porker.

That you have seen a hog get away in a singular incident is hardly a criterion. I had a complete through and through at the shoulder of a medium-sized hog (maybe 180 lbs) that sprayed tissue and blood on the feeder leg behind the hog at the time of the shooting, and the hog ran away. That was with a .308. I have had a hog run off after being hit with a .45-70. If the bullet fails to connect with the right vitals in the right manner, the hog is going to run, even if the shoulder/leg is shattered.

With that said...
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198686

If you do a further search here for .357 and hog/pig/boar, you will find lots of examples of folks using it successfully. Remember, the hunter still has to do his/her part.

kraigwy · February 18, 2013, 01:57 PM

Never shot a hog with a 357 but I shot a buffalo head on. I use 150 grn SWCs at a bit over 1300 fps. I don't us necessary hard cast bullets either.

Busted through that thick skull which I believe is a bit heavier the the shoulder of a hog.

jad0110 · February 18, 2013, 02:56 PM

Granted, I've never hog hunted, but as I understand it they really aren't as tough as people think they are. The problem is the vitals represent a smaller aimpoint than say, a white tail deer, which may lead people to conclude that you need at least an 88 magnum to drop one

. So shot placement becomes more critical.

Sheikyourbootie · February 18, 2013, 02:58 PM

Yes...50 yard broadside with a 185 grain Beartooth LBT style bullet, over 15.8 grains of H-110 and Winchester Small pistol (not magnum) primer. Complete pass through .. bang/flop.

I have also hit a pig with a 300wsm that merely wounded the animal (bad angle and I didn't hit him right)...never to be found in spite of a pretty good blood trail. It all comes down to location location location.

Japle · February 19, 2013, 04:39 PM

I shot a hog a few months ago with a .357 using 135 gr “short barrel” Gold Dot bullets at 1420 fps. Two shots broadside and both gave full penetration and quick knockdown. It was a small hog, just 100 lbs or so.

I’m not sure heavy bullets are needed.

Hammerhead · February 21, 2013, 01:59 AM

Nice!

kcub · February 21, 2013, 05:36 AM

The whole point of this thread was to see if you can get by with a 357 in the lower 48; it sounds like you can. However there are hogs and there are HOGS! Some are sub 100 lbs.and some are VW sized. I still think a 357 works as long as you hit the right spot.

So maybe you don't need a 44 OR a 41; unless of course you just want one.

kahrguy · February 21, 2013, 08:18 AM

I never felt a need for a 44 mag for hogs. Just match the bullet to the job. I will not carry a light bullet. If all you have is a 350lb and a front shot I don't want to wound a hog and **** him off. Yes a idel shot a 135gr will do . It may not when you are in the palmeto patch with them. 170gr , 180gr even 200gr if you work up the load will do the job from any angle.

shurshot · February 22, 2013, 02:43 PM

I don't see why a .357 wouldn't stop a hog, if, like any other caliber used, shot placement it top priority. As I live up north, I have only shot 1 hog (in Florida), and it was with a 40+ year old Bear 50# recurve and a 2 blade 125 broadhead on a carbon arrow. Don't under underestimate any weapon if you do your part. IMHO, a .357 will be fine.

jad0110 · February 22, 2013, 07:54 PM

Shot placement is going to be important with any caliber this side of a 60 MM mortar. To tell you the truth, I'd think that a hot .38 Special shooting a 158 to 180 grain hardcast semi wadcutter from a 6" or longer barrel (I'm think of my S&W Model 14) would work pretty well. Again, I don't hog hunt, but maybe others can comment.

Deaf Smith · February 22, 2013, 11:15 PM

Don't know about shoulder shots but many years ago we had hogs and I'd kill them before butchering.

Well these hogs were HUGE. I had a Colt Agent .38 with LSWC handloads. No it wasn't a magnum but I found on a running hog the .38 would shoot right through and even break the spine!

So I have no doubt a good stiff .357 load is plenty hog medicine if you can shoot strait. I only use my .44 S&W cause I like the gun so much, and not because the .357 can't do the job.

Deaf

February 16, 2013, 06:40 AM	#1
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Has anyone taken a broadside shoulder shot on a hog with a 357? Curious if a heavy 180 - 200 grain bullet has enough power to break through shoulder bone into the vitals.

February 16, 2013, 01:53 PM	#3
Chesster Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Dixie Posts: 2,538	If hardcast and from a 6+ inch barrel, possibly. I would prefer a larger caliber. I have seen a 160gr HC fail to stop a porker. __________________ Chesster Proud NDN "The American Idle" Vote 'Pro-Choice' on 2nd Amendment issues!!!

February 16, 2013, 03:03 PM	#4
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I use the same thing as I used to use for deer. either 158 gr Kieth style LSWC or SJSP. Never had a through and through but never had a problem getting through the shoulder into the heart/lung and that was all I cared about. I have switched to 41 magnum now just because I have it but I would have no qualms about going back to the .357. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

February 18, 2013, 01:57 PM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Never shot a hog with a 357 but I shot a buffalo head on. I use 150 grn SWCs at a bit over 1300 fps. I don't us necessary hard cast bullets either. Busted through that thick skull which I believe is a bit heavier the the shoulder of a hog. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 18, 2013, 02:56 PM	#8
jad0110 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 761	Granted, I've never hog hunted, but as I understand it they really aren't as tough as people think they are. The problem is the vitals represent a smaller aimpoint than say, a white tail deer, which may lead people to conclude that you need at least an 88 magnum to drop one . So shot placement becomes more critical. Last edited by jad0110; February 18, 2013 at 03:09 PM.

February 16, 2013, 01:51 PM	#2
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	I did , more than a few shot that way. 180gr hardcast at 1150fps turned out to be my standard load over the years and it can easily break one maybe both shoulders depending on size. 200lbers it should pass thru. It will at least bore throught to the far side shoulder. If you hand load step the loads up to 1400fps and bore through both side. Recovery between shots does tend to slow down with the hotter loads. I used a 8" DW revolver for 20 years as my go to hog getter. I also slowed my loads to 1150fps . Speer still has a 170gr sp that worked very well too at 1300fps. Never tried any 200gr. heres a great page to give some insigt to hoter loads- http://handloads.com/loaddata/defaul...Powder&Source=

February 16, 2013, 03:37 PM	#5
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,249	I saw a youtube video of a guy who got full pass through with a 125 grain bullet. So yeah it's possible.

February 18, 2013, 02:58 PM	#9
Sheikyourbootie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Posts: 379	Yes...50 yard broadside with a 185 grain Beartooth LBT style bullet, over 15.8 grains of H-110 and Winchester Small pistol (not magnum) primer. Complete pass through .. bang/flop. I have also hit a pig with a 300wsm that merely wounded the animal (bad angle and I didn't hit him right)...never to be found in spite of a pretty good blood trail. It all comes down to location location location.

February 19, 2013, 04:39 PM	#10
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	I shot a hog a few months ago with a .357 using 135 gr “short barrel” Gold Dot bullets at 1420 fps. Two shots broadside and both gave full penetration and quick knockdown. It was a small hog, just 100 lbs or so. I’m not sure heavy bullets are needed.

February 21, 2013, 01:59 AM	#11
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Nice!

February 21, 2013, 05:36 AM	#12
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	The whole point of this thread was to see if you can get by with a 357 in the lower 48; it sounds like you can. However there are hogs and there are HOGS! Some are sub 100 lbs.and some are VW sized. I still think a 357 works as long as you hit the right spot. So maybe you don't need a 44 OR a 41; unless of course you just want one.

February 21, 2013, 08:18 AM	#13
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	I never felt a need for a 44 mag for hogs. Just match the bullet to the job. I will not carry a light bullet. If all you have is a 350lb and a front shot I don't want to wound a hog and **** him off. Yes a idel shot a 135gr will do . It may not when you are in the palmeto patch with them. 170gr , 180gr even 200gr if you work up the load will do the job from any angle.

February 22, 2013, 02:43 PM	#14
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I don't see why a .357 wouldn't stop a hog, if, like any other caliber used, shot placement it top priority. As I live up north, I have only shot 1 hog (in Florida), and it was with a 40+ year old Bear 50# recurve and a 2 blade 125 broadhead on a carbon arrow. Don't under underestimate any weapon if you do your part. IMHO, a .357 will be fine.

February 22, 2013, 07:54 PM	#15
jad0110 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 761	Shot placement is going to be important with any caliber this side of a 60 MM mortar. To tell you the truth, I'd think that a hot .38 Special shooting a 158 to 180 grain hardcast semi wadcutter from a 6" or longer barrel (I'm think of my S&W Model 14) would work pretty well. Again, I don't hog hunt, but maybe others can comment.

February 22, 2013, 11:15 PM	#16
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Don't know about shoulder shots but many years ago we had hogs and I'd kill them before butchering. Well these hogs were HUGE. I had a Colt Agent .38 with LSWC handloads. No it wasn't a magnum but I found on a running hog the .38 would shoot right through and even break the spine! So I have no doubt a good stiff .357 load is plenty hog medicine if you can shoot strait. I only use my .44 S&W cause I like the gun so much, and not because the .357 can't do the job. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

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