How Effective would 45ACP Be on Wild Hogs??

Nalapombu · 10-06-2012, 12:28

Hey all,

Can you all tell me how well the 45ACP would work on hogs? I am not talking about a true handgun hunt, but rather used for backup in case of a bad shot with my bow or one that just goes nuts and heads right at me after he's hit with an arrow.

Anyone ever taken a hog with one or know of someone that has? If so, would you care to relate the experience? If it would be viable in a situation like that, what load would be best used? Since I don't reload yet, I would have to buy my ammo.

This might give me a reason to buy a Glock 21sf or 30sf.

I have also thought about the 10mm Glock as well.

Thanks for the time and help.

Nalajr

Gun Shark · 10-06-2012, 12:30

My .40 xdm 3.8 works well so .45 wouldn't be a problem.

I use Federal HST's, but I have used Hornady's TAP. I like HST's better because I am more accurate with them, but TAP is good stuff.

bac1023 · 10-06-2012, 12:51

For close range backup, it should be fine.

I wouldn't use it to drop a large hog at 50 yards though.

glock2740 · 10-06-2012, 13:23

My deer lease is overrun with wild hogs. I carry a G20 on my hip, but we've had a few be killed by a .45ACP. I recommend FMJ for the .45ACP for hogs. I usually carry my G20 full of DT 180gr Gold Dots, but have frequently carried 180gr trunacated FMJ's.

Nalapombu · 10-06-2012, 14:15

I'd love to find a place that I was allowed to hunt that was overrun with hogs. I know they're here, I've just got to find them and hope I can afford to join. Maybe they'll give me a discount if I promise not to hunt anything other than HOGS.

BAC, I doubt I could hit an ELEPHANT at 50 yards with a handgun. :0

Thanks again all,

Nalajr

bac1023 · 10-06-2012, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nalapombu

BAC, I doubt I could hit an ELEPHANT at 50 yards with a handgun. :0

IGotIt · 10-06-2012, 14:41

I carry a G30 with FMJ's as a backup when I'm hunting. Haven't had to use yet so i hope it does the job if need be.

Darkangel1846 · 10-07-2012, 09:32

Well I'm paranoid around wild hoggs as I saw the result of an attack on a hunter. He lived but was messed up. I would carry a .44 magnum or a Glock 20 with a magazine of double tap Beartooth rounds(200 gr case hardened) But thats just little old paranoid me.

eracer · 10-07-2012, 09:43

I leave my .45 ACP at home and carry a .357 Mag. stoked with Buffalo Bore 180 gr. hard cast.

JuneyBooney · 10-07-2012, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

For close range backup, it should be fine.

I wouldn't use it to drop a large hog at 50 yards though.

I fully agree.

mad220860 · 10-07-2012, 12:45

Glock 20! 10mm!! Will put almost anything down in the lower 48. 15 +1 a no brainer

pspez · 10-07-2012, 12:59

They seem like decent people and actors. And I didn't think that the movie was that bad.

Trigger Finger · 10-07-2012, 14:34

Talking about 45 ACP. I would definitely use a heavy +P load! Just to be a little more confident.

If I had a choice, instead of a 357 Mag, I would use a 45 Super in my 4506. But still nothing past about 30 or 40 yards!!

dakrat · 10-07-2012, 15:22

someone posted a thread here before about a 230gr Saber and a hog that dropped right there. within 50 yards, its very capable. given a choice, I would pick a high velocity round though.

**Cole125** · 10-07-2012, 15:26

For closer shots a G21 loaded with Buffalo Bore hard cast +p would do the trick on hogs. You just can't argue with a big hunk of lead.

PhantomF4E · 10-07-2012, 15:29

If all you are going to do is dispatch an already down hog a .45 would do well . I have used a lowly 9mm to put a coup de grace in some pretty big hogs that were holding on to their last breaths . To put down a charging Pi**ed off hog , go ahead but have a climbing tree close by !!! I would rechamber and fire what I shot it with in the first place . Only way I would bow shoot a big hog is far nuff off the ground so it wouldn't matter if it got Pi**ed off.

***Short Cut*** · 10-07-2012, 15:31

The 10MM would be better. More powerful and flatter shooting. If I used a .45 ACP for backup because that's all that was available I'd use a hard cast of at least ball ammo. Those dang wild pigs are not easy to penetrate.

Personally I carry a .44 mag when hog hunting even when using a rifle as primary.

SigFTW · 10-08-2012, 09:48

Just got back from hog hunting and I carry my S&W1006 10mm for back up. I did carry my 1911 before I bought my 10mm.

Hogs are resilient and even with a collapsed lung and shredded heart they still can run 30 to 50+ yards. My guide and I have seen some crazy things that hogs can do even mortally wounded. So I want some power for backup, 45 +p or 10mm +p should be fine. As long as it can penetrate the skull you should be fine.

byf43 · 10-08-2012, 11:11

A good friend took his G21 on a hog hunt a few years ago.
It didn't go well, for him.

I forget what brand of ammo he was using, but, he put seven 230 gr JHPs into this hog, and finally was handed someone's .30-30 to finish it off.

I'm all for 'sport', but, I think the .45 acp is NOT 'right' for hogs. (Unless you're 10 yards away and can guarantee a head/brain shot!)

ETA: I've seen that guy take wild boar/hogs with everything from .50 blackpowder (1 shot), to .44 Magnum, to .41 Magnum, to bow/arrow. His shooting ability isn't bad. All hogs taken were with one shot.

**MrMurphy** · 10-08-2012, 12:16

If it's what you have on hand, load FMJ's.

Going by a friend's experiences (shot many hogs, carries a .45 normally) a .357 WC or FMJ would do better or any of the other magnums.

10mm can be downright lethal, I know a guy who put down 10-15 hogs using a G20 with proper shot placement before his wife bought him a .454 for Christmas (he kept the G20 as a backup for that.....)

Hugo R · 10-08-2012, 12:40

Hunting is where I usually put away the nine's and pull out the ol' reliable .357 Mag.

HR

Sorry - meant to add that .45ACP should be fine as long as you use FMJ or 230gr. +P. I've seen ferrel hogs killed with both in south Texas, and I have killed Javalina (Pecary) in southern Arizona with .357 Mag.

.45Super-Man · 10-08-2012, 13:42

Just load up with 45 super.

Rustin · 10-08-2012, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by .45Super-Man

Just load up with 45 super.

YES!

230g @ 1,100 FPS.
200g @ 1,200 FPS.
185g @ 1,300 FPS.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...duct_list&c=15

Put that in a 6" aftermarket bbl and well, you get the picture.

Rustin · 10-08-2012, 14:43

Oh and I forgot about the best one!

255gr. hardcast movin' along at 1,075 FPS!

Yeah, I'd take that.

ArmoryDoc · 10-08-2012, 22:41

.45 on wild hoggs ? I just don't see Rosie O'Donnell or Roseanne Barr surviving a hit with that venerable slug. Should be fine.