My wife shoots hogs with a Ruger semi-auto Deerslayer. With 240gr JSN and a shoulder shot they go down and stay down. I have/have had several Contender barrels in .44 mag and a Ruger New Model SBH. The .44 mag is NOT a long range round from either a rifle or handgun, but is a heavy hitter at closer distances. The .44 I shoot most is a 14" Contender barrel with a suppressor, mounted on a carbine shoulder stock. I load 335gr Hard Cast and 300gr Barnes Buster bullets to sub sonic velocities - under 1100 fps, generally - and the penetration on hogs to at least 75 yards is very impressive. I have friends who shoot sub sonic .44 mags loaded with 300gr XTP's on their guided hog hunts using Ruger 77 bolt guns with suppressed barrels, and they are very happy with the results.
