Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which Cartridge For Deer & Pigs

Adding to the original inquiry, NHK9 put my +p 45 ACP carry load through a 250lb Tennessee pig, I leaned around a tree and shot a 7pt buck that had locked up behind me on the point of his shoulder at 16 yards, he trotted by me, stood in place and died about 18 yards out, both animals were hit with 185gr Barnes' at 1125 fps.

Of the three choices listed, I'd take the 45 loaded to +P levels.

Any of them would work but I'd pick the 45 ACP +P because there's more margin for error if your placement isn't exactly right. I've killed plenty of deer with a 44 Magnum loaded to that level, so I know it works.

With the cartridge choice out of the way, we can talk about the load. You might get by with a JHP on deer on broadside shots. For hogs, I'd go with a cast flat-point SWC or LFN no lighter than 230 grains, and 250 would be better. That load will pound a deer so if I could only have one, then that would be it.

With the cartridge and load out of the way, we can talk about the gun. I'd take all of the barrel length I can get: 8 3/8" in a Smith, 7 1/2" in a Ruger, or 14" in a Contender. That's for two reasons. First, more sight radius makes it easier to place shots precisely and that's going to matter with any of these choices. Second, none of these three is a speed demon, so I'll take all of the velocity I can get. If I had to use an auto, either HK USP Elite or Match, or an HK Mark 23.


Okie John

For pigs I use .44 mag and 10mm; I’ve never taken deer with a handgun.

For a dedicated meat/carry gun I'd take the 45 with 230-250 grain cast in the widest flat point that would feed reliably.

So would I, although, full disclosure, I've never hunted pigs and my deer killing handgun experience is limited to .41 and .44 magnum revolvers.

Where are those cottonin pickin videos by the most Elite ot the Elitetist of the Illuminated Illuminati? Where are those projectile bullets recovered from those educational videos?
Where be they? I am so nervously nervous over not being privy to seeing them I couldn't poop in a dump truck. after 2 boxes of Exlax chased by 3 bottles of mineral oil.

I believe the only way we could ever get someone more childish on the forum that glockdoofus is if we had more members sign up!

Dick

I have killed pigs with everything from a 115gr JHP 9mm to a .45 Colt 270gr Keith. Obviously the .45 Colt is a LOT better than a 9mm, but it just goes to show that shot placement trumps most.

I would pick a 147 grain 9mm gold dot, it’s would be just as lethal as a 230 grain 45 gold dot. Then I shoot the 9mm better so my hit would likely be in the front half of the animal.

I’ve seen both dropped with a .22lr

Between the eyes or a side/ear hole.

Deadly.

Of those three definitely the 44 Magnum.

Where are those videos? Where are those bullets? Will more videos be made? Will bullets not be shown? Or will bullets be shown?

These ARE the QUESTIONS.
How about it Illuminated Ones?
Show the Illumination of the Illuminated.

, in that case, i'll take my hand loaded 45 Colt loads ; ]

I have never killed a deer or pig with any of those cartridges. I have only shot the .40 SW a few times personally and I’ve never killed a pig, ever. But I have seriously entertained the thought of shooting a deer with my LB 45 using +P. And when I do it’ll probably get shot in the shoulder with a 200 XTP. A hard LWFN makes sense too I think.

I'm no handgun hunter either, but can tell you that a 45 cal 200gr XTP at a +P 1050 fps with Longshot powder from my bobtail Commander penetrates like crazy in homemade cardboard, wet mag/newsprint and cow bone test media, i'd bust ANY deer or pig in the shoulders with that bullet inside of 25-30 yards.

I suppose that if a guy would to limit themselves to bow hunting ranges that any of those could work, but the question is why would you want to? There isn't anything that I can do with a handgun that I can't do better with a rifle. I figure that I owe it to the animal that I'm hunting to be equipped with the most humane legal firearm cartridge combination that I can carry. The sighting radius on a handgun is minimal so the likelihood or a poorly placed shot with a marginal cartridge is a real possibility. Not very many animals have gotten away over a lifetime of hunting, but for me the ones that have left a bitter memory.

Years ago I took my nephew quail hunting on my acreage. He was 14 and had been shooting my 20 gauge at clay pigeons to some proficiency. Quail season opener and we took my brittanys for a hunt. I carried the shotgun until dogs pointed and passed it to my nephew and moved out of his way. Just as he got the shotgun one of the dogs started to bark. Turning immediately I saw a large hog stand up in the knee high grass and start after one of my dogs. I don't remember pulling the Beretta 92 out of the holster on my hip but I distinctly remember the words of a mentor who hunted Africa often saying ," You stop a charging animal with a head shot." came to me like he was there saying them. When the front sight caught up to the head I fired and down the hog went. It was a sow and looking around we found a "nest" with three piglets. She had tusks and I'm sure things would have gotten ugly if all we had was a 20 gauge with bird shot. I thank God for how things turned out that day. I gave the piglets to my neighbor who helped me load the sow that weighed 275 at the processing plant. He raised them for bacon. Glad I had the Beretta and the FMJ bullet found it's mark just below the sows ear. On the way home my nephew was pretty quiet until....."Sure glad you were on the ROTC pistol team in college". We both had a good laugh. Since that day I always carry a pistol on the farm and have dispatched many critters but not another pig. I guess the point being you may not have the perfect weapon for the scenario that you are confronting but what you do have might save the day.

.40S&W works and works well. That said a properly loaded .45acp is potentially more capable with heavy Hardcast loads.

45 ACP +P.

Because they dont make a 46 ACP 😎

Whurs them danged videos? Whurs that bullet. Was there anything left to process after using that 9MM Miraculose Farce on him?
I want videos and bullets. Whurs are dem?