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January 18, 2010
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Greetings All,
I'm brand new to this forum. I've recently taken up hog hunting, and I've only been on a couple of hunts so far. I've taken two shots and brought home two hogs with my .30-30 Marlin.
I'm very interested, though, in taking some hogs with a handgun. I've dusted off my ol' (~1980 vintage) 8-inch barreled Dan Wesson .44 Magnum, and have been contemplating setting it up for hogs. I hope this is an OK place to post this inquiry - I haven't seen much of anything about hunting on here so far. I've got a couple of questions for those of you who might have experience along these lines:
Anyone have any experience / recommendations for a scope? I'd consider a red dot, but I'm more inclined to go with a conventional LER pistol scope. I'm leaning real hard towards the Nikon 2.5-8 X 28 Encore EER, as I have a Nikon ProStaff on my .30-30 that I'm really happy with. I've located and ordered a B-Square clamp-on mount online.
Any suggestions for ammo? I'm pretty sure that 240 gr. JSP's would be the best pick, but I'm open to suggestions.
Hunting will be from a stand over a feeder, at a maximum of about 80-100 yards, most likely less. My first hog was taken at about 70 yards, and the second at around 55, and I'll probably be hunting the same area.
Whaddaya think, guys? Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Jim
Regards,
Jim
2xDW44, 6xM15-2, 2xM14, 2xM22, D11, Valor, Valkyrie CCO, Vigil Commander, ECO, Heritage, Bruin
February 20, 2008
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Keep an anvil in the stand for back up.
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If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
January 18, 2010
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photohause said:
Keep an anvil in the stand for back up.
Heck, the .30-30 will be my backup! 
Regards,
Jim
2xDW44, 6xM15-2, 2xM14, 2xM22, D11, Valor, Valkyrie CCO, Vigil Commander, ECO, Heritage, Bruin
July 5, 2009
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photohause said:
Keep an anvil in the stand for back up.
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That's too funny!
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January 24, 2009
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Supermagfan is one of our resident hog hunters, who I'm sure would like to give some good pointers.
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February 9, 2009
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Kilowat3,
As CF indicated by the link I just had a hog hunt a few weeks ago. The bullet was a 210 Grain Hornady XTP with AA-1680 powder. Leupold Vari scope. These hunts we take are in stands along trails, NO FENCE, and sometimes there is corn down. Most times the stands allow for anything from as close as 15 yards up to 200 yards depending where we set up. My 414SM that I have pictured will shoot a grop about 3" benched at 100 yards with my ability, others could probably tighten it up a bit. The XTP bullets do a great job. I recently bought some Hawk bullets to try, but have not had the time to load any yet http://www.hawkbullets.com/maintest.htm. I am interested to see what they can do as their write up is very impressive.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
February 18, 2009
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I have no experience hog hunting but would like to do so someday. I have hunted whitetail with revolvers and a Contender. I originally bought a Leupold 4X LER, then the Leupold 2.5-8 LER, but have since decided I like the fixed 2X the best. The field of view becomes quite small at higher powers and for me, 2X offers enough magnification for deer hunting. I also like the compactness of the 2X. Just my opinion of course. Have fun with that Dan!
July 5, 2009
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Supermagfan said:
The XTP bullets do a great job. I recently bought some Hawk bullets to try, but have not had the time to load any yet http://www.hawkbullets.com/maintest.htm. I am interested to see what they can do as their write up is very impressive.
SMF,
I have two questions. First, due you use the XTP or XTP-MAG line of bullets for hogs and other hunting? Second, I recently had a discussion with a Hornady representative about Hornady's XTP and XTP-MAG lines of bullets. During the conversation, he recommended the XTP-MAG for high velocity rounds (>1600 fps) because of the thicker jackets. According to the representative, jacket separation has been an issue with the XTP line in high velocity rounds. Have you heard of or experienced this problem?
GG
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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GG,
I have not heard of this issue and have not even heard of the XTP-Mag line of bullets for that matter. While I load for velocity I do not own a Chronograph yet to test speed. I am not loading anything in the guns I own that is close to 1600FPS or faster at this time. What I have been loading seems to work and gets the job done. Maybe someone who has used the Mag line of bullets can chime in?
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
January 18, 2010
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Hello again fellows,
Thanks for all the replies. I have a follow-up question to add to my original post:
I've just learned that the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo is available in .44 Mag. Although it was developed for use in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines, a friend tells me it's also the ideal hunting round for a long-barreled handgun.
I've been really impressed with the performance of LeveRevolution .30-30 ammo in my rifle, so I'm very interested in hunting hogs with it in the .44 Mag. I just realized that the Supermagfan's XTP load is using the same bullet as the LeveRevolution, so that's a good sign! Unfortunately, my reloading stuff was most all destroyed in a hurricane a while back, and I'm not set back up yet, so I'm looking pretty much just at factory ammo for now.
Anyone have any experience with this ammo in a revolver? TIA for replies!
Regards,
Jim
Regards,
Jim
2xDW44, 6xM15-2, 2xM14, 2xM22, D11, Valor, Valkyrie CCO, Vigil Commander, ECO, Heritage, Bruin
January 18, 2010
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Hi Fellows,
I'm just 'bumping' this thread to see if I can scare up any more comments or suggestions on hunting hogs with a .44 DW.
My pig count is up to four now - three hunts, four shots, four pigs - but all still with my .30-30 so far. The hunt with the .44 DW shouldn't be too far off.
All replies appreciated!
Regards,
Jim
P.S. - Here's my biggest to date. 394 pounds, taken near Pawnee, OK this past spring. BTW, to put it in perspective, I am 6'3":
Regards,
Jim
2xDW44, 6xM15-2, 2xM14, 2xM22, D11, Valor, Valkyrie CCO, Vigil Commander, ECO, Heritage, Bruin
May 17, 2010
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Wait....
You live in LA and had to OK to find a ferral pig???
I have to say that is a BIG PIG!
I was thinking about trying it with a .357... but not on one that big!
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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January 24, 2009
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Pinetor said:
I have to say that is a BIG PIG!
I have to agree, that is a BIG PIG!
June 5, 2008
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Here in southern MO we have a feral hog problem and we have no bag limit, no closed season, all required is standard hunting permit. And in lot of areas if your small game hunting with rimfire or light weight shot shells, you better have your 10mm or 44 magnum on your hip for backup.
Got a friend that has old Jeep 4x4 that he rides back roads, loose term there, and trails with an AR-15 popping them every chance. Not sure I believe this, but said his kill count this year is approaching a hundred. He always laughs at us guys with big bore guns, says pigs drop just as easy with a 55 grain bullet as one hit with a 300gr 44 magnum. Not sure I believe that either.
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