Hog Hunt w/500 S&W

[Pb&j]

Hello all. With generosity from the contractor I do carpentry for, I and the crew of 9 have been gifted a hog hunt somewhere in Pa. I purchased a 500 s&w a bit ago and have been having fun casting, powder coating and shooting this beast. I have never hunted with a handgun and am curious how my loads might do on a hog that will be around 175-200 pounds. I'm shooting the Lee 440gr gc currently sitting on 13gr of Unique. Hoping to get the chrono out tomorrow to see what they are actually doing but weather/timing has been an issue as of late. I've got 2 weeks to figure things out but also don't want to waste my time hurriedly making loads to try to test in cold weather. Thanks for any and all info. Come on Spring!!!

[koger]

If it shoots great and is running over 1000fps, you would be good to go, I think.

[hawkenhunter50]

Where at in PA, I'm planning one at Adam Hill soon.

[cwtebay]

I've seen oodles killed with 22 Long Rifle, pretty sure whatever you've got cooking from your rig will do the job!

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[lar45]

I've shot a few hogs in southern Arkansas. A few have come in during the day, but most of them we're at dusk, or during the night.
I use Moultrie green motion sensor lights to let me know when something is on the bait. I also have high powered green flashlights on my rifles, and prefer a scope with a lighted reticle. Black crosshairs on a black pig at night is very frustrating.
If you need to use the green light on your weapon, point it away from them, turn it on, then swing the light on them so you don't spook them.
Hogs follow their own rules and are hard to pattern.
FWIW

[Ole Joe Clarke]

If you are shooting a 440 grain bullet, excuse me, I meant to say boolit, and it's running anywhere from 750 to what ever you can hold on to, it will work. Shot placement is the key, just put it in the boiler room and the boolit will do the job.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[Pb&j]

Where at in PA, I'm planning one at Adam Hill soon. Not exactly sure but I'll certainly let you know after the hunt and the experience.

Thank you for the info gents. Ran some through the chrony yesterday with 12.8 gr. Averaged 979 fps. Some clicked along a little over 1k. Going to up it to 13 and probably call it good as its already a stout push now. Accuracy seems good at this point with an ultra dot on it. More practice and sighting in from further distances and hope to make good on a hog.

[popper]

If a 165gr 40SW will do it about 950, your's will be fine. if you have a 200 something mould, faster/flatter shooting for longer range. Expect 50-75yd shots. They run from gut shots, head/neck or behind the elbow work. Top of back spines them, forward of shoulder and you are into the shield that is tough and gristle - hard to penetrate and not much underneath to damage. Oh, they duck the head when they hear it coming, body doesn't move. Instinctive fight mode, even deer do it. Deer stand tall on alert but prepare to jump by lowering head.

[hawkenhunter50]

Not exactly sure but I'll certainly let you know after the hunt and the experience.

Thank you for the info gents. Ran some through the chrony yesterday with 12.8 gr. Averaged 979 fps. Some clicked along a little over 1k. Going to up it to 13 and probably call it good as its already a stout push now. Accuracy seems good at this point with an ultra dot on it. More practice and sighting in from further distances and hope to make good on a hog.

Great please do, and good luck on the hunt!

[Gator 45/70]

The old man always said,Don't worry about the lions,tigers and bears in the woods.

It's a pack of wizzed off hogs that will try to cut you're legs out from underneath you and then gut you. Carry a big-bore sidearm !

[Goofy]

.22 CB short @ 710 FPS will kill hogs dead as a stump if properly placed. Don’t over think it.

[DougGuy]

I have never hunted with a handgun and am curious how my loads might do on a hog that will be around 175-200 pounds. I'm shooting the Lee 440gr gc currently sitting on 13gr of Unique.

If you lay prone on the ground and shoot, you will skewer 3-4 of them clean through if they are in the boolit's path and happen to be lined up just right.


Ran some through the chrony yesterday with 12.8 gr. Averaged 979 fps. Some clicked along a little over 1k. Going to up it to 13 and probably call it good as its already a stout push now.

I don't know where you are getting Unique data for a 400gr boolit, Alliant doesn't list ANY loads for Unique in the 500. Usually if you notice a conspicuous absence of powder in any given caliber, it's because it's not recommended or it's unsafe.

Personally, one of my cast in stone rules for handloads are that I will NOT EVER seat a heavy for caliber boolit over a charge of fast powder. It's just asking for trouble. Using Unique, 231, Bullseye, 700x, AA#5, even Herco and HS-6 under a 300+ gr boolit in a big bore is a NO NO even though you can find some load data for such, although the velocity is never very high so that means the particular load is not pushing the envelope, BUT.... What happens if you get distracted while loading and over-charge a case? There is NO room for error, where with slower powders you get a higher case fill which automatically reduces the chance of a double charge, and you usually have more velocity with slower powders, it just makes a lot more sense all the way around IMHO to match up the boolit weight with the burn rate of the powder you want to use.

[tward]

In “Load Data” they have some John Taffin loads using a 440 gr cast boolit and all are 10.0 grains of Unique. They all seem to be in the 850 to 900 FPS range. I would guess they would be end to end or straight through on most North American animals. That’s a BIG hole! Things don’t do well with 1/2 inch holes in them! Tim

[Pb&j]

Where at in PA, I'm planning one at Adam Hill soon.
Found out its going to be Tioga Boar Hunting. Been told to expect on average 50 yard shots.


If you lay prone on the ground and shoot, you will skewer 3-4 of them clean through if they are in the boolit's path and happen to be lined up just right.



I don't know where you are getting Unique data for a 400gr boolit, Alliant doesn't list ANY loads for Unique in the 500. Usually if you notice a conspicuous absence of powder in any given caliber, it's because it's not recommended or it's unsafe.
I can certainly appreciate your worries. I'm not one to play unsafe with controlled explosions up close and personal. I got my data from 4th edition of the Lyman cast boolit handbook. The book states a starting load of 12 grains which I did start with. Their info also states a max load of 17.5 grains. Shot the 13 grains today and averaged right at 1100. No primer issues, cases emptied easily with no structural fatigue showing. In going with what you were stating on powder speeds, most of the other powders were/are written in the range of 27-31 grains such as Lil Gun, 4100, IMR4227 to name but a few. Again, thanks for the words of warning, it could save someones life if the homework is not done properly.

[Pb&j]

If a 165gr 40SW will do it about 950, your's will be fine. if you have a 200 something mould, faster/flatter shooting for longer range. Expect 50-75yd shots. They run from gut shots, head/neck or behind the elbow work. Top of back spines them, forward of shoulder and you are into the shield that is tough and gristle - hard to penetrate and not much underneath to damage. Oh, they duck the head when they hear it coming, body doesn't move. Instinctive fight mode, even deer do it. Deer stand tall on alert but prepare to jump by lowering head.

Very Helpful information. Finding the shooting stick to be quite the good accessory. Will be a nice change from chasing birds.

[hawkenhunter50]

Found out its going to be Tioga Boar Hunting. Been told to expect on average 50 yard shots.


I can certainly appreciate your worries. I'm not one to play unsafe with controlled explosions up close and personal. I got my data from 4th edition of the Lyman cast boolit handbook. The book states a starting load of 12 grains which I did start with. Their info also states a max load of 17.5 grains. Shot the 13 grains today and averaged right at 1100. No primer issues, cases emptied easily with no structural fatigue showing. In going with what you were stating on powder speeds, most of the other powders were/are written in the range of 27-31 grains such as Lil Gun, 4100, IMR4227 to name but a few. Again, thanks for the words of warning, it could save someones life if the homework is not done properly.

I looked at that outfit also, looked nice, just a further drive for me. Let's hear how it all turns out.

[John Wayne]

Oh fun!!! If any of your crew drop out I'm available, have a 500 and can do carpentry ;^)

[cherokeetracker]

Dang I am too late for this. Would have liked to have helped.

[dale2242]

I have taken many blacktail bucks with a 44 Magnum.
I hunted with open sights and limited my shots to 50 yards or less.
With properly placed shots they just tipped over.
I`m sure you will do well with your 500.
I have 3 words of advice, Practice. Practice. Practice.

[725]

Good luck. Hope to see photos and hear about your experiences. Also, want to hear about what you think of the place / facilities / etc.

[Pb&j]

Well, it turned out to be an absolutely fun time off the clock with a bunch of knuckle heads and awesome weather between 2 rainy days. 9 guys in 3 trucks with enthusiasm as nobody has been really doing anything with the covid.... google maps has no idea how fast you can make it from almost central NH to northern PA. Props to the folks at Tioga Boar Hunting. Very laid back atmosphere, guides were fun to spend time with and food was awesome. Sleeping quarters are dated but hey, its hunt camp that began in 1966(not that dated though). Depending on the species you hunt, it can be easy to a bit difficult. We hunted "maintainer/eating" hogs. Averaged about 180# dressed. The area we hunted was on 160 acres, but they have many other parcels for different species. Our local Sasquatch has issues being pedestrian due to injury so 3 of us hung out with him while the others stalked. Luckily, they pushed the pigs our way. Down the hill they came and we kind of had easy pickings as they aren't the smartest animals when on feeding spots. I shot first as the pigs can react differently and all the others were with rifle. All of us were 1 and done. I Practiced diligently sniping 2 liter bottles at 50 yards and closing my spread on paper targets on a monopod. Worth every cast and load. Got the laughing "adda boy" shoulder slap from Paulley, the guide, for a fine hit. 9 guys all did great, several had never taken an animal before. We all agreed it may be a yearly thing. Worth every laugh, beer, too much rum and the not 7 hour drive google stated. Would highly recommend if you want to try something different. Cheers all
280570280571

[Norske]

Here's hoping the hog cooperates. I once worked with an Army NCO whose uncle owned a ranch in eastern Oregon, and had a bunch of unwanted hogs on his ranch. The NCO took a 308 rifle on his hog hunt, and his uncle told him to sit by a climbable tree. He shot a large boar, saw blood running from both sides of its chest, and the boar charged. The hunter dropped his rifle and climbed the tree. He showed the rifle to me, and it had a groove in stock which could have passed for a slice with a wood turning gouge. The NCO said the boar was trying to cut the tree down when it finally bled to death. He said he would be carrying a 44 mag backup into the tree if he hunted those evil pigs again.

[cwtebay]

Well, it turned out to be an absolutely fun time off the clock with a bunch of knuckle heads and awesome weather between 2 rainy days. 9 guys in 3 trucks with enthusiasm as nobody has been really doing anything with the covid.... google maps has no idea how fast you can make it from almost central NH to northern PA. Props to the folks at Tioga Boar Hunting. Very laid back atmosphere, guides were fun to spend time with and food was awesome. Sleeping quarters are dated but hey, its hunt camp that began in 1966(not that dated though). Depending on the species you hunt, it can be easy to a bit difficult. We hunted "maintainer/eating" hogs. Averaged about 180# dressed. The area we hunted was on 160 acres, but they have many other parcels for different species. Our local Sasquatch has issues being pedestrian due to injury so 3 of us hung out with him while the others stalked. Luckily, they pushed the pigs our way. Down the hill they came and we kind of had easy pickings as they aren't the smartest animals when on feeding spots. I shot first as the pigs can react differently and all the others were with rifle. All of us were 1 and done. I Practiced diligently sniping 2 liter bottles at 50 yards and closing my spread on paper targets on a monopod. Worth every cast and load. Got the laughing "adda boy" shoulder slap from Paulley, the guide, for a fine hit. 9 guys all did great, several had never taken an animal before. We all agreed it may be a yearly thing. Worth every laugh, beer, too much rum and the not 7 hour drive google stated. Would highly recommend if you want to try something different. Cheers all
280570280571Looks like you had a great time!!! Congratulations!

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[725]

Always wanted to hear from somebody who actually went to Tioga. I used to see them at the Harrisburg show every year. Glad you had good time. Must have been good if you are contemplating an annual return. thanks for the report.
725

[hawkenhunter50]

That's a lot of bacon, very nice. I ended up going there this past Monday instead of Adam Hill Preserve. Was also pretty happy with the setup. I didn't hunt but both my sons shot a hog. I also thought all the people there were super nice and professional. I liked the hunting lodge. And the butchering service they have was top notch. This was my first time going to something like this and was happy with how it turned out. Took us most of the day to get 2 hogs, was harder than I thought it might be. Was nice we had the place to ourselves so were able to roam all over chasing them, put over 6 miles on the boots. Kids liked seeing all the other game there also.

[Pb&j]

Happy to hear of others enjoying their services. We stayed at the lodge Friday eve but vacated as they had 20 city folk coming in. They allowed us to keep our kill there and pick it up Sunday morning before leaving for home. Their assessment of needing a 64 quart cooler per hog was a bit off. We had a bunch of huge coolers and still had to bag a bunch in the bed. Luckily it was cool for the drive home at mach II. Picking up the rest of meat tomorrow as we took our quartered parts to a local guy as there was certainly not enough time for them to process all that was going on. I'm not splitting a room with my regular working buddy though. I see why his wife wakes up in a ****ty mood many times.....snore much bud?

[poppy42]

I've seen oodles killed with 22 Long Rifle, pretty sure whatever you've got cooking from your rig will do the job!

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Exactly! considering I’ve heard read insane stories about folks taking out Alaskan brown bear with a 500 Smith & Wesson , I would imagine that 500 Smith & Wesson probably take out three or four 150 lb hogs standing end to end! LOL They’re really not as tough as people think they are. I’ve seen more taken out with a 22lr, 22mag, or 223 at great distances than anything else. But in fairness that was in Florida I have no idea what the hog hunting conditions are in Pennsylvania.

[Beaverhunter2]

I hope these guys do a better job keeping their hogs inside the fence than the place in Michigan's central UP. They set up a hog hunting operation, supposedly trees fell on the fence, and now there are hogs loose in the UP. Hopefully the wolves will kill them because I've seen the trail cam pictures from a couple years ago of a sounder plowing snow for their little ones in late February. Just what the few deer that are left up there need- more competition...