.50 cal vs hog

[BackDraft]

I know a .50 cal will take down a deer, but will it be enough for a feral hog? Noticed we’re starting to get a growing population in South-Central Indiana and wanted to be able to help some landowners I know mitigate some potential property damage.

 

[morehops52]

I'm posting here to see what kind of real experiences are posted. From what I've read I'd think a 50 cal can kill any animal in N America. A single shot anything might not be the best choice for some game though.

 

[64Springer]

What does a .50 caliber conical weigh? 350 grains or better?

Me thinks that would sail straight through a hog and kill the hog behind it too.

 

[Eutycus]

Does it need to be a conical? Wouldn't just a round ball be enough?

 

[ORBushman]

Skip to the 9:48 mark to get straight to the action.

 

[64Springer]

Mak'in Bacon with one of those historically incorrect crappy Spanish rifles with inaccurate barrels and locks that rarely work all encased in pallet wood.

Hmmm...

 

[ORBushman]

 

[sb 54 cal.]

I have killed them with .40 cal roundball head shots

 

[JeffG]

If my Hatfield .45 PRB through the withers will kill them, your .50 should be just fine.

 

[cynthialee]

never shot a feral hog
but if I had to I would have no qualms using a .40-.50 prb
plenty of hunting pictures in the hunting forum here attest to the killing power of a PRB
hogs, deer, moose, elk, black bear, I have seen successful hunt pictures of all of them with the .50 prb though I will state that for moose or elk I would chose a heavy conical over the prb for such large game. But plenty of said critters have fallen to the prb.

 

[Okie Hog]

Does it need to be a conical? Wouldn't just a round ball be enough?

No, it doesn't have to be a conical. Put the round ball behind the crook in the front leg, boiler room shot.

Wild hog anatomy:

 

[TCooktbg]

Plenty of gun. I've killed several with arrows from a longbow.

 

[hanshi]

I liked the video. That boar looked pretty tough and dangerous. But he was no match for a .490" round ball.

 

[Buckskin25]

I took a 120 lb female during the Florida muzzleloader season with my flintlock. I shot her in the neck at 45 yards. The round ball exited and destroyed her neck and shoulder.

 

[TDM]

Never shot one with a ML, killed several with modern. Hogs are tough but not indestructible. A well placed, 70 - 80 yard shot with a .50 would certainly do the trick.

 

[Absoroka]

I have taken multiple wild hogs with my 50 caliber flinter. Large boars have a gristle shield behind the ears to the shoulders that protects them when sorting out the pecking order for rights to the ladies. Sows and smaller hogs are no problem with a well placed shot. Boars in the 300 pound+ range are just plain tough. Sometimes touted as the poor mans grizzly. Use a heavy charge. If you cast your round balls you might consider adding a little wheel weight metal to harden up the ball for better penetration. MIght also want to practice your ballet steps if you hunt big boars.

 

[ORBushman]

MIght also want to practice your ballet steps if you hunt big boars.

Yeah, you definitely don't want to be two steppin' with one of those ticked off bad boys!

 

[TDM]

MIght also want to practice your ballet steps if you hunt big boars.

Agree. I'd have to be in a stand to shoot one with a ML. They can move many times faster than I can.

 

[ORBushman]

Agree. I'd have to be in a stand to shoot one with a ML. They can move many times faster than I can.

You and me both brother!

 

[morehops52]

What does a .50 caliber conical weigh? 350 grains or better?

Me thinks that would sail straight through a hog and kill the hog behind it too.

My T/C Maxis are 370 gr