The Original Minnie Ball had a pointed tip..., you might want to reconsider using that especially when you're so close, over a patched round ball. If you're worried about penetration at that distance with a round ball, you might look into an alloy and a thinner patch. OR at least go with one of the "improved" Minnie ball shapes. Here's why:
“It is, moreover, found that the slightest obstruction of bone or sinew, or even muscle, meeting obliquely a pointed cone [minie ball] passing through an animal, is apt to turn it from its course, and frustrate the aim of the sportsman. The bones escape unbroken, and the ball merely makes an eccentric flesh wound, harmless at the time, although it may eventually cause the death of the animal. It was from observing constant instances of such wounds that I first began to doubt the advantages of the pointed form for sporting projectiles; I have seen such a ball strike a tiger between the eyes, and cut a groove over the top of his head, making its exit at the nape of the neck, with no other effect but that of temporarily stunning him. I have seen another glance from the ribs of a “neilgae” [nilgai], pass over his chest, and lodge in the opposite side of his body. Indeed, there is no end to the instances I might give, from the experience of myself and my friends. “ James Forsyth The Sporting Rifle and Its Projectiles (1867)
Forsyth was an avid fan of the patched round ball, and the nilgai is a huge creature that can reach as much as 600 lbs. so for him to side with a .58 caliber round ball over a .58 Minnie ball, is pretty dramatic. He also liked even bigger round ball, such as .69 caliber rifles or larger, but for your hogs I don't think you'd need a rifle of that large a caliber.
LD
