I am just getting into hunting with a guy at work, and he loves boar hunting. He carries a .357 magnum revolver as a backup and says everyone should bring a backup in case you are charged. I was just curious if my P226 in .40S&W would work? I have a few of the 15 round magazines, and from what I read, I figure with a good +P round, I should be okay? Read a few threads elsewhere, but most of them were about actually hunting with the .40S&W. I plan on using a rifle to hunt, just carry the 226 as backup. What say you, SF? Anyone have experience with this idear?

I weighed this a couple of years ago thinking feral hogs, not wild boar (just in case I was camping). Temptation was to go +P in my G21. Decided 357 in a seven shot L frame S&W. Buffalo Bore makes some stout 40 loads, but a 10mm or 357, 41, etc. beats them.

I was thinking 10mm semi auto or .357 revolver, but was wondering if I could avoid buying another gun. Sacrilege, I know haha.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSauerP226:
I was thinking 10mm semi auto or .357 revolver, but was wondering if I could avoid buying another gun. Sacrilege, I know haha.

Funny thing... this is often my rationale to buy another gun!

A 10mm conversion barrel for a G21 would be the cheapest solution, if you have a G21

Bruce

get a 357sig barrel for your fortay.

If you go .40, try Underwood Ammo. I use the UA 180 grain bonded HP in my EDC P250. 1100 FPS and 480 FPE.
Underwood also makes a hard cast 200 grain load in .40

This message has been edited. Last edited by: YooperSigs,

I've shot a couple of boar. 40 caliber would not be my first choice. I've used 44 magnum to good effect. And once a 45 ACP but that was a unique circumstance and again, would not be my first choice. Particularly with standard self defense ammunition. A heavy for caliber, solid bullet works nicely.

Carrying a handgun for backup, whether you are hunting actual Russian boar or feral pigs, is a foolish idea. I won't say stupid idea, because I like guns, and I wouldn't want to criticize someone who wants to carry a backup, but you would be better off carrying water or insect repellant (assuming you're actually moving around and not sitting in a stand or blind).

First, if your buddy is getting charged by hogs on a regular basis, he may not be an ideal "intro to hunting" mentor.

Second, if you already have a rifle, what scenario can you reasonably foresee that will require you to go to your backup handgun?

Kind of going the way I was thinking, .40 would probably just be too small, and not enough power. I did see a Glock 20 locally FS, would that be a good option? Or should I just look into magnums?

He doesn't get charged regularly, but he's had wounded boar come after him and others in his party. It seems to have happened when they go into the brush to find the wounded boar. I believe he and the guys he has gone with are using bolt action rifles, making it hard for rapid or close up shots. I'm not sure why it'd be a bad idea just in case. Seems like, from what I'm reading, it's fairly common for people to carry a sidearm just in case.

It will be fine for the purpose, particularly if you go with a stout, solid round.

When I asked this question some time ago, 3/4flap opined that my SigPro 2022 in 9mm would be perfectly adequate, and what was he carried in the woods, and what his son carries in the Forest Service.

Solid rounds ensure adequate penetration, and that is important on a hog.

Of course, if you need an excuse to buy another gun, .44s are nice...

.40 is just fine for backup in the woods to a rifle.

I have shot a butt-load of Feral and Russian Boar and Sows and they are not all that hard to kill. I WILL say though, in a high stress situation, I want a BIG, POWERFUL, SOLID BULLET for me. I use max load 10mm in hard cast lead. No problems! Yes a Glock!

A rifle is better but I don't always have a rifle with me. A pistol always. I have killed a few wild hogs with 45ACP and 10mm, and I am sure the .40 will get the job done. My most memorable shot was on a large sow that was charging me and I drew and fired with my 45. She dropped dead and skidded to within a few inches of my foot. Damn, wish I had video of that one.

Hogs are not that hard to kill-It's all about shot placement.

Glock 20 with Underwood hard cast rounds is what I use..

.40 is just fine for a backup gun for Hogs with the right bullets. Here in Florida the shots are short distances, of course a rifle is better. But, I have a friend that has been hunting them exclusively for 25 years with a 6" .357 magnum and has no issues with dropping them.

Great choice. If you think you'll run into hogzilla then load it with these; https://www.underwoodammo.com/...riant=18785701167161

I know squat about hogs, although I do like a good pork chop. However, it seems to me the key word here is "backup". Similar to carrying a "BUG" when concerned about being charged by people. It's not as large or powerful as the primary because the odds of having to use it are lower. In both cases, the less effective backup still beats the snot out of nothing.

I have always carried a backup as a matter of procedure. Whether it is EDC or deer hunting. When hunting, I could still take a deer with my 6" .41 mag if the rifle was inoperable. Also available for other purposes, two legged and four legged. Free country, I don't care what anybody else chooses to do.

In its intended role, as others have posted, proper ammo selection is the key. If you already have a P226 .40 and shoot it well, I don't see a problem.

If close-range charging boars are a frequent, serious concern, I'd do like the Brits did in colonial India when hunting lions. A native gun bearer equipped with a 12 ga double barrel shotgun. Slugs, of course. Very good in the brush old boy. Hard to find a good gun bearer nowadays though

I'll have to check out the Underwood ammo. Nice shooting Hayes, sounds similar to a couple stories from the guy at work, hence him saying bring a sidearm just in case.

Maybe I'll just be the gun bearer haha doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Like I have said, they aren’t that hard to kill, but you need to be steady when they charge. They come HARD sometimes!!!! Hence I like my 10 mm Glock, You can’t hurt it, Lots of rounds! GREAT woods back up!

https://imgur.com/a/jUb5GfY
That running at you full clip will cause a pucker