you really don,t need a cannon

[rimrock]

I was recently at a local bass pro shops just to browse, the new hand gun selections and be shocked at the prices, , while there a guy comes to the counter and says to the sales guy that he wants to purchase a powerful handgun to hunt hogs with, as on his first hog hunt he used a 45acp commander and was less than impressed as it took him 4 shots to kill a 220 lb hog, the clerk without asking a single question about the range the hog was shot at, where the bullets hit, or any other info, reaches for a 500 S&W that costs $1475, like this

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14777&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15707&isFirearm=Y

the guy looking to buy the hog handgun says , that is a lot more expensive than he had hoped to pay and far to large to holster comfortably, but asked about the ammo cost, the clerk, just reaches for a taurus, revolver like this

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=234&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=

again the guy asked about ammo cost and availability and he was again ignored, I started asking the guy about his hunt, where he hit the hog , how far away, it was, the ammo he used etc, trying to get some idea as to the conditions under which he had shot the hog, I found that as usual the shot placement was not ideal (IT RARELY IS ON MOVING TARGETS FIRED AT BY EXCITED FIRST TIME HUNTERS) and ranges were well under 20 yards,
I suggested the guy purchase a 6.5" 44mag S&W revolver that was listed as $749 on the display, as it was one of the few stainless 44 mag double action revolvers in 44 mag on display for under $1000 and buy some double tap 300 grain ammo, and assured him that if he placed his shots carefully that would be fully adequate on any hogs as ID shot well over a dozen or more with a similar combo and most required only one hit


http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14783&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y


http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_35&products_id=155

it was rather obvious that the clerk was not happy with my advice as he acted like he worked on commission and he could care less what worked as long as it was expensive, he kept muttering something about the 454 cassul and 500 S&W would be better for hunting grizzles in Alaska...
I assure the guy that the 44 mag was 100% capable of shooting clear thru hogs and dropping them very effectively with the ammo suggested , then I walked away, I don,t know if he purchased the 44 mag but in my opinion it was a far better choice for the application

[Phil T]

All salesmen work on a commission. It's the reason I tell college students to get a job that pays a commission, so they will understand the system after graduation.

[Badger]

rimrock,

Maybe the "Pilgrim" is NOT a handgunner and needs to stick with a rifle for hogs. There are lots of wannabees out there that just never learn. God Bless America.

Badger

[Hi Ball]

Well a 45acp is NOT the best choice for a HOG hunting trip!:rolleyes: I would take a .357 loaded up with 180 grain premium bullets before using a 45acp on a big hog. Another good choice would be the .41 magnum that never seem to catch on years ago, thanks to some of the negative print of some gunwriters.

However, my choice in the past for hog hunting with a pistol is a model 29 Smith & Wesson with the 8 & 3/8th's barrel. Stoked with a load of 2400 powder and a 240 grain bullet works wonders on those critters.

Nonetheless, I have graduated to bigger and better things in my handgun hunting arsenal and that being a new Smith & Wesson revolver in the caliber known as the .460. I have not as yet worked up all the loads for this hand "cannon" but trust me it has plenty of power to go around when needed. Sort of like a little Chevy NOVA with 375 hp and Nitrous to boot.;) :D :D :D :cool: :cool:

[Bushman]

A friend of mine dropped a deer with a .45 ACP and it worked reasonably well according to him. I always thought they would be at their best for the two legged varmints that they were designed for. I had a S&W M66 for a time, but I could never warm up to the .357 Magnum cartridge. I've shot handguns up to that .500 S&W and I suppose that long range hand gunning with a .460 Magnum would offer a new challenge. We can use big handguns like that during our rifle deer season, but honestly when it comes to deer hunting with a firearm, I'm looking for efficiency, not a new challenge. The possibility of wounding an animal is sure there because I can not place a bullet as accurately as with my rifle. I do have that S&W M629 Classic .44 Magnum and like it a lot as a big plinker. Somehow when deer season rolls around it has never left the gun safe. I guess if I need a new challenge, I should take up golf.

[rimrock]

I was talking to one of my hunting buddies about this, experience at that gun shop counter and he laughed at the idea a 44 mag with decent ammo would not be fully adequate on any hogs, he handloads hard cast 310 grain lee bullets over a max load of 296 powder, in his ruger single action with a 10" barrel, and hes never recovered a bullet to date

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=806&return=Y

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/bullets/c430310r.gif