What is a good gun caliber for hunting javelina?

Question

I am wondering what is a good gun caliber for hunting javelina? I want something alongs the line of a revolver so please don't start giving me smart *** suggestions.

Answer 1

According to the article Dylan attatched they're the most fun to go after with a combat handgun like a sig, glock, h&k, baretta, w/e. That's the route I'd go. I know you want to use a revolver I just got alittle hyped thinking about hunting with my carry. S&W 686 (.357 mag) with a 6 inch barrel comes to mind http://www.smithwesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14799&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15705&isFirearm=Y, If they said 9mm will do it I am sure a .357 mag is plenty. Maybe a thompson encore or contender they aren't revolvers but really nice hunting pistols. http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encorePistols.php

Answer 2

Javelina are big but not so tough, although I've also seen them described as tough but not so big!

If you want a revolver to shoot big pig I would recommend .357 Magnum as a minimum, .41 magnum or .44 magnum are great choices,

The .44 Mag is more popular but if you can buy a .41 at a good price don't hesitate.

I know people who use .44mag or .50 A.E.(Desert Eagle) pistols for pig

But I've only shot two pigs(Feral, Florida)
one with a 30-06 rifle, the other a 10mm S&W pistol.
Both went right down.

In my opinion the 10mm pig dropped faster, but I have no objective data just field experience.

Any round from a rifle or a pistol greater than .35 caliber at or over 1100fps. should be enought to anchor a Javelina or small feral pig if you can hit it.

Answer 3

A .357 Magnum will work just fine. People in South Texas used to hunt them with .22 Long Rifle (rifles) with hollow point ammo all the time. I remember one day in the Sixties at the local Western Auto store when a girl came in to buy .22 ammo for her dad. The clerk tried to sell her the 'red' box of .22s. In those days you'd ask for .22 ammo and the clerk would ask you: "Yellow box, or green Box?" The yellow was Winchester brand and the green was Remington. She replied, "Not those, dad shot some javalinas with those the other day and they just ran off." She got the yellow box AND (believe it or not) got change back from a dollar!

Other hunters specifically used the .22 Magnum for javalina and still others, the .30 US M-1 Carbine. I've used a .25-06 for javalina when hunting deer. Friends of mine have used the .243 and one carried a Browning P-35 .9mm for javalina when deer hunting.

If strictly hunting javalina with a handgun I'd use a .357 Magnum with a six inch barrel. That or my .10mm Glock Model 20. Problem is, sometimes you're hunting one species and something bigger and badder will cross your sights. Where I hunt wild boar also range so you want something big enough for a three or four hundred pound wild boar. A .44 Mag. would not be too big.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

For a revolver I'd use a .357 magnum. With a javelina I'd want to take it down quickly, the last thing you want is a pissed off javelina after you.

Here is a good good site with people who know what they're talking about with caliber recommendations. http://www.javelinahunter.com/weapons.htm

Answer 5

I have never hunted Javalina, but I have a friend who does and he swears by a Marlin Lever action carbine in 357 mag. If I got the chance I would use a 303 Lee Enfield loaded with 125gr or 150gr bullets loaded on the light side say 1800 fps with SR 4759.

Answer 6

I'd go with a .45 colt, .44 special, or .44 magnum. If you handload, or know someone that does, order some 260 grain hardcast, gas checked Keith bullets. They'll offer full penetration, and will have enough energy to break both shoulders.

As for the gun, I suggest the Ruger super Redhawk. It's double action, has good sights, a decent trigger, and you can mount a scope on it. Ruger revolvers are strong enough that reloading manuals actually list loads for them that would blow up any other production revolver.

Answer 7

A .357 Magnum will get the job done, but I'd not say it was the best choice.

Depending on whether you are a .45 Fan or a .44 Fanatic, a heavy loaded .45 LC or a Moderate to heavy loaded .44 RemMag will get the job done with horsepower to spare.

Doc

Answer 8

I would go with a 44mag, with a 8 to 8.5 inch barrel. Taurus has a nice one for under $700.00 new. You might find a good used one for 4 or 5, but I never had as good of luck unless I buy new. Taurus is Not bad for the price and has a life time guaranty.

Answer 9

I'd say .357 magnum would do fine. Javelina's are not that big. .38 special would be fine as well.

Answer 10

Anything from 38-40 on up should work fine. There's no need for huge, powerful rounds, though, so you can load down the magnums if you want.