Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    Ricardo,
    
     Here in South Carolina we have a problem with feral pigs and resolving
    that problem can be a lot of fun. I don't know of any one who would use
    any thing lighter than .44 Mag in a handgun and that would be for
    backup not primary use our pigs go up to 400lbs and can be nasty. We
    normally use dogs and 12 gauge shotgun with slugs and buckshot mix
    works real well. I would not use a .38 except for a quick suicide
    before the pig started chewing on my leg.
     I personally use and old Marlin lever action in .35 Remington if the
    cover is not too thick in the area we plan on hunting or a 12 gauge if
    it is thick. When all else fails just ask some of the locals they have
    years of knowlege as to what works and why.
    
                                                   Darrell Seats
    

    I was thinking about a 12 gauge but I have to assume that in the VERY
    HEAVY RAIN FOREST it is hard to carry a shotgun. The local I know use
    an old Winchester lever action in .44 but he says it is NOT very
    effective. 

    I have done quite a but of walking around in what you would call a rain
    forest and I think you will find that except around the edge of opening 
    in the canopy the vegitation at ground level is no more profuse than
    the typical northern United States hardwood forest. Unless you plan on
    shooting from the hip with your handgun I think you will find that a
    nice short barrel shotgun will carry and better yet point in about the
    same area in front of you. Try this take your hangun and aim it at the
    wall then measure the distance from you chest to the tip of the barrel
    you will probably find that this distance is close to 40 inches with a
    6 inch revolver, now measure a short shotgun the same way it might just
    surprise you. Keep in mind that you don't hold a shotgun away from your
    body at arms reach to aim. BTW you will really appreciate a carry sling
    on that shotgun. 
     The 12 gauge has more muzzle energy than any handgun that I know of 
    except some of the rifle calibers in TC Contenders and the like. If 
    your feral pigs are anything like ours size wise you and your dogs will
    need that energy for quick clean kills a wounded pig ain't something I
    want to follow into the most dense growth he can find but if you value 
    your dogs you will have to.
     Most of the pigs I have shot have been done in while still-hunting for
    whitetail deer for that style of hunting any of the heavier deer rifles
    will do a very good job on pigs. If we here in this area intentionally
    go after pigs in thick growth dogs and shotguns are the pick. Shots in
    this style of hunting rarely are more than 30 yards very often at a
    running target.
     Ask your locals why that old 44-40 is not very effective if he says
    that he has to shoot'em more than 1 time. I think you get where I am
    going with this. Also ask some one in the armed services how hard it 
    is to carry a properly slung long-gun it the forest. If the sling is
    adjusted so that the barrel does NOT stick up above your head it will
    carry much easier.
    
                                                  Thank You,
                                                     Darrell
    

Ahhh Gi'day...

    I've shot  thousands  of  pigs.   I  think  a  .243  is  ideal although
    certainly  at  the  low  end  of the range (this can be a controversial
    opinion) and my experience suggests that a .308 with 150gn is too much.

    This is  for  slightly smaller pigs than the 400 pound variety (that is
    unless you hunt exclusively large tough old boars)

    Anything in the .243 - .25'06 - 6.5 - .270 - 7mm-08 - .308 (light proj)
    I  think  is ideal.  Please avoid the tendancy to overgun, or have over
    penetrating projectiles.  I used a .243 for years, and never needed too
    many  second  shots.   Heavy  .308s  are too heavy, over penetrate, and
    don't do enough damage.

    With heavy timber you may want something a little slower and heavier.

    Anybody I  know  who  uses  handguns  uses  a  .357,  but  I've  little
    experience with that.