This summer I'll be doing some hog hunting in either GA or SC. The rifle I've decided to use is the 458 Lott. I can handle the rifle well and second shots shouldn't be a problem. Having never hog hunted, would you guys suggest I use a solid or expanding bullet? I'd like to use the 600 OK but not sure how well I'll be able to handle a followup shot.This will probably be a once in a lifetime hunt unless I get hooked on southern hog hunting. So I want to get it right the first time.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by sa85:
This summer I'll be doing some hog hunting in either GA or SC. The rifle I've decided to use is the 458 Lott. I can handle the rifle well and second shots shouldn't be a problem. Having never hog hunted, would you guys suggest I use a solid or expanding bullet? I'd like to use the 600 OK but not sure how well I'll be able to handle a followup shot.This will probably be a once in a lifetime hunt unless I get hooked on southern hog hunting. So I want to get it right the first time.

Bob

It will be the first, but I am willing to bet it won't be the last!

Many years ago I used my .458 Lott on a number of hogs and it is a sledge hammer. Just about any decent bullet will suffice. I used Hawk Deadsofts and wouldn't recommend them as they tend to come apart -- granted, I got double when one of these bullets "failed," but they're just too frangible in my opinion, especially when they make contact with a big boar.

Will you be using factory ammo or handloads?

I would use a soft. Can't imagine that a quality soft from either the .458 or 600 OK would not do the job with some halfway decent shot placement.

Good luck.

Definately a soft.

I have shot several pigs with the 350 Hornady RN at @2230fps with perfect results.

I have shot three with a 500gr Hornady Soft 2150fps, old style, worked great, and one with a 480 Woodleigh at @2150fps.

They will be hand loads. I've been loading 500 gr DGS Hornady solids for my loads.
Sounds like I should try to get some expanding bullets. Would you guys recommend the 500gr round nose or 500 gr DGX hornady bullets?

If you want to use 500gr bullets I thnk the regular Hornady bullet would be the better choice. You do not need a cape buffalo bullet for a pig.

The pig I hit with the Woodleigh ran the fartherest, as that bullet expanded the least on the pig. I think a DGX would perform similar as it is designed for BIG DG big game.

Hunting pigs with your elephant/cape buff gun is a GREAT idea. Good practice and good fun.

if you can find the old 500gr hornady, cool

hornady 350s are more than tough enough .. run them 2300, and it will just splatter them.

solids for head shots or down-between-the-shoulders

dgx -- will knock the snot out of them

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to order some 500gr Hornady round nose. I'm also going to try the 350gr. I have until summer to work up a good load so that isn't a problem. The hornady reloading book has some 350gr loads listed using TAC. I have plenty of that for my 223. So I'll give them a try.
Bob

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:

It will be the first, but I am willing to bet it won't be the last!

Whitworth,
You are probably right about that.

quote:

Originally posted by sa85:

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:

It will be the first, but I am willing to bet it won't be the last!

Whitworth,
You are probably right about that.

I have no doubt you will get hooked!

What kind of "hogs" will you be hunting that you need a 458 Lott?

I kill up to 300 pounders with a 308 and 165 gr Remington Corlokt bullets.

I guess there is no such thing as too much gun or too dead?!?!?

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sullivan:
What kind of "hogs" will you be hunting that you need a 458 Lott?

I kill up to 300 pounders with a 308 and 165 gr Remington Corlokt bullets.

I guess there is no such thing as too much gun or too dead?!?!?

Because big-bores and open sites are challenging and more fun than scoped rifles! Need plays absolutely no role in this, Jeff! Plus, it's just good practice if he decides to cross the pond to the Dark Continent.

A quick question about those hogs - they're scarce up here, but becoming more plentiful fast with lots getting away from farmers who thought they could raise them at a profit (and found otherwise, and just left the gate open - but that's another story!) Right around here they're viewed as an impending problem, and are shot on sight.

With domestic pigs the boars are always castrated at birth and I've been led to understand that if you don't, the meat is stinky. Can you tell any difference in the meat of the wild ones? Are the sows better eating?

The only time you get a stinky pig is from a breeding boar and he doesn't have to be big. If he is actively seeking or defending a sow in heat he will stink really bad and the meat will also. I have shot several 250# boars that ate just fine, they were not the dominate boar in the area. I do prefer about an 80-100# sow that does not have any piglets sucking her down or a 50# boar or sow that has not bread for a meat hog.