I was just reading the recent discussion about dispatching deer with a handgun.
That got me to thinking about sometime in the near future when I expect to find a hog in my trap.
Does it matter much what cartridge I use
and
Is a head shot the best way to dispatch a trapped pig.

Through the trap I think you would be okay with any cartridge you have available...in the ear hole. Hogs have been a test media for me for a few years and a close range shot with 9mm or .45acp has worked great. Of course I have carried .44mag and .454 Casull before. But never for trapped animals.

My friend uses a 10/22 rifle for his trapped hogs, seems to work well.

Have fun & Good luck!

My friend shot two tame hogs about 250lbs each with my Dan Wesson .22lr pistol from the front between the eyes and ears. Both went down instantly made some fine eating. I don't believe wild pigs of the same weight should be any harder to dispatch. He said his brother uses a 38spc pistol.

I used a 22lr for the three I have shot in a trap.

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I used a 22lr for the three I have shot in a trap.

All that's needed BUT it is faintly possible there might be a badass boar outside the trap (especially if trapped pig is sow in heat) and I'd prefer to have something bigger, like a rifle along for that reason, then use the .22 on trapped pigs.

Everyone I've shot in a trap has been with a .22LR in the earhole but one. I had a large sow in a big pen trap and stopped about 100 yds away and did her with the .22-250. Last time I had a large one in this trap, he climbed out when I drove up next to the pen--not gonna happen again.

I have always been unimpressed with the results of handgun shots on game (unless brained). As a former law enforcement officer, I had fallen into the mistaken impression that anything my .40 or .357 shot (heart/lung area) would be rendered incapable of anything other than moaning and bleeding out. Then I shot a 50 lb boar in a corral trap. Hit him good - right behind the fat part of the shoulder - with 158 grain soft point from a .357 mag. He charged and rammed the wire panel between us - backed up, made a lap around the 30' diameter trap and lined up again. I shot him again where he should have gone down - and he charged again. After ramming the wire panel at full speed, he made another lap - then weaved and wobbled and went down for the count. The shots were fatal - just not instantaneous.

I have done the same with .40 hollow points, and .357 hollow points with the same results. Once the adrenaline is flowing, a CNS shot is required.

I make a point of taking LEO's out to experience the "stopping power" of handguns - and it's always an eye opening experience.

On the flip side, I have killed bunches with a .22 with no drama - head shots only.

Friends butcher up to ten domestic pigs every week. Starve 'em a day, let one at a time in the shop put a cup full of ground corn on the floor and give 'em a half minute or so. They put the muzzle of a .22 against the forehead and pop 'em. Down for the kicking of their lives.

The two wild hogs I shot in Fla. july '11 were head shots with a .243. No hunt involved, just waited til one I wanted showed up. We had a stare down while I tried to find the head with the K6 at 30 feet in the dark shadow. I wanted to save the skulls too so took special care to make sure the exit was out the throat and not blow the skull to pieces. Worked just fine but, the guy's word was no good and he beat me out the skulls anyway.

Til you guys, I've never heard of "ear hole" shots. always use the forehead for anything we butcher and I've never had a problem. I've seen others hit wrong and I've finished them up after a couple times.

George

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I used a 22lr for the three I have shot in a trap.

Seems like I remember hearing about that.

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quote:I used a 22lr for the three I have shot in a trap.

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Seems like I remember hearing about that.

Yup, and as I recall, there was a 35 Whelen available as backup for Gato's concern. I also learned one thing (as if I didn't know it already), don't lay the pigs on the fire ant mound I didn't see while they are waiting to be skinned.

I have not shot any in a trap, but wonder if a .22 mag, with a 40 grain FMJ to the brain would work well.
I have seen domestic butcher hogs shot with a .22 LR, but the range was in inches. That worked well.

Remember that shots to the front of the skull are used to KNOCK OUT ,not kill the animal. Shoot then slit the throat to bleed out for the best quality of the meat !

I have to disagree, but a frontal head shot at less than 6 feet is going to kill a pig.

Yes, the original intention is to be able to cut the animals throat and let the heart pump out as much blood as possible while the heart is still beating.

But from multiple experiences of killing from 3 up to 8 pigs in a trap with a .22, a frontal brain shot does kill them and by the time you get to those additional pigs, cutting their throat does no good.

Mete:
Don't know where you came up with that one.
We've always killed beef and pigs with forehead shots with a .22lr. Hundreds of 'em, I spent a winter working as the hired killer in a fairly active butchering operation. Never had to make a second shot myself.

Local packing house used a .22lr for years, big bulls they used a .32 though. Then years later went to a air powered long bolt. Still to the same spot on the forehead. Just above where the hair makes the circle spot on their face. Brain is about between there and 2" below top of the head but, that's a good place to shoot 'em. Just make sure it's dead centered and not to the side though. Skull bone is less than half inch thick there. Sure thing killing shot. They hit the floor/ground before you can hear the pop it seems.

Randall:
We were butchering two 1200# steers on the ranch. I got there just as Tom shot the first one. Cut it's throat and bled about 2 gallons or more. The next one, Dad, not a pistoleer, hit the horn cavity. Had to get 'em right in line with the walk in gate or couldn't get 'em out. I went around the barn with my Ruger .30 carbine and it looked up at 15' just as I came in sight and made a quick draw shot (had the gun in my hand). Nailed him right, legs hit him in the belly and was done.

Tom cut the throat to the bone and didn't get half gallon of blood. After we had it quartered. I asked why no blood? "you killed him too dead with that damned cannon pistol" "Deads dead" "NO it's not!! you stopped his heart too, bloods in the meat" "make sure my half comes from this one then" "count on it!".

We couldn't tell the difference in the eating. Tom later gave me the bullet he'd found embedded in the back half the Atlas joint, 11" penetration. 110gr SP, 12gr H110, 1215fps.

Depending on position when I walk up to game is where I finish them up if needed. Usually back of the head, but, face on if I need to and no choice. I always carry a pistol (revolver!) when hunting and when getting fairly close to a downed animal I have it out as too close with the rifle will blow heads up too much. So far I've never hunted the big bad game animals yet. Sure want to though.

George

The hogs I have trapped have all been dispatched with a 22 Mag handgun. Shot in the fore head and it's bang, flop, game over.

The only critter I will not shoot in the forehead with a .22LR, is a goat. Their forehead is too thick, the only way I have had any success is to shoot down thru the back of the head between the ears.

Georgeld,.. " Stun by striking it one sharp blow with a mechanical stunner or by shooting it in the forehead, midway between the eyes and slightly above the eyes " ..." the need for prompt and thorough chilling of warm carcasses cannot be overemphasized "
Properly done, draining blood will be more thorough, can be stored longer and flavor better !!
" Slaughtering, Cutting, and Processing Pork"
Farmers Bulletin No 2138, 1973, USDA

Only once did a, unconscious 500 Lb calf wake up and charge me !!!
Like that guy who shoots charging Grizzlies with a 9mm .I used my HK P7 !!! So don't talk to me about charging DG !

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Originally posted by df06:
I have not shot any in a trap, but wonder if a .22 mag, with a 40 grain FMJ to the brain would work well.
I have seen domestic butcher hogs shot with a .22 LR, but the range was in inches. That worked well.

Worked in a slaughter house as a college student--and every cow/bull but one in 3 summers were killed with a .22LR in the head. One bull took a LR, went to his knees and got up, took another one that didn't knock him down. The shooter went home (about a half-mile away) and got his .30-30 which did the job.

38 special, 22lr, or my preference, 45colt

I seem to remember someone on this forum saying that when you approach a trapped pig, they tend to go crazy. Is that true.
I do expect that a wild animal when trapped and approached by someoone will not be happy.

Some w3ill, some won't. I have seen both, but even the craziest that I have dealt with, a side head shot into the ear canal with a .22 LTR puts them down so you have time to readjust.

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Originally posted by Bob Nisbet:
I seem to remember someone on this forum saying that when you approach a trapped pig, they tend to go crazy. Is that true.
I do expect that a wild animal when trapped and approached by someoone will not be happy.

Yes, more times than not a trapped pig will go nuts, but a 230 gr slug from a 45 acp to the head will calm them right down.
Case in point.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by df06:
I have not shot any in a trap, but wonder if a .22 mag, with a 40 grain FMJ to the brain would work well.
I have seen domestic butcher hogs shot with a .22 LR, but the range was in inches. That worked well.[/QUOTE

I have killed well over 100 wild hogs (not in pens) with just such a load. When my kids were little, we played a game. We called it elephant hunting. We stalked as closed as we could then brained them with the 22 mag with the 40 grain FMJ. Works every time. Hell of a lot of fun. Picked up some ticks every now and then bu8t it was fun as hell.

My ex-wife's grandfather used to slaughter pigs with an American Eagle 30 caliber Luger he carried around in his back pocket.. Never had to shoot one more than once or so he claimed.

But in thinking about, I'll bet it would be real fun with an MP-40.

You can kill a cape buffalo in a pen or trap with a .22..Ive killed grown cattle and horses up close..

If your out hunting pigs or Javalina in the brush, Id suggest a 44 special, 44 mag, or 45 Colt..