For the past couple of years I've been playing with a custom built 1911 in 9x23 winchester. Some friends that go hog hunting every year have invited me this year and I'm thinking of trying this gun on the piggies. Ther animals will be between 150 and 200 lbs. and the range will be short, no more than 25 yards. I've deveoped 2 handloads I could use a 125 gr. softpoint at 1400fps and a 147 gr xtp jhp at 1300+ fps. Do you think this is smart and what load would you try?
Thanks Eric

Eric, no I would not! Neither bullet will give the penetration needed and to start they are too small in diameter. Yes, you could kill a pig, but you could kill one with a .22 with the right bullet placement. I would not go without at least a .44 mag with a hard cast with a large meplat.

The penetration is the what scares me I know these loads work extremely well on the small whitetails we have here in IN but the tougher hogs make me a bit nervous.

harley, the 9mm/38 supers can give "ok" penetration on soft tissue targets, but whenever bone is thrown in, their low yield causes very poor penetration. Hogs have small, foreward lungs and getting to them isnt always easy, esp with the cartlidge and bone. If I was going to do it I would opt for some sorta JFP or semi soft cast FP.

I've thought about trying the lyman 147 gr swc mold. I could drive that bullet to at least 1200 fps?

Wouldnt be a bad step IMO. load some up, play with your alloy, and compair. Heck even shoot them side by side in wet newspaper just for grins. I have never found hogs very tough... hard to kill. I think where alot of that comes from is shooters who shoot to far back on them, not realizing how far foreward and short the lungs and heart are. Without a question, doable, but somewhat of a stunt. Have you shot deer with your 9x23?

harley45
I have killed a lot of pigs... I would prefer something bigger. A heavy bullet like the Hornady 147 XTP would be the way to go if you must give it a try, I might even put 5 or so FMJ rounds in the bottom of the magazine in case the pig knocked me down and I needed to make a head shot or two.

There is a BIG difference betwen a 100 to 150 lb pig and a 225 lb and up Hog with a Gristle plate.
While a 1911 [in 45ACP] is my favorite hand gun, for field use I use a 44 Mag.
I have shot deer with a 45ACP and a 9mm.....
A 44 Mag is a much better way to go.
I would hate to shoot a pig and have it get away... The meat is just too good to waste.

I have taken 2 150lb does with this gun at short range using the 125 jhp, one ran about twenty yards and the other was drt, Also one 120lb very angry German Shepherd.