We are going on a javelina hunt in Texas in Febuary and I would like to take a crack at one with a handgun. According to the guide the shots will be under 50 yds. and more like 20. At this range, would you favor a wheelgun over a big, bulky, single shot? Also, please include a good load with your caliber choice. Thanks.

[ 09-01-2002, 09:23: Message edited by: Seamus O'Grady ]

Any 357, 41, 44, 45 Colt etc revolver would be a good choice. Javelina are not very big, I would use a Hollow Point to get some expansion. I would use a 44 Mag 240gr.HP. The Javelina I have killed were at about 200yds and about 300yds, 2 at each distance, I used an AR-15 carbine and a 3x Colt scope. Good hunting.

if it was me Id take my birdshead .32 mag with a 120 keith or lfn. But thats just because I want to shoot something with it. But anything from a .357 on up should work fine but my preference agian is a good hard cast bullet

Where are you going? And if it isn't too personal a question, if this is a paid hunt, I'm interested in the details.

I'm not sure exactly where the hunt is to take place. Once we are booked I can give you contact info if you wish. It is $750 for a 2 day hunt and you may take 2 pigs.

I too am interested in your trip information. My Dad and I have been talking about doing a boar hunt with our 44 mags. I have been working on loads for that purpose too. See my posts from about a month ago. Jay

First, not to be picky, but a javelina is not a pig. They are actually a member of the rodent family. A large one will go perhaps 50 pounds, but 40 pounds is about the norm for a mature animal. That being said, anything from a .357 Mag on up will do the trick. Their eyesight is poor, but they do have a good sense of smell. So pay attention to the wind, and you'll be able to stalk within revolver range with just a bit of work on your behalf.I've taken them with several calibers, including a couple with a 158 grain Hornady XTP started out at a MV of 1300 fps from a 6" .357 Mag. But I've also used an XP (6mm-.223) and a Contender (7TCU) on them. I tend to prefer the single shots because you have the potential to take them at longer distances. But if the area you will hunt is going to have shots inside of 50 yards like you mentioned, a wheelgun is just the ticket.

[ 09-03-2002, 22:38: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ]

BOBBY I DIDNT KNOW THAT JAVALINA WAS A RODENT. DO YOU EAT THEM OR NOT? I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU ATE EM BUT I DONT RELISH EARIN A RAT. I PROLLY NEED MORE ENLIGHTENMENT THERES LOTS OF STUFF I DONT KNOW . IM LEARNIN EVERY DAY.

A .357 MAG CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.......

Well, not to get even more picky but they are not really rodents either. The collard peccary (javalina) are the species we have in N. America and are in a family all by themselves with a couple relatives in S. America. They are classified as "pig-like" but are not related to pigs either. Here is a website with some info.

http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/nov_pap/du_collpecc.html

As to guns I don't know having never shot one but I'd bet anything from a hot .38 Special on up would drop them as long as you can hit them.

NoCAL

Tasco74-
I stand corrected in that the javelina is not in the rodent family (Thanks, NoCal). Now I remember what I read a long time ago: that the javelina is more rodent-like than having characteristics of a pig in that it eats bulbs, roots, nuts, fruit, etc. Nevertheless, it is not a pig.

As to eating them, I haven't. But out in West Texas where I hunted them, there was a fellow who made sausage and jerky out of them and claimed it was excellent. He even offered to pay for the javelina brought to him, but I was just glad it benefited someone as the temps were hot and getting it 12 hours home would be asking for trouble.

Incidentally, many other people raved of it out there as well. He said a young one can be slow-cooked over coals and made into excellent b-b-q.

ANd Tasco74: what's wrong with eating rodents? Rabbits and squirrel make a mighty fine delicacy...(oops, I hope I didn't ruin your taste for bunnies and bushytails!)

[ 09-04-2002, 21:53: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ]

When I lived in Texas we ate them when ever the younger ones were taken,they have a musk gland you have to be careful of,made into BBQ is great.
I prefer to use the TC with my 256 Winchester BBL in the 14" lenght,but have also used the 10" 222 remington.

YOU GOT A POINT ABOUT SQUIRRELS AND RABBITS BOBBY.THEY BOTH TASTE GOOD COOKED RIGHT.A FRIEND OF MINE IS GOIN TO MINN TO HUNT BEARS WHAT DO THEY TASTE LIKE ? HE SAYS BEAR STEAKS ARE GOOD BUT I DONT REMEMBER TRYIN IT. ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE GOES TO WY. AND HUNTS DEER BUT HE CANT STAND TO EAT THE MEAT. IT IS SAGE FED AN TASTES DIFFERENT THAN IOWA CORN FED DEER. HE GAVE ME A LOT OF IT BUT THE ONLY WAY I LIKED IT WAS IN CHILI. A .357MAG CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND..........