So I went hog hunting....

[FLIGHT762]

Edit: also take a look at the Barnes banded solids. Heavier bullet, and probably right for a 45-70.

may only be taken by rifles using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles; bow and arrow (see Section 354, Title 14, CCR, for archery equipment regulations); or wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or percussion type, including "in-line" muzzleloading rifles using black powder or equivalent black powder substitute, including pellets, with a single projectile loaded from the muzzle and at least .40 caliber in designation. For purposes of Section 353, a "projectile" is defined as any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot or other device which is expelled from a firearm through a barrel by force.

[mzimmers]

The banded solids would not be legal to take big game in California if you're using a centerfire rifle.

Wow...I had no idea. Thanks for the heads-up. After giving it some more thought, I suppose they would be overkill for anything in CA anyway. I took my hog with a 150-grain 30-caliber, and it was DRT.

Still, kind of an odd law. I wonder what the reasoning is. Perhaps the concern about through-and-throughs and collateral damage?

[FLIGHT762]

I believe the thought behind it is to kill as quick and humanely as possible. Expanding bullets cause more tissue destruction and would cause death quicker than a bullet that passes through intact. That's the theory.

[180ls1]

thanks for the story and pictures

[mzimmers]

last time I was charged by a hog I woke up under a pool table without any pants..

Ah...those crazy college days...

[mzimmers]

I believe the thought behind it is to kill as quick and humanely as possible. Expanding bullets cause more tissue destruction and would cause death quicker than a bullet that passes through intact. That's the theory.

I can (sort of) see the logic, but hell, a .458 bullet is already bigger around than most .30 calibers are going to get. And the Barnes solids, at 450 grains, are going to penetrate plenty out of a well-loaded 45-70. Oh well, I don't make the rules.

What the world REALLY needs (or at least I do) is a good lead-free bullet in .429 that will work well on hogs. The one time I tried the Barnes, the results were unsatisfying enough that I won't use it again (on hogs). Knowing that solids aren't OK is going to make it even harder for me to pull my Ruger 44 carbine out of the safe.

[Flying Sig]

Thanks for the info on the bullets!

[scottz]

great pig!!!! I got the fever!!

[professionalcoyotehunter]

Great job and very nice hog.

[junko p]

remembered I could use it as a club if all else fails, well all else had failed, and I hit him between the eyes with a butt stoke just as he reached me. Stunned but not out, he shook his head and made a squealing noise that sounded like it came from the depths of hell. Again he charged, this time I was ready, I swung the rifle over my head, and just as he was about to shred me with his 6" tusks, down came the rifle butt, dead center on its head. Over and over, I swung. Sometime around the fifth hit, I heard what sounded like a ripe watermelon thud and split.

Suddenly blood and brain matter were spraying everywhere, even in its death throws, it was still trying to take me out, but I had bested the beast, and the day belonged to man.

+1
You are soo hired as my hunting story editor

[taperxz]

Here it is!! Love it!

[bchains]

Loving that lapua! Damnnnnnnnnnn