Hi, I am planning my first hog hunt for the end of this year.
Location will be Texas.
Can I
a. make my 5" 625 work with some cast 237gr RN work?
b. make my 9mm work with my competition loads (124gr @ 1410fps)?
c. start asking friends to use one of their guns?
Thanks for any input.

May want to get someting like this for the 625 and shoot a few to check POI

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=655926

I would choose a or c. You can certainly kill a lot of pigs with the ACP or the 9mm if they aren't too big or too far away. You'll probably see a lot more pigs between football size and 100 lbs. than you will over 100. If you're going to a ranch in TX then they probably have bow blinds set up for 25-30 yard shots and until you get up to the 125-150 lb mark those cartridges will work ok if you take quartering away shots. The problem with bigger hogs is the gristle plate. They aren't bullet proof but that shield can be pretty thick and likes to soak up a bullet. I would definitely choose the 45 over the 9 and like H2O said, use a good hp bullet vs. the cast RN.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that the 625 is an APEX gun, I will have to handload and can only use Federal primers.
The Win load for 230gr PDX has been chrono'd at approx. 920fps,
which I can easily load with close to 11gr of AA#7 and 230gr jacketed HP.
I guess I'll have to do some R&D.

I thought the 625 was a 45 Colt

You're getting good advice here. I would also add that you should probably stear clear of that lead round-nosed bullet.

I have update my choice for ammo

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=378783

or

the 200gr HP +P of the same brand

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have to stay away from factory ammo, though - only Federal primers seated below flush will work 100 percent. Think a good heavy handloaded HP will have to do. I'll report once I've done my first hunt.

you should be able to get close to if not over 1000fps on a 200 to 230gr bullet. I've had excellent luck with HS6. I was over 900fps with a 250 gr lead bullet in my semi custom frankenstein of a 1911 I built but I backed it off for plinking. I do agree go with the 45 and either a HP or SP. You might even look at the 200 and 225gr Hornady Leverevolution bullets as long as they don't cause and OAL issue.

I have killed over 100 hogs with revolvers, and you cant hit one too hard. I like a (45LC, or .454)300 grain bullet thru both shoulders, or right in the ear to drop them now. Shot placement is very important as they may not leave a blood trail at all. A shot quartering away, thru the sternum, usually puts them down quick too. I would say they are the hardest animal in the lower 48 to anchor.

I would concur. I have seen them absorb an ungodly amount of lead when poorly hit -- and sometimes when not.

Shoot as big and heavy bullet you can in the 45 and cant go wrong. Something from buffalo bore or double tap. Hard cast lead or solid will be just fine. Practice with it before you go hunt.
These should hit like a lightning bolt if you can handle the recoil

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_38&products_id=333

Use the 625 with 45 super brass and a warm loaded 255 semi-wadcutter or Keith style bullet. Much better than a round nose. If your firing pin will work, Buffalo Bore makes exactly what you need.

This is so true.

If I could I would get a Ruger 45 Colt and use Strong loads.

my son has taken several with the 480R but that is a tad overkill.

I would thake the 45 ACP over 9mm and the 45 Colt over either.


Snake

Thanks for all the advice, y'all. This year, I'll have to go the handload route to make my 625 work. If it turns out that I like hog hunting, I'll probably have to buy a .44 or .460 next year and go with only a mild action job so I can shoot factory loads.

Oh you will, trust me!

Just about the most fun you can have on a hunt.