Gents,

I have never taken an animal with a pistol yet. With that being said, is a 357 Maximum a suitable gun for hog hunting at ranges under 75 yards.

The bullet of choice will either be a 180 grain Hornady XTP or 190 grain Ranchdog bullet with a big meplat.

Both loads chronograph 1800 fps from my 12" Contender barrel topped with a Ultra Dot 30mm scope.

The Max will do the job if you do your part. I really like the 180 XTP in the Max.

The Max will work fine, try the 200 gr. FTX bullet.

The Max. with a180 XTP will work well

I'm really impressed with the 180gr XTPs. I'm shooting a 12 inch MGM 357 Max getting 1700 fps and it did a number on a doe this year at 55 yards. I have never seen so much blood from an exit wound with a complete pass thru behind the shoulders. She went 25 yards and fell over. I'm a believer. I did shoot a 100 pound (plus or minus) feral hog earlier in the season. The shot was classic broadside behind the shoulder. Distance was about 40 yards. Complete penetration and the porker ran about 30 yards and piled up in a cedar bush. No autopsy to exam the wound, left him for the coyotes. I have a lot of confidence in this cartridge/gun combo.

I don't own one but a .357 Maximum should be a nice hog gun with the right bullet.

I just killed a 200+ pound boar with my freedom arms in 223 at 80ish yards. I'll post pics and stuff later.