44 mag hog load

[olafpfj]

Just got back from the trip

Bagged a 185lb boar. Shot was about 35yds. He ran about 10yds and dropped




Used a Winchester 240gr JSP. Recovered weight was 219.8gr

Guess who has a cooler full of pork...

[puma guy]

Your load will work fine.

I have taken one deer and three hogs (150-250 pounds) with a similar load (240 XTP, 23.0 H110, Winchester Brass, Winchester Large Pistol Primer), all of them were DRT with the longest shot being about 75 yards, and all of them exited. If a 7.5 inch Ruger Redhawk shooting a 240 XTP at 1450 fps works like that, a 240 XTP at 1750 from your .44 Ruger Carbine should be Da Bomb.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Don't forget Elmer Keith killed a mule deer at 600 yards using a S&W Mod 29 .44 mag with a 250 gr. cast hard lead flat nose bullet.

[puma guy]

Just got back from the trip

Bagged a 185lb boar. Shot was about 35yds. He ran about 10yds and dropped

[ Image ]
[ Image ]

Used a Winchester 240gr JSP. Recovered weight was 219.8gr

Guess who has a cooler full of pork...

I'm envious! Good shooting!

[mr surveyor]

Just got back from the trip

Bagged a 185lb boar. Shot was about 35yds. He ran about 10yds and dropped

[ Image ]
[ Image ]

Used a Winchester 240gr JSP. Recovered weight was 219.8gr

Guess who has a cooler full of pork...

Good for you, my friend. Looks like a through and through boiler shot. That JSP would have taken both front shoulders if that had been poi.

If you're keeping the meat, I hope you have a competent processor that will do it right.


jd

[olafpfj]

Good for you, my friend. Looks like a through and through boiler shot. That JSP would have taken both front shoulders if that had been poi.

If you're keeping the meat, I hope you have a competent processor that will do it right.


jd

I'm actually ok with where the shot ended up although a little higher and back from where I really wanted. The bullet was lodged just under the skin on the far side. Caught both lungs square. I was rushed since he and another with him were fairly skittish and agitated. I had just a fraction of a second when he paused broadside on his way to bolting. I was using an old vintage Ruger Deerstalker with an old Herters 2.5x fixed scope. Shot went exactly where aimed.

He is all butchered up and on ice in a cooler till tomorrow. I'm taking the meat to this place http://www.ccrwildgameprocessing.com/

Should be good eating

[CC Italian]

Looks good! Those 240 jsp did the job. Like i said no need for fancy high end ammo with a 44, especially with a rifle length barrel. Good hunt!

[olafpfj]

An excellent result, congrats!

How does the meat-processing work? I see prices for various things, so... I'm assuming a field-dressed carcass is a $70 flat fee, then (for example) $3 per pound to turn it all into sausage?

I'm not really sure how the pricing really works. I read it as the flat fee pertains to the state of the animal when you deliver it, i.e., if you've only "field dressed" it it will be $70 for them to butcher it + anything special like sausage. The more you do before it gets there the cheaper the price so skinned is less on down to 1/4's. Since the guide already butchered mine I think I will only be paying for sausage and any other special butchering to the hams, straps and ribs. I already have the loins dressed and good to go.

I'll find out tomorrow I guess. I have calls in to my brother and a local friend who are both professional chefs Can't wait to start feasting on my catch...can't wait to go get another

[olafpfj]

It would be good to know - I've butchered deer and small game myself (no hogs), but I've never had meat actually processed before.

Just got back from dropping off at the processor. The hog was considered quartered so $40 for all the main cuts ham steaks, filets, whole loins etc... The rest is per pound based on what you want. I'm getting 10lbs of sausage and the rest as hamburger which they thought would be around 20lbs worth. I'll be picking it up next week and everything should be vacuum packed like you would find at costco.

Needless to say I will be swimming in wild pork that exceeds my freezer space. I will be needing friends to help me with this unfortunate problem

[The Annoyed Man]

Ok, good - that process makes sense. TAM is in your AO - he might want to be your friend :)

Your experience shows me I'd have to plan out the logistics - bearing in mind where the hog is shot (geographically) and then to what extent to dress it, storage of the carcass and where to take it for processing.

We've done a range trip together once. I think I still have olafpfj's number in my phone. LOL

[olafpfj]

It would be good to know - I've butchered deer and small game myself (no hogs), but I've never had meat actually processed before.

Just got back from dropping off at the processor. The hog was considered quartered so $40 for all the main cuts ham steaks, filets, whole loins etc... The rest is per pound based on what you want. I'm getting 10lbs of sausage and the rest as hamburger which they thought would be around 20lbs worth. I'll be picking it up next week and everything should be vacuum packed like you would find at costco.

Needless to say I will be swimming in wild pork that exceeds my freezer space. I will be needing friends to help me with this unfortunate problem

So...185# live weight hog came out to ~60lbs of meat

8 Ham steaks
6 ~1/2 racks of ribs
6 packs butterflied backstrap
2 whole tenderloins
10# ground breakfast sausage
30# ground

It does all fit in my freezer but barely and with some planning
Total cost for processing was $85

I will start the pork odyssey with breakfast sausage in the morning. It's my first time bagging my own game so I'm more than a little excited