Good evening, and thanks for taking the time time to read this. I will be going on a guided hunt for european boar this coming year. I have shot quite a few boar in the past, but its always been with a 30-06, 6.5x55, etc. I would like to use my marlin 1894 in 44 magnum for this particular outing and was wondering if any of you have ever tried buffalo bore ammo out of your 1894, particularly the barnes bullet load. My gun is currently sighted in with hornady 240 gr xtp factory loads. I was wondering if this particular load would be o.k or if I should try something else. I was informed that a mature boar would be around 250 pounds. Thank you all in advance.
The plain Jane 240 grain soft points will do the job on any 250 lb hog I have ever run across.
I have shot more than a few of that size, probably at least 10 or 12, with that type of factory load in my B92, and never required a second shot yet.
I have also used heavier handloaded soft point bullets with equal success.
I cannot say the same for the performance of the hollow point iterations. They seem to work well on the lighter piggies, but dont have the penetration I prefer on the larger ones.
I looked at some Buffalo Bore Heavy 44 ammo once,but there was a note from the owner of Buffalo Bore listing suitable firearms in which to use it.
No lever actions were on the list.
I have hunted in Europe and one thing to watch for is the countries laws regarding calibres. As an example, one EU country bans 'military' calibres like 9mm and 7.62. Best check with the guys your booked with, ask for thier suggestions, be safe and have a great time. I have seen Boar in France the size of a pony.
As Tranter said European wild boar are not ferial pigs but a lot bigger ? A friend in the next county Down from us in Devon shot 1 that weighed out at 600lbs. This is not a wind up it was weighed and witnessed. As Robert Ruark said use enough gun, 1 reason the 9.3 x 62mm is poplar for Boar. Gar.
I have taken numerous feral hogs, including several over 200lbs, with a Marlin 1894 in .44mag. I have always used factory loaded 240gn semi-jacketed soft points. I never use hollow points. As others have said, check with your outfitter about the calibers to use but the .44mag will work just fine.
This may not be particularly useful and I know it doesn't address your question directly but I'll chime in anyway, if only peripherally. I've used Buffalo Bore ammo and think it is of top quality. I also reload with Barnes bullets and haven't found anything I like as well as them. So... if I were to extrapolate from those experiences, I'd guess you would not go wrong with BB loaded with Barnes on top.
Winchester White Box 240 gr. JSP has been a good performer on hogs and deer for me. All of the critters I have shot were 150lbs or less.
It is good to know that some of our members have been successful using 44mag 240JSP on BIG CRITTERS. That is cool.
Sj550, how long a shot will you be taking? If the ranges are reasonable, a 240 grain 44 magnum out of a carbine should be very effective on a 250 pound hog.
When I did a Russian boar hunt I decided to go big or stay home. Since I don't have a "big" lever like so many of you, I used my .338WM with .225gr Hornady Heavy Mags which are now called "Superformance". I was told that these boars were tough. Bring enough gun. OK, no problem here.
Thank all of you for taking the time to respond to this. I was told that the shot distance to be expected is 50-75 yards. As I said, Ive killed them with other calibers and some of them have died quickly and easily while others not so much. I just thought it would be fun to use a different flavor of firearm this time around. Got myself a Marlin 1894 curly maple for deer hunting here in southeast Ohio and really like it alot. The Hornady Xtp loads I have it sighted in with give about 2 to 2.5 inch groups at a hundred yards, which is as far as I will shoot with this particular rifle. Thank you all so much for your helpful advice.
I live in Texas and hunt them year round. I've killed them with everything from 222rem up 338Marlin express.
I have used a Marlin 44 Magnum before and within 100 yards I don't forsee a problem.
I have also used a 45 Colt.
Longest shot I ever had with a 44Magnum was a sow about 200lbs and it had to be 100 yards.
The bullets I used were 240gr federal fusion.
Take the 44 mag. You will be fine. I've been blessed to have shot quit a few and the 44 mag will get the job done. Shoot him behind the ear and he'll never hear the gun fire.
Actually since 2011 I thing former military calibers are allowed in France. That is why I were able to purchase my 308 and a lot of the guys that hunt with me use 30-06.
Before you go, check with your host. Really. For example, in my country you can't hunt with 44mag, because it don't have minimum energy of 2500J at 100m. So check with your host, because if their law says anything similar you will only look at boars.
I have discovered that the Speer 270 grain soft tip will out penetrate typical 240 grain hollow tips. Outstanding accuracy, too. Another deep penetrator is Hornady's 300 grain XTP bullet.
I've killed Texas hogs with my .44 Mag using Nosler 240 grain softpoints and Hornady 240 grain XTP's at 1750 ft/sec. But my preferred hog killer is a .303 Enfield with a 180 grain Remington Cor-Lokt roundnose. Bring enough gun, hogs will surprise you sometimes. They can be tough.
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