A Florida Hog

[Kentucky Colonel]

I took him in the Green Swamp area of Florida. 
It was an exciting hunt. I was going for a simple meat pig. 
I ran into something a little bigger and badder. Hoisted, 
he was almost as long as I am tall. I am 6' 2"

I will never go after wild pig again without a side arm. And, 
I was carrying a Colt 1911 .45 this time. (With a WWII 
holster my father gave me this Christmas)

The land owner asked me to use modern gun as we had never 
hunted together. He will now allow me to use BP in the future 
after seeing me handle myself. I am proud of that.

It was an active, on foot, hunt. The boar took a direct hit on the run with a 
.348 WIN cartridge. He was not done. He barely jumped after the hit. I was 
not sure I got him. After disappearing for a time, he took a second hit. But, it 
took a third coup de gras from the .45 to bring him down for good. I almost 
paid for underestimating him. (approach from behind!)

Yup. It was my hand loads on the Model 71 Winchester by Browning lever action 
that appear in another thread. It was designed for Griz. It was my first Florida hog. 
Its my first taken with hand loads. Thanks to everyone who helped me get up to 
speed with hand loading. 

These are the weapons on this pig. But, as I was skinning the animal, I was reminded again about that thick 
armor on the hide. It is so beyond skin.

My friend Joe was with me. He also took a nice sow. We prepared the meat in separate coolers at my house. 
We soaked it in water, ice, white vinegar, and some salt. We cooked up tenderloin from both with collards, black eyed peas, 
corn bread, and fried potatoes. The sow and boar were comparable in taste.

 

[Hilljack1]

Nice score you did very well, and those tuskers can be really cranky...Nice rifle by the way, and it means a bit more since they are your own handloads...

YMHS
Hilljack

 

[Marty1]

'Colonel, what was "your hand loads"  for that handsome .348(odd caliber) Model 71 :?:


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p.s.  Skull pics... 8)

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

'Colonel, what was "your hand loads"  for that handsome .348(odd caliber) Model 71 :?:


-----------------------------------
p.s.  Skull pics... 8)

Thanks, Hilljack!

Marty, I used .348 WIN 200 Grain FTX Hornady with 46.6 grain IMR 4320 powder. 
I used Jameson brass as there were no other options available. As you say, this is an 
exotic cartridge. It is the reason I chose to begin hand loading. I learned it for this rifle. 
I even contacted Winchester directly... 

I found a Jameson factory load option, later. At the range, it grouped at 6-7 inches at 100 
yards. It was a flat nose. The Hornady was a ballistic nose. My hand loads grouped at 2-2.5 
inches. Both were free standing.

Thanks for noticing the rifle. It is nice to look at. I have grown rather fond of it. 
Unlike my other rifles, I can carry this threw brush, over tough terrain, without struggle 
and with one hand.

I am stunned the pig took the hit that it did from it and kept upright. The first hit l
landed a little below the spine and above the vitals. When we were cleaning him, we found the hole.
It was as big as my thumb and went all the way through.

I am not fond of 'safe queens' in practice except when buying. 

This rifle is one of only 3,000 made. I know I reduced its value by using it. But, I will take top care of it. 
And, the history and story of a rifle is part of its glory. I feel I am adding to its value. I do not expect to profit 
monetarily from that point of view.

 

[Okie Hog]

Congrats on the porker.

 

[lighthorseman]

WOW!....really nice hog. I too am surprised he didn't go down quicker. I knew an outfitter in Wyoming who'd been mauled by a Grizzly and they carried a 71 in .348 because "he was never going to be mauled again! I think if I ever get to hunt hogs, my Uberti "Winchester" 45-60 would be the ticket! Someday1

Well done Col.

Nice European!

Doug

 

[patocazador]

Nice going Colonel! I thought you would either turn into a "Cracker" ... or die trying. I'm glad it wasn't the latter. Before your Lake Hatchineha outing I was quite nervous about how the neophyte would survive. Thankfully, you made it to "graduation day."

That rifle is a beauty and now that you know that handloads are equal or superior to factory ammo, you will have much more confidence (and pride) in them. I haven't shot a factory load in years.

I've never shot a hog with a centerfire rifle, only pistols, shotguns or muzzleloaders, but they aren't that hard to kill if you place the shot in the heart or ear. I prefer shotguns with 3" 00 buckshot. Aim for the head and down they go.
You can load up your percussion shotgun with buckshot and do the same.

 

[exMember]

Thats a damn nice porkie! The rifle on the other hand... WOW! That is a hell of a looker.

IMO you improved the value. You used it for what it was made for, putting meat on the table!

 

[BigAl52]

I never buy a gun with the idea of Im going to increase the value. I buy them to shoot. Meat on the table and congrats on the nice hog. Besides I bet you didnt buy that gun with the intentions of selling it later on in life while you were still alive. I bet you bought it because you liked it. Al

 

[JLBSparks]

Damn, Colonel, you had me up 'til the collards. Congrats!!

   -Joe

 

[Huntin_Dawg1215]

Colonel, that hog was nice, big.  I ant never hunted hogs, the rifle was very pretty, good liking rifle, its a head turner. I liked your story. BUT that last picture of all that fine looking, I know it had to be great tasting, southern style ( at least southwest Virginia style cooking ). Now that got my attention, thats what hunting is all about.

Congrats. Fine story, fine rifle and fine hog. :bounce:

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

I just had occasion to revisit this. All your comments make it all the sweeter. 
I'm glad I recorded it here.

Al is right. I have no intention of selling the rifle. It will ride along with me 
till I stop riding. I now have a couple big calibre rifles that are fun for different 
reasons. (Grins) Now, its about 'which one do I choose?' Fun.

FG is right. I feel the same way, Jon.
Dawg, a hunting or fishing trip ain't never done till you have a feast in honor of the beast. :cheers:
And, I am of the South, sir.  We do try to make an occasion of it. 

Patocazador, you have never led me wrong about hunting and shooting in Florida. 'Col. Cracker' 
is quite proud of the graduation speech you wrote above. Thank you. I'm glad I ain't pig food, too! 
(Chuckle) High praise!

Now, this hunting season, I want to take my first Florida deer. I drew my permit for a weekend muzzleloading hunt in a WMA. Let's hope Tosohatchee is generous to me this year. I've got the fever. I have been thinking about, reading about, and prepping for my hunt every day since I drew the permit!
Lordy, I even had a dream about it last night.

 

[Buck Conner1]

What was her name KC, kind of cute if your into such folks. I heard some of you Florida boys like these gals.

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

Buck, when was the last time you had an MRI? I am worried you may have a tumor... 

 

[Buck Conner1]

Buck, when was the last time you had an MRI? I am worried you may have a tumor... 

Wonder if that's why I have trouble sitting for any length of time ???    :drunken:

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

This was the pig in question, his weapons, and his fate....

 

[Buck Conner1]

Why do you need deer horn tips (taking away a dogs favorite thing) when you have hog rippers to use. That would beat anything anyone else used for a powder measurer KC. They are some good teeth, they would work you over pretty good bub. :x

 

[Gramps]

I've taken wild boar in Florida and Tennessee.
they taste like chit!
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
I'll never shoot another.

If I don't use it I don't kill it.

Just me.

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

Jeager, I feel the same way. Fortunately, I am a much better cook. 

 

[exMember]

All the hogs we've taken while hunting with member Falcon in Oklahoma have been yummy as hell! Pulled porn sandwitches for lunch all last year during hunting season!