Success In The Field

Today was my first handgun hunt in years And my first chance to take the 357 Max Hunter out into the field. I forgot what a magical place Shackleford County is. As I pulled into the ranch this morning I could see shadows moving in the winter wheat fields, and I knew that it was loaded with deer. As it got brighter I laughed seeing all of the deer running around. The deer were safe from me today because I was after hogs on this trip. I saw a couple of big boars during the morning but couldn’t get a shot. The morning hunt was really about getting reacquainted with the ranch since it had been 9 years since I had been out on it. The real hunt would begin this afternoon when the hogs really start to move.

This afternoon I headed back out. I had my 357 Max Hunter in a Barranti Northeast Hunter rig and my Model 24 Smith in a Barranti Hank Sloan belt holster. I was using 180 Hornady XTP loaded with 18 grains of IMR 4227 in the 357 MAX and 240 gr Nosler over HS6 for the 44 Special. I had not taken any game with either gun or load. I drove around the ranch checking all the water holes, thickets, and feeders. I found a group at a feeder and the stalk began. I was able to get within 80 yards and drew the 357 Max rested on my shooting sticks and fired. At the shot the hog flipped on its side and kicked. The bullet hit its mark high on the shoulder. To my shock the group didn’t run. So I reholstered the 357 Max and decided to give it a whirl with the Smith. I slowly eased forward until I was within 45 yards and lined up on the red hog and squeezed the trigger. The hog dropped.

Tomorrow I will be back out there but this time my Ruger Redhawk will be the gun of choice.