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Back in the last century a buddy and I were hunting wild boar. What a combination we were. He was bow hunting and I was using a Thompson Contender in 44 Mag. He won the coin toss and got the first shot. We thought he missed. The hog never flinched or squeeled, just took off into the brush. We searched and couldnt find any blood. Now more sure that he missed, it was my turn.

A big feral pig crossed our path at about fifty yards. I took a quick stance and let off a shot before it went back into the thick stuff. I know it sounds terrible now; but at the time it made sense....... Atleast I knew I hit it; but I couldnt believe it didnt go down. Had "Dirty Harry" been lying to me all those years? What a fool I was, insted of using a good soft point or even a decent cast bullet, I was fooled by the hype of Black Talons. I figured if they were good enough to be put off limits for civilians they'd be great for hunting hogs.

An ugly chase later with a few more hits and I had 300 pounds of pork. My buddy was still empty so we headed back to the original area where we saw the one he missed. Now I dont pretend to know hogs well enough to recognize them on sight; but this sure looked like the same one he missed earlier. Not wanting to loose it again and fearing another run through the thick stuff, my buddy went one way and I stayed off to the side to block its turn for cover.

When he shot, I saw what must have happened the first time the arrow went straight through. The expandable tips didnt open. The pig looked at my size small friend and my XL size target, and headed straight for me. It was then that I had a good look at my spot. A bowling alley lane size clear path lead straight to me, with a dead fall tree behind me. I had just enough time to realize this was gonna hurt almost as much as my wife's "I TOLD YOU SO's".

Im not sure if I had time to remember the poor performance of the Black Talons from my earlier shots or not; but having no alternatives it wouldnt have mattered. As best I can tell I shot at about ten feet. It was like the HAND OF GOD struck it down. Finally! Thats what a 44 Magnum is supposed to do! It was dead at my feet.

As for my first pig when we found the bullets, they had done exactly like they were supposed to do. The expanded with minimal penetration and lots of sharp edges. The difference is only humans fall down and cry when they get hit, animals look for cover or attack.

I learned alot of lessons from that hunt, not the least of which are to always load with BIG solids for game that bites back.

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