Rifle or Pistol?

Question

I was wondering for my first gun should I purchase a rifle or a pistol? What I am going to use it for is hunting mainly if not only wild hogs. Which model should I purchase, and are there any decent guns for under $350 dollars?

Answer 1

You wont get any air gun capeable of taking a wild hog down, especially with $350.

Air rifles are by far the best for hunting. Pump rifles are the most powerful, better than gas powered and spring.

Answer 2

Unless you are a seasoned handgunner, and from your question I'd say you are not, get a rifle.  

You can find a good Marlin or Rossi leveraction rifle for $350.00 or less.  Marlin M-336 in .30-30 WCF, or Rossi M-92 Saddle Ring Carbines in .357 Magnum, .44RemMag, or .45 Long Colt would be decent choices for Hog Guns.  Even better would be a Marlin Model 1895 G Guide Gun in .45-70 Gov't, if you can find one in your price range.

Doc

Answer 3

Mossberg ATR with Scope package deal. Your choice 270 or 30-06, with 3-9x40 scope ready to go add ammunition, verify zero and go hunting. retail $325-350.

Excellent hog medicine.

Answer 4

SHOTGUN

Answer 5

Michelle H is right.  You can get a good shotgun for that.  Slide action (pump) or autos are good.  Get a rifled barrel for it.  That has better range and you can shoot sabot slugs or bullets.  They hit very hard and can knock down almost anything out to a couple hundred yards.  You can also use the shotgun with a smooth bore barrel (26" or 28" modified choke is most versatile) for small game.

A good rifle for pigs is a lever gun in .45-70, .450 or .444 Marlin, or other larger caliber bores.  The lever guns aren't too expensive, particularly if you can get a good used one.  Generally those guns aren't so accurate as bolt actions but they are faster to fire and often shorter for close in handling.  Pigs usually aren't hunted at long ranges.  They're inclined to stay close to brush, I understand.

Handguns are good for hunting at closer ranges and in dense cover, but I wouldn't make them my first gun unless personal defense is needed around confined spaces.  In the open, the shorter barreled shotguns with buckshot can't be beaten for self defense also.

Answer 6

A pistol is almost useless, unless you hunting man, not sure why you Americans can still buy them.

Answer 7

The hog outfitters here recommend shotgun for hog hunting

Americans can still get handguns because as a whole we aren't simpering little sheep that are willing to hand our lives and safety over to the government that has proven not to really care all that much because they are trying to turn us into simpering little sheep that will turn our lives over to them

Answer 8

Well, the minimum handgun hunting caliber is the .357 Magnum preferably with the 6" barrel.  The lowest priced quality one is probably the Ruger GP-100.  For hog hunting use hard-cast lead ammo like the Federal Hunter 180 grain .357 Magnum rounds.  Most pistols are not suitable for hunting due to the caliber limitations.  The Glock Model 20 10mm is an exception but I doubt you can find a new one for that price.  You're looking at between six and seven-hundred.  Perhaps if you look for a used Model 20 you can get it in that price range.  Has to be the full-size 10mm, the .45 acp won't do nor will the .40 S&W or 9mm.  The .357 Sig is iffy unless you use custom ammo or something like the 147 grain Hornady factotry round.

The Desert Eagle (not recommended) is going to run you about $1,200 to $1,600 so it sounds like you're better off with a revolver.  The Ruger Single-Action .357 to .44 Magnum revolvers may be your best option.  The Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull is another possibility but again, new, it is more than $350.

Happy hunting.

H

Answer 9

Look for a used 30-30 rifle or you can get a new remington 870 express for that. You might be able to find a pistol for that at a gun show just make sure its a 357mag or larger if your hunting pigs with it.

Answer 10

remington 870, pump gun,  rifled barrel, 18 to 22 in. length,  2.75 inch, high brass rounds, 12 guage.... that will put down any oinker in the freezer....

and you can get a cantalever barrel and a 2.5 to 4 power shotgun scope on it.

Answer 11

I would recommend a rifle. Look at a 30.06 or a .270. If you really want a pistol, look for a thomson center contender. With the interchangeable barrels, they can be used for almost anything. As for models, look for a savage or winchester in rifles. I have a winchester mod. 70, .270 and have taken alot of white tailed deer with it. Good luck.

Answer 12

Rifles are for hunters and pistols are for cops.

does that sound better?

Answer 13

For under 350 get a rifle.

Answer 14

YES lots & lots of them.* Buy new or used.* Remington, Savage, Mossberg, Marlin in 30-06, 308, or 30-30...*> Or go here  gunbroker.com, auctionarms.com, gunsamerica.com......

Answer 15

I'd go with a decent 12ga shotgun. There isn't much you can't hunt with one. I like Mosberg pretty well.