I had a pheasant I shot in Oct , I could tell I hit it feathers when I shot , I was less sure how well I hit it as it flew further it went about 175-200 yards then dive bombed the ground , dead where it landed


most of my my #4 shot had been into the tail feathers and only 1 pellet hit the body, that one pellet went through the thigh up into the bird through the gut and all the way up to be lodged against the top of the ribs at the front of the bird , it fell out when I was scraping the lungs out. about 5 inches of penetration's was impressive pheasant aren't exactly tough like hog but clearly your #4 worked

#4 high brass lead was always my grandfathers go too for everything I think he had a lot of success with it on fox when he was young.

What?

I think that is what some of the dog hunting fellas use , was watching video the other day when the dogs have them by the ears the guys grab hind legs and roll them over or drag them, our of wherever they have them cornered, I didn't see a sticking knife but I assume that was why they were rolling them over.

first the dog needs to hold it there for you I think for that to work

These are the tools Great Grandpa used to dispatch hogs for butcher. Course them tame hogs was probably much easier to walk up to and thump than a wild one would be. It sure would be sporting to try though, I'll watch.

You roll them over to put your knee on the neck to pin them down and tie/hobble them.

You guys forget that a shot gun doesn't kill by trauma only. It is more of a shock to the system. Saw a guy shoot a jersey heifer once at about 50 yards with 7 1/2 and it fell to its knees scooted about 30 ft and died. He was just trying to get it back I the field.

If you want a really lethal load go to #2 birdshot. Killed hundreds of grey foxes with them watching dens and calling them in during the mid 70's and early 80's

I'm kinda surprised that 4 shot did that well. Curious where you aimed? I know t shot will drop good sized critters in their tracks. Never used buckshot.

Did the dog do any work in recovering the hog? 35 yards with #4 has to be on the ragged edge of reducing to possession.