One September, a work-mate's father visited the Top End from his home in the South Island of New Zealand.  After spending the first few days in the air-conditioning, in an attempt to acclimatize to the 25-degree (centigrade!) shift in day-time temperature, he was ready to be treated to a few unique Northern Territory experiences.  Following a couple of successful fishing trips for barramundi and black jew, we turned our attention to hunting buffalo and boar!

On this particular occasion, Glenno and his dad were skirting around a productive spring-jungle with plenty of fresh pig-sign, while I cut through the inside.  Suddenly I heard a shout: "Coming your way!"  The pair had disturbed a good boar from their side of the thicket, but couldn't safely fire because of my position.  The fleeing hog suddenly burst into view and ran across my front, allowing only a split-second to acquire a hasty bead on his shoulder and squeeze off a shot.  The fugitive immediately hit the brakes and turned directly away, still on its feet.  Unsure of the first hit, I quickly touched-off the remaining barrel.  That did the trick, dropping him instantly!

I needn't have bothered with the second shot, as it turned out.  The first 650-grain bullet from the .577 Light Nitro double had taken him through the ribs just behind the front leg, and exited.  Heart shot!  When the other party arrived, Glen's dad told of witnessing the first barrel bullet-strike, and knowing it was a good hit by the spray of blood from the far side of the hapless hog!  The .577 might be considered 'over-kill' by most pig-hunters, but it provides a comfortable margin on big boars at any angle.  It has also proven its worth many times when that snuffling sound in the thick bush turns out to be a cranky buffalo bull!

Read more about the .577 Light Nitro cartridge and its potential as a modern double rifle chambering here.