Cayugad, I was recently on a hog hunt and lost mine as it did not penetrate the skull. I was using a 250 gr Shockwave Bonded bullet with 100 gr pyro and it did not phase him, right between the eyes. The guide found tracts and he said based on those, the pig was staggering and would be fine in a few days.A guy in our group shot a hog that weighed 289 and when they cut him up he had 2" of gristle on each side of his shoulders. He shot it with a 300 ultra mag in the ear and dropped it where it was standing at 100 yds.I think you could penetrate it only at a close range if the hog is large. A good eating hog is around 100 lbs and I think the shoulder shot could be made with better success. I was the only crazy one with a ML having one shot and walking through the woods. I am hooked on these beasts and it is quite the thrill for sure, especially hunting at night for these with a full moon and a symphony of howling coyotes.