I had the same experience with one hog. I shot it right above the head into the neck, it was facing me, bullet (7X57) traveled almost the entire length of the hog. It went down, then got back up again and headed for the hills. It was eventually found some days later on another lease, meat ruined. Head on shots may not be the best way to take a hog.

What kind of bullet did you use?

Did you save the pelt? Looks really nice. I had one really nice sable black hog pelt. I guess the treatment wore off and the moths got to it after around five years.