For Gators you need a bang stick and a knife.... Bang stick to stun them and a knife to deliver the coup de gras (cut the spinal cord).
Don't believe what you see on TV, Damn brain on a Gator is so small you hardly hit it with a bullet.
Seen many get popped with a bang stick still try to walk away
I prefer a pump shotgun as you waste fewer shells
You do not want an injured hog after your ass. Carry a large (.357 and up IMO) handgun and a Kabar if you're going to be on the ground. Rifle wise seen anything from a .223 up, Shotgun slugs put large holes in a hog head