Boar hunting question

[johnh]

Gang,

I am going on a hog hunt soon with some good friends, but am not a hunter myself. Nothing against it--dad just did not hunt, so never taught me. Anyway, I have been going over my rifles to decide what to use. My first thought was .308 as that is my most potent rifle caliber in inventory. I have plenty of trigger time behind my FALs, and it is a private reserve, so I can use whatever I want. Not a match gun, but this will be in heavy brush so a close range affair. Think 50 yards or less at this location. The FAL is plenty accurate for this work.

But as some of you know, I have some chronic pain issues and it is getting harder for me to carry a FAL around. I have been shooting a lot more 5.56 in part due to this. My question is, can that round do the job? I have searched online and am getting mixed messages. Some say yes just use heavy bullets, others yes use light stuff that fragments violently, and others no way. Any of you care to chime in? These are the only two calibers I have in rifles really suitable for the task, and I want to use one of my guns just to have a chance to use them off a shooting range.

John

[muggsy]

Gang,

I am going on a hog hunt soon with some good friends, but am not a hunter myself. Nothing against it--dad just did not hunt, so never taught me. Anyway, I have been going over my rifles to decide what to use. My first thought was .308 as that is my most potent rifle caliber in inventory. I have plenty of trigger time behind my FALs, and it is a private reserve, so I can use whatever I want. Not a match gun, but this will be in heavy brush so a close range affair. Think 50 yards or less at this location. The FAL is plenty accurate for this work.

But as some of you know, I have some chronic pain issues and it is getting harder for me to carry a FAL around. I have been shooting a lot more 5.56 in part due to this. My question is, can that round do the job? I have searched online and am getting mixed messages. Some say yes just use heavy bullets, others yes use light stuff that fragments violently, and others no way. Any of you care to chime in? These are the only two calibers I have in rifles really suitable for the task, and I want to use one of my guns just to have a chance to use them off a shooting range.

John

With proper bullet placement you can kill a hog with a .22 LR. For close in shooting in heavy brush a 357 or .44 mag will do. You might even consider a 12 Gauge shotgun with slugs. What does the law permit where you plan to hunt?

[yqtszhj]

I haven't been but I think the 5.56 and this ammo would do the job:

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=210

I'm like you. I haven't been, but there are really good reviews on the above ammo hunting deer. A hit in the right place with this and I think it would work. Everything that I have read is that the .223/5.56 and the shockwave as the round tumbles is what gives it the punch. You will for sure have the penetration at 3200 fps. One review on the above ammo I read said the round hit the hog in one shoulder, went through hitting vital organs, and lodged in the other shoulder on the other side.

I think it depends on the expansion of the round which the Noisler is suppose to do.

[johnh]

No restrictions on firearm. I thought about using my Mossberg 930. It has been very reliable and I enjoy shooting it. I am more experienced with rifles though, and have several good choices to draw from in 5.56.

[jocko]

I have done it in my earlier years with bow and arrow. properly placed shot with bow and arrow is not much different that properly placed with a high caliber handgun or rifle.

Many years ago, I bow hunted in Utah with some great hunters who at that time held the world record for a black bear shot with a gun (Boone and Crockett). they shot the bear with a Ruger single six 22 long rifle. Hard to maybe blieve but this bear was hughe to say te least but they did it...

[Tilos]

I've done it with a handgun a couple of times.
It was with dogs (and horses) and close in.
The dogs kept the hogs busy while we got in close and then they called off the dogs.

My friend brought a Deer rifle...big mistake, being close with a scope kept him from getting a good shot.
Of course my heckling, was also a distraction:D.

Wild hogs have a thick cartalidge (sp?) plate covering their shoulders and I used hard cast handgun bullets for penetration.

That Mossberg 930 with slugs and open sights or red dot would get the job done.

How big will these hogs be?

Tilos

[Tank]

Hogs are hunted differnt ways and you don't say the method you plan to use. What you will need for a gun will differ with the hunting style. For example if you are hunting out of a raised tree stand over bait or a rutting area a rifle is in order. Now, if you are hunting with a pack of hog dogs (pit bulls crossed with hounds) a pistol will work the best.

I have hunted with the hog dogs with some friends in FL. It was a BLAST!!
We don't have that in Wis. where I'm from.

[Bawanna]

I've no experience with wild hogs, cut my teeth on domestic hogs in my youth. In your shoes John, I think I'd strap that 10mm on your hip. If you get a close shot use the 10, if a little further use the 223.

I'm with Tilos, leave the optics at home. And remember 10 223's equal one real bullet, hogs are tough, thick and awnry.

[Barth]

I'm not a hog hunting guy.
Or hunting period.

But if pressed into duty?
I'd feel comfortable with my Mossy 12 gauge loaded with slugs.
And my S&W 629 44 mag loaded with Garrett 310-gr SuperHardCast Hammerhead rounds.

[JFootin]

This kid did pretty well with a big revolver. :rolleyes:

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Misc/MonsterPig.jpg

[TheTman]

I'd want a .44 mag, .357, or 10mm; something pretty stout as a backup to your rifle or shotgun.
I'm not a hog hunter, they do a good job of keeping them out of Kansas, but I've watched a lot of youtube adventures with them. Are you going to be walking through brush, sitting in a stand or be walking more open fields? That would dictate the rifle choice to me. If it was brush or heavy woods, I'd for sure want a stout handgun to back up my rifle, and I'd probably want the .308 or a shotgun with slugs, something with a lot of FPE to stop em quick. If you were more out in the open or in a stand where you could take your time aiming, then the 5.56 would probably do the trick. Looks to me like those hogs are pretty tough if you don't hit em right between the eyes. Dad and Grandpa used a .22 Long Rifle right between the eyes when butchering one. Check out the hog hunting videos on Youtube, that might help you decide.

[yqtszhj]

I've no experience with wild hogs, cut my teeth on domestic hogs in my youth. In your shoes John, I think I'd strap that 10mm on your hip. If you get a close shot use the 10, if a little further use the 223.

I'm with Tilos, leave the optics at home. And remember 10 223's equal one real bullet, hogs are tough, thick and awnry.

Yep, take a big backup gun

[wyntrout]

Dang! I would want a shoulder-fired large caliber rifle or shotgun for close-quarters work... no scope! With a shotgun, I would prefer double or triple-ought buckshot, though... just be be sure of hitting a charging animal. I'm thinking more about self defense, though.

I only went pig hunting once... 1973... in Monterey County(?) California. My buddy shot at a tiny deer from near my right ear... very unexpected... with his 8mm sporterized Mauser. It was about 75 yards and up the side of a hill... he missed, but I was pissed! He nearly deafened me and we weren't hunting deer... let alone TINY deer! We overextended ourselves in "hilly" country and got back to our vehicle just before dark. I was so glad that we had shot NOTHING... we were dead tired and HE THREW up!

Wynn:D

[johnh]

Thanks for the advice guys, it is much appreciated. We will be on foot and in some brush, so I may stick to the FAL. I am guessing it will be slung most of the time. That should not be too hard on me. I will bring a 10mm or 44 along too just in case. Either should be good enough for backup work. Given my lack of experience, I may not see anything to shoot anyway. :)

[muggsy]

Thanks for the advice guys, it is much appreciated. We will be on foot and in some brush, so I may stick to the FAL. I am guessing it will be slung most of the time. That should not be too hard on me. I will bring a 10mm or 44 along too just in case. Either should be good enough for backup work. Given my lack of experience, I may not see anything to shoot anyway. :)

It's the ones that you don't see that get you, John. Hope you don't run into Hogzilla as pictured by JFootin. :) Have fun.

[JFootin]

John,

I am reading the new issue of Guns & Ammo and there is an article about the new S&W M&P 15 in .300 Whisper caliber. They are calling it an updated version of "America's Deer Rifle." The overall weight and recoil are real good, it has a 6 position collapsible stock to fit anyone, even you wife. Check it out.

[swampman]

what twist rate is your AR,Because the heavier bullets will do a better job.A 1 in 7 twist rate will shoot the heaviest 70 and 80 grain bullets,they make a solid copper bullet designed just for hog hunting,but the .308 will stop the hogs better.:)

[chipD]

Hi Johnh, hogs have incredibly thick flanks and sharp tusk, like little tanks on legs. The .308 is a good choice. A larger bore handgun is a good choice as well as their skulls and flanks are robust. Not trying to be scarey, just stay alert they have been known to charge so the sidearm is a good idea. You know bagging one is great, but just getting out in nature is as good as it gets. Above all have fun be safe and enjoy the company of friends and nature. Good luck and happy hunting

[Barth]

Hi Johnh, hogs have incredibly thick flanks and sharp tusk, like little tanks on legs. The .308 is a good choice. A larger bore handgun is a good choice as well as their skulls and flanks are robust. Not trying to be scarey, just stay alert they have been known to charge so the sidearm is a good idea. You know bagging one is great, but just getting out in nature is as good as it gets. Above all have fun be safe and enjoy the company of friends and nature. Good luck and happy hunting

+1
One big mistake some folks make is using standard HP rounds from a handgun on a hog.
Especially if you run across Hogzilla!
Make sure and load up hard cast hunting rounds.

I like Gerrett myself:
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/garrettnew/images/330hammerhead.jpg

[JFootin]

+1
One big mistake some folks make is using standard HP rounds from a handgun on a hog.
Especially if you run across Hogzilla!
Make sure and load up hard cast hunting rounds.

I like Gerrett myself:
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/garrettnew/images/330hammerhead.jpg

Darn! I bet you could explode a man's head like a watermelon with one of those! :eek:

[lostagain]

Here's some info from Texas Boar hunters. Looks like shot placement is often misunderstood. Sounds like youmay be in for quite an adventure.
http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html

[OldLincoln]

Maybe it's time for a field test of the new Kahr P380 Magnum.

Uh, in case nobody ever told you, John, them pigs get somewhat pissed off when shot. Been know to chase full grown men right off'a the island.

My son hadn't a clue years ago when dear hunting and saw a boar burrow in the sticky brush so he set his rifle down and crawled down a rabbit hole not big enough to turn around in armed with a knife. Good thing nobody was home or it would have gotten ugly. He said he thought they were like the cute pink things you see a the county fair. After my little chat with him he won't do that again.