Ruger Forum

antlerfan · July 15th, 2012, 12:12 PM

Hey Ya'll

Come next year i maybe going to Misourri hog hunting and am looking for some info on rifle choice as current all i have the would take a Hog Is a .223, .50 muzzleloader and slug guns. I know the muzzleloader and slug guns are big enough but questiong using a .223 to take a hog. Thinking about getting either a .308, 30-30, 35 rem, or a 300 whisper or a 270

So my question is what is the best choice in other calibers or will a .223 be big enough to drop a hog.

kiwihunter · July 15th, 2012, 12:29 PM

Hey antler fan i have killed many pigs with a .223,on a larger animal you will have to place your shot and yes there's probably better cals for the job on larger pigs 30-30,.308, and many others etc etc .But on average size pigs in my experience .223 with the right bullet is deadly,if you go with .223 use a less fragile projectile...Federal 62 grn fusion works well as does the Barnes tsx range.To be honest i havnt lost a pig using .223,you do your job and put the pill in the right spot using the right projectile and the pork is on the table.
cheers and happy hunting
KIWI

gunjunkie · July 15th, 2012, 12:31 PM

.308 sure is a good all around round.

Mayor Al · July 15th, 2012, 12:42 PM

Antler fan, (see my PM to you)

We went down to Texas last summer and got 5 hogs between two old guys and one 13 yr old grandson. We used a 12 gauge Saiga w/ slugs, a Win Model 100 in 308, A Marlin 44 Magnum Lever gun, and a Marling 30-30 levergun (the kid). Largest one was a 150 lb boar. The 308 dropped him in less that 10 feet of the impact point.

This September My wife and I are headed over to a Missouri Ranch also. They say the minimum size Razorback is 200 lbs. Wife will use a Ruger 44 magnum Carbine, and I will have a Mini-30 (7.62x29mm) with some 154 grain sp ammo. I may take the 308 in case our guide thinks the Mini-30 is too light for these hogs. No Slug gun with me on this trip. Janet will also get an Axis Doe as part of a herd cutting activity at the ranch. We will have two friends with us. My friend will be using his Ruger 460 Hunter handgun and his wife a 30-06. Both have hunted before, but not Missouri Hogs. When are you going? Maybe we can swap reviews via PM when we get closer to the day.

antlerfan · July 15th, 2012, 01:41 PM

Thank you Kiwi for that information cause all i got now in the line of 223 is fmjs for plinking or hornady vmax for coyote hunting so i need to start looking for a different type of ammo

bobmare · July 15th, 2012, 01:48 PM

get a 6.8 spc.upper for your ar-15. works great on hogs.

Fan45acp · July 15th, 2012, 02:04 PM

If you shoot em right behind the ear a 22LR will put em down..

bhefley59 · July 15th, 2012, 03:06 PM

Mostly use a .22lr but have dropped a few with my .243. I plan on using my SR40 next
trip . Good luck !!

terry_p · July 15th, 2012, 03:12 PM

I had hogzilla come out in Texas and I used a 270 with a 130 gr SP and hit it behind the shoulder and off it ran. I never caught up to it and really wondered if it penetrated to the lungs. I was supported at 25 yards and the way it acted I knew I hit it. I killed a 150# one with one shot in the same area and it ran about 30 yards. Given your choices I would choose the 308 in case a big one happened by.

Mayor Al · July 15th, 2012, 05:21 PM

+1 big one to Terry for the 308 comment !

gfw1985 · July 16th, 2012, 06:44 AM

I sure ain't no hog expert, but the 223 wouldn't cut it for me. I've taken deer with a 44 magnum and would consider it a good handgun backup weapon, but I have to agree with the 308. I've seen how dangerous a pen raised pig can be when provoked. I would want the hog down in it's tracks and not having to pursue one into the brush by anyone. They like eating people as much as we like eating them.

bhefley59 · July 16th, 2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fan45acp

If you shoot em right behind the ear a 22LR will put em down..

This is very true. I have a buddy that lives down southern Arkansas I go down and hunt with. He traps most of his and a 22LR is all he uses in the traps. He keeps a .243 in the jeep for longer shots. I have shot a few with my .243 and never had them go more than 10 or 20 ft from where they were first shot. One went over 350lbs to 400lbs, hit him behind the ear he spun a couple times took a coupe steps and fell , Tusks were about 3" long. He has shot larger ones.

a .223 may be a bit small and I have seen these mean they can be so a .308 would not be a bad choice. I don't think you could go to big!

RockDoctor · July 16th, 2012, 07:40 AM

Although I don't recommend it, I've taken a 125lb hog with a .17hummer(HMR) at 40yds. I shot it in the area of the neck where it curves down just in front of the shoulder blade/(shield). I have also shot hogs with .22lr, .223, and .280rem

Heres a website I've used for reference on hog anatomy to place my shots, if possible.

WILD BOAR ANATOMY, HUNTING WILD BOAR TEXAS, TEXAS HOG HUNTING HEART LUNG SHOT PLACEMNET