Ammo for javelina hunting?

[WardenWolf]

I'm going to be hunting javelina (peccary) this spring, and would like to hear thoughts on appropriate ammo. I will be using a .223 rifle. I was going to be using Black Hills 62-grain soft points, but I got to thinking that maybe that isn't the best idea since soft points tend to fragment, and I'd like to be able to eat it. Should I stick with the soft points, or switch to hollow point?

The rifle I'm using is 2 MOA, and can reliably place the shot within 1 inch of where I want it to go at the ranges I'll be hunting.

 

[wankerjake]

I would use the soft points, I would think the hollow points are more likely to fragment. The soft points are supposed to hold together. I don't know if remington makes core-lokt ammo in .223 caliber but their .30 cal bullets hold together very well. We've had good success with hornady softpoints too, but we are shooting larger calibers, I don't know if that makes a difference. Good luck, what unit are you hunting?

 

[mbt2001]

I actually prefer the FMJ rounds out of the 223 for javelina... Use it from time to time on hogs as well. Never had an issue. Depends on the game laws where you are.

 

[wankerjake]

No fmj in AZ. I never second guessed it but I've heard more and more that they can be great hunting rounds. It makes sense, the penetration is excellent.

 

[mbt2001]

I have found them to be good, first started using them with the SKS and Moisin, for awhile that was about all you could get for those guns and they worked so well, I just started using them more and more... Cheap too. Biggest issue with using the Surplus rounds for hunting is you have to clean the gun after each shot.

I wouldn't use them for bear or moose or really large / dangerous game, but for the Hill country white tail, hogs and javelina, they are great.

Also the tend to stay in one piece, so no lead "contamination" that scares the hippies so much.

 

[WardenWolf]

What unit are you hunting?

I'd rather not post that where it's searchable. It's my first time out, but a relative who's an experienced hunter gave me a heads-up on this area.

I'll be using my Saiga .223 because that's the most practical rifle I've got for the job. Fairly lightweight, slings well, and accurate enough. Also not such a big round it'll just destroy it. Somehow I think using a soft point 7.62x54R round on a javelina is a bit much. I bought the Saiga to fill my need for a good mid-power rifle, and it does its job well.

 

[wankerjake]

yeah, .223 is probably perfect for javelina. They are tuff little buggers but you should be fine. Hope you get into them, they are fun to hunt but sometimes they are hard to find during the day. If it were legal I'd set you up in my front yard, you would have no trouble finding them at all.

 

[WardenWolf]

My 5-round magazine came in yesterday, so I'm good to go. Now I just need to take it to the range and ensure it feeds right. Also ordered an assault rifle bag for my Saiga so I won't have to remove the scope to put it away. The last time before I take it out hunting, I'll take it out to the range, rezero the scope, then put it away and not touch it until after the trip. Ammo's non-corrosive, so it won't hurt it.

 

[Art Eatman]

The best target point on a pigelina is around the eye or below the ear. Shun body shots if at all possible. They don't have much of a neck, so it's too easy to hit either eating meat or guts.

The hide is tougher than a deer's, and all the dust in the hair really takes the edge off a knife rather quickly. So, get in under the hide, and make any cuts come from the inside toward the outside.

The little hams are really tasty, if barbecued slowly and first seared to keep the juice in.

 

[Byron Quick]

don't know if remington makes core-lokt ammo in .223 caliber but their .30 cal bullets hold together very well

I don't have experience with Core-Lokt except in .35 Remington and .300 Winchester Magnum. With these two calibers the majority of the shots on deer and hogs have been through and through. However, on recovered bullets, I have never recovered a bullet that did not have complete jacket separation.

I won't use them or recommend them anymore.

 

[Byron Quick]

don't know if remington makes core-lokt ammo in .223 caliber but their .30 cal bullets hold together very well

I don't have experience with Core-Lokt except in .35 Remington and .300 Winchester Magnum. With these two calibers the majority of the shots on deer and hogs have been through and through. However, on recovered bullets, I have never recovered a bullet that did not have complete jacket separation.

Could well be that they perform well in other calibers. Now, I'm not saying the Core-Lokt's won't kill game. I've probably killed forty-some deer and 10 or so hogs with the round. I'm just leery of them.

I won't use them or recommend them anymore.

 

[mbt2001]

The little hams are really tasty, if barbecued slowly and first seared to keep the juice in.

+100

If you get a shot on the little piglets, roll them. Easily the best tasting and most edible.

Bring rubber gloves and some vapor rub... If you take an adult and don't do as art suggested on a neck shot, you will need them!

Good luck!

 

[WardenWolf]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll keep that in mind.