Alabama hog hunt

You're going to get all kinds of answers, but my boys and I went to south Texas in '14 and took 3 hogs. Two were taken with .223, mine with .30-06.
All worked well.
Let him take whatever he wants and shoots well.
.223 works

.223/5.56 out of an AR works just fine if you put the shots in the right place. Hogs aren't as tough as their reputations. Most people just don't know hog anatomy very well and put the bullets in less than ideal places. Most of the hogs we take on the ranch are with ARs off of the mule. The .30-30 will certainly do just dandy.

I think the 30-30 and 243 are both better than the 223 but I'd be leery of giving your son bad habits if he's afraid of shooting them. Then again he probably won't notice the recoil shooting at an animal so it might actually help him get over his fear. In the scheme of centerfire rifles none of the three have much recoil.

The 30-30 is a perfect hog cartridge. If you are walking/stalking, the 30-30 in a lever gun is as good as it gets. Remington does a 125 grs Managed Recoil 30-30.

223 is for rodents, small dogs, and wounding things.

Armored farmer said:

Let him take whatever he wants and shoots well.

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Listen to Mr Farmer and maybe load up some 60gr Nosler partitions or something simlar.

Take the 20 ga. and buy some buckshot for it along with the slugs. I have killed over 20 hogs with buckshot. Aim for the head and they drop right there. Of course you need to be within 20 yards or so.

How about some “30-30 Managed Recoil” rounds? Also, if you handload, you could load with Unique or reduced H-4895 loads to give the desired result.

use what he shoot the best and feel the most comfortable with. all calibers u list are fine for hogs(as long they are not euro/russian hogs. does he have any choice on what he would like to use.

My choice of firearm/cartridge would depend largely upon the hunting conditions you expect.

If you are going to be hunting from a stand (with a rest) at ranges under 100 yds. I would let the Lad use the .223 he is already familiar with and likes.

Hog hunting can be done a number of ways and shot opportunities range from the animal being broadside and still...to very dynamic. You might see a single animal or more likely a group. They can vary in size and age dramatically.

For your average hog (150 lbs. and under) the .223 (with proper bullet and bullet placement) is plenty.

Shot placement is the key to taking hogs successfully. Whenever possible I will neck shoot them (any hog from 75lbs. on up). IF junior can keep his shots within a 4" circle at the distances you expect to encounter...then he is good to go.

The folks at the place you are going to hunt should be able to tell you 'how' you will hunt and what to expect (on average) for hog size.

For the .223 it wouldn't hurt to go with a heavy for caliber bullet.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/wi...emington-64-grain-centerfire-rifle-ammunition

How many friends have I had over the years whose dad or grandpa started 'em off on a .30-30? Never a bad choice IMHO. Of course, .243 isn't either.

I've taken one deer with the .223 just to say I did it after I got my M4. It worked with a 62 grain Barnes handload and no doubt would put down a hog.. It's not my go to deer rifle, though I'd use it on pigs in a heart beat. I took my first deer at age 11 with a .257 Roberts. So, I think the .243 makes sense.

Another thing I didn’t see mentioned is hearing protection. A good set of digital muffs or just plain ear plugs will usually greatly help with perceived recoil.

A 223/5.56 is just fine. Go with a bullet that has a tougher construction than those 55 gr varmint bullets. Something like the 70 gr Barnes TSX is about perfect. I’ve killed a bunch of pigs and deer with a 69 gr Federal GMM too. Make sure he shoots them low IN the shoulder and not behind the shoulder like a deer. Pig vitals are lower and further forward than a deer’s. We have our clients find the front elbow on a broadside pig then put the cross hairs about 3” above that. Good luck on your hunt.

BigBore44 said:

Another thing I didn’t see mentioned is hearing protection. A good set of digital muffs or just plain ear plugs will usually greatly help with perceived recoil.

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Yes, excellent suggestion. Also important to preserve the young mans hearing.

troy fairweather said:

use what he shoot the best and feel the most comfortable with. all calibers u list are fine for hogs(as long they are not euro/russian hogs. does he have any choice on what he would like to use.

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All hogs, from Vlad the Eurasian boar to Charlotte 's friend Wilbur are the exact same species, sus scrofa, although many domesticated strains do contain vestigal DNA of the Asian warthog. While domesticated swine have been bred in many cases to be pink and cute, within 3 generations in the wild, they will grow a heavy coat and regain tusks, essentially reverting to the appearance of the stereotype Eurasian wild boar. But they are the same species with no material difference in anatomy.

If the goal is the eradication of invasive vermin, then by all means, the poodle shooter and a lingering possible death may be just fine. But for the little chap's first hog hunt, a cartridge that will actually deliver a quick kill with a reasonable shot is to be preferred. I understand that the internet is rife with Daniel Boon types that can knock a flea off a dog's ear without waking it up with their sub-MOA ARwhatever, but the little fellow may not have quite got there yet.

In my experience, they aren't hard to kill. I use 223, Hornady 75 grain BTHP match. Have also killed several with a KBAR size knife (stab to chest).

BigBore44 said:

Another thing I didn’t see mentioned is hearing protection. A good set of digital muffs or just plain ear plugs will usually greatly help with perceived recoil.

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Yeah, start 'em off early with the hearing protection and maybe when he gets old he won't be hearing crickets all the time like I do.

I have killed tons (literally) of pigs with my AR-15. The .223 is just fine for hogs. Most people who are adverse to using the 223 cartridge on hogs probably have little to no experience hunting with the round.

Choctaw said:

I have killed tons (literally) of pigs with my AR-15. The .223 is just fine for hogs. Most people who are adverse to using the 223 cartridge on hogs probably have little to no experience hunting with the round.

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Perhaps somewhat like 10 year olds...

LRDGCO said:

Perhaps somewhat like 10 year olds...

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The 223 cartridge on an AR-type firearm that is adjustable to the shooter is a very viable hunting rifle. Don't make hogs into something they are not. They are not tanks, rhinos or buffalo. They are pigs, that's all.

Choctaw said:

The 223 cartridge on an AR-type firearm that is adjustable to the shooter is a very viable hunting rifle. Don't make hogs into something they are not. They are not tanks, rhinos or buffalo. They are pigs, that's all.

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I am not making hogs into anything other than bacon and sausage, thank you. I have shot many. In my opinion, the 223 cartridge is marginal for anything other than rodents and small dogs. You have an opinion. I have an opinion. To each his own.