Hog calibers

Id use slugs if using a shotgun.

Lots of videos on YouTube showing shooters taking out hogs from helicopters with shotguns and buckshot. Now, they aren't doing frontal shots with reduced power loads. I wouldn't risk reduced power loads, but full power buckshot would be ok...I believe.

If you're shooting a charging hog at 20 yards and less, that certainly ought to put a hink in its step. Joking aside, you do seem to be discussing chargers, and buck will give you slightly more wiggle room at an oncoming hog. But, keep in mind that unless you get a brain shot, it may not be a stopper. Also, definitely a good idea to pattern that load and gun beforehand so you are confident about point of aim.

If we aren't talking about chargers, then slug is eminently preferable, provided its something more substantial than ye older Foster slugs. Something like an SST. At that distance, minute of pig should not be a problem. If the choice is a only soft Foster slugs or buck, then buck.

If a boar is that close you won't notice any recoil. You shooting normal hogs or a European boar?

Hog huntin Harry said:

I did a little research, it's European boars.

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There a good bit tuffer then hogs. They have very thick shoulder plates. Where you hunting them at.

In my experience, these critters are not that hard to kill. The shotgun and load mentioned in the OP should be fine, assuming it holds a good pattern to the distance it is being shot. 243 would be plenty for any pig. Contrary to popular opinion, these things are NOT armored vehicles.

These were all killed very quickly with single stabs from tanto knives using dogs


This one (and many others) were killed DRT using 223.

troy fairweather said:

If a bovine that close you won't notice any recoil.

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I believe you mean 'porcines,' LOL. There is a significant difference.

Double Naught Spy said:

I believe you mean 'porcines,' LOL. There is a significant difference.

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Darn spell check.

IMO buckshot is over rated. On a small hog I'm sure it would work but I'd not carry it. You never know when you'll need to kill a big'un. Buckshot is illegal for small GA deer on public land and I understand why. If I had to use a shotgun I'd carry slugs. But I'd much rather have a rifle.

An AR with carefully chosen ammo would be the minimum. With heavy 70-80 gr bullets designed for big game penetration is a lot more than most folks give it credit for. But bullet choice is important regardless. A varmint bullet in a 30-06 isn't going to work any better than a varmint bullet in a 223.

I have never used buck shot on game, can't here in ny but I happen to hunt less then a mile from New Jersey, guys will unload there just to maybe kill a deer. I have seen where deer where killed pretty far with buck shot, but you can kill a deer at 100 yards with a 22. The plate on the big European boar are very thick, It can stop a arrow like it hit a brick wall. Even here stories that it can stop a 357.

There is a new 25 cal for spring air pellet rifles. I saw a video of a guy killing an around 90-100 pound hog with it. And no the hog didn't just run off. He hit it right behind the ear. It screamed, hunched up and straight down it went. The shot was 30-40 yards.

Ya the 243 will work fine. If out just behind the shoulder but if on the ground within 50 yards i would want something better. 45/70 is perfect.

Hog huntin Harry said:

I've read that 12 gauge foster slugs flatten into a lead disk when taking frontal shots on larger hogs ( 300 pounds and up). Where I'm hunting it's very desolate and a hog hasn't been shot there in 2 years. A good amount of hogs are 250 pounds and up, would a 100 grain 243 be better suited for penetration through that shield.

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Hogs are extremely tough. I've seen videos of big ones hit with 06 and run off. The big ones are placement shot for sure. Best is side through or just behind ear.

If it will kill deer, it will kill hog. And just as I have shot a deer with a 30-06 (lung shot) and seen it run off (to die within fifty yards), so too, hogs and other animals will run for a bit before they bleed out unless a limb is broken or there is a central nervous strike. Hogs are not particularly tough. In any event, shot placement always matters and knowing hog anatomy, which differs from deer, is important. 243 Win would not be my personal choice for hogs, but it will most certainly kill them. Given the choice, sub 100 lbs sows are what I prefer in an eating pig.

European boar are a hole different animal from the furry farm pigs most guys shoot. There was a video on YouTube years ago,6 shots in to a boar that charged him, he had a desert eagle in 50 Ae. They slowed the video down, he hit every shot. The 7th killed it at his feet.

Hog huntin Harry said:

The hogs we got make those look like piglets, how much does that hog you shot with your ar weigh?

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Less than 200. It was killed for food. Also, it doesn't matter. Anatomically speaking, a pig is a pig. Same body parts in the same places with the same vulnerabilities. Even with a larger pig, it is the same layout with mass more or less evenly distributed throughout an overall larger frame. What does matter is shot placement, specifically putting a significant hole into a piece of vital plumbing. Pigs of all sizes are taken out daily with well delivered 223.

Hog huntin Harry said:

I've read that 12 gauge foster slugs flatten into a lead disk when taking frontal shots on larger hogs ( 300 pounds and up). Where I'm hunting it's very desolate and a hog hasn't been shot there in 2 years. A good amount of hogs are 250 pounds and up, would a 100 grain 243 be better suited for penetration through that shield.

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The "shield" is largely over rated, IMO. A centerfire round that will put down a deer will penetrate mild steel at the ranges typically associated with hog hunting.

A guy here prefers .30-30, and he has tried a lot of different rounds.