Can 12 gauge 00 Buck be used safely for Hog hunting and if so, what range is max?. I've got a number of never fired 12 gauge full length brass cases and would like to load them for Hogs. Any recommendations?...
Pigs have tough hides and really strong bones, especially in the shoulder. Unless the distance was point blank, you won't get the penetration needed on a hog with 00 buck. The individual pellets are light and soft, and lose their energy rather quickly in flesh. A rifled slug would do much better from a shotgun.
What Fred said. I've never hunted hogs, but I know they're tough little freaks. I wouldn't want to go after 'em with anything less than a slug or rifle round.
I agree with Fred that buckshot is far from the best medicine for pigs. I would venture to say for a quick kill 10yds max on a body shot and maybe 30yds on a head shot. I'm sure this will be disputed to death but I formed this opinion after doing some penetration testing. 3" magnum 00 Buck penetrated roughly the same as a 22LR fired from a rifle at 25 yds. I do carry #4 buck when digging wounded pigs out of the brush though. Usually these shots will be well inside 10 yds and a head shot is fairly easy and highly effective.
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