30-30 Vs. A Hog

[ArnoldSKS]

Just purchased a Marlin 336C yesterday for deer hunting. I've read a lot of threads about deer hunting and none about Hog Hunting with the 30-30 rifle.

Would this rifle serve as a good Hog hunting rifle? If so, what would be a good bullet? Would I use a heavy bullet or a light high velocity bullet like the Remington Express 55 Grain Soft Point, 3400 fps.

I plan to make my 30-30 my everything rifle (trade the SKS for the Marlin) and would like too use it for more than deer hunting.

 

[Savage Shooter]

That should be a fine hog gun inside a 100 yards with standard ammo but with hornady's new leverolution you could push that range out a might further. Then again depending on where you hunt you might not get a shot past 50yards. If you do decide to go with hornady you'll be paying more than most ammo but quality costs.

 

[LB7_Driver]

The 30-30 is a fine hog gun. Hunt with confidence.

 

[whiskey]

Get you some Soft Flat Nose 150 grain rounds and shoot'em in the neck.

 

[Bigreno]

Wild hogs are very "dense" animals. They have thick skin and heavy bone to penetrate. I would go with a high quality heavy bullet that will retain as much of it's weight as possible. Buffalo Bore is making new 150gr and 190gr jacketed flat nose bullets for the 30-30 that should be available soon. Another option to look at might be the all copper Cor-Bon DPX hunter in 150gr. It is suppose to be pretty hot stuff. I have also heard good things about the Leverevolution on thinner skinned animals like deer but I am not sure how it would act on a hog.

 

[Bigreno]

...deleted

 

[LATex79]

I have shot several with a 30-30 using core lokt 170 grn. Recently I have swapped over to the hornady LE stuff. Either way, a hog shot through the sholder with a 30-30 will be drt.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Would this rifle serve as a good Hog hunting rifle?

Absolutely.

If so, what would be a good bullet?

Heavy, 170 grainer or 150 grainer, preferably 170. No, the 55 gr accelerator round is a very poor choice.

 

[memphisjim]

30-30 is great for anything from black bear down
within 100yards or so

 

[ArnoldSKS]

Thanks guys,

My budget well allow me to buy several brands and try them out. I live in Greenville, SC and have too travel several hours too hog hunt (like GA or too the Coastal parts of SC). I have some friends that are Big HOG Hunters in FL and I may try too hunt there this year.

Thanks again for the info, hey if any one has photos of your hunt or rifle please post.

 

[rcmodel]

A 30-30 will kill anything in the lower 49 states given proper bullet placement.

The only limitation is how far you can hit with it and get proper bullet placement with open sights.

The 55 grain Accelerator is designed strictly for varmint hunting on coyote size and smaller animals.

It would very likely blow up on a hogs mud-caked skin and only provide a nasty surface wound.

rcmodel

 

[ArnoldSKS]

Thanks Rcmodel, I was just wondering cause on the other Hunting threads people spoke of using a.223 too take down Hogs.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd go for 170 Partitions or the 160 Leverevolutions. Both have solid penetration. Avoid anything lighter than 150 unless it's for wee tiny hoglets.

Buffalo Bore is making new 150gr and 190gr jacketed flat nose bullets for the 30-30 that should be available soon.

SWEEEET. I've been hoping someone would revive the old 190 loads.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Why does everyone still believe the .30/30 is only good for <100yds ?????

I sight mine in for 2.5" high at 100yds (with low power scope) and I've dropped game at upwards of 200yds with a "center hold". Ditto with the .35Rem. and .45/70. This yeilds a "zero" at 25yds, and ~150-175yds. And only ~5-7" low at 200yds.

What is it "I" don't "get" ???

I hunt hogs on the Savanah River basin just a bit west of the River and north of I-20. (Clarks Hill Lake WMA area).

The .30/30 is about perfect for hogs in this area. As most everywhere else too. (The .35Remington is even better, and .45/70 as good as good gets).

(FWIW, the largest hog I've killed was with a 20ga slug while squirrel hunting, go figure !?) I've shot'em with a .223 too. But, it was just what I had at the time. A well placed shot behind the ear worked well. However, I can't say much for the .22wrm other than, DON'T! (don't ask me how I know !!! and I didn't even think about using the .17hrm when the opportunity presented itself; That's why I carry the Ruger Sec.6 with 165gr SWC-GC's @ 1,350fps. They work too !)

I've used the Sierra 125gr HP, 150gr Remington C-L, 170gr Rem. C-L (all in handloads), as well as 150gr and 170gr FNGC cast bullets. (bullets I made myself).

They have all worked well !!! Even on one that was tearing up a food-plot on an island at ~220yds. DRT with a shoulder/spine shot, bullet exited too! (150gr Rem. Cor-lokt; 225lb pig)

I recommend the 170gr Remington Cor-Lokt as the best however. They expand well on the smaller pigs and the average deer in this area, and they penetrate suberbly on the bigger hogs.

Plus, they're about the least expensive ammo available in factory form, and are as close as the nearest Walmart, ect....