7.62x39 for hog

[schlockinz]

What loads should I be looking to use for hogs in this round?

I know that a soft point is preferable, but will a 150's or 120's load be better. Also, which manufacturer should I be looking for.

BTW, this will not be for my go to gun for exclusive hogs, I'll leave that to the 45/70, this is more for a truck gun that is likely to be used as a shoot on sight hog gun (aka my truck gun), I'd like to have killing power and range out to 150yds, DRT not a big concern at that range.

If anyone has a link to an older post that says more than "use soft point", please let me know, I'm looking for more specific information on rounds and manufacturers

 

[MCgunner]

If you can find some, try the 154 Wolf soft point. I've yet to actually use it on one, but it is a bit more accurate than the 123 grain stuff if nothing else and it's a true soft point. Or, you can handload for it. I have dies. I don't really trust the hollowpoint stuff.


http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=764528

 

[2ndAmFan]

Read and hear some good things about Corbon 150 grain soft point, but they're pretty expensive: $33-40 per 20 rounds depending on where you buy them from what I can find doing a quick online search.
Also read a few good reviews on the 154 grain Wolf soft point but I haven't used them. They're cheaper than Corbon but internetarmory.com has a warning out not to use Wolf, S&B, or any foreign manufactured ammo in Ruger firearms.
The consensus is don't go below 150 grain for hunting and you're correct to use soft point.

 

[MCgunner]

Wolf shoots great in my two SKSs.

 

[2ndAmFan]

I've owned 2 SKSs and they've digested everything I've run through them. Soft point, steel jacket, steel core, American made, Chinese or Russian/Eastern European milsurp. I can't speak for anyone else, but my experience with the SKS is what all manufacturers of semiauto rifles should aspire to in terms of reliability. I've been using an SKS as a truck gun for years and I'm very satisfied with it. Loaded with 150grn or slightly heavier bullets it should have plenty of power for the average hog up to 150 yds. I wonder what type of gun the OP is planning on using?

 

[schlockinz]

What else, an sks

 

[snakeman]

wolf anything will work

 

[GetBulletsandBrass]

Try loading up some Barnes Bullets through your rifle, some of the local biologist I supply with Barnes Bullets to be in compliance with the California "Lead-Free" zones have reported back that the 123gr Triple Shock bullets put them down at ranges out (properly placed shot of course) to 150 yards. On our website I have posted pictures of customers who have used a .243 bullet to put down a pig in Northern California.

http://www.getbulletsandbrass.com/photo_album.html

 

[tango2echo]

123gr Federal soft points work well in factory ammo for me.

Reloads get the 125gr Speer Hot-Core.

 

[RumRunner]

federal soft points for me as well

 

[armoredman]

Hmm, I don't know, but when I get my CZ 527 I will see what works well, I have 123gr SP bullets to try in a variety of powders.

 

[schlockinz]

Welp, from personal experience I will say that the brown bear HP's kinda fail at taking pigs. I killed no less than three the other day, but only had one that was recoverable. The exits wounds from it looked like a 30cal bullet still. I'd wager that there was no expansion.

Not sure if I hit anything with the few SP's that I shot (other than an unsuspecting armadillo)

 

[LeonCarr]

+1 on the 154 Wolf Soft Points. A stout bullet for deep penetration on hogs, and they are cheap to shoot too .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[TooTaxed]

The best hunting cartridge on the market...I got mine from Midway...are the Wolf 154-gr soft points. These are specifically made for hunting...the 123-gr small hollow points are not designed for hunting, but for longer range accuracy. (My SKS likes the Wolf 123-gr JHPs better than the 123-gr FMJ on the range.)

The commercial Winchester and Remington hunting loads I have seen are only 123-gr JHP...and cost about three times as much as the Wolf 154-gr loads!

I got a one-shot kill on a boar over 350-lb...he didn't take two steps, just rolled over.

 

[Cpt. America]

My CZ 527 does great with whatever I've put in it. Wolf, Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Hornady and Cheap surplus FMJ.