AKs and Hogs

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Shed

Shed

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I'm getting into hog hunting (I hate the things), and was thinking of using my Century Arms C39v2 AK platform that I currently use for target shooting. I'm mostly a handgun guy so I don't have much in the way of rifles. Will 7.62x39 be adequate? I assume so but I thought I'd ask those with experience.

Thanks!
 
Shed said:
I'm getting into hog hunting (I hate the things), and was thinking of using my Century Arms C39v2 AK platform that I currently use for target shooting. I'm mostly a handgun guy so I don't have much in the way of rifles. Will 7.62x39 be adequate? I assume so but I thought I'd ask those with experience.

Thanks!
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Yes. The AK is actually a good platform for hogs. I take it you are hunting hogs somewhere other than VT? As far as I know, the Green Mountains are not yet plagued by the buggers.

An optic and red or green light are beneficial for night hunting at feeders. For walk up and ambush hunting in brush, open sights tend to work well. Anything that will kill deer will kill hogs. There are distance limitations on the efficacy of the 7.62x39 but in most hog environments, that is unlikely to be an issue. Any old cup and core bullets will do for hogs and when the inevitable poster comes along with stories of armor plated hogzilli, disregard. Spend some time acquainting yourself with hog anatomy to make sure you are making good shots. And happy hunting.
 
RPRNY said:
Yes. The AK is actually a good platform for hogs. I take it you are hunting hogs somewhere other than VT? As far as I know, the Green Mountains are not yet plagued by the buggers.

An optic and red or green light are beneficial for night hunting at feeders. For walk up and ambush hunting in brush, open sights tend to work well. Anything that will kill deer will kill hogs. There are distance limitations on the efficacy of the 7.62x39 but in most hog environments, that is unlikely to be an issue. Any old cup and core bullets will do for hogs and when the inevitable poster comes along with stories of armor plated hogzilli, disregard. Spend some time acquainting yourself with hog anatomy to make sure you are making good shots. And happy hunting.
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Great thanks! I'm relocating to VA in a while and I was going to pick it up down there. We don't have them in VT yet as far as I know, but the State is worried since they've had some in upstate NY I guess.
 
Shed said:
Great thanks! I'm relocating to VA in a while and I was going to pick it up down there. We don't have them in VT yet as far as I know, but the State is worried since they've had some in upstate NY I guess.
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We can only hope that, should they invade VT, they choose to congregate in Chittenden County with the rest of their kind....

One thing you will need to check on is VA rules on hunting with s/a. I haven't a clue whether there are any restrictions (or many hogs).
 
RPRNY said:
when the inevitable poster comes along with stories of armor plated hogzilli, disregard.
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Don't disregard yet....
Big boars DO have that armor plate. And it is VERY tough. You shoot a 300+lb boar with a 55gr V-Max out of a 223 in the shoulder and you're going to waste the rest of your time looking for a pig you didn't get close to killing. You need something non-frangible to achieve good penetration when shooting small caliber.

However, since we are talking about a 7.62x39, RPRNY is exactly right. Go kill pigs with it. Lots of pigs. It's going to work just fine. Just use a decent bullet. Nothing magical needed. PSP's are always a good idea. Keep your shots no more than 2" behind the shoulder and quartering to, or away. "You no wanna gut shoot a pig."
 
We will soon have plenty of them in New York, it is against the law to shoot or hunt them here. And of course AK's are on the not happy list because of the Unsafe Law. So the 7.62x39 is adequate for hogs. If I see one, I am going to shoot it. Did I say hog? I meant extra extra large wood chuck. My Siaga would be just the ticket.
 
Yeah, 55 gr V-MAX on a big boar would be bad. If you are going to use highly frangible ammo, you need to pick your shots a little more carefully as you would with smaller calibers.

I know several folks that hunt hogs with 7.62x39. Some use FMJ because it is cheap. You are better off going with an actual hunting bullet, something like a good expanding hollowpoint or softpoint, some of which are pretty darned inexpensive as well for hunting ammo.

Know your capabilities and those of your platform for the distance you are shooting and you should do fine.
 
I used to night hunt pigs with an SKS. I handloaded, but I found the 154 grain soft point cheap stuff as imported by Wolf and other Russian brands is KILLER on pigs. To add to that, it's more accurate than anything else I've tried, about 2.5" 100 yard groups, good enough for night hunting pigs. So, I haven't handloaded a 7.62x39 in a while.

Yeah, that AK will work.
 
Heck yeah the AK will work, remember to keep shots front of shoulder and past the head/ear, they are some of the funnest and cheapest things to hunt. I recommend carrying a good side arm, .357 mag/.40 smith and on up should be plenty, aint nothing like getting charged by one of those things and having to shoot on the spot.
 
Funny this thread was brought up....I was just looking at some SKSs and AKs at the gun shop today. Was after one that was all beat up and rough on the eyes so that I don't have to worry about getting the gun scratched or dinged up. Something I can literally throw into the back of the truck and go.....and something cheap!
 
SoonerMedic said:
Funny this thread was brought up....I was just looking at some SKSs and AKs at the gun shop today. Was after one that was all beat up and rough on the eyes so that I don't have to worry about getting the gun scratched or dinged up. Something I can literally throw into the back of the truck and go.....and something cheap!
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One thing I've never worried about with my SKSs is putting a ding on 'em. :rolleyes: My paratropper carbine was new production, but the thing is a military rifle, built to take the abuse. It's not a Weatherby Mk V or something.
 
Pigs go to heavy cover especially in distress, the kind of cover you may be on your hands and knees crawling through while trailing. Good luck using your long gun in that stuff. That's why I always carried a handgun, too.

However, I've grown older and wiser. I do not trail a wounded pig....period. If it doesn't stop DRT outside of the brush, just let the buzzards have it. Beats paying ER bills at least until I get on medicare. :D I'll just buy some pork at HEB rather than risk a confrontation with a pig. Been there, done that, and survived....that time.
 
Barry the Bear said:
Heck yeah the AK will work, remember to keep shots front of shoulder and past the head/ear, they are some of the funnest and cheapest things to hunt. I recommend carrying a good side arm, .357 mag/.40 smith and on up should be plenty, aint nothing like getting charged by one of those things and having to shoot on the spot.
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I must be crazy to go after them with a Kbar and a pit bull.
 
FL-NC said:
I must be crazy to go after them with a Kbar and a pit bull.
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Yeah, I couldn't be paid enough to do that. I don't care how good your bey dogs are and how sharp your knife is.....that pig just needs one split second and an opening to rake that tusk across your femoral and you're toast......
 
When you catch the pigs, one guy picks up the hind legs of the pig which totally immobilizes the pig. Then, the other hunter sticks him. When I went out with a guy a couple of times, the guy didn't want firearms along as it endangers the dogs, but I concealed an 1911, anyway, cocked and locked. He didn't know and I felt better about the situation. :D I didn't need the gun, but it's sorta like carrying concealed today, just makes me feel a little better that I have the option if I get in a pickle.
 
MCgunner said:
When you catch the pigs, one guy picks up the hind legs of the pig which totally immobilizes the pig. Then, the other hunter sticks him. When I went out with a guy a couple of times, the guy didn't want firearms along as it endangers the dogs, but I concealed an 1911, anyway, cocked and locked. He didn't know and I felt better about the situation. :D I didn't need the gun, but it's sorta like carrying concealed today, just makes me feel a little better that I have the option if I get in a pickle.
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I'm sorry, but if he's going to invite me and tell me that I can't carry....I'm not going. He needs to understand that the firearm should be a last resort. Screw the dogs, I'm worried about myself lol.
 
Full disclosure- I've also been known to skydive, SCUBA dive, dabble in martial arts, and ride a Harley. Life's too short to live it boring!
 
I've chased hogs with dogs with a friend of mine. But I carried. He knew. He told me I didn't need it. I asked him if he knew Mr. Murphy. He said "no". And I replied, "then you don't know what will or won't be needed". A sidearm is always a good idea. If you don't need it, that's great. But.....if you do and don't have it.....
 
FL-NC said:
Full disclosure- I've also been known to skydive, SCUBA dive, dabble in martial arts, and ride a Harley. Life's too short to live it boring!
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I've also been known to ski off piste, work as an EMT (yes, this is dangerous), have owned 2 sport bikes, and got married....twice! Beat THAT :D
 
.....To bring this back on topic before it gets closed....

Animals, whether it be deer, pigs, coyotes, cats, or any other game animal all react differently after being shot.

Case in point: Last year I shot two bucks in about 5 minutes with my 44mag loaded with 240gr Sierra JHC's over 22.5gr of H110. Both deer were shot at the exact same distance (second buck was sniffing the first). First buck dropped in its tracks (bang flop). Second buck ran 45 yards before dying. Not a long ways. But both deer were perfect heart shots. Meaning both deer's hearts came out in almost two pieces.

Pigs are no different. I personally have never had a pig run after I shot it. But I also shoot them with big bore leverguns and quality handloaded ammo. However, I know they do and will run, even after taking one of those big bore bullets. Hell even after taking a good 338 WinMag to the bread basket I've seen them run. It's just a matter of time before it happens to me. So....use enough gun. And while the 7.62x39 is no 444 or 45-70, it IS enough. If you shoot and the pig starts spinning and doesn't drop, shoot again. Don't admire your shot. Shoot again.

And as an aside..... If carrying a sidearm makes you feel better, by all means, carry it. MCGunner is right. Pigs looks for the thickest, nastiest cover when injured. If you choose to go after them (your choice) I would dang sure have a larg(er) caliber handgun in my hand. Shooting pigs in a trap or pin with a 22 pistola at 3 feet is NOT the same as trying to find an injured pig in thick brush. My choice is an XD45 with 13+1 240gr PDX1's or my RedHawk 44mag. But 9-10 times it's usually it's the XD.
 
SoonerMedic said:
I've also been known to ski off piste, work as an EMT (yes, this is dangerous), have owned 2 sport bikes, and got married....twice! Beat THAT :D
Click to expand...

Well, how about road racing and flat track. I've raced Daytona speed week on a TZ250 Yamaha, a 150+ mph, 250 lb motorcycle. :D

But, I wanted to go on that dog chasing expedition and didn't wanna be helpless before a wild hog. :D I don't chase dogs anymore. My 64 year old hip is getting arthritic and my left knee has been tweaked by the flat tracking in the past and don't have much cartilage left in it, just judging by all the popping when I straighten my leg.
 
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