Gary O
Member
What say you for oink, oink? Thanks...
AR-15 / 5.56 for pigs?
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CoRoMo
Member
It's been proven to kill them just fine. Shot placement is always the meme that should rightfully show up here.
I'd use well constructed and heavy bullets IIWM.
I'd use well constructed and heavy bullets IIWM.
meanmrmustard
Member
Go for it. I recommend the Barnes VorTx 55 gr copper solid. It'll hold together better on that shield of theirs.
Swampman
Old Fart
I've had the best luck with 64 grain Gold Dots and Federal Fusions. The 64 grain Winchester Power Points worked pretty good as well. I haven't personally used any Barnes TSX in .223/5.56 on hogs, but friends that have give mixed reviews, some like 'em, some hate 'em, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground.
I actually did reasonably well with 55 grain FMJ, but the performance was spotty, sometimes it would drop 'em in their tracks, other times they took off like an SR-71.
As CoRoMo said, shot placement is the main thing, just keep in mind that you're limiting yourself on angling shots compared to heavier calibers, this is assuming that you're hunting for meat.
I actually did reasonably well with 55 grain FMJ, but the performance was spotty, sometimes it would drop 'em in their tracks, other times they took off like an SR-71.
As CoRoMo said, shot placement is the main thing, just keep in mind that you're limiting yourself on angling shots compared to heavier calibers, this is assuming that you're hunting for meat.
threefortyduster
Member
Don't forget, there's always the Winchester Razorback round now.
I haven't used it since I don't have a .223 or a .308, but its out there
Happy Hunting.
I haven't used it since I don't have a .223 or a .308, but its out there
Happy Hunting.
wow6599
Member
Some of those big boars would scare me using a 5.56. I would like a little heavier round.....
YMMV
YMMV
allaroundhunter
Member
I don't have any reservations using my AR for pigs. Heck, most any rounds (not varmint) will do the trick just as well as any other when you shoot them behind the ear or (my favorite) the neck.
The neck shot offers more room for error. If you miss high, you will hit the brain stem and still manage an instantly killing shot. Miss higher, and you either have a flesh wound that will be shrugged off, or you will have a clean miss. If you miss low, you will take out the windpipe, carotid artery, or jugular vein. Miss any lower, and again, either a flesh wound or a clean whiff.
The neck shot offers more room for error. If you miss high, you will hit the brain stem and still manage an instantly killing shot. Miss higher, and you either have a flesh wound that will be shrugged off, or you will have a clean miss. If you miss low, you will take out the windpipe, carotid artery, or jugular vein. Miss any lower, and again, either a flesh wound or a clean whiff.
Texan Scott
Member
BP Hunter had it. Just behind the ear, through the base of the skull or first cervical vertebrae, destroying the brainstem. Drops ANYTHING dead. 223 will do fine.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
go for a sure kill AR10s in .308 of course, not questions need be asked.
If 30 rounds won't get the job done, perhaps your number is up.
JHenry
Member
maybe 300 blk? seems like it would be a good round for hogs. more punch than 223 but not as much recoil as the 308 for quicker follow ups. plus it uses standard 223 bolts and what not so all that need be changed is the barrel.
allaroundhunter
Member
There really is no reason to spend more money on the .300 BLK when the 5.56 will do the job just fine. .308 Win ARs also do not have much recoil at all.
If I was going to take an AR for hog hunting (and I do), it would either be in 5.56 or .308. No reason that either of these won't work.
Inebriated
Member
As usual, shot placement is key.
A .223 to the brainstem/spine will drop it the same as a .50 BMG or .22 LR.
A .223 to the brainstem/spine will drop it the same as a .50 BMG or .22 LR.
JHenry
Member
true but i think sometimes lining up that shot can be difficult, a 308 would surely be fine but if you already have an Ar-15 in 223 but want something with more punch, a 300 blk seems to be a good alternative to spending more than a $1000 on an Ar-10, when you could buy a 223 and decide you want something more potent and just switch over to a 300 BLK.
So imo go with the 223 and if you determine it to be inadequate the 300 blk conversion is an option.
So imo go with the 223 and if you determine it to be inadequate the 300 blk conversion is an option.
Ignition Override
Member
Youtube: Enter "Freedom Helicopter Hog Hunt High Definition". For others, simply enter "helicopter pig hunt".
In my favorite video, Vance kills a number of them with a Rock River AR-15 from a Robinson helicopter flown by Matt.
They are near the Brazos River in central Texas. This might answer your question.
In my favorite video, Vance kills a number of them with a Rock River AR-15 from a Robinson helicopter flown by Matt.
They are near the Brazos River in central Texas. This might answer your question.
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dubbleA
Member
The above is very true indeed. One one my family members has a helicopter service that does just that. The AR platform in 223 along with Robibson R22 and 44's kill hogs by the thousands. It's very adaptable as far as sights and has a high rate of fire. With firing 10's of 1000's of rounds in a year it's low recoil is appreciated, plain ol 55FMJ's are effective and economical in a business sense. It's not hunting per se but it's killing and controling nuisance vermin/pest.
henschman
Member
Those vermin don't deserve expensive hunting ammo... screw 'em, just use surplus military ball and let 'er rip!
allaroundhunter
Member
While I don't use expensive hunting ammo on them, I also don't "spray and pray" on 'em. I still want to make good shots.
How many run-ins with them have you had? If they feel threatened, you are in some serious trouble; especially if it is a decent sized boar. They are quick, and quite agile as well....I would not say that evading them is easy by any means if they are actually committed to an attack...
Even when I am armed, I fear running into one that is in a bad mood...
meanmrmustard
Member
Agreed. But, if a methodical and exacting shot is the goal, I stand by the Barnes.
stubbicatt
Member
LOL. I passed this thread a couple times.
I had a friend who used to hunt hogs from a trailer blind which he constructed. I had no interest, consequently his tales just sort of passed over my head. But he started out with a 44 magnum rifle. Then he had a scare involving some big old sow charging him, and uploaded to a 444 Marlin. Then another scare involving some big old hog, so he ended up using a 416 Remington Magnum from then on to try to stop these porkers in their tracks.
He made it sound absolutely frightening.
I read of 223 being used on hogs, and I wonder...
Have fun guys!
I had a friend who used to hunt hogs from a trailer blind which he constructed. I had no interest, consequently his tales just sort of passed over my head. But he started out with a 44 magnum rifle. Then he had a scare involving some big old sow charging him, and uploaded to a 444 Marlin. Then another scare involving some big old hog, so he ended up using a 416 Remington Magnum from then on to try to stop these porkers in their tracks.
He made it sound absolutely frightening.
I read of 223 being used on hogs, and I wonder...
Have fun guys!
As said many times shot placement is key when using an inadequate caliber. You will find you have less than stellar results in kills as live game is not a paper target and does tend to move a lot causing less than perfect shot placemnet that is forgiven with an adequate caliber but will not be seen with the .223, I do own a couple of AR's in .223 but I do not hunt with them other than small game.
I have other AR's in 6.5 Grendel, .50 Beowulf and .308 that will do the job much better and are much more forgiving when your pig decides to take a step as you pull the trigger causing you to make a less than perfect shot and trust me it will happen more than you think.
Nothing wrong with hunting using AR's and I do it almost exclusively but as I said I keep my AR's in .223 for paper killing and let the big boys do the grocery shopping.
I have other AR's in 6.5 Grendel, .50 Beowulf and .308 that will do the job much better and are much more forgiving when your pig decides to take a step as you pull the trigger causing you to make a less than perfect shot and trust me it will happen more than you think.
Nothing wrong with hunting using AR's and I do it almost exclusively but as I said I keep my AR's in .223 for paper killing and let the big boys do the grocery shopping.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
No, shot placement along with trajectory and penetration are the keys with EVERY caliber.
Here is my new favorite example. Shot placement is great at 4:20 in the video, or would have been, but trajectory and penetration turned out poor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRbmS5ZRvUs&list=UUnLqchsJrqb56KHqyl_acrQ&index=1&feature=plcp
The maker of the video does like larger calibers such as .308 which seems to be his preference.
To shoot through the skull with a just behind the ear shot will require some work. If you are directly left or right and shooting level, behind the ear will likely result in behind the skull because the ear is located almost at the very back of the skull. So if you include the width of the external pinna (ear), a shot behind the ear can literally be behind the skull.
This downward angled shot did catch the vertebrae and was behind the ear, and even clipped the ear, but completely missed the back of the skull.
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