going wild boar hunting
- Thread starter osiclay
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darkknight
Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2006
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a rifle would be best but ur mossy will do fine with slugs.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
A 30/30 Lever rifle is a great Bore gun so if you have access to one you will enjoy yourself a lot. {BTW, they are fast so you might want to strap on your Ruger as a backup}
tbtrout
Member
The slugs will be fine, just practice at hitting a moving target. Don't know where you are hunting,but sometimes these things start hunting you. Your 9mm is useless. I have heard stories about people using 9mm before anyone jumps on my case, but it still a whimpy cartridge and when you are staring at 200 lbs of charging 10 inch tusks, you will wish you hd more firepower.
Nimble1
Member
The 12 gauge will work fine. As far as the pistol, I've shot and killed hogs with 22's but I would take the heaviest that you have. I use to carry a 357 when I hunted hogs. We were limited to using pistols where we hunted and the 357 was the heaviest pistol I had at the time.
patentnonsense
Member
Depends a lot on where you are - and whether you have the restraint not to take a shot if you get a look at a 500 pounder. (Texas record is over 1000 pounds.)
I like 375HH, but a 44 Mag carbine or 30 30 will work fine for most pigs.
I like 375HH, but a 44 Mag carbine or 30 30 will work fine for most pigs.
HKUSP45C
Member
I too am going for my first Texas hunt in May. I have a .308 and a 12Ga at my disposal. I was gonna take the .308 and my HK as a backup in .45 ... will that be sufficient?
The Real Hawkeye
member
I like either a .30-30 lever action (170 grain Core-Lokt) or .30-06 bolt action (220 grain Core-Lokt). Both should have open sights. Never bring a scoped rifle to a boar hunt. I always also pack a revolver in a substantial caliber, loaded with heavy hard cast bullets just in case. People have been known to get seriously injured hunting boar. Your rifle could malfunction. Good luck, and have a great time. Boar hunting with dogs can be a real blast. Any other way is just harvesting meat.
HKUSP45C
Member
The Real Hawkeye said:
Why?
rangerruck
Member
mossy and slugs equal big fun.
The Real Hawkeye
member
Well, I guess I should modify that a little. If you are in a stand, or shooting them at a distance, then a scope is fine, but traditionally boar are hunted with dogs, which means you will be right in the mix of it, which means close range. If you are being charged by a boar, you do not want a scoped rifle. I don't think I need to explain why, do I?
I was on a boar hunt with dogs once, and my partner had a scoped .270 Winchester bolt action rifle. I had a lever action with open sights. I dropped my boar with one shot to the front chest while the dogs were fighting him. My friend, who is ordinarily an excellent marksman, shot his in the gut, spilling its intestines all over the ground. The boar was running around with its guts hanging out, and probably could have still injured someone. If he had charged, he would have had a real hard time making his rifle work for him in close range self defense. At the distances you hunt boar, a scoped rifle is a handicap.
romma
Member
osiclay, are you hunting from a blind? If so, I would reccomend .260 or better... Scope is fine hunting from an elevated position in a blind.
I, too, plan on going boar hunting in the spring. After talking to many different people, I've decided on some SERIOUS firepower. Yes, I know that many people hunt them with handguns or .223 (and one friend took a 250#er with a bow), BUT the people that have actually been there said that you really, really don't want to be under gunned (We're talking boar up to 400#, here---big enough to do some serious damage to you if you tick them off). So, I'll be taking a custom Mauser in 8mm-06 (and red dot sight), with a .35 Remington as backup. (lots of close-range brush hunting (no dogs allowed) so a scope is almost a liability). I'm disable, and can't move very fast, so I gotta be able to "defend myself."
In short, stick with the slug gun.
In short, stick with the slug gun.
Texas Colt
Member
I've hunted Texas boars several times and the longest shot I've ever made was about 25 yards. Boar hunting tends to be up close and personal. It's a blast!
I've used a 12 gauge pump with slugs, Winchester 94 in 32 Winchester Special and Winchester 1886 in 45-70. All with open sights. All did the job just fine. I also carry my 45 Colt revolver as a backup.
I'm going again in February and will hunt with my Winchester 94 Trapper in 44 magnum.
I've seen hogs hit with multiple shots from a 45 ACP that kept right on going and were never found. These critters are tough! Be prepared! It's always better to have too much gun than not enough.
I've used a 12 gauge pump with slugs, Winchester 94 in 32 Winchester Special and Winchester 1886 in 45-70. All with open sights. All did the job just fine. I also carry my 45 Colt revolver as a backup.
I'm going again in February and will hunt with my Winchester 94 Trapper in 44 magnum.
I've seen hogs hit with multiple shots from a 45 ACP that kept right on going and were never found. These critters are tough! Be prepared! It's always better to have too much gun than not enough.
MCgunner
Member
If I have a rifle, I never worry much about "back up". If you wound one and have to blood trail it, a handgun is sometimes easier to use in heavy brush, though. I'd take nothing short of a .41 magnum, myself. All those pop gun auto pistol calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP are worthless on a big boar except if you can make a head shot. If you have a 10mm, that would be the autoloader exception, and then with heavy loads.
A .308, a .30-30, a .243, a .45-70, a .30-06, IOW, a deer rifle is appropriate for hogs. Use a little tougher bullet on the big stuff. I like Barnes or Nolser Partitions. Shotguns are for dove hunting.
You could use a slug, but I don't mess with slug guns. Rifles are far more effective hunting arms. If I'm going to limit myself by choice, I'll take my Contender pistol in .30-30 or my .45 Colt.
Hogs ain't man killers and they ain't THAT hard to kill. Just like bear, I hear all sorts of legends about big hogs. Main thing is, use a good bullet, one that penetrates, and put it on the shoulder or head, not behind the shoulder. There is nothing, but guts behind the shoulder. Hogs can be dangerous, especially wounded, but they're not man eaters. I know a guy that got ripped from his belly button to his right nipple, but he was stabbin' a 350 lb hog with a knife at the time. IOW, he was askin' for it. I've been out with guys with hog dogs before, kinda nuts if you ask me. They can't get at ya if you're in a 10 foot tripod stand.
A .308, a .30-30, a .243, a .45-70, a .30-06, IOW, a deer rifle is appropriate for hogs. Use a little tougher bullet on the big stuff. I like Barnes or Nolser Partitions. Shotguns are for dove hunting.
You could use a slug, but I don't mess with slug guns. Rifles are far more effective hunting arms. If I'm going to limit myself by choice, I'll take my Contender pistol in .30-30 or my .45 Colt.Hogs ain't man killers and they ain't THAT hard to kill. Just like bear, I hear all sorts of legends about big hogs. Main thing is, use a good bullet, one that penetrates, and put it on the shoulder or head, not behind the shoulder. There is nothing, but guts behind the shoulder. Hogs can be dangerous, especially wounded, but they're not man eaters. I know a guy that got ripped from his belly button to his right nipple, but he was stabbin' a 350 lb hog with a knife at the time. IOW, he was askin' for it. I've been out with guys with hog dogs before, kinda nuts if you ask me. They can't get at ya if you're in a 10 foot tripod stand.
MrTwigg
Member
Think on this myself...
So while this theread is going on, speaking about handguns, what about a .44 Mag or S&W .500 ? From what I've read the .44 might be spot on but would the .500 be too much ?
So while this theread is going on, speaking about handguns, what about a .44 Mag or S&W .500 ? From what I've read the .44 might be spot on but would the .500 be too much ?
JP1954
Member
I've never hunted hogs so I'm no expert. I have watched two on tv rip a Leopard a new orifice for charging the baby pigs. I have also seen them while dirt bike riding. The ones I saw were big dudes. That being said,
If I were you I don't think I would want to take a 40cal semi or 9mm semi for hunting these things. I would use the 12 gauge with high penetration slugs. I hear from folks here that Brenneke slugs are among the best for penetration and stopping power. If you do decide to take the 40 cal or 9mm make sure to file off the front sight. I hear it won't hurt as much when the hog shoves it up your orifice.
If I were you I don't think I would want to take a 40cal semi or 9mm semi for hunting these things. I would use the 12 gauge with high penetration slugs. I hear from folks here that Brenneke slugs are among the best for penetration and stopping power. If you do decide to take the 40 cal or 9mm make sure to file off the front sight. I hear it won't hurt as much when the hog shoves it up your orifice.
MCgunner
Member
.44 mag is a good hunting handgun for hogs. Use a heavy hard cast flat point bullet for penetration. .40 is definitely light for the job. I think it starts with .41 mag, though I've shot smaller ones with the .357 while deer hunting. But a big bruiser definitely justifies a .41 or .44 or .45 Colt in revolvers. When I'm hog hunting and carry back up, I generally have my 4 5/8" .45 Colt Blackhawk pushing a 300 grain bullet to 1150 fps for backup just in case I get into a blood trailing deal on a big boar. But, I'm normally picking on smaller hogs. The big ones don't eat as good. I've let a 300+ lb hog walk by my stand before. Just not into havin' to butcher that beeoch and the meat ain't as good. I'd rather have a nice 100-150 lb sow, tell ya the truth. BBQ is what hog hunting is about to me.
A .500 would be more than enough on hogs, but I don't consider it "too much". Heck, I know guys that shoot .300 and .338 mags on big hogs figurin' too much is better'n not enough.
I've let a 300+ lb hog walk by my stand before. Just not into havin' to butcher that beeoch and the meat ain't as good. I'd rather have a nice 100-150 lb sow, tell ya the truth. BBQ is what hog hunting is about to me.A .500 would be more than enough on hogs, but I don't consider it "too much". Heck, I know guys that shoot .300 and .338 mags on big hogs figurin' too much is better'n not enough.
Sharps-shooter
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- Joined
- Nov 7, 2006
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- 488
I have killed a boar with a 22 rifle. It was a head shot, and it didn't die instantly, just kind of bucked and fell over. But it didn't go anywhere either. I think the funnest part of hunting wild hogs is scouting them out. where I am they live in the woods and feed on mast, much like deer. they can be sneaky. The last one I took was in North Dakota, on BLM land, and no one had ever heard of wild hogs existing there. had a nice set of tusks, too.
If I were to go hunting them again, which I haven't done in many years, I would use a .30 or better. (personally, I'd use a 45-70 sharps rifle, but that's more than is truly necessary).
If I were to go hunting them again, which I haven't done in many years, I would use a .30 or better. (personally, I'd use a 45-70 sharps rifle, but that's more than is truly necessary).
I've been tossin' the idea around for a year or two myself. My son and a brother-in-law would also enjoy it.
I'm thinking that a .54 cal. muzzle-loader ought to be a fine rifle for piggies. I would, of course, back it up with a .44 mag Model 29.
A fairly hard 400-grain mini-ball should shoot pert'near through a fair to middlin' porker. The rifle is a TC Black Mountain Magnum; 110 grains of Pyrodex gives the best accuracy with a heavy Black Belt bullet. It's not like we're plannin' on 200-yard shots.
I'm thinking that East Texas or Arkansas should be good, eh?
jb
I'm thinking that a .54 cal. muzzle-loader ought to be a fine rifle for piggies. I would, of course, back it up with a .44 mag Model 29.
A fairly hard 400-grain mini-ball should shoot pert'near through a fair to middlin' porker. The rifle is a TC Black Mountain Magnum; 110 grains of Pyrodex gives the best accuracy with a heavy Black Belt bullet. It's not like we're plannin' on 200-yard shots.
I'm thinking that East Texas or Arkansas should be good, eh?
jb
El Tejon
Member
Go with a long guns. Lots of good choices. Pick the one you shoot best.
I used a a Ruger M77 in 6.5 Swede in Texas in 2004. I would go with a ghost ring or low power optic as you may be shooting in close and in a hurry.
I used a a Ruger M77 in 6.5 Swede in Texas in 2004. I would go with a ghost ring or low power optic as you may be shooting in close and in a hurry.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I hunt boar on foot with a scoped rifle all the time. The key is not the presence/absence of an optic; it's how low the optic can go in magnification if you choose to use one, and how well you can shoot it and still maintain situational awareness. This feral hog, for example, weighed in at 500lbs or better and was well over six feet long. First shot was taken at less than 10 yards with a scoped AR15 in 7.62x39. The chambering may have been a little light (a total of four shots were needed, with the first three in quick succession) but the optic was fine.
I am partial to 1.5x-6x as a good all-around optic, but I've never found myself wishing for a different setup when using my scoutified leverguns with 2.5x scout scopes. YMMV - there are precious few absolutes.
Given the weapons listed, I'd take the Mossberg, so long as it's got a relatively short barrel (no 28"-30" tubes) and you're comfortable with it.
Most boar up to 250lb are fine eating, and even the bigger ones can be quite yummy if they're not too 'feral' yet. The one pictured above had great flavor, but the meat needed to be cooked slowly to keep it from getting too tough.
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