Gun options for hogs?

[Rem700SD]

This is how my selection of rifles stands atm:
AR-15 carbine 16" bbl or 24" bull bbl, both threaded for suppressor
Rem700 .308 17"bbl w/ a can(26" total bbl length)
Rem 700 .300WM 26"bbl, can be used with or without can
In addition I could use My dad's stuff;
12 gauge pump w/ long bbl
lever action 30-30 top ejection

optics options include a Trijicon 3-9 scope, Leupold 3.5-10, and a nightforce 12-42x56mm w/ illuminated mil-dot(red), and a Simmons 3-9.

I've never really hunted before, but there's a hog problem that's much larger than usual on my parents' farm in east Texas. They've seen as many as 30 hogs at once feeding at the CATTLE feeders. Bear in mind that these are drought conditions, so hog environmental impact is exacerbated immensely. I'd like to put a dent in this population if at all possible on my days off.
Here's where it gets gun related! I intend to bait in a creek bottom that is overlooked from a ridgeline approximately 200-250 yds away, and make my shot(s) from there. Of my meager arsenal, what combination/strategy should I use? I have some spare funds atm, so I could make a new purchase if I had to...
Dan

 

[springmom]

bring bullets...lots of bullets

If your family has that much of a hog problem, be aware that you may find yourself with not one hog to shoot but a herd of them. They get right down irritable and an irritated hog is not a happy thing.

Do you have a tree stand? I'd recommend hunting from one. That said, I would think almost everything you have there would be fine. I think I'd leave out anything that has a suppressor, just because you don't want to scare them to death, you want to shoot them LOL

And because the hubster and I are looking to get out and do some hog hunting, if you're really interested in clearing some of those nasties off their property, we'd love to come help. We're in Spring. We'd love to get some for the meat, and it would help your folks. Let me know if you're interested.

Springmom, always helpful, especially when it can fill our freezer too

 

[mountain_cowboy]

There's no need for any new weapons. Any of the ones you listed, except for the AR, would work fine. The distance and shot placement would vary for each. If I were you, I'd take that .308 with the can and Leupold attached, back off about 200-250 yards and go to work. Hogs aren't too skittish, and with the can, at a distance, you should be able to pop them in the head or neck all day without the group getting too loose.

 

[Rem700SD]

Thanks for the advice, Springmom! As it so happens, there's a tree stand in that very proximity. It's a prime deer hunting vantage. My real issue, as I see it, is baiting them to that area. I'm hoping sour mash will do the trick. I saw about a dozen or so in the area 2 years or so ago, and fresh root sign in the area.
I'm leaning toward the AR atm, maybe with my beta-c attached. Right now that one has the Trijicon on it in case it's a night shoot. I'm still oscillating between hunting and eradication mindset. Those snouts are doing a real plow job on our pastures, and I'm concerned about the deer getting enough foriage(and I don't even hunt! go figure) I'd like to trap them, but I only get to go home once every few months, it seems.

 

[epijunkie67]

If you are shooting from 200-250 yards then the shotgun is out. The 30-30 is almost out since that range is a little far unless your pretty familiar with bullet drop at that range. You might also pick up some of that new leverevolution ammo from hornady, in which case I think the 30-30 might do OK, though you have better options.

I'd avoid the short AR due to velocity lose and animal size.

If I was in your shoes I'd probably go with the .308 although the 300 would do just as well. I think you'd get excellent performance out of either in this situation.

 

[Preacherman]

There's a very extensive discussion of this subject here, in our Hunting forum, that will probably give you most of the answers you need.

 

[rbernie]

Be advised that I do not believe that can hunt with a can in Texas. That leaves the Rem700 in 300WM as your best choice. Choose loads that are slower and heavier, and you'll do FINE.

My experience is that the hogs will not disperse at the first shot, but (if baited) will continue to root and feed as their ranks are thinned. Bring lots of ammo. Oh, and elevation is your friend.

 

[GarrettJ]

Be advised that I do not believe that can hunt with a can in Texas.

While I have no direct experience hunting in TX, I understand that silencers are onlly illegal to hunt "game" animals with, and that TX does not consider wild hogs to be "game" animals.

Check with Toad over on subguns.com. I believe he's in TX and has some knowledge of local regulations.

 

[rbernie]

From http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/licenses/

A hunting license is not required to hunt the following:
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/

Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:
firearms equipped with silencers or sound-suppressing devices are NOT LEGAL.

Nongame Animals (Non-Protected): Any lawful firearm, pellet gun, or other air gun is legal.

And finally, at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/game/

Game Animals: White-tailed deer, Mule deer, Desert bighorn sheep Pronghorn antelope, Gray or cat squirre,l Red or fox squirrel, Collared peccary or javelina

IANAL, but the implication (and not direct statement) is that feral hogs are not considered 'game animals' and therefore MAY be hunted with a firearm equipped with a can.

You can always call TPWD @ (800) 792-1112 and ask...

 

[browningguy]

I agree any but the AR's are appropriate. However, a .50 Beowulf upper makes a mighty fine hog gun.

To shoot a bunch of them it's easiest to shoot at night. Good optics or a strong light and you can poke a bunch of them.

 

[Rem700SD]

Thanks for the input guys! I got a copy of the regs when I got the license. I don't think a license is necessary, but $23 is cheap compared to an attorny. I believe it's anything goes for hogs, as this is a non-game animal, and this is a nuisance/depradation case. I didn't list my full auto options, as I want this humane, and not a bloody mess. I've met Toad from subguns; I'll see if I can look up his ph#.
Should I carry a light mounted 9mm or a .45 as a BUG or is that pointless? I'm getting from this also that the AR .223 is not enough bullet?
Edit: thanks Preacherman, I didn't see the Hunting section before..:banghead:

 

[pauli]

223 might be enough, and it might not be, depending on the size of the piggies. however, there's no "might" in "use enough gun." assuming you intend to be ethical about the matter, make sure you've got something that can put them down humanely. it sounds like you've got an opportunity to setup shop, so you might as well bring a couple rifles.

based on what i see people writing in the hunting forum, half the pigs in texas are under 30lbs, and the other half are big enough to require license plates

 

[MechAg94]

I was thinking .223 might be fine for eradication purposes, but it may not be humane for a quick kill I guess.

I would use my M1A, but that is me.

 

[rbernie]

Based on my hog hunting experiences in north Texas, the feral hogs generally range between 75lb and 130lb. My 30-30 with Sierra 150gr bullets was more than enough gun, at least at 40 yards.