Hog hunting with a Lever action carbine!

[Heavy Metal Hero]

I am recently fascinated with the sport of hog hunting, but I have a few questions. How effective would it be to hunt with say a Marlin lever action in .357 Magnum? I have read mixed reviews and I wanted the opinion of THR hunters. I am open to suggestions on guns but right now I am looking at lever action guns in a pistol caliber. Thanks.

 

[phantomak47]

I would step it up a bit to atleast a 30/30 others may disagree, but as an old timer once told me. Use Enough Gun.

 

[Brian Williams]

I would use full-tilt and boogie 158 LSWC or 180 JSP. That should put down most hogs and remember that the heart is real low in the chest of a pig.

 

[rbernie]

You really are going to want to use the heaviest, hardest bullets that you can get to reliably feed in the carbine. In my opinion (having hunted hogs with 30-30 and 7.62x39 carbines myself), you're going to be right on the raggedy edge with a .357 Mag if you encounter anything much over 250lbs.

remember that the heart is real low in the chest of a pig.

This is a fact - the hog's heart is right close to the shoulder, far lower than a deer. That means that, depending on the angle, you may have to bust through shoulder bones to get to the heart, if a heart shot is what you desire. That, coupled with the gristle plate around the ribs that the hogs start to develop when they reach 200lb-250lbs, is what might make the 357 Magnum a marginal choice.

You need to be picky on what/how you shoot (go for hogs under 200lbs and avoid front quartering shots) and I'd run a hardcast lead 180gr bullet if at all possible. If you can do those two things, the 357 Magnum in a carbine should work out OK (if not optimally).

 

[ZeSpectre]

Never hunted Hog, couldn't say much. Here's an article someone else wrote on Hog hunting With a Rossi 92 in .357

 

[saddlebum]

i use a marlin in 41 mag alot on hogs . 210gr bullets and have killed 20 pounders - 300 pounders. always under a hundred yards and shoot them in the head if i can. .357 will work but like others have said use a heavy bullet.

i killed one with a s&w 19 and 125gr hydrashoks right in the ear at 25yds.

 

[gunslinger15]

I just got to try out my new marlin 336 in 35rem on some hogs this passed weekend. Very fun hard hitting gun. All of my shots were between 40 and 130 yards. The 200gr cor-lokt did its job better then i could have dreamed. All shots had a huge exit wound !!! very cool. DEFINATLY going to be my first choice pig gun from now on.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Thanks for the replies. Like I said I haven't made an official choice.

 

[mete]

A 45-70 is one of the best choices !! The really big pigs especially the european type have that armor plate on the sides .It can be a thick as 2" !!! There is a neat photo of one of these in another forum - 300gr woodleigh soft point in a 375 H&H didn't exit !!!

 

[VerrySavage]

I don't hunt Pigs this far north, but I am big into Spring Bear hunting with my Marlin lever action .444 caliber, from point blank range out to 200 yards, what I shoot at dies, I for one do not put much faith in pistol calibers for hunting.

 

[T.R.]

This boar absorbed a direct chest hit from my .308 and 180 grain soft tip bullet. He was knocked off his feet at the shot but bounced back and charged in a straight line for about four pick-up lengths. Then he fell over and roared in anger. I finished him with my revolver.

I would not hunt these stout creatures with a handgun unless I had reliable back up from an experienced guide. Your safety is worth considering.

Wild boar are not built the same as deer at all. Their hides and bones are thicker. The heart is lower in the chest and lungs are smaller. Boar have charged hunters and hurt them badly although this event is quite rare in North America. Be Prepared!

TR

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Hell I might as well just use a Mosin Nagant!

 

[Winger Ed.]

If I had to choose between the two--- I'd pick the Nagant for shooting hogs.

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