Hog hunting with Mossberg 590

[igotta40]

I need advice on hunting feral hogs with a Mossy 590. As far as ammo, are slugs best? If so, what is the effective range? Or is it not a good idea? I have used a centerfire rifle, but curious about using a 12 gauge.

 

[Snyper]

I'd use nothing but slugs and keep the range under 75 yds if possible.
I'd prefer most any rifle over a shotgun though

 

[igotta40]

That's what I thought, but why the preference?

 

[Flintknapper]

Slugs are the only way to go, unless shots would be under 25 yds. in which case some buckshot loads might be OK on smaller hogs.

I'd keep shots with slugs under 75 yds. (50 would be better). Slugs lose velocity and energy quickly, but the real limiting factor with slugs will be 'accuracy'.

From a smoothbore...accuracy can vary wildly one manufacturer to the next, so choose a couple of different loads and see how they group.

If you have an appropriate centerfire rifle...that is what I'd go with hands down.

 

[igotta40]

I'm a beginner at this. I shot two last week with a Tikka .270. One went down with a single shot in the shoulder, but he ran about 50 feet. The second one took a shot through the shoulders, turned and ran towards me and took two more head on before he dropped. It looked like a shot went into its mouth and exited above its rear leg. Both were about 120 lbs. Dad said the .270 too small, too fast. Range was about 60 yards.

So the reason I ask about using shotgun for close range is because the .270 seems to be better for long range.

I also have an M1 Garand, which might prove to be just the ticket.

 

[FL-NC]

If you are going to use a shotgun slugs would probably be best if you can shoot them well through yours. Buckshot spreads too big for longer shots, so you may miss opportunities that you could have got with a slug vs buckshot. But if you're going to "slug it out", may as well carry a few buckshot with you to load in your gun in case you need to walk up a runner that may only be wounded, and maybe a birdshot round or 2 for snakes (so you don't waste buck on a stupid snake). All that being said, I personally like to use either a 5.56 AR or a 30-30 for piggys (or a big knife- as long as Mr. pit bull is holding Mr. Piggy by the face).

 

[Patocazador]

I use buckshot in a full choke but most of the shots here are less than 50 yards.

 

[TimSr]

I haven't seen 12 gauge slugs used on hogs, but from a former "shotgun only" deer state, nothing is more devastating on deer at close range than a 1 oz soft lead foster slug. Try several different brands to see what groups best in your gun. Most do better in more open chokes.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I also have an M1 Garand, which might prove to be just the ticket.

I used to hunt my Garand... a lot!

One of the best things you can do - if you're up to replacing the rear sight aperture - is to get a spare one and modify it to a "V" or "U" shaped open rear sight. Mine was a bit of a modified "Buckhorn" in the end.

Gigantic difference in pick-up and tracking of moving critters.


Todd.

 

[Newtosavage]

I've killed a lot of hogs in my life. Many with shotguns and I always prefer slugs to buckshot. In fact, I would grab a shotgun with slugs before I would most rifles, esp. if there is any brush at all.

Nothing will drop them quicker.

 

[Tactical Lever]

I'm a beginner at this. I shot two last week with a Tikka .270. One went down with a single shot in the shoulder, but he ran about 50 feet. The second one took a shot through the shoulders, turned and ran towards me and took two more head on before he dropped. It looked like a shot went into its mouth and exited above its rear leg. Both were about 120 lbs. Dad said the .270 too small, too fast. Range was about 60 yards.

So the reason I ask about using shotgun for close range is because the .270 seems to be better for long range.

I also have an M1 Garand, which might prove to be just the ticket.

Not sure if it applies in this case, but hog anatomy is different than deer. Some animals will run a short distance, but if anything a .270 is overkill. If you wish to use a shotgun a modified choke works best (for most) with large buckshot. And for slugs; Foster type hollow base slugs are very poor penetrators.

And just my preference, but I would prefer the better sights of a rifle, or low powered scope. And probably use a .44 magnum lever with 10 or 11 shells on board.