Hog Rifle
- Thread starter mbt2001
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Got to take issue there, Blade.
Ijust happened to see a man put down a hog with a Model 94, 150 grain round nose at about 50 yards...one shot! The bullet lodged (stopped) under the skin on the far side. Ergo, if a .30-30 Win. could do that at 2,200 FPS, then so could have a .30-06 at 3,000 FPS. I have also seen big hogs drop to 130 grain 270 Win. at 3,100 FPS (one shot). My favorite, was the 525 pounder I shot twice with my .375 H&H, with 300 grain Nosler partitions...it took 4 minutes + to expire and ran more than 200 yards. Any how, 150 grain will do, and so can 30-06, though I do admit I prefer the 180 grain.
Doc2005
Ijust happened to see a man put down a hog with a Model 94, 150 grain round nose at about 50 yards...one shot! The bullet lodged (stopped) under the skin on the far side. Ergo, if a .30-30 Win. could do that at 2,200 FPS, then so could have a .30-06 at 3,000 FPS. I have also seen big hogs drop to 130 grain 270 Win. at 3,100 FPS (one shot). My favorite, was the 525 pounder I shot twice with my .375 H&H, with 300 grain Nosler partitions...it took 4 minutes + to expire and ran more than 200 yards. Any how, 150 grain will do, and so can 30-06, though I do admit I prefer the 180 grain.
Doc2005
formerflyer
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Doc2005 said:
Two factors here that people frequently overlook or aren’t aware of. First is that not all bullets are created equal. Standard deer bullets (non-bonded cores, ballistic tips, sierras, etc. .) are famously poor at achieving deep penetration in tough critters. The same weight bullet with premium construction will go much, much deeper.
Second, most bullets have an optimal impact speed for deepest penetration. Beyond that optimal speed they actually have less penetration, as the bullet deforms (mushrooms) farther and deposits its energy sooner. This is sometimes called the “Splash Effect”. The famous Professional Hunter and veterinarian Kevin Robertson has dissected thousands of game animals to examine bullet performance, and has noted this very consistently. If I remember correctly, he feels that the optimum impact velocity is somewhere between 2200 and 2500 fps, depending on bullet construction. He advises his clients coming to hunt for buffalo and elephant with .375’s to load them down to about 2400 fps at the muzzle to insure maximum penetration.
Given these two factors, I’m not surprised that a .30-’06 with an unspecified bullet penetrated less than a .30-30. Faster always means more energy, but it doesn’t always mean better. Bullets that fail to reach the vitals do not perform well.
carolinaman
Member
Hi there,
I went Hog Hunting a couple of years back at The Chesnut Lodge up in Taylorsville, NC with a group of three guys. We all had kills and this is what we used:
Two of us used 1895 Marlin Guide Guns in 45/70.
One of us used a Marlin 336 in 30/30.
One of us used a Remington 700 in 7mm Remington Mag.
Our common after action hunting critique was, "use enough gun" and then use a decent "cartridge".
Chris
I went Hog Hunting a couple of years back at The Chesnut Lodge up in Taylorsville, NC with a group of three guys. We all had kills and this is what we used:
Two of us used 1895 Marlin Guide Guns in 45/70.
One of us used a Marlin 336 in 30/30.
One of us used a Remington 700 in 7mm Remington Mag.
Our common after action hunting critique was, "use enough gun" and then use a decent "cartridge".
Chris
I think it can be agreed upon that it's all about shot placement. Blanket statements such as "A 150gr Deer load will not kill a hog" is assanine. If you get a vitals shot on just about any animal with just about any caliber the animal will go down. I hate myself for saying this but didn't O'Conner kill an elephant with a .270? Hell it could probably be done with a .224 cal with the right bullet.
Personally I would think anything .243 or above would work just fine, of course a .30 or larger would be ideal. If I had one to pick i'd be a 338-378 Weatherby, there would be no second guessing if you brought enough gun.
Personally I would think anything .243 or above would work just fine, of course a .30 or larger would be ideal. If I had one to pick i'd be a 338-378 Weatherby, there would be no second guessing if you brought enough gun.
I have killed two hogs with two different rifles. First one was with a Marlin 336 in 30-30. Shot hog first time about 30 yards away with no noticeable effect. Second shot about 15 yards away and hog dropped in his tracks in the middle of a small creek. Had to pull hog out of water. Both shots hit on left and right side of snout. Don't know which was first shot. Both shots penetrated from jowls back into neck/shoulders. Both bullets expanded properly. Was getting ready to climb tree. Bullet was Sierra 150 gr. FP reloaded. Second hog killed was with a 280 Rem with Nosler 160 gr Partition. Shot running hog from about 75 yards. Hit on hog's right shoulder just below and behind joint. Hog dropped instantly and skidded to stop with mouth open and dirt in mouth. Bullet penetrated all the way thru hog. Exit wound on hog's left side would have left a good blood trail but wasn't necessary. I would feel OK about hunting hogs with either rifle again but later found and purchased a Winchester 94 in 375 Win caliber. I would probably use this 375 if I was hunting hogs with dogs again.
Matt Dillon
Member
Folks, my son and I want to hunt hogs in Sam Houston National forest near New Waverly TX. He was planning on using our AK-47, with Hornady VMAX hand loads, and I was hoping to use our Mosin Nagant M44 with 150 grain hand loads. Will we be undergunned? Thanks in advance for your reply, Matt Dillon
OK, I did a double-take that an AK47 is enough gun for a hog, but I think I got it now. An AK or 30-30 is enough IF packed with a deep penetrating projectile. An 06 shooting .30 bullets much faster is plenty enough gun, IF loaded with deep penetrating projectiles, for which 150gr deer loads may not qualify.
Right???
Right???
armoredman
Member
M44 is the PERFECT hog rifle. Great heavy hitting bullets, the 203 gr hunting loads might be the perfect thing. And, if you run out, the attached bayonet makes the carbine into an instant boar spear. I am considering an M44 for just that purpose.
From a non-hog-hunter (yet), but based on the opinions of those I respect:
Minimum: .357 Magnum, with the heaviest bullet pushed as fast as you safely can, preferably out of a carbine.
Maximum: Whatever you shoot well.
That about cover it?
I'd go pig hunting here in CA with my 1894C, with the right load. But, depending on how much walking I was looking forward to, I might choose the M-44 Mosin-Nagant. The M-44's got a bunch more power, the 1894 is much easier to carry across miles of open country, and much faster on follow-up shots. Which I might well need.
When I get my 45-70 levergun, that'd be the gun.
--Shannon
Minimum: .357 Magnum, with the heaviest bullet pushed as fast as you safely can, preferably out of a carbine.
Maximum: Whatever you shoot well.
That about cover it?
I'd go pig hunting here in CA with my 1894C, with the right load. But, depending on how much walking I was looking forward to, I might choose the M-44 Mosin-Nagant. The M-44's got a bunch more power, the 1894 is much easier to carry across miles of open country, and much faster on follow-up shots. Which I might well need.
When I get my 45-70 levergun, that'd be the gun.
--Shannon
Lummox
Member
50 Beowulf
.50 Beowulf AR15 by Alexander Arms
400gr @ 1900fps Semi automatic 4,7, and 10 round magazines.
It is one of the best Hog Thumpers out there. There are some photos on this website of a guy who took a Moose down with the same rifle.
http://www.50beowulf.com
.50 Beowulf AR15 by Alexander Arms
400gr @ 1900fps Semi automatic 4,7, and 10 round magazines.
It is one of the best Hog Thumpers out there. There are some photos on this website of a guy who took a Moose down with the same rifle.
http://www.50beowulf.com
Deer Hunter
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The .50 Beowulf is a great bullet, but I wouldn't be the one forking out the cash for it.
If and when I do go on a hog hunt, I'd use a DSA FAL in .308 with 180 grain bullets, with a 10mm automatic pistol with 15 bullets of Double Tap ammunition that I will pray I wont have to use.
If and when I do go on a hog hunt, I'd use a DSA FAL in .308 with 180 grain bullets, with a 10mm automatic pistol with 15 bullets of Double Tap ammunition that I will pray I wont have to use.
I used to spend time on a hunting forum and there was one fellow who shot a lot of hogs with a 22/250.Matt G said:
His comment was: "When I whisper in his ear with my 22/250 that he's dead, a hog always believes me!"
I have killed a 200+ boar and a 200-ish sow with .30-06 150 gr. Win PP deer loads. both in the boiler room, both went right down. first hog, bullet smashed the shoulder and arm on the way in and did not exit. pon the second hog, the bullet exited. through and through on a wild, feral, nasty hog.
my friend shot two also. one in the head, the other in the boiler room, both with 165-gr. .30-06 deer loads. both were through-and-through.
yes hogs are tough, I saw one shot in the hindquarters a few times working its way towards the guy still shooting at it with a .357 mag. that hog did not intend to clock out by itself if there was anything it could do about it. no squealing, no nothing, but determination.
I will put up my 150-gr. win. deer loads up against any hog in CA, and any hog 300 or under anywhere else.
my friend shot two also. one in the head, the other in the boiler room, both with 165-gr. .30-06 deer loads. both were through-and-through.
yes hogs are tough, I saw one shot in the hindquarters a few times working its way towards the guy still shooting at it with a .357 mag. that hog did not intend to clock out by itself if there was anything it could do about it. no squealing, no nothing, but determination.
I will put up my 150-gr. win. deer loads up against any hog in CA, and any hog 300 or under anywhere else.
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mbt2001 said:
Well I guess I'll fire up the stove here..........
I've had far smaller hogs stop a .375H&H 270 gr X bullet. MANY times.
I didn't say the hog failed to stop I said the he stopped the bullet just like the poster above. I can almost promise you no 150 gr .308 bullet would exit on a TRUE 400lber. PERIOD!
Not with that shot placement anyway. A smaller hog yes but not a tough old grizzled up 400 lb boar.
Speaking from experience here guys. And that was with a premium bullet at very close range.
This doesn't imply what a good hog rifle it make. It implies that big old boars especially older ones with a tough cartilage shield are notorious bullet stoppers.
Greg
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Charles S
Member
Greg good information.
I killed a reasonable sized hog earlier this week I would guess it around 175# but I did not weigh him.
I shot this Boar while walking in a clear cut dove hunting. I changed loads and shot him 2 times at 9 yards with 3 inch double ought buck shot. I shot him, with excellent shot placement in the head, and then in the neck. Neither of these shots showed any signs of slowing him down at all. I shot him in the head with a 145 grain Silver Tip bullet out of my Ruger SP101 and it dropped him where he was standing, I must say he was rather upset with me at the time.
I will never shoot another hog with buckshot.
Charles
I killed a reasonable sized hog earlier this week I would guess it around 175# but I did not weigh him.
I shot this Boar while walking in a clear cut dove hunting. I changed loads and shot him 2 times at 9 yards with 3 inch double ought buck shot. I shot him, with excellent shot placement in the head, and then in the neck. Neither of these shots showed any signs of slowing him down at all. I shot him in the head with a 145 grain Silver Tip bullet out of my Ruger SP101 and it dropped him where he was standing, I must say he was rather upset with me at the time.
I will never shoot another hog with buckshot.
Charles
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MCgunner
Member
It's all in the bullet. After killing several hogs with my .308, I have confidence in the Barnes X 140 grain boat tail It penetrates! I have a 7 mag I sometimes use for night hunts on hog, load it with 160 Nosler partition. But, I consider it overkill. The scope is a 44 mm objective, though, and gathers light really well.
I load with Nosler Ballistic Tip 150s for deer in that .308, but I want a penetrating bullet for hog. I've seen well over 300 lb hogs skinned and that shield they have is pretty much armor plate. Biggest I've taken was shy of 300 lbs, but totally penetrated both sides through the shoulders.
DON'T shoot behind the shoulders. Unlike deer, all their lungs and vitals and everything is between the scapula. If you try for a "lung shot" behind the shoulder, you're just going to get guts.
I load with Nosler Ballistic Tip 150s for deer in that .308, but I want a penetrating bullet for hog. I've seen well over 300 lb hogs skinned and that shield they have is pretty much armor plate. Biggest I've taken was shy of 300 lbs, but totally penetrated both sides through the shoulders.
DON'T shoot behind the shoulders. Unlike deer, all their lungs and vitals and everything is between the scapula. If you try for a "lung shot" behind the shoulder, you're just going to get guts.
trueblue1776
Member
I've had fantastic luck with the 12g "Remington premier solid copper sabots" they are a bitch to find but they work beautifully on the 100lb+ hogs, I have no doubt they would knock down a 300lb hog just as easy.
I have stayed away from the high ballistic coefficient (anything pointy) rounds because hogs have such thick skin it will tend to close itself behind the bullet. No bleed out has been a problem for me in the past, Down here in the south I would recommend big, blunt, and heavy rounds, and guns with back up shots. Think lever action rounds ie: .444, .45-70, .44mag, even .30-30. With that thick skin and dense bone you want massive trauma, not a gun you could make a clean vital shot from 400 yds with.
And make sure one of your buddies has a back up pistol.....
I have stayed away from the high ballistic coefficient (anything pointy) rounds because hogs have such thick skin it will tend to close itself behind the bullet. No bleed out has been a problem for me in the past, Down here in the south I would recommend big, blunt, and heavy rounds, and guns with back up shots. Think lever action rounds ie: .444, .45-70, .44mag, even .30-30. With that thick skin and dense bone you want massive trauma, not a gun you could make a clean vital shot from 400 yds with.
And make sure one of your buddies has a back up pistol.....
MCgunner
Member
Again, I've not had a problem with either 7 mag or .308 winchester using proper bullets. Penetration is the key. Laying 3200 ft lbs of magnum power on 'em don't hurt either. The seven leaves an exit wound you can put your fist through using Nosler Partitions. It's got a good 800-1000 ft lbs at the muzzle on any 12 ga slug and a heck of a lot more'n that out at 50 or 100 yards. That big, blunt projectile with it's pathetic ballistic coefficient runs out of poop really fast. If you don't think the 7 is big enough, a .300 mag, .338, heck, you could use a .375 if you think they're THAT hard to put down. Trust me, they're not.
Two things are key for the big 7's penetration ability, the partitions bullet design which retains bullet weight, yet expands to deliver all that energy and the sectional density of that long 160 grain spitzer bullet. I'll take either of my rifles over a shotgun any day on hogs. The shotgun, up close, can deliver the goods, though, I'm quite sure! I'd keep the range under 50 yards. Night hunting, that's not a problem.
The seven leaves an exit wound you can put your fist through using Nosler Partitions. It's got a good 800-1000 ft lbs at the muzzle on any 12 ga slug and a heck of a lot more'n that out at 50 or 100 yards. That big, blunt projectile with it's pathetic ballistic coefficient runs out of poop really fast. If you don't think the 7 is big enough, a .300 mag, .338, heck, you could use a .375 if you think they're THAT hard to put down. Trust me, they're not. Two things are key for the big 7's penetration ability, the partitions bullet design which retains bullet weight, yet expands to deliver all that energy and the sectional density of that long 160 grain spitzer bullet. I'll take either of my rifles over a shotgun any day on hogs. The shotgun, up close, can deliver the goods, though, I'm quite sure! I'd keep the range under 50 yards. Night hunting, that's not a problem.
MCgunner
Member
Of course, if you're REALLY worried about penetrating a big hog's shield, you could get one of these. Just load it with 750 grain FMJs.
Deer Hunter
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If you're looking for penetration, in something a bit LESS than a .50 BMG, try finding some A-square loads for your rifle. If anything, have some made for you. Their design sure as hell has some knockdown power to it.
adobewalls
Member
Just to add my two cents. I shot a 400 pounder quartering toward me with a 7mm Rem Mag, using a Sierra 160 Gameking, and it did not fully penetrate. It did however shred the lungs, puncture the liver and break four ribs on the off side of the pig.
After killing that pig, I changed my shot placement from behind the shoulder to between the shoulder and the ear. Have not had a pig walk away from that. Also, if I am just hunting pigs, I use Partitions.
After killing that pig, I changed my shot placement from behind the shoulder to between the shoulder and the ear. Have not had a pig walk away from that. Also, if I am just hunting pigs, I use Partitions.
Snagglepuss
Member
First time I flew with my AR-15 I told the TSA guys I was going hog hunting in Texas. I had the rifle in a starlite case along with my G19 and G30 with 4 mags for each pistol and 3 30 round mags for my AR all neatly cut into the foam. By the time I got through inspection I had 5 TSA guys all drooling over my firearms. Now for the question. I may really go on a hog hunt in the Hill country of TX this spring. Should I bring the AR or my new Marlin 1894ss .44 magnum? What ammo would best?
Snagglepuss said:First time I flew with my AR-15 I told the TSA guys I was going hog hunting in Texas. I had the rifle in a starlite case along with my G19 and G30 with 4 mags for each pistol and 3 30 round mags for my AR all neatly cut into the foam. By the time I got through inspection I had 5 TSA guys all drooling over my firearms. Now for the question. I may really go on a hog hunt in the Hill country of TX this spring. Should I bring the AR or my new Marlin 1894ss .44 magnum? What ammo would best?
I'd use the Marlin .44 loaded with Hornady XTPs or cast loads. XTPs have incredible penetration in the .44.
brad cook
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