NWCP
Member
I'd much rather use my .308 bolt action CZ on pigs. You can kill them with the 5.56, but the .308 is much more lethal on an animal that tough.
Pig rifle
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Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Not much of a problem, as you should always cook wild pork to a high temperature. 160 degrees is the recommended minimum.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/is_it_done_yet/brochure_text/index.asp
cmdc
Member
Thanks, AL. I won't worry about it. Just shoot and eat. Well, after I cook it, I mean.
montveil
Member
If you will be using a 223 for hogs you might want to consider a partitioned bullet in a heavier grain such as the Nosler partition.
These open up like a soft point but still have the base intact for deep penetration which might be an advantage on quartering or head on shots.
I believe Federal makes such a load
Just an idea
These open up like a soft point but still have the base intact for deep penetration which might be an advantage on quartering or head on shots.
I believe Federal makes such a load
Just an idea
FLAvalanche
Member
Here's my advice for what it's worth...
.308 is excellent for pigs. That's what I use for long range (anything over 100 yards) for pigs.
However, I don't think the AR platform is the way to go. I love my 5.56 AR for close range pig hunting but I believe that the accuracy of a good bolt gun is the way to go if you're going to be doing longer range hunting for pigs.
My 5.56 AR is a DPMS with an EoTech 512. No problem dropping hogs with that within 100 yards. If I know I'm going to be shooting more than 100 yards the Marlin XS7C in .308 comes along.
.308 is excellent for pigs. That's what I use for long range (anything over 100 yards) for pigs.
However, I don't think the AR platform is the way to go. I love my 5.56 AR for close range pig hunting but I believe that the accuracy of a good bolt gun is the way to go if you're going to be doing longer range hunting for pigs.
My 5.56 AR is a DPMS with an EoTech 512. No problem dropping hogs with that within 100 yards. If I know I'm going to be shooting more than 100 yards the Marlin XS7C in .308 comes along.
txhoghunter
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Okay the OP is not using a .223, I just assumed he was after his first post. He cleared it up and has said that his AR is indeed chambered for .308. Lets not get off on a .223 vs .308 for pigs argument when it isn't necessary please
My newest Texas pig gun is the new KelTec RFB. A bullpup semi auto rifle in .308/7.62. It is a new design designed from the ground up as a bullpup and has a unique feature where it ejects empties out the front of the rifle. This allows the gun to be truly ambidextrious and it is a hoot to shoot. I added a Vortex Strikefire red dot sight for fast target aquisition. Later this year I will add a suppressor. Several buddies have already offered the pigs in their properties to try it out. Here is the gun and the 50 yard target used to sight in the Strikefire.
cmdc
Member
Thanks, TX, for reiterating the .308 caliber.
I actually want a Keltec RFB but can't find one reasonably priced, so figured the DPMS would suffice for now. Also like the SCAR 17 too.
I actually want a Keltec RFB but can't find one reasonably priced, so figured the DPMS would suffice for now. Also like the SCAR 17 too.
txhoghunter
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BIGmike goes for a LITTLE gun to kill him ALOT of pigs
notasfancy
Member
shoot the pig with any .308 with a good shot and a nosler partition and done!
I don't know that I'd recommend an ACOG as a hunting scope. A good 4x fixed or low variable 1.5-4x will give you a more precise sight picture at longer range.
Doesn't matter if you plan on hunting up close in heavy cover, the ACOG will work.
I'd also recommend a good expanding bullet with deep penetration like a Nosler partition or Barnes X bullet. For pigs you want that bullet to stay together not fragment.
Doesn't matter if you plan on hunting up close in heavy cover, the ACOG will work.
I'd also recommend a good expanding bullet with deep penetration like a Nosler partition or Barnes X bullet. For pigs you want that bullet to stay together not fragment.
oz_lowrider
Member
A bit of input from Aus. I've shot pigs of all sizes and if you don't think they are a dangerous animal, wait until your Ruger 44mag carbine jams and Mr pig is meters off chewing your leg. Thanks to a reliable 44mag Blackhawk all was sorted out. I've shot pigs with 22mag, 222, Mini 14, 243, 303, and 8x57 and as far as I'm concerned nothing is too big.
flakbait
Member
I have killed nearly a dozen pigs with a stag arms model 7 AR, a 6.8 mm SPC with a 20 inch barrel. I think 16 inch barrel is fine as the 4 inches difference is probably less than 75 FPS.
I think you might like the AR15 platform better (.223, 6.8 SPC, 6.5 grendal) since once you load up the rifle with a optic and freefloating handguards for your flashlight attachments etc, you will still end up with a rifle system less than 10 lbs.
A fullying loaded AR-10 system would probably weight at least 12-14 lbs.
Shot placement is still critical. The last big male Hog (estimated 300+ lbs) I wounded from my stand ran 40 yards away into the thick woods after I fired at it six times from 100 yards away! I'm sure not all my shots hit but most scared unwounded animals would disappear much quicker so I'm pretty sure at least one bullet hit him.
Most hogs dont appear until after sunset so I'm not tracking a wounded Hog in the dark in the middle of thick woods! The lesson I learned was to place your shots carefully and dont shoot at a moving target unless you have no other option. I rushed the shot because it was the Biggest living creature I have ever seen crawling around outside a zoo. All prior pigs I shot dropped within 20 yards with 110 grain Nosler Accubond with shots to the chest.
I think a .223 is very marginal on Hogs and would only go for headshots with such a caliber and use large grain bullets 69 or 75 grain. Hogs aren't built like deer. They have a thick hide and fleshy covering over their front shoulder and thick bone structure which acts like armor. Also their lungs sit lower to the ground making a much smaller vital zone than a similar size deer. Since they sit lower to the ground than deer, much of the vital zone can be covered by tall grass. I guess if they are really close, you might want to consider head shots but I never have done so yet.
The last thing I want to do is track a wounded Hog...in the dark.
I think you might like the AR15 platform better (.223, 6.8 SPC, 6.5 grendal) since once you load up the rifle with a optic and freefloating handguards for your flashlight attachments etc, you will still end up with a rifle system less than 10 lbs.
A fullying loaded AR-10 system would probably weight at least 12-14 lbs.
Shot placement is still critical. The last big male Hog (estimated 300+ lbs) I wounded from my stand ran 40 yards away into the thick woods after I fired at it six times from 100 yards away! I'm sure not all my shots hit but most scared unwounded animals would disappear much quicker so I'm pretty sure at least one bullet hit him.
Most hogs dont appear until after sunset so I'm not tracking a wounded Hog in the dark in the middle of thick woods! The lesson I learned was to place your shots carefully and dont shoot at a moving target unless you have no other option. I rushed the shot because it was the Biggest living creature I have ever seen crawling around outside a zoo. All prior pigs I shot dropped within 20 yards with 110 grain Nosler Accubond with shots to the chest.
I think a .223 is very marginal on Hogs and would only go for headshots with such a caliber and use large grain bullets 69 or 75 grain. Hogs aren't built like deer. They have a thick hide and fleshy covering over their front shoulder and thick bone structure which acts like armor. Also their lungs sit lower to the ground making a much smaller vital zone than a similar size deer. Since they sit lower to the ground than deer, much of the vital zone can be covered by tall grass. I guess if they are really close, you might want to consider head shots but I never have done so yet.
The last thing I want to do is track a wounded Hog...in the dark.
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I am of the opinion that your chosen weapon will get the job done. Carefull target selection and good shot placement are critical. If you are walk hunting and jump a great big 'ol boy in the bushes,(or foolishly try to track one in the dark) the .308 ain't the best choice, (35 Rem or 45-70 Govt spring to mind) but a well placed double tap, with the .308 will work.
I recently built a FN-FAL specifically to kill hogs.( predator control) we typically shoot from a buggy and take full advantage of NV gear and IR filtered spotlights.
The barrel is cut to 17 inches with a brake installed. This weapon is heavy, short and fast handling, almost totally recoil free and swings very much like a shotgun, on running hog's. When we jump a sounder, the goal is to kill 'em all, DRT is preferred, but not always possible. I use 150 Gr. HPBT at 2800 FPS and get very few run off's.
Again, this isn't your kind of shooting, but it shows what the .308 is capable of. Paul
I recently built a FN-FAL specifically to kill hogs.( predator control) we typically shoot from a buggy and take full advantage of NV gear and IR filtered spotlights.
The barrel is cut to 17 inches with a brake installed. This weapon is heavy, short and fast handling, almost totally recoil free and swings very much like a shotgun, on running hog's. When we jump a sounder, the goal is to kill 'em all, DRT is preferred, but not always possible. I use 150 Gr. HPBT at 2800 FPS and get very few run off's.
Again, this isn't your kind of shooting, but it shows what the .308 is capable of. Paul
1stmarine
Member
Any reliable simple .308 (ie: Saiga .308 in 16" ) + Barnes TSX 168 gr. = Pig falls like hit by lightning.
They are devastating. Makes a consistent wound channel of .40 at the entry and 2-3" across all the way leaving 90% of the energy in the animal. They drop from the shock and you will be surprised if they take more than 2 steps.
For me nothing has escaped these solid copper rounds. The Nosler partitions are also brutal.
They are devastating. Makes a consistent wound channel of .40 at the entry and 2-3" across all the way leaving 90% of the energy in the animal. They drop from the shock and you will be surprised if they take more than 2 steps.
For me nothing has escaped these solid copper rounds. The Nosler partitions are also brutal.
sappnasty
member
I use a SA Socom II and it works just fine. However, as far as noise goes.....I have to say that that is one of my dislikes of my preferred hog rifle. I think it may be the loudest rifle I have ever shot. I use plugs at the range of course....it wasn't until I took that doe with irons in a total quiet setting that I realized "wow, I cannot hear anything out of my left ear now...RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING". So i learned that when I take my baby hunting, I use the Caldwell electronic muffs. It amplifies sound and cuts out the loud BANG of the rifle. Anyways, I think the .308 is all I'll ever need here in Florida. Oh, and I personally use Hornady TAP 168 GR when I hunt hogs here...they are definately "one hitter quitters"..lol
SpeedAKL
Member
For those concerned about the accuracy of a .308 AR, most reports I've seen on DPMS and Armalite guns (never mind the high-end rigs like LMT, Noveske, KAC, etc) indicate 1-1.5 MOA accuracy with good ammo. That's right up there with a typical bolt gun built for hunting.
cmdc
Member
Thanks guys, for the input. How about a Trijicon accupoint in 1.25-4 with the illuminated post reticle for the AP4? Better than an ACOG?
I'm going to get the best .308 hunting rounds I can find.
I'm going to get the best .308 hunting rounds I can find.
BADUNAME37
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After looking at that video of the two 600 pound hogs fighting each other and taking arrows, I would think a 300 Win. Mag. or 338 Win Mag!
BADUNAME37
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Barnes Triple Shock
Nosler Partition
NCsmitty
Member
A quick handling lever action in 30-30 Win or 35 Rem would be a better choice for penetration and knock down power.
NCSmitty
NCSmitty
cmdc
Member
Hmm. I have a few lever-actions in assorted calibers. 336 stainless in .30-30, BLR in 7mm-08, 1895 GS (45-70), two MXLRs, one in 308ME and one in 338ME. Those are both at Marlin right now getting fixed...but I wanted to use the AP4 because I thought it would be well-suited to that task.
NCsmitty
Member
After reading back, I see that you were talking 308, not 223. That will be more than adequate for up to Hogzilla sized porkers.
Good luck.
NCsmitty
Good luck.
NCsmitty
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