Question about shooting hogs.

[Atticus_1354]

I am considering a few different rifles that I want to buy. One of the uses that these rifles will get is shooting hogs and I need some help on deciding on a caliber. First off how good is a 7mm rifle for this and how does 7mm stack up against other cartridges like .223 and .30-30? I was also considering a shotgun, but am not sure the types of ranges I can get. If you had to choose between 7mm and .30-30 what would you go for?

 

[CSA 357]

Any of those will do, the shotgun will need slugs for all but point blank shots, i think a head shot on a hog is the best, my first hog i shot in the front shoulder, got lots of blood but never found it, second hog not so lucky, the head shot stops them in there tracks! csa

 

[~z]

7mm is a diameter, do you have a case in mind? 7 mag, 7-08, 280Rem, 7STW, 7...?
~z

 

[Atticus_1354]

I'm pretty sure it was a 7-08. Should have said that in the first place, but don't usually talk rifles other then rimfire. I am pretty sure I will be going with the shotgun.

 

[Art Eatman]

Of all the cartridges mentioned, I'd have to call the 7mm08 as the closest to an all-around critter. Light bullets for coyotes, the usual 140-grain for hogs or deer.

Art

 

[Grumulkin]

Between the 30/30 Winchester, 223 Remington and the 7mm/08 Remington, my pick would be the 7mm/08.

A shotgun with slugs would be a plenty accurate hog killer at ranges up to 50 yards. At least in my experience, accuracy drops off pretty fast after 50 yards with a shotgun.

 

[Rottweiler]

+1 on what CSA said. Get the one that is going to allow you to shoot accurate enough to make head/neck shots. Tracking in thick brush is MUCH easier when they never take another step from where they were shot

 

[H&Hhunter]

How are all of you hairy chested manly hunting hero's always able to get a hog to stop and pose for a head shot?

Use a rifle / bullet combo that has some penetration and can kill from other than perfect broad side statue still shot presentation.

When I read things like I only take head shots or I've only had to shot once ever. I immediately know that I am dealing with either a rank beginner or a comic book writer.

That ain't how it works in the real world.

 

[trueblue1776]

The best advice I ever got:
Look at the ammo shelf, not the rifle rack. You definitely want more disruption and penetration than for a deer. (you said hogs not pigs right?) Pick a cartridge that fits your needs, then find a rifle that it will work well in.
My advice (still ok):
Shotguns work well, but choose ammo carefully. A big Foster slug can ruin a lot of meat, not to mention shredded pork doesn't keep well for a long ride to the sausage grinder.(Your butcher may call you a dumbass, maybe )

 

[Atticus_1354]

Thanks for the advice. Also for the record most of the hogs shot will not be for human consumption so much as pest control.

 

[Geno]

I would never use a .223 for hog. It might factually kill one, but not efficiently and reliably. Remember, if you anger and corner these critters, then can out-run you. They can jump, and can rear-up on the back legs to cut your throat with their tusks. They can hurt or kill you. So, you want to put them down as quickly as possible. That too is humane.

I have seen hogs drop from one, single round of .44 Mag, .30-30 Win, .270 Win, .375 H&H, .444 Marlin, .45-70 Gov't, and from several old Mil Surp rounds. I would not hesitate to carry a 7-30 Waters or 7-08 Rem. One round that you didn't mention that is a great performer: .260 Remington! Wow!

Good luck,

Doc2005

 

[Rottweiler]

How are we hairy chested manly hunting heroes making these head shots on hogs? Very simple. We are sitting in our blinds and when they come to the feeders (not very far away)for a free lunch, they stop long enough to make a head shot. When shot in the head they don't charge, they just lay there. Some of them kick a little,some don't. Their buddies usually scatter at the sound of the shot. The ones that don't run are next for a bullet in the head. Sometimes if the ones that ran are REALLY hungry they come back in about 20 minutes. They get a bullet in the head too.

Am I worried about being attacked by a hog while I'm in one of my stands? No. They have yet to master ladder climbing 101. If and when they do, the head shot will be even easier than shooting them under the feeder.

.223 not efficent or reliable!?!? Most of the hogs I have shot were killed by a .223 to the head. They fall where they stood.I'd say that is about as efficent and reliable as you can get ,humane too. If I miss, the hog gets away clean.

 

[Titan6]

.223 is a bad idea out here. They don't respond much unless they are head shots or the hog is really small. 30/30 is fine. 7mm is much better

 

[H&Hhunter]

Very simple. We are sitting in our blinds and when they come to the feeders (not very far away)for a free lunch, they stop long enough to make a head shot.

There you go, it is a matter of definitions again. You are shooting hogs off a feeder from a blind. I've said it before I'd be more than happy to use a .22 mag under those circumstances. You are basically target shooting hogs from a solid rest at close range. And there is nothing wrong with that at all.

The way I hunt hogs is spot and stalk or flushing them in heavy cover where the most common shot is at a running hog usually from the rear.

Try that a few times then come back and tell me how good of a hog gun a .223 is.

Head shots are generally not possible and off hand shots are the norm. Before I go recommending calibers I find out how the hunting is being conducted. Not every one hunts from a blind over a corn bait.

A .223 is only acceptable on hogs under extremely limited circumstances and then just barely and only with perfect shot placement into a 3 inch circle that makes up the brain on a hog. Not what I'd call a hog gun in general.

I like a .308 with 165 gr bullets and up on hogs when hunted in other than blinds.

Given the choices above I'd go with the 7MM with 140gr or heavier bullets or a .30-30 with 150's or heavier.

 

[TaxPhd]

Oh, come on, Greg. Just tell them they really need a Searcy Hog rifle, preferably in .470 NE, and be done with it.







Scott

 

[CSA 357]

WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE H&H HUNTER! im no begginer, and no i dont write comics, h&h a hog has a pretty good size head! standing still its a easy shot! i dont shoot at deer when they are running, im a still, stalk hunter,

 

[H&Hhunter]

a hog has a pretty good size head!

And only a little tiny part of it has any brains in it. CSA when you shoot something in the shoulder and get lots of blood but no recovery you might just have a little problem with your choice of weapon or ammo or both.

If you are forced to use only head shots to get a consistent kill the weapon you are using is inadequate and shouldn't recommended for use on that particular species.

Seems pretty darn simple to me.

And whoever said anything about shooting running deer? We are talking about hogs here. Hogs are destructive varmints that we shoot to reduce numbers. Anything goes with a hog IMO.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Oh, come on, Greg. Just tell them they really need a Searcy Hog rifle, preferably in .470 NE, and be done with it.

How ya doin' Scott,

Yep them .470's do put the pujaaa on a hog or anything else you shoot with them.

But only a severe gun geek would know that.

 

[CSA 357]

yeap thats it i need a 577 nitro express

 

[H&Hhunter]

Well first you have to grow up that there is a man gun.

 

[TaxPhd]

Doin' pretty good. Suffering in the humidity, though.

I need to book a hog trip after it cools off in the fall. And I won't be shooting my .223.

 

[Itote]

Put any bullet in the right spot and you've got a pile of bacon. The right spot changes alot though. I've killed hogs with everything from a .22 up to a 45-70( I din't litterally mean every caliber inbetween ) I've killed the most with a pocket knife. Those always had a cur dog hanging off their ears

The old 30-30 winchester works just fine for me for hogs. I've killed a pile of 'em with a .223 as well so it works just fine under the right conditions.

Dog hunting is still the funnest though!