What gun for Javelina?

[Ty7940]

If I were you, I would use a .243 just because It would kill it without causing substantial meat damage. As for bullet grain I would go with a 95 grain.

 

[NCsmitty]

I've never hunted Javelina and probably never will but it seems to me that the old reliable 30-30 will fill the bill. A quick handling lever gun is hard to beat in close quarter action.

NCsmitty

 

[ashtxsniper]

A 9mm hollow point does a number on them since there not that hard to kill. Heck next time I go out hunting for them little buggers I will try and take one with my Bersa Thunder 380.

 

[The_Sheriff]

I was actually thinking about my bersa but figured it was too small. What does everyone think? BTW it is a .380.

 

[Bigreno]

Of your first two choices I would say definitely the 12g. I wouldn't necessarily bother with slugs either. Buck shot will dispatch one nicely. The picture below was of a javi taken last year with 00 buck out of a 12 gauge. Granted the shot was made from about 3 feet (one entrance and exit hole).

00 Buck at bad breath distance.

Mouth full of steak knives.

Something to remember is if you see 5 javis, there are probably more like 10.

 

[ashtxsniper]

380 is very effetive on dogs that are tougher and bigger than peccary. I would say try is out but use a good hot hollow point.

 

[TehK1w1]

I've cleaned over a dozen of the ****ed things, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if I never saw a dead one again That said, they make awesome mounts and I've heard that there are people capable of making them edible. I've seem them shot with anything from a 25-20win to a 30-06. They're not all that difficult to kill, just keep an eye out if you injure one, as they run in herds(more like packs) and have been known to attack people under some circumstances. I've seen 'javis with matching sets of 2" teeth before...

 

[Mike Franklin]

The ones in south or central Texas are corn fed from all the deer feeders. That might help the flavor????
The last one I grilled was excellent eating.

 

[TehK1w1]

I dunno about taste, but it doesn't help with the smell...

 

[MCgunner]

.380 is powerful enough if you can hit a 4" circle at 50 yards with it from a rest without fail. Most pocket autos aren't capable of hunting accuracy. Don't know about a Bersa, but I'd be surprised if it could shoot well enough for me to consider actually hunting anything with it. I'd go after 'em with .38s in my M10 Smith and Wesson or even my 3" Rossi M68 which is capable of enough accuracy, but a pocket .380....well....I sorta doubt it. I consider my Kel Tec 9mm quite accurate, can shoot 3.5" at 25 yards, quite acceptable for self defense, but hunting is a whole nuther level of accuracy. I'd never think of that gun as a hunting gun of any kind. There's more to hunting than having enough horsepower. You have to be able to deliver that horsepower to the right place. The longer the sight radius, the more potential accuracy, and frankly, revolvers are better than autos in this regard. A K frame 4" gun would be ideal for carry and for accuracy if you wanna go minimalist. A Bersa, well, you're getting a little carried away with the minimalist approach IMHO. LOL

 

[gallo]

A 22 does the trick just fine if you do your part. A 22 Mag would be even better. I doubt there would be much left to eat if you use a 30-06 or 12 Guage.

Lately, our ranch worker has shot a couple that go near the house and tangle with the dogs. He just walks out with a 22 in one hand and flash light in the other and shoots them at 5 feet away.

If you use a 22 be sure to have a tree to climb as I have heard that if wounded the rest may attack.