Wild hog cleanup, night vision hunting options.

[SamT1]

Hey guys hogs have really boomed this year and now that the cottons off there is some really good opportunities to thin the herd. I’ve been using my 300 blk AR and it works ok for the first shot, but I’m not doing very good once they turn and run. I’m hearing lots of hit and not getting many dead pigs. That’s good and bad, I don’t have to drag them away, but don’t get the gratification of seeing them stack up. I like the 300 because you don’t have to be super careful about what’s down range compared to something that doesn’t fall like a rock. Also enjoy using the pistol that’s lighter since NV scope is already super heavy. Currently loading 125gr prohunters.

Once they turn and run would a 223 be better? Load a good bullet first in the mag and then FMJ to try and get as much Penetration as possible?

Or just swap to the AR10. It’s big and heavy, but does a lot better making “Texas heart shots” ?

Anyways looking for some ideas. I want more kills. But would like to keep weight and noise to a minimum if I can. I’m stalking into 50 yards easily and can get closer if needed, but it’s sketchy by yourself to walk into a 50 plus herd since they can injure you pretty bad on accident just running by and tusking you. I could go subsonic and try to get more broadside shots off? I’m not sure how good that would actually work.

If I had a buddy with another NV we could walk in and split the herd and force them to horseshoe around us when we shoot and that works better for killing more, but you better really trust your buddy and mine have all sold off their NV or it quit and wasn’t replaced.

 

[MCgunner]

.223 vs .300 BLK? Meh, six of one, half dozen of the other. When you wanna get serious, try .308 Win. Yeah, you'll have to go to the AR10 if you want the AR platform. My .308 is a bolt gun and weighs 6.5 lbs. But, weight in a blind with a gun rest doesn't bother me. I'm not out on the move, I'm shooting off a rest.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW, I have heard there's a lot of maintenance issues with NV scopes. I got a church friend who gripes about it. I can't afford it, anyway, not the thermal stuff. I'm just using a green laser and a normal optic with it. Suits me. I can't make a shot in these woods past 100 yards, anyway, too thick.

 

[SamT1]

No maintenance with NV. But most of them 308 is the max recoil they can handle. Mines had an easy life on blackouts and 223 mostly so I don’t have any issues with the tube. But guys that keep them on even 308 ar10 guns slowly ruin their tube.
I do have an AR10 and it’s heavy enough I doubt it will hurt the thing. But with suppressor, scope and the gun it’s going to be very heavy for shooting offhand and walking through the fields. I try to shoot prone off the magazine, but some fields have too much elevation change to do that. It might be a good compromise to buy a 14” pistol AR10 with a shockwave to keep weight and length lower.
This is about the best pic I can get through the scope. That probably 300 yards out, another hard thing to judge with NV.


My thoughts with 223 is maybe the bullet would make its way through the ham and gut better than the 300.

 

[MCgunner]

Hmm, didn't know that about the recoil tolerance. James, the guy at church, I'm pretty sure is shooting a bolt gun in a traditional caliber like .270 or .30-06 or something. He's always got one or the other of his NV optics sent back to the manufacturer. I'll hit him up about that.

On foot, I will use a monopod as a walking stick and adjust it to shoot off of while standing. But, I don't do much walking anymore, can't due to anemia caused by a rare bone marrow cancer along with diabetic neuropathy. Sitting in my box blind is my favorite place to shoot hogs.

 

[bob_atl]

6.8 SPC is still ar15 platform but much more energy than 300BO or 223.
Just get/make an upper for 6.8 SPC & run it in place of the 300BO upper.

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot pigs with a 7.62x39. I've thought of getting an AR in that caliber. I'm using an SKS rifle. But, it's not a long range caliber, not suitable for 300 yards IMHO. I'd thought of .450 Bushmaster or .458 SOCOM, too, but of course THAT isn't a long range item. Sure would lay down the law in the woods around here, though.

 

[FL-NC]

My go-to on piggies is 75 gr BTHP Hornady from a suppressed AR15, day or night. Mostly fairly close encounters (100 yards or less), in a small clearing surrounded by thick stuff. Never had an issue with the 223 dropping them, but never have been able to get a successful "double" cause the herd scatters in such a hurry after the first shot, then gone into the thick stuff.

 

[Choctaw]

I'm with FL-NC. I have had no problems killing pigs with AR-15s. Nothing wrong with an AR-10 though.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm with FL-NC. I have had no problems killing pigs with AR-15s. Nothing wrong with an AR-10 though.

See, this is why I've pretty much ditched the idea of a bigger caliber for my M4. I handload a 62 grain Barnes TSX to about 2800 fps. I don't think a pig would go far if hit in the right spot with it. Still, the optic I have on it, a cheap ACOG style, isn't exactly a great night scope and I'd rather keep it for home defense than put a hunting scope on it. The SKS works fine. If I got another upper just for hunting and a hunting scope, then I could get a different caliber.

If I had to shoot more'n 50 yards, I'd be more worried about caliber.

 

[MCgunner]

I think it's a handloading proposition, but folks might look into 7mm Valkarie. I've seen numbers on it that looked very interesting. Could be the answer for those shooting at extended ranges with an AR15 platform, but I don't know that there's brass, let alone ammo currently available. Maybe someone here will chime in with details?

 

[Choctaw]

See, this is why I've pretty much ditched the idea of a bigger caliber for my M4. I handload a 62 grain Barnes TSX to about 2800 fps. I don't think a pig would go far if hit in the right spot with it. Still, the optic I have on it, a cheap ACOG style, isn't exactly a great night scope and I'd rather keep it for home defense than put a hunting scope on it. The SKS works fine. If I got another upper just for hunting and a hunting scope, then I could get a different caliber.

If I had to shoot more'n 50 yards, I'd be more worried about caliber.

The SKS is a premier pig rifle. It’s plenty gun for the pork vermin.

 

[der Teufel]

The 300 BLK muzzle velocity is only about 100 fps slower than the 7.62x39. All things being equal, they're pretty similar. Even the 6.5 Grendel, shooting 123 grain bullets, is only about 200 - 250 fps faster than a 300 BLK when both are shot from 16" barrels. That's a good difference, but the 300 BLK still has punch. It's really not the weak sister some folks make it out to be. For shots inside 100 - 125 yards it's quite sufficient for most hogs. You might shift to 110 grain bullets in the Blackout for a little more velocity and kinetic energy. That could make a difference.

 

[LRDGCO]

It is my opinion that 223 is inadequate for hogs and the fact that Karamojo Bell shot elephants with the 275 Rigby makes no difference. I am also no fan of the 300 BLK but it is suitable for hogs.

However, far more importantly than my opinions, you have a fabulous resource here in one of our members who has a great deal of experience in hog eradication and regularly posts excellent videos demonstrating an unquestionable expertise. Unfortunately, his username escapes me. Uses the 6.5 Grendel and frangible bullets as I recall to address the same concerns you have about reach and ricochet. Has extensively tested, and demonstrated various NV options. Hopefully he posts up or someone else remembers who it is. A very helpful resource in light of your queries with demonstrated expertise. Best of luck.

 

[Choctaw]

It is my opinion that 223 is inadequate for hogs and the fact that Karamojo Bell shot elephants with the 275 Rigby makes no difference. I am also no fan of the 300 BLK but it is suitable for hogs.

You're thinking of Double Naught Spy. And yes, the 223 is adequate for pigs because they are, well, pigs.

 

[SamT1]

I’m having no trouble with the first shot that I can aim good. It’s all the subparly placed later shots once they are running. I can shoot 10 times before they get out of range of blackout taking fair time to aim good for center mass, however only one shot is on a broadside animal sitting still.

Some of my brainstorming is I may try to load 2 subsonics in the top of the mag. And see if they won’t scatter so fast. I should be well within the range of subs. 50 yards or less easily. Possibly the subs shoot similar enough to supers at that range.

 

[marksman13]

Running pigs just don’t reliably drop where they stand regardless of what caliber you shoot them with, UNLESS you hit them in the brain or spine. We’ve shot literally hundreds of pigs and after that first shot, it’s a crap shoot how many will actually fall in the field. They are just tough and determined animals.

Subsonic 300 BLK is a bad idea. The round just isn’t effective on pigs and they will still hear the shot and/of the wounded pig squeal and take off. The 308 is a good option, but it’s not going to be a great deal more effective at putting down pigs on the run. Plus, as you already stated it’s heavy. That’s why my SCAR-17 only goes on pig hunts when a client requests to shoot it. My personal favorite pig rifle is a lightweight 6.8 SPC I built a couple years ago. We can see a difference between the 6.8 and 300 BLK in the field and it’s obvious enough that I continue to shoot the 6.8 out of pocket even though we have 300 BLK ammo donated to us.

 

[LRDGCO]

I do hope Double Naught Spy checks in. I enjoy his vids and he seems eminently sensible and knowledgeable. Thank you Choctaw for knowing who I was in about.

We'll have to disagree on the 223 for hogs. I am very interested in Wilson Combat's 300 HAMR having read a piece on it in the recent Handloader. It basically offers 30-30 performance, which is perfect for hogs, in a modern sporting rifle much better set up for optics than ye olde lever gun. It's enough to make me interested in an AR, but I need to hear practical feedback. Perhaps we will do from DNSpy in the near future?

 

[Choctaw]

He posted on another forum yesterday. He'll be around.

 

[jaysouth]

A couple of months ago, I hunted for two nights with Hogswat.com in south GA. The guides provide you with a suppressed AR in 7.62X29 shooting Brown bear 123gr. softpoints. It mounts a Pulsar thermal sight. The guide said he had over 6K in each rifle, he had 3 in the van.

You drive around peanut fields until the guide spots a herd of pigs. Everyone dismounts and stalks up within 50-100 yards of the feeding pigs. He sets up a bipod and you mount your rifle. If there is more than one hunter, the guides counts down so everyone shoots at the same time. After the first volley, the running squealing pigs are a sight to behold. After dropping the first pig, I never could kill more than two running pigs. I was amazed by how many dead gut-shut pigs we found in the fields. They are not as hard to kill as you hear in the internet, and non ever "charged us".

 

[marksman13]

A couple of months ago, I hunted for two nights with Hogswat.com in south GA. The guides provide you with a suppressed AR in 7.62X29 shooting Brown bear 123gr. softpoints. It mounts a Pulsar thermal sight. The guide said he had over 6K in each rifle, he had 3 in the van.

You drive around peanut fields until the guide spots a herd of pigs. Everyone dismounts and stalks up within 50-100 yards of the feeding pigs. He sets up a bipod and you mount your rifle. If there is more than one hunter, the guides counts down so everyone shoots at the same time. After the first volley, the running squealing pigs are a sight to behold. After dropping the first pig, I never could kill more than two running pigs. I was amazed by how many dead gut-shut pigs we found in the fields. They are not as hard to kill as you hear in the internet, and non ever "charged us".

I’ve only seen pigs charge in three situations; wounded pig in a confined space, pig in an open field that did not triangulate the hunter’s position due to suppressed fire running straight to hunter, and large boars in close proximity to a hot sow being wounded. I’ve only seen the latter once when we shot a sow from the Bad Boy Buggy not knowing that she was in heat and being followed by a very large boar (over 300 lbs). When was shot, he came roaring up out of a ditch and charged the Bad Boy Buggy. We literally stuck a barrel down his throat and pulled the trigger to kill him. 99 times out of a hundred a wounded pig or missed pig is headed the other direction as fast as possible.

 

[SamT1]

Yea if your in a group the biggest risk is the guys next to you.
If your by yourself the biggest risk is a pig accidently running over you. They won’t be able to see you in the dark. I’ve seen them run over guys in the day time and cause life threatening injuries from a tusk ripping the skin wide open on accident as they run by. One pig is not scary at all, but 50 plus can do some damage to you.

The best way to attack them is to get between their safe spot and them. It forces them to horse shoe around you as they flee giving more opportunities for broadside shots. But it’s not real smart to get in their path all alone in the dark when there is 50 plus adult pigs in the field. That used to work really good for 2 guys running NV rigs or even one NV and a green light on the other side.

I think I’m just going to sell something and buy a 308 pistol. looks like I can get 2400 out of a 150 grainer in a 13.5” pistol. That seems like the easiest way to upgrade from the blackout some without gaining too much weight or getting crazy long with a suppressor screwed on.

I’m still awaiting something the size of the blackout with 308 power...

 

[marksman13]

Yea if your in a group the biggest risk is the guys next to you.
If your by yourself the biggest risk is a pig accidently running over you. They won’t be able to see you in the dark. I’ve seen them run over guys in the day time and cause life threatening injuries from a tusk ripping the skin wide open on accident as they run by. One pig is not scary at all, but 50 plus can do some damage to you.

The best way to attack them is to get between their safe spot and them. It forces them to horse shoe around you as they flee giving more opportunities for broadside shots. But it’s not real smart to get in their path all alone in the dark when there is 50 plus adult pigs in the field. That used to work really good for 2 guys running NV rigs or even one NV and a green light on the other side.

I think I’m just going to sell something and buy a 308 pistol. looks like I can get 2400 out of a 150 grainer in a 13.5” pistol. That seems like the easiest way to upgrade from the blackout some without gaining too much weight or getting crazy long with a suppressor screwed on.

I’m still awaiting something the size of the blackout with 308 power...

6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel seem to be the best compromise between size and power that I have found. A 308 pistol is not a bad idea though. I don’t know how much that will really reduce your weight, but it definitely solves the issue of a long, cumbersome rifle getting in and out of a vehicle.

 

[SamT1]

6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel seem to be the best compromise between size and power that I have found. A 308 pistol is not a bad idea though. I don’t know how much that will really reduce your weight, but it definitely solves the issue of a long, cumbersome rifle getting in and out of a vehicle.

Yea glassing from the cab is tough with a 16” plus suppressor the 10.5” blackout works prettt good for that. I’d love to do a weight reduction build, but man that gets wildly expensive.

 

[marksman13]

Yea glassing from the cab is tough with a 16” plus suppressor the 10.5” blackout works prettt good for that. I’d love to do a weight reduction build, but man that gets wildly expensive.

I built a 16” lightweight 6.8 SPC using a Wilson Combat barrel and it’s not terribly expensive. I think i’m In the whole rig for just over $1500 not counting the suppressor and thermal. That includes having the barrel fluted after I bought it. Wilson has since begun offering a fluted option for less than the $100 bill I paid to have mine fluted.