Best gun for Hogs

[itchin]

How about a 7.62x39 upper? I have an ak, but have never shot a hog with it. I just like to hunt with the ar platform.

 

[ConnRadd]

I almost considered getting an 7.62x39 upper, but the feed back I've understood was "it wasn't the most reliable". I know that RRA is coming out with a redesigned lower for the 7.62x39, to be more reliable. But at a hefty price. You don't have a huge selection of hunting rounds, as well, the ole steel casings debate in ARs... The 6.8 (basically, light load .270) is a great Hunting round for 200yds or less (I'm sure theres people who will stretch to 300), but I know my limits. I personally would keep the AK for the cheap stuff and have a 6.8 for my hog gitter. Almost any shot in the ear and neck area will work for any round 5.56 or larger. I prefer a larger bullet than 5.56 for the times that the perfect ear/neck shot don't allow itself. If you plan to take a hog by the vitals, you want the bullet to expand, not separate and go deep. That's why the copper bullets, Barnes, are so popular for smaller calibers.

 

[40Arpent]

...6.8...comparing it to .223 side by side on hogs.

For shots anywhere other than behind the ear, it's a no-brainer that the 6.8 will win hands down.

 

[smschulz]

I recently finished a 6.8spc build just for Hogs.

 

[ConnRadd]

I recently finished a 6.8spc build just for Hogs.

Now that is sweet rifle right there!

What scope do you have mounted on it?

 

[Stumpy]

.308 semi-automatic rifle

 

[98f150]

I use a 22 mag and shoot them thru the eye.

 

[5 Screw Smith]

.45-70; shoot em and they bounce off the ground, DRT.

 

[Pump action713]

As long as he gets his practice for Proper shot placement any caliber should do. I took my first hog with a .22lr but it was the shot placement that took it down not the round. If the round were too hit anywhere else besides his eye it would've probably took a precision shot at my knee with its cutters.

 

[TxPhantom]

My wife shot two hogs last weekend with a 243 Sako. One was 148 lbs and the other was 120 lbs. Both pretty much dropped in their tracks with one shot. We hunted at Keechi Creek Ranch (Keechi Creek Outfitters) at Centerville Tx. The owner will not allow anything under a 243 for hunting there. No 223 calibers.
All that said, I think a 270 would be a gun he would not out grow for a while.

 

[ManCow]

+1 on the .243 WIN

 

[ftw13]

AK in 7.62x39 works well for me

 

[alexrex20]

.308 semi-automatic rifle

^^ This


Although normally if we're out stalking the hogs, I have my 1911 on my hip, bolt 308 on a sling and 5.56 AR or lever 30-30 in my hands.

I'm not against hog hunting with .223/5.56 but there's a lot of shots I would not even think about if that were the only rifle on me. That's why I like to keep a larger caliber on me for those big hogs. And yes, iron sights in the dark is impossible.

 

[Stumpy]

And yes, iron sights in the dark is impossible.

+1

 

[dbgun]

For a 10 year old's first time hunting, I would suggest: .243 Bolt action or .30-30 Lever action (Marlin or Winchester)

 

[Dubya'01]

+1 on the AR in 6.8.
I've only tested mine on yotes so far but I'm pretty impressed. I lost all confidence in 5.56 as a hunting cartridge after the last two animals I shot with the round looked at me and ran off. 5.56 is great if you can always get head shots but sucks with less than perfect shot placement. You get much better bullet choices with 6.8 and the recoil isn't that much more.

 

[newblood]

I just read the title... and I find it best not to arm the hogs. Plus they have issues with trigger manipulation due to the lack of fingers thing they have going on

too funny... fruit ninja!

 

[medmo1]

When my son was younger I had the same problem. He filled his first big game tag in Arizona, (moved here recently), with a javalina using a Marlin 1894 44mag lever action. It fit his smaller size perfectly and worked magnificently on the javalina. Bullet passed completely through from stem to stern on ~50lb boar. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Dragunov]

I just read the title... and I find it best not to arm the hogs. Plus they have issues with trigger manipulation due to the lack of fingers thing they have going on

I agree, they lack opposable thumbs, they also have poor eyesight, and their snout would get in the way of the receiver.

 

[Pilgrim]

I've taken a 150 lb. hog with a .223 and a 200 lb. with a .357 out of a Winchester 94. Dropped the 150 lb. in its tracks with a shot behind the ear and the 200 pounder staggered about 5 yrds with a shot just above and behind the shoulder. The .357 did a number to the bone and meat along the way...

My friend took a 150+ lb. hog with his crazy accurate .17 hmr... got it just behind the right eye. Bang. Flop.

Been meaning to take my .45-70 to the next hunt. That will be interesting...