Author Topic: 22 mag (Read 2678 times)

ChrisB0307 · « **on:** November 19, 2010, 07:58:49 AM »

I happened upon this site while doing some hunting/rifle research. Seems like a good place with good folks.

My question: Is a 22 mag enough gun under the following conditions? If yes, do you have any reccomendations for ammo?

I have a feeder setup on my property with a shooting area about 25 to 30 yards away. I have done all this to harvest some of the local wild pigs in my area. I currently own a 22 mag and wonder if it would do the job on smaller hogs 100# or less at that range? I should also add that the gun is accurate and I'm a darn good shot with it. At 50 yards I shoot one ragged hole less than an inch 98% of the time.
I'm not against getting a new rifle, but I would rather use what I have if it will work.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2010, 10:25:51 AM »

Chris

The low-ley 22 mag will put down a hog , provided you have the proper shot placement , having raised hogs for many years we used to kill about a dozen a year for the freezer , the key was an up close shot just behind the ear into the brain .

Would I be willing to use one on a 100 lb. hog with a normal heart / lung shot @ 30 yards -- NOT A CHANCE , just not enough power to get to a vital area with any ammo made .

Just my .02 and a lot of years with hogs .

stimpy

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2010, 10:56:32 AM »

Will it work. Yes.
If all I had was one of my 22 mags to shoot a hog i would look at the 40 grain JSP or FMJ bullets.
I would stay away from the super hot Jackets Hollow points or the ballistic tips in the 30 to 35 grain as these are varmint rounds.
But out of the group the 34 grain Winchester Hollow point does stay together well.
Are there better options, Yes.
If you have something heavier use it.
Your favorite deer rifle is perfect for hogs.

saddlebum · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2010, 11:03:52 AM »

If I was going to use a .22mag I would do brain pan shots only, like Stimpy said. You could kill a small hog with a vitals chest shot, but you may never find the hog to butcher it after it runs away. And it might not die till tomorrow or the next day.

This reminds me of the stories I've heard about eskimos that used to use a .22lr rifle to hunt Polar bears. They would lie in wait close to a seal hole in the ice. When the bear comes and waits by the hole for a seal to come up the eskimo would shoot the bear behind the ear and kill it.

I would not use hollow point ammo. You need penatration. I don't use round nose bullets, for hunting, because of past bad experiences. If you can't find a flat point there is this soft point.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0022

ChrisB0307 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2010, 11:19:40 AM »

Thanks for the replies to this question. I was being slow minded and didn't search before I asked this question. I see it's been asked many times, many ways, by quite a few people. So I would like to withdraw this question.

I didn't want to spend money on another gun right now is the only reason I wanted to use the 22 mag. I actually wanted one of the single shot 44 mags because they are a little cheaper, but I just can't find one. So I was going to use the 22 till I located one. I will just wait till I have something larger to use.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2010, 11:49:07 AM »

As I said if it is your only choice and it is legal try it. I wouold shoot more than once. and be sure of your shot.
High neck with a 40 grain bullet seems like a good idea. then dump two more in.

jmayton · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2010, 02:32:14 PM »

I wouldn't do it unless the hogs couldn't get to me. From an elevated blind, sure. But if I was down on the ground with them, I'd want something with a bit more oooomph.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2010, 02:51:20 PM »

i got one with a .22 mag
two shots one on each side down low below the shoulder plate and yes it got pissst be ready to climb something or some one it will work but not real fast.

rw

249 lb piney wood

Mohawk · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2010, 07:53:36 AM »

Back in 2000 I killed a 175 lb bore with a Marlin 882SS .22 Mag rifle. Broadside shot to the head broadside at 40 yds. Hit between eye and ear, temple area. Fell over dead, all four legs still erect. Load was CCI Maxi Mag 40 gr FMJ. Bullet did not exit. Body shots....for me...no way. I guess it might do for shoults to throw on the grill though, under 25 lbs. I would use a soft point though. I shot a little 20+ lb hog with the same FMJ load and, had the bullet not broken the exiting leg, I would have probably lost that one. Fortunately it just did circles for about 30 second and collapsed.

Norm1057 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2010, 09:06:38 AM »

Quote from: ChrisB0307 on November 19, 2010, 11:19:40 AM

Thanks for the replies to this question. I was being slow minded and didn't search before I asked this question. I see it's been asked many times, many ways, by quite a few people. So I would like to withdraw this question.

I didn't want to spend money on another gun right now is the only reason I wanted to use the 22 mag. I actually wanted one of the single shot 44 mags because they are a little cheaper, but I just can't find one. So I was going to use the 22 till I located one. I will just wait till I have something larger to use.

A few years back I had a bad experience with a .44 that did not penetrate enough and also had a misfire during a close range charge. Switched to a mini- 14 and dropped everyone with a single head shot after that! Good luck to ya!

squirrellluck · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2010, 02:42:51 PM »

Here in La. you can hunt hogs during any legal hunting season. The WMA's only allow certain weapons during certain seasons and for this reason 22mag has become a more popular squirrel gun

I don't hunt the WMA's but several friends do and kill hogs regularly with 22mags.

surveyor47 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2010, 03:34:17 AM »

We were just hunting hog in a Louisiana WMA. During small game season, the legal weapons are a 22 rimfire or a shotgun with lead shot not exceeding BB. One guy had a 22 Magnum and shot a small hog in the chest, not recovered. The rest of us carried full choke 12 gauge shotguns with lead BBs. We all agreed that shots should be limited to 20 yards and brainshots, just behind the ear. I dont know if lead BBs will penetrate a hogs skull, but close up with a full choke, it should hit like a slug. Since we didnt shoot any hog with shotgun, we dont know which is superior.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2010, 03:52:46 AM »

a couple i know just got two 22mags

they intend to hunt hogs with them

he won't let her shoot anything over 100lbs
or he won't carry it out

they intend to use FMJ and head shots
never seem him shoot but she is an excellent shot

i will post again when they have success

i might tag along if they let.....with my 22mag
tho i have better guns

btw.....they have better guns too...she used her ar...223 last time

squirrellluck · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2010, 01:11:33 PM »

suveyer which WMA? I am backed up to the jackson/bienville

surveyor47 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2010, 05:38:33 PM »

Red River WMA. The place is torn up by hogs. I dont know how there is enough food left to support any deer population. The state is relocating Louisiana Black Bear- endangered- to Red River. Given the number of hogs, the bear ought to get numerous and fat.

The pack behavior of hogs makes them difficult to hunt. I found several fresh beds in patches of 6 foot bamboo, and heard a nasty grunt within about 10 feet of me, but I could only see about 5 feet. I could not swing a shotgun in that brush, and could not identify the target, so I backed out. Had to leave for a job the next morning.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2010, 08:16:16 AM »

Couple of quick searches will turn up this topic (as I see you may have already done). I shoot from a steady rest, 25 yards (sometimes), frontal head shots with a super accurate bolt action Ruger 77K/22RP in 22 LR caliber (sometimes) and have killed every one with that gun DRT. Neither deer nor hogs take getting shot in the front of the head very well - except to die (mostly).

There was one "Shoot and Release" hog hunt on my place in all the years though, where a 22 short was used (by someone else from my stand) that only "cold cocked" the hog, which eventually walked away with a terrible head ache. Calvin had even gotten down and drug that hog to the bottom of the tree stand, then got back in to kill another one, only to find that his "dead hog walking" had gotten its legs and wandered off. So I took him back the very next day and put a 30-30 in his hands. He killed the next hog DRT.

Mohawk · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2010, 05:04:28 AM »

I saw a video of a hog taking a 6mm to the head only to be out cold. Left a blood trail but hog was never found.

pastorp · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2011, 08:25:36 AM »

If that's true then the 6mm bullet missed the brain. No hog, I don't care how large, will walk away from a brain shot with a centerfire rifle.
But you can't just shoot for the head. You must picture the brain and shoot for the brain. If you miss the brain you only wound the hog.

Regards,

DennisB · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2011, 12:34:36 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on February 05, 2011, 08:25:36 AM

... If you miss the brain you only wound the hog.

That kinda sums it up for me, too, so far as the .22Mag goes. Last month a buddy got a 178 pound boar (with a .308) off our place. While carving out the backstraps I found, up near the neck, an old, mangled slug--solid lead, concave base, and measuring .22 diameter at what was left of the base. I'd sure like to know the story behind that one--

yukondog · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:20:28 AM »

Given the choise I would rather use a larger cal. but I have taken a few hogs with a 22 and shot placement is important,killed them just fine.

emsemt911 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2011, 05:47:56 PM »

here is my louisiana thred

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,224877.new.html#new

stubshaft · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2011, 06:45:26 PM »

I've shot a bunch of them on my friends farm for damage control purposes. Hit them between the eye and ear with a SP and that's all she wrote.