How would this setup work??

[goose7856]

I am mostly deer hunting, but we do have a few hogs on the place.  I have a 30-06 that is one year old, a brand new scope, and I am about to buy some new bullets.  Since I will have to sight in my scope again, I wanted to make sure the premium bullets I have decided to get are tough enough for hogs.  I want to get Hornady Light Magnum, 150 or 165 grain, interbond, for a 30-06.  I normally shoot all my whitetails right in the front shoulder to drop them, but I have heard hogs are ALOT tougher than a deer.  I want the bullet to perform well, but I dont think I would shoot a hog right in the shoulder (prob. behind the shoulder or in the head).  I wanted to make sure these bullets would be good enough to down a hog (any size).  I am 99.9% sure it will beable to do the job, but I am just seeing other ppls opinions.  What do all of your guys and gals think??

[shoot'n hogs]

I use the same bullet w/ a 25-06 (117grain).  It always drops them.

[DesertRam]

You'll be fine.  Shoot them about 2" behind the ear in the "neck," if that's what you call it.  With that bonded bullet, you can probably shoot the smaller hogs (up to about 150#) in the shoulder too and expect a good clean kill.

[Gowge]

Goose, if your huntin' over there is anything like here in Florida, it's tough to impossible to trail up a wounded hog.  IF you are unable to hit that hog behind the ear, make your first shot a crippling one with a heavy bullet thru the front shoulders if possible.   Like all other animals, hogs live in the front (top) third of their bodies, so make sure you get the bullet in the spot regardless of the angle presented.  The 30-06 has plenty of power to get the job done if you put the bullet where it can do its best work.    I would go with a heavier bullet in a standard velocity load if you're hunting in heavy woods or swamps where the shots will typically be at very close range.    Wild Hogs are like mini tanks because of the heavy shield over the front half of their bodies - head on shots can sometimes present problems.  

GOOD LUCK!   :wink:

[oso45-70]

Goose7856,
My thoughts are you might try a little heavier bullet of strong construction
some thin in the range of 180 grain, And i will tell you why i think this. If you use a 180 grain partition your chances of having to track the animal is lessoned, and another thing, You will have a lot less meat loss with the heavier solider bullet, You will be assured of a complete pass through on the toughest hog out there. I hate to waste meat so i try to use the bullet
that will get the job done without messing up the meat. The lighter bullets have a tendency to blow up which causes a lot of damage to the meat. In
my opinion the place you don't want to SKIMP is on your bullets, We spend big bucks on all our hunting EQPT. And skimp on out bullets, Now that don't make much sence does it ? I guess its just a human trait. Well Goose i think you will do ok with your 30-06 and a good load. Take care and stay safe..............Joe................

[Dusty Miller]

"Shoot'n Hogs" must be an excellent shot, I can't make that claim.  I'm going on a hunt at the end of Sept. and plan on using either a .44 mag Anaconda with a 336 gr. cast bullet or my '06 with a 200 gr. Speer grand slam, depending on what the guide recommends.  Lighter bullets are great stuff for deer but it just does not make sense to me for oinkers.

[shoot'n hogs]

It's just what I was taught to use since I started hunting.  Right now, I am wrapping up rice field hunting where the shots are no more than 150 yrds.  Any more than that and you probably won't find them in the rice.  A good bipod from an elevated height with a shot anywhere in the head or neck will do it.

[shoot'n hogs]

I guess what is important is to make sure your comfortable with your setup.  Confidence kills.

[BRL]

Gowge,

I'm trying to gather as much info as I can about hog hunting in FL. I live in SW, FL and would like to find a few places within 3 hours to hunt hogs and deer. What is your experience and do you have any recomendations?

Thanks

[Chesapeake Troller]

BRL,

If you live in SW FL you should have more places to hunt hogs than you can ever get to. I am not familiar with the WMA's in your area, but those are a good place to start. Finding Citrus farms that have damage issues are a gem, take care of business for them, treat the land better than your own, and you will have a hog hunting haven for life. Best bet is to join a hunt club, pro here is of course the limited access to the land from unknown folks, sharing information, and being able to put up stands without much risk of loss, con of course is the cost and you may not be able to join year to year if the club loses it's lease. It is also a bit late in the season to find one, best time to locate one is after the season.

I live in Gville and found that I was most comfortable in joining a club after trying some of the WMA's, but that of course is my experience and you could find a honeyhole down in your area. For me west of town in the swampier areas was the ticket for hogs.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

CT