Author Topic: ANY BIG BORES FOR WILD BOARS? (Read 7780 times)

EDELWEISS · « **on:** July 06, 2007, 04:10:12 AM »

It seems like most hunt hogs with typical Deer calibers, so I was just wondering if any of you hunt them with Big Bores. I dont buy into the "Bulletproof" myth, although I had a nasty time stopping one with a 44mag in a 14 inch Contender, but that was totally my fault for using the wrong bullets. On that same trip my buddies boar charged me and at 5 feet in fell like it was hit my the hand of God! My mistake was believing the Media crap about "Black Talons" and thinking they would work on Hogs.

So this seems like as good an excuse as any to "shop" for alternatives. Do any of you use anything exotic or outside the "Whitetail"range. I was thinking about the Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74 or 450-400. Ive been thinking about rechambering my No1 in 45-70 to 450#2. Im still in the planning stages for a Paradox or Bore Rifle.

I seen some of your posts that mention 375H&H, so I guessing there must be a few of us that like the idea.

drdougrx · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2007, 06:58:46 AM »

I like to use my #1 in 45/70 because I really like the gun and try to use it whenever i can. I've killed boars with 44mag pistol (240gr hornady sp 22gr 2400) and .270 rifle as well. I have a .375 HH that I could use I suppose, but, for me it's kinda improper. Like using a 416 on a deer. I have no issue with anyone who does, but...not me. You are right on with bullet selection as an important issue. I once saw a guy shoot a 300lb boar with a winchester lever gun in 44mag and he used 210gr gold dots. Six shots, 4 dollup shaped wounds around the gritle plate and ribs, one gut shot and one liver shot which I think killed the boar.

eglsong · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2007, 12:35:27 PM »

I am leaving for S Texas in the morning with my grandson. Not really using a bit bore but will be using a 338/06 in TC Encore topped with a 3-9 Trijicon acuview scope. The load is a Hornaday 225 grain interbond loaded to about 2500 fps. I am hoping that will put them down. I am hoping that my grandson will get to use it after dark. During the day he will be using his 25/06 with Rem 110 grain corelocks.

HL · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2007, 05:07:53 PM »

I will be using my new Marlin 1895 45-70 with 350 grain hard cast bullets. Hopefully will be pushing these close to 1900-2000 fps.

It will be fun to try out the new toy.

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2007, 08:01:19 PM »

I've only killed two, a 150 pound hog and a 50 pound pig. Both with a 338 Win Mag w/225 grain Accubonds. Lights out baby. Why go light?

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2007, 08:59:56 PM »

In rifles, I've used the 7 Rem. Mag., the .300 Weatherby (long range in New Zealand), and the .338 Win Mag. In handguns I've used numerous .44 Mag. .41 Mag, .454, .475 Linebaugh, .50AE, and .500 WE revolvers. The .44 Mag. is probably just about perfect, but give me the .475's and .50's every time for the panache.

Cecil · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2007, 05:43:51 AM »

I have used 444 Marlin with Hornaday 265 gr loads couldn't any better

rihmfire · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:49:02 AM »

I always try for a head or neck shot on hogs...they drop in there tracks
and it saves the meat.. I have only used a 30-06 on them...
and get most while hunting deer...

45454 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:16:53 PM »

Quote from: EDELWEISS on July 06, 2007, 04:10:12 AM

It seems like most hunt hogs with typical Deer calibers, so I was just wondering if any of you hunt them with Big Bores. I dont buy into the "Bulletproof" myth, although I had a nasty time stopping one with a 44mag in a 14 inch Contender, but that was totally my fault for using the wrong bullets. On that same trip my buddies boar charged me and at 5 feet in fell like it was hit my the hand of God! My mistake was believing the Media crap about "Black Talons" and thinking they would work on Hogs.

So this seems like as good an excuse as any to "shop" for alternatives. Do any of you use anything exotic or outside the "Whitetail"range. I was thinking about the Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74 or 450-400. Ive been thinking about rechambering my No1 in 45-70 to 450#2. Im still in the planning stages for a Paradox or Bore Rifle.

I seen some of your posts that mention 375H&H, so I guessing there must be a few of us that like the idea.

Hello,
I was reading your post, about using the 375H&H. Are these hogs as tough, and big as elephants,rino,hippo,or water buffalo ? Nope.
All in shot placement.A part of this, is the bullet choice.Although, those hogs can get pretty large.
The hype of "the magic bullet",guess, they in media, put blinders on, and don't consider the non-jacketed bullets as worthy of consideration.
I'm not downing the jacketed bullets.They have their place, just the same as cast bullets.I use both.
For the 45 Colt,in the "Ruger,T/C ONLY (etc)", for a general deer,boar,black bear,I'd consider Bear Creek 265gr SWC moly coated.I'd drive them to around 1050-1100 FPS. We're not trying to "magnumize" the 45 Colt.
The 44 mag,sure, the 265gr Hornady's to the 270gr Speer will work.I have some in 320gr JDJ's.These are hardcast.And will work.
It's the gristle plate that's the armor.
Usually, a 30-30,.308,30-06,yes, 44 mag,45 Colt,(these,44 mag and 45 Colt,with 265gr,or255gr on up hardcast SWC's,454 Casull (260gr),will do the job.
The SWC's will penetrate much better than a soft point will. What can come close to SWC's are the Sierra Silhouette (44 mag,other calibers)
And,yes, the old 45-70 will do the job as well.Just the same, those old BP/sub loads-they are powerful.I prefer BP/sub powder loads, as your shoulder takes the recoil better.A difference between a shove or getting hit with a baseball bat.The "bat" meaning smokeless powder.
I'll admit,I haven't used the low end velociity smokeless loads.
I wouldn't hesitate to take my handguns and rifles bear, or boar hunting.
If it meant handgun,it's either my Ruger NMBH 45 Colt, or F.A. 454 Casull.
A back up-a Winchester 44 mag,or either 2 of my 45-70's.One,is an NEF.The other, an original 1884 Springfield Trapdoor.
I wish you luck.Your post was interesting.

Syncerus · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2007, 12:58:03 PM »

I don't see how you can go wrong with the 9.3x74 on pigs. I've been using a .308 (180 gr.) myself, and it hits them with real authority, but I've been looking to make my hunting a little more sporting. I've got two large bore set-ups that I'm going to try using sometime this year; we'll see what we see. The .450/.400 sounds very cool, but I think that ammo availability is much better for the 9.3. Of course, if you want to be a barbarian, you could always get a .375 Ruger. Ammo isn't cheap for any of the three ...

BTW, I decided to shelf the 10 ga slug project, since I bought a true large bore and I can pick up what 10 ga slugs I'm likely to shoot at game for nominal $.

Bluegunner · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2007, 02:25:50 AM »

Last summer I worked up a load for my 22-250 that has killed four hogs this year. One was downed in January and three in April. They weighted from 140# to 240#, all were taken with one shot, none when more than 20 yards, two dropped on the spot, and all were shoulder shot. The bullet used was Barnes 53 gr Triple Shock. This solid copper bullet punched a small hole going in and then raised holy h*** with the insides of the hogs. I don't think any big bore would have been more effective.

Feldhege · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2007, 05:12:00 AM »

I got my 350lb wild hog last year using Federal Cast core 300gr in 44 mag. One through the boiler room, 20 yard run, then one through the neck. I used a Marlin 1894SS.

http://www.universalsight.com/images/razorback.jpg

Robb

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2007, 07:11:12 AM »

i killed a 120# with my 454 ruger and 454 360 gr. LWNGC Buffalo Bore Ammo. I miss the 454 and it's killing power.

Dictator · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2007, 09:16:19 AM »

Quote from: EDELWEISS on July 06, 2007, 04:10:12 AM

It seems like most hunt hogs with typical Deer calibers, so I was just wondering if any of you hunt them with Big Bores. I dont buy into the "Bulletproof" myth, although I had a nasty time stopping one with a 44mag in a 14 inch Contender, but that was totally my fault for using the wrong bullets. On that same trip my buddies boar charged me and at 5 feet in fell like it was hit my the hand of God! My mistake was believing the Media crap about "Black Talons" and thinking they would work on Hogs.

So this seems like as good an excuse as any to "shop" for alternatives. Do any of you use anything exotic or outside the "Whitetail"range. I was thinking about the Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74 or 450-400. Ive been thinking about rechambering my No1 in 45-70 to 450#2. Im still in the planning stages for a Paradox or Bore Rifle.

I seen some of your posts that mention 375H&H, so I guessing there must be a few of us that like the idea.

Edelweiss,
You need to get a copy of the DVD "Bored to Death" from Safari Press. It is a fantastic video of boar hunting with large bore bolt & double rifles. They use a 450-400 double extensively as well as a 585, 577, and others. It is a riot. I personally like my 600's

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2007, 11:31:14 AM »

The biggest bore I've used was a .480 Ruger (.476" cast bullet 420 grains) and the smallest was a 7mm (7-30 Waters 130 grain SP bullet). The bore used most often would be a .44 magnum tho.

RaySendero · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2007, 12:45:13 PM »

I'm currently putting a 9.3x62 barrel on an old Mauser action I have - Plan to try it out on hogs ASAP!

EDELWEISS · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2007, 04:21:57 AM »

Guys, I dont know what happened, I stopped receiving emails of replies to this post so I thought no one was interested. That being said, I love the Big Bore stuff. Between my "Black Talon" problem(my fault / wrong bullet for the job), and the "Bored to Death" video I started thinking. Currently theres a 10ga double that Ive been too slowly converting to a gauge rifle and a 45-120 double project Im working on just for tuskers and such. Ive got a Buffalo Classic with a 30 inch brass scope thats been reamed out to 45-120, but thats not quite handy for Wild Boar.

As much as I want to go to Africa, Im pretty sure thats not gonna happen, so I contend myself with North America's "angry game". They arent quite the same as Africa's dangerous stuff, but I dont want to be under gunned when theyre close and upset at me for being in their neighborhood. I do subscribe to the 375H&H, "One planet, one gun" theory, with the understanding that its not perfect for every occassion; but it will work on anything.

Theres just something about the real Big Bores that rattle your buddies who are used to hunting whitetails with a 30-30 or 30-06. I only wish I could hunt the tuskers more often, and ofcourse with bigger bores....

Zachary · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2007, 04:06:26 AM »

The thing about hogs is actually 2 things: 1) they have that gristle plate which, on larger hogs, is like armor, and 2) hogs have a lot of fat again, especially the larger ones that have been feeding well. I have seen that fat and skin on some hogs over 1" thick. I would guess probably noticeably thicker than that, but I never really measured it and I don't want to over exaggerate unnecessarily. As such, when shot with smaller calibers, it seems to me that all that fat clogs up the entrance (and/or exit) holes. Then again, if you are using smaller calibers, you probably will never get it through to the other side, especially if you hit the gristle plate, in which case the bullet just might bounce back!

Now, do you need to use a .45-70 or .375 H&H on big hogs? No, not really. However, using bigger guns does the following (assuming good shot placement): 1) brings them down faster and harder, and 2) if it doesn't drop them faster and harder, at least you have a bigger hole to in turn have a better blood trail.

My favorite "big gun" is the .375 H&H. I try to only use it on those big monster hogs that are as a big as a buick. And just so you guys know, here is a little story about that. I was hunting at a friend's lease in Texas. There was a big hog that had been seen many times, and shot at many times, but never died. They called it the Buick hog because it was about as big. I personally have never seen this hog, but several in our camp have, including my brother. This hog has been shot with everything from a .223 to a 7mag. My brother used my 7mag. Keep in mind that my brother is not an avid hunter like I am, although he does really like to go hunting. When it comes to guns and gear, he really has no clue. One year when I was in law school, my brother went to our friend's ranch and my brother asked me if he could use my 7mag because he wanted to "get that buick". I said sure, and then he asked what ammo he should buy. Back then, which I guess was around 1996 or 1997, I told him to get Federal Premium 160 grain Nosler Partitions or, preferably, the 175 Trophy Bonded. Well, my little brother, either being cheap or just not knowing, bought some plain jane Winchester 150 grain Power Points - not exactly what I told him to get. In any event, he took the gun to range and got tight groups and off he went.

When he went to the ranch, he saw the Buick hog on the 2nd or 3rd day. He was also with another friend of ours who was on the lease and invited us, so that's 2 people who's stories I trust. Well, my brother took the shot under a corn feeder about 50 to 60 yards away. My brother shot him right behind the shoulder (which is still the gristle plate). At the shot, he told me that the hog just ran off. My brother and our friend went to the site of the impact of the shot, and found blood, fat, and "chuncks" (as he called it) of bone around. They went looking for the Buick but never found a blood trail. I would imagine that the fat was so thick that it clogged up the hole. Then again, I don't think there was much of a hole because I think that the 150 grain power point likely exploded upon impact and bounced off.

Now lets fast forward to about 2003 (if I remember correctly). Our friends told us that they recently found the Buick dead that hunting season somewhere on the 6,300 acre ranch. Apparently the hog either expired naturally, or maybe all the lead in him finally caught up with him. I was really curious to have someone cut him open and look for bullets, but the hog had been dead for a while and no one wanted to go near it except for the buzzards and coyotes.

I don't know how heavy that hog was. People have estimated him to be 600 pounds or more. I don't know because I have never seen it and, even if I did, I'm not sure how accurate my estimate would be. Still, many will agree that it was a VERY big hog.

So, would a .45-70 or .375H&H been a better choice for the Buick? Yes, I certainly believe so. Then again, I want all of you to know that I am a firm believer in premium bullets just as much, if not more than, bigger guns. In other words, if my brother would have used the 175 Trophy Bonded bullets in my 7mag, there likely would have been a different result. The 175 grainers in .284" has a very high sectional density and, along with the very strong bullet construction, would have had a much better chance of penetrating that thick hide and gristle plate than that wuss of a Power Point bullet. Don't get me wrong - PP bullets can kill hogs (just like they have for 100 years), but in this particular application, the 175 TB would have been a superior choice. Actually my favorite hog bullet is the Barnes X (or now called the Barnes TSX although I haven't used the TSX yet). It will plow through a couple of trees and a rail road track, so it's a good choice on big hogs.

So my point is that you don't need big guns on small to medium hogs (although it's nice to have), but it is a blessing (if not necessity) to have on the big monster hogs.

Zachary

BUTCHER45 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:41:23 PM »

Here's my big-bore. Its for the smaller hogs up to 50 meters unless the perfect head shot is right there in front of me on a bigger one. This was my first time testing bullet velocities and also 25 meter accuracy out of this rifle.
I didn't realize until afterwards that the barrel was severely leaded during these velocity readings and a lot of the bullets were an oversized diameter for my bore so they may be another 20fps or so now. Still experimenting with bullet diameters/weights/fill pressures. It's an .45 caliber airgun by the way. It currently puts out 142grain roundball at 850fps. I think I can get it closer to 900 now. I'm getting another one that is quite a bit more powerful than this one in a few months. Just click on the picture below for a slide show.

Dee · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2007, 02:25:21 AM »

I am a big guy, weighing over 250, and standing 6' 3" (and old) and the hog I am kneeling over in my avatar was shot with what I am holding. A 223 pushing a 52gr match hollow point. The hog was a boar, weighing about 320, with 1 1/2" cutters, and no before you ask, I didn't spray him down with 223. One shot to the neck.
As some have stated, the feral hog (and we have lots of them in north central Texas) is not that hard to kill. I shot one going around 375 lbs a couple years ago with a 405gr hard cast in a 4570 Marlin Cowboy. The velocity was around 1800fps, and the hog was facing me at about 25 feet. I tried to shoot it between the eyes, (was a little off center on the shot) and the bullet exited the right ham (the bullet travelled end to end). If the dogs that I was hunting with had been close, I might have hit one, and then would have had to fight the owner of the dogs.
I am not advocating the 223 as the best hog gun, I use it for it's portability and range, but hogs have been here in my area for a long time, and many calibers are used.
If you are hunting in a group, there is a good chance others will be close in when the hog is encountered, and the same is true if your hunting with dogs. A big bore is DANGEROUS in these situations because of the danger of OVER PENETRATION, and I can tell you, in the brush with a hog, there is not a lot of time for evaluating the situation. The best hog calibers I have in my opinion are a plain ole 3030 Winchester Model 94 carbine, and a Model 92 in 357 mag. The 3030 I use 150 grain RN, and have for 50 years, and the 357 mag, a bulk bought Remington 158 grain jacketed soft point loaded to around 1900fps. Understand that either of these can OVER-PENETRATE, but the 4570s, 458s, ect. WILL over-penetrate.
Just something to think about if hunting with others, and or dogs.

Savage · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2007, 08:43:18 AM »

In my state there is no hog season. They may be hunted with any firearm that is legal for any open season. During deer season, that means center-fire pistols/rifles or shotguns with slugs/buckshot. During squirrel season that means rimfire rifles/pistols, or shotguns with shot no larger than #4. I would estimate that 70% of hogs killed here, are killed with .22lr and .22mags. You just have to be careful and pick your shots. A 40 grain pill behind the ear takes them down on the spot. While a rimfire is not ideal, it kills hogs, 300#+ hogs! Given the option, most of us would use something a little bigger. Maybe not an express rifle, but a large bore pistol or a .30 cal rifle. Good hunting!
Savage

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:31:38 AM »

My preference is the 444 Marlin in any of my 3 Winchester AEs. Each rifle favors a different 300 - 330 gn hardcast, gas-checked slug and I have not yet met the hog that survives when hit with one of those. Most of the hogs I have taken were fairly large at near 400 lb. For close in or back-up I prefer a shorter barreled 44 mag with a 300 gn swc over a healthy charge of H110 or WW296 - never fails.

I will hunt hog to put the meat in the freezer and most often try for a shot just behind the skull. On occasion one of the slugs will traverse through a shoulder and I will lose a few pounds of good roast but not the hog. Mikey.

Reverend Recoil · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2009, 11:19:45 AM »

I hunt hogs in Louisiana with a Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74R. One shot per hog is all I have ever needed.

Jacko · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2009, 12:19:39 AM »

Don't own a big bore rifle just yet but am saving for a 45.70 . I think that my 12 guage does rate as a big bore though , I usually use Winchester Super X 500gr slugs or 34 gr load of SG's

stubshaft · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2009, 12:37:24 AM »

I generally bowhunt for hogs. I have shot well over 1500 hogs in my lifetime. I have used a 45/70, .500 S&W,.454 Casull, .375 H&H and for the fun of it I've even used my Ruger #1 chambered for .458 Win. All of them can be counted on for a 1 shot kill as long as you put the bullet in the chest. If you really want to see "swine flew" load the .500 up with a hollow point, soft cast 400 grainer ahead of a stiff charge of Lil Gun!(weighed 155lbs., hit him in the shoulder and he did a complete somersault in the air.)

Good Hunting.

kix · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:27:35 AM »

I agree with Zachary on this one. Here in S.Texas I use my M.77 Ruger in .458. Why such firepower? I grew up reading all the old African adventures and since I'll never go to Africa that doesn't stop me from owning a true DG rifle. It's all about fun and toys. But the real reason is that most big hogs I see arrive right at dark and at the shot really don't want them to travel very far into the immense acres of cactus and thorn. Rarely do the bigger ones leave blood and most of the time they just disappear leaving you to wonder which way they went,especially in the fast fading light. Shoot at a medium-size in a herd and then you have the same problem with 20 hogs in every direction. Two years ago my cousin shot one (not huge,around 200) with my 8mm Rem. Mag. and with a broken left shoulder,185 gr.Cor-Lokt thru the heart it still went around 40 yds after running in several directions. How far would that hog gone if hit with the standard 243,270,06? I don't know but when I'm looking for shot hogs with a flashlight I'm always glad that they got hit pretty hard. BTW,I've never had a 400 gr.bullet from my 458 exit with a broadside shot on a decent size hot,usually I find them against the far hide. I have a jar full of beautifully mushroomed Speer bullets. Kinda neat. Kix

rex6666 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 23, 2009, 11:20:49 AM »

I have shot many a hog with 22mag up to 243.
I am with Dee hogs are not hard to kill if shot in the right place.
If you imagine an X from left ear to right eye, and from right ear to left eye
and put the bullet where the lines cross the hog will not twitch don't
care how big. if a side shot put it in his ear canal or just in front or right behind
the ear. Doesn't take an elephant gun in these locations, body shots on hogs
are not good, unless you have the elephant gun.

jmayton · « **Reply #27 on:** June 28, 2009, 07:15:28 PM »

Dee and I like our ARs for pigs. That being said, I'd not hesitate to shoot one with a big bore pistol or rifle. I'm thinking about a 45-70 myself right now. The problem I have with the bigger calibers is that the best eating hogs are in the 60-100lb range and my 30-06 as well as my 7.62x54r pretty much cuts a hog that size in half. The .223 brings down the big ones with good placement and the small ones with little meat damage. . . that's why I chose it. But, if going big, I'd go slow. A big bullet moving fast will do a lot of damage. To give you an idea, I shot a 75lb sow at about 65yds with my .223. The bullet entered the neck just behind the skull turned and exited the opposite shoulder. We only ate about 1/3 of that shoulder, the rest was mush. But, if you're killing them just to kill them, pick what you want and have fun.

Hodr · « **Reply #28 on:** June 29, 2009, 04:19:28 AM »

Old Harold,
Old Harold worked beside me in the Post office. he was 50 when I met him and every year he went wild boar, not pig hunting on Catlina Island. Took me a while to figure out what he was talking about. This long lean knobby jointed Swede hunted boar 200 lbs and up with a home made boar spear and a scrams axe. He said it wasn't fair unless the boar had a chance. One year he was off an additional 3 weeks healing up. I retired at 55 but Harold was still working at 70. About age 65 his family insisted that he take along someone else for safety. I went once and packed a 357 mag rifle. Harold got his boar, I met his family and never needed the rifle. Harold lived simply on 10 acres free and clear along with a milk cow and two cats. His land was right up against Blackhawk in California and would have been worth at least 2,000,000 per acre. Yeah 2 million per acre, Blackhawk is where John Madden lives.
An 18" long 4" wide piece of steel on a 9' wood shaft is big bore.
blindhari
I am guilty of exaggeration, shaft was about 6 1/2', but in the right hands that is still big bore

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #29 on:** June 29, 2009, 07:11:31 AM »

My first pig was with a 338 Win Mag. At the time I had two scoped rifles a 10 pound 308 and a 9 pound 338. the lighter rifle won out.
The one in the picture was with a 308 win. He took two shots the first killed him but he stood back up and the guide said to stick another one in him so I did.
And as I had to have lead free bullets for the hunt and not finding any lead free ammo for my 308 in the local stores I was seriously thinking of using the 300 grain Monolith solids I have for my 375H&H.
When I mentioned the 375 a friend waved me off. they had a friend that just got a 416 rigby that shot a pig with a soft point and made a real mess of the porker.
If you want to use a larger bullet in your 44 mag or a larger caliber based on pistol cartridges then great. If you want to go to one of the big slow 45's like 45-70 or 450 marlin by all means. But remember that even the much malined 30-30 has more energy than does any 44 mag. If you are looking to step up you may want ot step down to a 30-30, 308, or even a 30-06 and pick a big for caliber 170 to 220 grain soft nose bullet. If I were to build up a pig rifle I would think about a 338 Fed or 308 ruger M77 compact with a 1.25-4 trijicon scope for a bolt action and a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or 35 rem with the same scope or ghost rign sights for a lever gun. I guess i can add to that my 1895 marlin. I say marlin rifles as they are easy to mount a scope to. I have given up on using a semi auto on game. I tend to shoot too many times. I think I dumped 6 or 7 rounds into a doe that was running to me one day out of my Garand.