17HMR for Hogs?

[noleman]

I was reading another forum where a guy was hunting hogs with a 17HMR.  He said he always aimed for the ear.  Is that really a big enough caliber to kill most decent sized hogs?  I have several on my food plot and the 17 would be quiet to keep from disturbing any bow hunters. 

[moxgrove]

If you got it right in the ear canal, then yes. I have taken a fair number of orchard deer with a 32/20 in the ear. I wouldn't count on the 17 hmr anywhere else on a hog though. They are after ll squirrel bullets,very fragile.

[bigjeepman]

I take it you're an FSU fan ... me too!!!!

[noleman]

I have been a loyal fan for many years, but the last couple sure have been painful.

[pastorp]

I know the 22lr will work for brain shots under 40yards. Probably the 17 would also. Brain shots only, and close enough to be certain. Regards, Byron

[JeffG]

I have a 17 Mach II and it's a great little cartridge, but not for hogs.

[Dee]

17HMR for hogs? Irresponsible.

[drdougrx]

I used one on a cyote.  Not very impressive at all.  Not for hogs.

[Spanky]

Is that kinda like using a .223 on cape buffalo?? 

Use enough gun to do the job. The .17 HMR is good for small game but using one on a wild hog is just ridiculous!!


Spanky

[Prebanpaul]

irresponsible is posting something with out ever doing it.  My cousin lives in Florida and has a tomato farm.  He has killed in excess of two hundred hogs with his 17hmr.  Do not shoot them in the ear canal.  That is a hog hunter who does not know a hog.  If you want to kill them, shoot them two inches in front of there ear.  Like a temple shot.  There is a void in the hogs skull there.  It drops them in there tracks.  He does not take a shot over 50-70 yrds and his gun shoots sub moa.  You have several variables here.    One there in the open standing around.  The distance in which he shoots.  And most import shot placement.  I have seen him take at least 30 hogs this way.     

When i go hog hunting I would not grab a 17hmr.   But for his application it works really really well.  His application looks alot like yours.

[S_J_KENNELS]

I agree with PreBanPaul on this one. A 17 in the aspect your looking at should work as well as a 22mag, 220 swift, 222, or 223. Just make sure they are all head shots. As well as know your gun and your limits with that gun. Good luck.

[rex6666]

I think knowing your limits with a gun is as important as it gets, if you do not you can not hope to make bullet place.
I have a 17hmr and with 17gr ballistic tips, it does wonders to tame feral house cats
i have been told that with fmj's or hp the work well on coyotes, have a 204,243,25-06 for those purposes.
I talked to a man at Cabelas the other nite that says he has killed several hogs wit the 17, says the fmj will shoot through a hog (never did tell me what size hog)
i do believe that hogs are a lot easier to kill than most people think but the 17 is out of MY limits for hogs.

[STUMPJMPR]

It would not be my first choice for a large animal.  However, here in south mississippi you can only use a caliber of weapon that is in season for another animal to hunt hogs. For example a 22 for squirell.  I have killed a sow in the 250lb range with a 22 mag at close range.  Due to a running shot i had to track it almost 100 yards.  Instead of getting a head shot my lead was off and i got a neck shot and the bullet just really doesn't do enough damage to kill quickly.  I would stick to any caliber suitable for deer.  Personally my favorite rifle to hunt hog with is a 94 winchester.  Shots are usually under 30yds.  Most lay down and never get up.

[lrs]

I've seen a head shot made with a .17, between the eyes at under 20 yds.  It took a couple of minutes for the hog to die and it was sickening to watch.

[John R.]

There are much better choices for hogs than a 17 HMR. You shoot a 400 lb. Russian boar with a 17 if you want to, you better be in a tree!!!