Why is it that

[lrs]

There was another person who I would add to list along with Newton.  His name is Murphy.  I hunt with a 30-06, and I'm gonna stick with it.

[bluesman]

when ever you read a post that asks about what caliber to use on hogs it seems like 95% of the answers are the larger calibers? It always amazes me to see that. Sure hogs have the reputation of being hard to kill, BUT they are not. With a well placed shot a hog will drop in their tracks. Like somebody said in another thread on here, even if they are hit with a 300 win mag in the wrong area they will not die right away. SHOT PLACEMENT is key. If your comfortable shooting your 243 or 25-06 and can put that round in the hogs ear every time use it. You do not need a 300 win mag, 35 wheelen, or any of the other big calibers listed in these posts. I am curious as to the answers to this post.

The reason I will only hunt hogs with a large caliber rifle is simple: I want to.  I hunt with either a 444 or 45-70 lever rifle.

The reason is that I was once charged by a LARGE boar (field dressed 419 lbs) while deer hunting.  I still don't know why.  And most of the hogs where I live are 50-250 pounds.

However, two hits with 130gr soft points didn't even seem to slow him down.  I later learned no penetration and they didn't hit his brain.  A friends 444 took him out with one shot to the shoulders as he was closing in on my backside , yes I was running because a nearly 500 pound hog looks HUGE.

So, these days I only hunt hogs with a large caliber lever gun loaded with heavy cast bullets.  By the way, I returned the favor to another friend hog hunting with a 223 two years ago along the Red River. 

I know a smaller caliber will usually get the job done but I want to be able to shoot through a hog end to end if necessary.  Sometimes you can't wait for the perfect shot.

[Land_Owner]

I hear you bluesman...I just don't get down on their level until AFTER I anchor them.  There is NOTHING in this post, except perhaps the author's initial salvo, against large caliber guns.  Use what you've got, use what works, use what's FUN.  Being safe is the ticket no matter what.

[S_J_KENNELS]

I hear you bluesman...I just don't get down on their level until AFTER I anchor them.  There is NOTHING in this post, except perhaps the author's initial salvo, against large caliber guns.  Use what you've got, use what works, use what's FUN.  Being safe is the ticket no matter what.

Land_Owner,

   As I stated in my very first post I was curious as to WHY the big bores were always mentioned to first time hog hunters, or those with little experiance. After reading all the posts I can understand most of the reasoning, however with that said I have harvested hundreds of hogs with several different calibers of rifles. Starting with the 243, 30/30, 270, and 308 with no problems over the years. RARELY do I have one get up once hit or run that far for that matter if they do run. However I also do understand the use what you got and have fun part 100%. Thats why I mostly use a knife when I go after hogs as to me that is fun. As well as getting to watch good dogs work.

Hope I did not offened anybody by this thread. Just wanted to know WHY the big bore rifles. As like I have stated before I have never seen the need for them for hogs.

[hicntry]

Shane, if you are going in after the dogs with a knife, I am going to assume you are using bull dogs. I normally use a ,44 mag pistol and I hunt behind dogs also. I use airedales and they catch and the whole work but if I touch the hog they release and grab the hog where my hand is and, in the action, they do get my hand on occasion so I don't do it anymore. I am usually in the middle of the fracas and I have seen what a wounded hog can do to close working dogs in heavy brush. I have also had the hogs rub the dogs off on the brush and were in my lap in the blink of an eye. To old and to slow.....or is it old enough to have gotten smart? Either way, I have killed hogs with .06's, 7/08, 22mags, 22 hornets, 30/30's and about a dozen other rounds. I like the pistols. but, I love the big bores like the 45/70. No one really need the long range rounds for hogs, Heck, ya can just about walk up on em if you can find em.

[S_J_KENNELS]

hicntry the dogs I run on the ground usually can catch and hog most of the hogs we catch, and rarely do I need the catch dogs. SO I know what you mean on the getting scrapped off part LOL. The only time I really send in the catch dogs now is when I hear these dogs baying. Then I know it is a good hog. We used some Airedales and Airedale crosses before and they were good dogs. Rough and once locked on were like bulldogs. Only thing we had problems with down here is them over heating. I also carry a 44mag for situations when crap hits the fan, and IMHO is just about the best pistol that is easily carried on the hip for hogs.

[hicntry]

Shane, just out of curiosity, what kind of dogs are you running that you trust enough to stick a hog? You got any BMC's in that bunch?

[S_J_KENNELS]

Shane, just out of curiosity, what kind of dogs are you running that you trust enough to stick a hog? You got any BMC's in that bunch?

I am running YBMC and YBMC cross's, catahoula's, a ridgeback cross, and blue lacy's. For catch I run pits, and DOGO's.

[Land_Owner]

Sorry S_J.   I didn't mean to insinuate that you were "down" on big bore guns, even though that is the way my previous post reads.  Poor choice of words on my part.   I've never been hunting behind dogs.  I hear and read that it is exciting.  I wonder what dogs smell through those reported 250,000-times-better-sense-of-smell-than-human noses?  Maybe I don't want to know.  Sniffing butts is definitely not my style.

[S_J_KENNELS]

Sorry S_J.   I didn't mean to insinuate that you were "down" on big bore guns, even though that is the way my previous post reads.  Poor choice of words on my part.   I've never been hunting behind dogs.  I hear and read that it is exciting.  I wonder what dogs smell through those reported 250,000-times-better-sense-of-smell-than-human noses?  Maybe I don't want to know.  Sniffing butts is definitely not my style.

Land Owner, no problem I just wanted to clearify things on my end as well. If you ever make it to South Texas look me up and I will take you with the dogs. Or if you want to go in FL I have some buddies in FL that hunt with dogs all the time. I am sure they would take you.

[STUMPJMPR]

Some people just like making big holes...lol