Author Topic: Ideal piggy gun ? ? ? ? (Read 5344 times)

jcsabolt2 · « **on:** August 21, 2003, 06:29:30 AM »

What type and caliber or rifle do you fellas like for hunting wild boar?

shooter444002 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2003, 05:45:05 PM »

I would have to say that I prefer the lever guns. We hunt a lot with dogs and almost always in the thick stuff. 30/30, 35 Rem, 375, 357, or my new favorite the grand ole 45/70 loaded to level 2. Those big 45 grain bullets pack a punch and get the job over quick. have used a total of 19 calibers on hogs and most will work just fine. Like a 308 Rem 7400 a lot too. I quess to me the ideal gun is the one in my hands that I am working with at that moment but 45/70 is becoming favorite.

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2003, 02:46:43 AM »

anything 30 cal on up. I too really like lever guns, and carry my .44 mag 1894 and my .444P Have taken one with my Rem 700 in 30-06.
markc

DesertRam · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2003, 03:32:27 AM »

Whatever you have, though I too reccommend .30 or above. That said, I do my pig hunting with a 6.5X55 using 140 grain XLCs from Barnes. Knocks the heck out of pigs. I say just use whatever deer rifle you have, though be careful of precise shot placement if using something like a .243...

Clay Boone · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2003, 05:19:21 PM »

.358 Winchester with 18" barrel so you can crawl in where the big ones live. Good scope with low magnification and or illuminated reticle so you can hunt 'em at night when the big ones are out. Operational open sights so you can hunt 'em if Mr. Murphy takes your scope over the rainbow.
Sure won't hurt to have a nice fella like Charlie Sisk put it all together so you KNOW it will work great EVERYTIME.

Ideal piggy gun, yep Sisk Scout Rifle.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2003, 04:48:27 PM »

I tell you what fellas...I have used just about darn near everything on hogs and guess what? If you place the bullet in the right spot they will die.

The thing, however, is this - how long does it take before they die? Ahhh, that is a whole other matter.

Yes, shot placement is key, as is the caliber of the bullet and, just as important, the strength of the bullet. I generally only use X-Bullets on hogs.

I have seen hogs - big hogs, like 200+ pounders - drop in their tracks with a single shot in the head from a .243 Winchester. On the other hand, I have literally seen a 150 grain power point bullet from a 7mm Rem Mag almost bounce off of a hog's shoulder. The dang thing ran off and we never found him.

And then you have scenarios that fall in the middle - you shoot a hog right behind the shoulder - he runs around in circles for a while, runs off a bit, but you later find him. The problem is - sometimes, when you DO find them - THEY CAN GET UP AND CHARGE YOU!!!!

That's why this year I decided to get a Canon - not because big pigs won't die with smaller guns, but because - when I shoot - I only want to shoot ONCE, and I DON'T WANT HIM TO GET UP!

That's why my NEW choice for piggies is - the .375 H&H Mag. Yup, heard me right - an AFRICAN SAFARI GUN!

As for bullets, I just used 300 grain Federal Hi-Shocks and I got 2-shot groups about 1/4" at 100 yards!!!! I got these bullets just for sighting in. I also bought Federal Premium 300 grain Nosler Partitions, but if the Noslers don't groups as well as the Hi-Shocks, then I'm going to use them.

Stay tuned - hunting season is right around the corner. PIGGIES BEWARE - I GOT A .375 THIS YEAR!!!! :-D

:-D

:-D

Zachary

Bug · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2003, 01:19:46 AM »

Hunting hogs at night is legal here, and I have been trying out different things. Large-bore handguns, with different sight configurations, and paint schemes, Long guns with reflex/red dot sights, or a shotgun with slugs. So far the best sighting equipment seems to be the red dot sight. I really want to try one of the larger 30-42mm sizes, as mine is a 1". All my shots are within bowhunting ranges, so accuracy isn't an issue. I think that a 42mm red dot on a 12ga., using 1-ounce slugs might be my ideal.>>>Bug.

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2003, 01:38:18 PM »

Zach

Ya'll are packin nuff gun fer sure, and IMHO, you have the right idea. :wink:

You are right, about anything will kill em, it's only a question of when. It's taht in between part that gets hairy.

Myself, I like what will rip a 3 inch hole on the off side, get the blood to pump out some 3 or 4 feet. They don't last long a'tall in this manner.

I've killed em quicker with a 45 long colt than with a 475 Linebaugh, which of course makes no sense, but it is so. I have found the 454 Casull to be a wicked killer on pigs. The 378 Weatherby is sure every time, the 460 kinda sucks, the 35 Whelen is good, th3 -06 does em, 444 Marlin is wicked, the 45-70 just blows em away.

Then I saw Aniie slap one silly with a 30-30 lever gun, at which point she went up an cut the boars sack off afore he fell down dead. A lady she was not, a killer she was. Counted coupe on that there boar she did. :wink: There was a steady line of boys in camp wanted to marry that hugger :-D

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** September 04, 2003, 04:34:01 PM »

Coug,

It's kinda interesting how the 45 Colt did a better job than the .475. What do you think accounts for such a phenomena?

Zachary

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2003, 05:03:24 PM »

See guys I told ya all those rumors of Cougs' death was premature. He really is still alive. :-D

GB

willis5 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:48:46 AM »

Coug, now that is one tough woman. I'll wait till the dude falls down dead before getting too close... then I am cautious!.

454, 30.06, and 30-30 are what I have used. if i was to choose a close in blaster it would be a short slug gun

Steve357 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2003, 12:01:36 PM »

375?
454?
475?

We use .22 mags where I hunt. Never knew I was under-gunned!

les hemby · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:09:28 PM »

steve r u hunting on some tx type 2 land

Steve357 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:28:21 PM »

Les,

I hunt in Arkansas, and I'm not sure what type two land is. We hunt on Felsenthal WMA in southern Ar. You can only hunt with weapons that are leagal for the season. When it's squirrel season you can junt with a rimfire or a shotgun w/ steel shot. Archery equipment is ok, but there are so many squirrel hunters its pretty tuff to a nice calm animal for a shot, be it deer or hog. There are a couple of draw hunts using modern guns or blackpowder rifles. I've never drawn one the few times I've applied tho. Like I read in this forum shot placement is critical and so is distance. I wont shoot at a hog unless its at least 50 yds away. And I try to keep an eye out for a tree the right size for a fat boy to climb!

Reading all these stories about using big guns is starting to give me a complex about my little gun......

les hemby · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:45:40 PM »

i was askin cause tx has some wma just like that except i think its 22lr where do u shoot em and what kind of ammo

Steve357 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:57:12 PM »

I use shoot a Ruger 77/22mag in the HB version. For years I and my hunting buddies have used CCI maxi-mag solids, but this year I'm going to try out the new PMX Predator round. Its a jacketed soft point. I always aim for the little sunken spot just under/behind the ear. I have shot fryin' size hogs behind the shoulder.

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #16 on:** September 23, 2003, 01:42:15 PM »

22 mag on hogs? Piglets maybeso. Sure en hoots not on what stomps around up here. You lite up a 350 pound russian with a 22 mag and it will be about as effective as shootin one with a BB gun. I don't believe a 22 mag is even enough to get through the hide on one side so it's sure doubtful it's gonna kill one. Further, I don't believe a 22 mag will even get to piss one off, so it's doubtful he'll charge.

In general, I snap when the guys start plinkin em with 22 centerfires as these are clearly varmit guns and calibers by design and were never intended for game animals. I'll have to go out on a limb here and say that the 22 mag borders right about on irrisponsible.

How many do you pepper up and lose?

howie1968 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2003, 03:32:22 PM »

My new 45-70 is my fav after seeing what it did to a boar compared to other calibers creates huge holes i like 405gr cast that my goiod friend RDNCK gave me i have about 45 more pigs to shoot he really hooked me up

Steve357 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2003, 05:28:43 PM »

First of all, I dont care what you say. Second, in the 16 or 17 years I've hunted in this WMA I've seen dozens if not a couple of hundred pigs come out of of the woods to .22lr and .22mag. Anywhere from little ones to a great old russian bore that went upwards of the 400 pounds that topped the scale out. Third, I have never lost a hog that was taken by the shot I talked about above. The hogs I have helped look for were shot in the body with a rimfire or with archery tackle or someone walked up on one with a shotgun with steel shot and blasted away with it. I guess since me and my buddies take hogs every year with .22mags we are better hunters than you are. I guess you could very well kill them with a .50bmg or a RPG, but thats illeagle here. So is anything other than a .22 rimfire during small game season. We use what is allowed by federal law on a WMA. The only other season is a draw black powder and a modern gun hunt.

Your right, a rimfire will not shoot thu the tuff spots on a hog, I've cleaned many a hog and found .22 bullets and shotgun pellets and even a broadhead in the plate. That is the very reason I dont shoot at the whole hog. I pick a spot and wait for the angle and shot I want. It works every time. Every Time.

Since I am quite sure in what I have done for years, and what has been done by eveyone I hunt with every year there, It's plain to me that you have no idea what you are talking about. SO before you start calling people names and hanging tags on someone you dont agree with or know, just remember, alot of us do things in ways that may seem strange to you but that doesnt make them wrong. And it sure doesn't make you right.

les hemby · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2003, 04:11:56 AM »

there is most definately in tx wma's that a rimfire must be used or hunt with bow old timers usually always used a 22 to slaughter hogs. not saying this would be my first choice but if my only choice i would take it. i have a buddy in athens tx that dont even take a gun or let anyone else he is afraid of dogs getting shot. the dogs bay the pig darrel honest to god runs in duct tape their legs together and brings them out alive puts them in a pen and feeds them corn. i wont go dont like rule #1(no guns). on a calm hog with perfect shot 22 should work on a mad hog coming at ya there may be problems. also when darrel slaughters his he uses a 22 single shot with solids.

rdnck · « **Reply #20 on:** September 24, 2003, 05:01:42 AM »

Les--I have a friend in Naples, Tx that runs hogs with dogs. He used to catch them and tie their feet together with rope, pen them, feed them corn and slaughter them. Now he takes guys out, runs and catches the hogs with dogs, and lets the client kill the hog with a Bowie Knife. And guys pay him to do this. Honest.

What your buddy Darrel and my buddy Wade--as well as everybody else that runs hogs WITH DOGS knows--is that two or three good catch dogs will for all intents and purposes immobilize and render most hogs they catch relatively safe. The dogs handle the front end, and the guy with the rope or duct tape runs in and grabs a hind leg and gets it off the ground, and the hog is had. Either that, or you run up with a 10 to 12 inch Bowie Knife and stick the hog low behind the shoulder, and you have the quickest, most spectacular kill you will ever see.

But here's the catch. THESE hogs have been run, and KNOW they are prey. They will try to fight, but when the dogs get the upper hand, the hog is no longer a combatant. He is very close to being pork chops, and senses it, and is a completely different hog that you meet on foot, in the woods when he thinks that he is king of the hill.

Shooting a hog between the eyes or behind the ear with a 22 when he is eating corn in a pen and not on the fight is one thing. Walking through the woods with the same 22 hog hunting is quite another, and will sooner or later get you hurt. I would suggest a 45-70, or if that is not possible, use the dogs. Shoot straight, rdnck.

willis5 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2003, 06:16:05 AM »

only on a perfect and close shot in the ear hole would I use a 22 mag... But I would never go into the woods with the intent of hog hunting with one... I know it will work, and work every time if you do it right, but I opt to leave a little room for error with more power. I am not saying that bigger is better, but what if I miss the ear hole by a half of an inch in the wrong direction... I would rather have my 454 smashing the heck out of what I did hit...

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #22 on:** September 24, 2003, 10:55:52 AM »

Quote from: Steve357

First of all, I dont care what you say. Second, in the 16 or 17 years I've hunted in this WMA .

Didn't imagine you would :wink:

Sounds like your Wildlife Managers there abouts also need to get some grips on reality. In New England, inclusive, it is against the law to even shoot deer with ANY 22 caliber firearm, centerfire or rimfire.

Don't flatter yourself with your abilities my friend, you're not a hunter in the sense of the word. You like playing the edge, IMO, unfair to the game.

But you just keep on doing what you do, it floats your stick, and after all, that's all that matters isn't it?

Most informed and experienced pig hunters would say ANY SENSIBLE caliber should work, and they'll also say, 22 rimfires are NOT sensible.

But with your vast experience, you certainly know more than the collective and so you now can be consodered an authority. Well that is to those that will listen

DB Leath · « **Reply #23 on:** September 24, 2003, 11:51:57 AM »

I guess it would depend on how I was hunting them. I have used a 7 mm Rem Mag . I was carrying my 41 mag pistol at the time. To each his own I suppose. I have friends that have done the dog and knife thing. I dont need adventure that bad.

I have a new Marlin 38/55 that I think will work just fine.

DB

howie1968 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 24, 2003, 12:08:32 PM »

Honestly guys, i dont think we should poke fun at a guys caliber, after all it will be his tail I know several old timers that seriously hunt with either a 22 lr or a 22 mag. It is not my choice but i have to admit if that is all i had or felt comfortable i would use it also. But i would make it a close shot over bait using a rest Ive learne3d that being in the woods is what i love best knocking a mans choice of weapon is kind of like fuel for the Antis. i pick my shopts carfully and am a fair shot i have used my NEF 223 to kill several pigs now and ya know what/ never had one take another step or kick or scream. now if i took a bad shot than i assume the responibilty of doing so. if a bore gets my behind because i use a sub-standared caliber then i get what i deserve but fellas, lets make this forum fun and enjoyable to all lets quit bashing each other and have a good time listening to each others stories. After all one of the resons i keep coming here is to learn and to listens to each othe. if i upset any you i accptt that. a 22 is not my first choice my 45-70 is but if alls i had it WOULD NOT keep me from pig hunting. i am by no means a slouch in the woods and ask anyone that knopws me i take great pride in humane kills and love and respect for the animals which i hunt just my opinion

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #25 on:** September 24, 2003, 01:55:51 PM »

Howie

There in lies the problem with these boards. 99% of what is posted is good stuff. It's that 1% that bothers me.

You see, a lot of well intended folks visit here to seek sound advice. Telling them to shoot hogs with 22 rimfires, or even suggesting that it's the right thing to do is just not what this is all about.

Those that know me, know that I use some serious armament in the quest to drop em where they stand, and right now. That's my personal commitment to the game I hunt. IMO, that should be every responsible hunters goal, to drop em clean.

22 cals are not the proper tools for the job, period. Not simply because I say so, but because much research and ballistic data supports this. If one was to take the time to look up the optimum game weight for a 22 rimfire, they would find it to be on the order of 12 pounds. This covers bunny rabbits and a few fat woodchucks. It's also a punk round on gray squirrels, but the trajectory of the average 22 LR is tricky beyond 50 yards, and even more so at 25 yards and under.

Think about what we say here. Is it the exception that proves the rule? Since I've been involved with these boards I have heard some ridiculous crap. "Documented" claims of elephant kills with a 22 short! Come on folks, we're chumps for about everything that comes down the pike in new guns and cals, but are we that dumb?

How many times have we all read the same garbage. Joe Beetlewipe takes the plunge and moves to Alaska. Now all he has for wordly possesions is a 270 bolt gun. With that he kills everything in sight, stone dead, with a single shot. Yes Sir, that lasts for about a year. Then one day he lights up a fish fed brown with it and the shot goes bad. The bear gets chapped ass and rips the fools skull open, of course killing him. Now gee, that just makes all the sense in the world, now don't it?

I have no qualm with a man who shoots a 30-30 on deer, bear, even boar. I do with the one who is adament about the raw killing power of 22 caliber guns on what most of us consider game animals. IMO, NOTHING justifies this. Too, coddling the perpetrator of such deeds as "everyone is entitled to hunt with what they want..." just don't cut it with me.

It seems that Winchester and Remington put their bullets in classes. They have bullets designed for varmits, deer sized game, big, thick skinned game, and dangerous game. Anyone besides me find it odd that they DON't reccomend the 22 in any guise for these deeds, except of course varmits?

I lived for a spell in Texas. Back then, there were no boars. The prevelant rifle and caliber at that time was the 243, 6mm, in a bolt gun. Those boys shot those rifles well, and not many deer were safe inside of some 350 yards. These same guys today probabley are using those same rifles on hogs, and I'd guess they are using the same 100 grain bullets. With anything like a proper hit, I'm sure they kill a pile of them. Not what I'd want to use, but at least it has some rational to it.

The 38 and 40 grain bullets of the 22 rimfires lack the weight to penetrate, and they don't have the velocity to inflict much more than superficial wounds. The 22 centerfires have no doubt killed many a deer, and I'm sure, many a hog. I'll also wager that they have wounded as many.

It amazes me how many people shoot sub minute, and, under field conditions. Are we to believe that Pop gun Pete holds his 22 rimfire until he can drop the punny slug in a dime for the sure kill? Poppycock!

It's one thing when we're talking about Eskimos who shoot 22 Hornets at larger game animals and kill them quite dead. These people have no $, have all the time in the world to wait for the right shot at the right time. When one can get 30-30 ammo for $8,00 a box, 30-06 for $10.83 at Wally World, well, there just ain't much excuse for plinkin game with 22 stuff.

Graybeard just lit somebody up for talking theory here. First hand, CREDIBLE experience is what it's all about. I find it doubtful that the vast majority can be so wrong, and that the whims of some upstart with a 22 can be considered a credible and reliable source of huntin information.

Political correctness will be the demise of our sport, and this country in the end. So here it is in spades:

'No little Johnny, shooting pigs with 22 rimfires is NOT the right thing to do. It's inhumane, irresponsible, and foolhardy. If you insist on doing this, don't brag about it, don't advise or even suggest for others to do it. Go pop a can, shoot a chuck, maybeso even a porkypine, but don't pepper up our game with your playthings"

Thanks :lol:

DB Leath · « **Reply #26 on:** September 24, 2003, 02:30:14 PM »

We do have a responsibility to give good advice when its asked for. I am sure not everyone here has the experience to be called an expert on all the topics this board covers.

I have shot pigs. I kill em with a 7 mm Remington Magnum. I go for head shots. I have not had a pig take a step after the shot. I go for behind the ear shots. Just the way I was shown to do it. I have seen pigs shot with a 7 mag that did run. The shot was poorly placed and the bullet just punched straight through. We did find it, but it took a long time.

I have seen em killed with a 45 ACP handgun. I will tell ya that was the nastiest entry exit wound I have ever seen. 230 Gr Winchester Black Tallon bullet.

I like the better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it theory. So I like to go big.

In the end we must all reaslise our responsibility to the animal and to those ya hunt with.

JMO

DB

les hemby · « **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2003, 03:26:14 PM »

the problem lies in that like it or not dont matter reality is like it or not there is places in tx i can show you in wma rule book that you will either use a rimfire or a shotgun with no larger than #4 shot you take your pick. these places have alot of hogs.that dont have anything to do with a 1% that is like it or not you will use a rimfire or birdshot or not hunt you take your choice i would alot rather have even a small slug than birdshot, anyone that dont like it should argue to get bigger guns legal there. and everyone saying they would use more gun no you wouldnt because the law is the law whether you like it or not . i have not hunted these places yet so have not used 22 but will if i get the chance. i have seen 223 with trophy bonded bearclaw work on deer and hog two many times to be told otherwise. you put it in the brain it will fall . i have never shot one that said dang i'm glad that wasnt a 45-70 they act like they dont even know the 223 wont work and die like fast

les hemby · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2003, 03:34:25 PM »

i deleted this

les hemby · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2003, 04:07:50 PM »

i am in no way impling these are the best choices just that if this is what i have in the truck when opportunity to go hunting knocks or where law mandates i will use them. birdshot sounds like even a worse choice than 22 dont it?