Author Topic: lookin for Hog Guns advice. (Read 3330 times)

Jghoat · « **on:** January 21, 2010, 03:36:56 AM »

Never been on a hog hunt and need gun advice.
I will be hunting in Western NC so my shots will be 75 yards or less with lots of brush and trees.
I have a mossberg 12ga pump 18 1/2" hd barrel and a NEF single shot 12ga mod choke.
I am planing on getting a multi purpose rifle for deer, big game and now hogs.
I was looking at picking up a 30-06 or a 308 H&R handi. Not sold on a single shot but don't want to spend more than $350-$400.
My new huntin partner said I should just pick up a misin nagant. I hear the mosins hit and miss on gettin a good one now days and the nearest hunting ammo is an hour and 1/2 away or internet ordering, But the price is right.
What do you use? am I lookin the wrong way and shoud just get slugs and a scope for the mossberg.
Thanks
John Ghoat (Old goat)

swordfish · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2010, 08:18:25 AM »

My favorate is my Marlin 1895 in 45-70 for hogs, many concider it overkill but I don't think there is any such thing. My second choice is a 336 in 35 Rem. Third choice is a 336 in 30-30. Like you here in FL I usually have shots 100 yds and less.

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2010, 08:46:25 AM »

Hey....good advice so far...I'd suggest that you get yourself a savage or marlin or used remington in either 308 or 06...right in your price range. I would not suggest a moisin...no need. I think that savage has a package gun that comes with a scope. A serviceable set up, not top of the line, but heck...it works fine!!!

chutesnreloads · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2010, 11:37:14 AM »

+1 on what drdoug said.That mosin will get real heavy pretty quick too.Better off with a lighter gun.Last I looked the Marlin was$289 here plus you'd need rings and a scope.

ironglowjr · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2010, 12:41:56 PM »

I went Hoggin a while back and i got a shot on two hogs, got them both with one shot and dropped in there tracks @ 60 yrds with a .270. So i would say either the 30-06, or the .308 will do fine....or a .270 if u are not stuck on one of them ..................good luck.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2010, 09:19:52 PM »

All good advice.
+1 on 30-30 Marlin 336 and 270 Winchester Model 70 (lots and lots of hogs killed with these two)
I have also used 243 Sako, 338 BAR, 223 Rem, and 45 LC (pistol)
Soon, very soon I want to use my H&R Handi rifle in 357 Mag. (thanks Tim!)

Regarding ammunition...invest in reloading equipment and supplies. You will never look back...

John R. · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:27:17 AM »

All gave good advice. My hog gun is a 500 S&W Handi-rifle. You may want to look at a Handi in 45-70, as they are generally more accurate than the 500's, and would take care of all your needs in your price range.

Swampman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:29:14 AM »

Marlin 336 in .30-30 or .35 Remington.

Mad Dog · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:48:43 AM »

My go to hog gun[and most anything else] is the Marlin 1895, .45-70, Guide gun. You can load it from mild to wild. Plenty of factory loads available, too. I have shot critters from point blank to 200 yds., and most were DRT. I've taken hogs, javelina, black bear, and 7head of african plains game with mine.

Mad Dog

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:11:38 AM »

I have only killed one wild hog so expert i ain't . I used a 300 win mag and it worked . I hunted in East TN. , used a 4 wheeler to travel around while hunting . Next time i will carry a 30-30 , 32 win spl or other suitable lever action . It would be alot better to use in the hills and cover i hunted in . I don't know why but the hog i shot was running stright for us and the shot was close . The scoped 300 win mag was slow to get on target , if the hog had not slowed to get past some rocks i'm not sure i would had made a good shot at 20 yards . The 30-30 would have been a better tool .

Jghoat · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2010, 06:45:00 AM »

Thanks,
Now I have lots of good ideas on what to get and use.
John G (Old goat)

Sourdough · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2010, 10:38:54 AM »

I have killed lots of hogs with Bow and Arrow, Shotguns and Rifles.

Won't use archery again, back-up was hurt pretty bad.

I was real disappointed with 12ga slugs.

Almost any rifle will do the job if you do your part, But personally I would like to carry something on the heavy side. By that I mean .35 cal or better. .35 Whelen, .350 Rem Mag, 45-70. All three have enough atthority to do the job, even if you are a little off.

I always think about the time you are out shooting 100 to 250 lb hogs when suddenly that unexpected 600 or 700 lb hog shows up at close range, with an attitude. It happens.

Good Hunting

257 roberts · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2010, 01:56:28 AM »

I've used everything in the past thirty years,most anything will work(I don't like shotguns)I've killed more with a 270 Win/130gr than anything else.

swordfish · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2010, 07:38:50 AM »

This weekend alone I killed them with Win M70 30-06, Marlin 1895G 45-70, Marlin 336 in .35 Rem, and 45 Kimber 1911. All killed 'em dead. Use whatever you like to shoot.

Halwg · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2010, 08:58:11 AM »

Nobody mentioned it, so I will. A Marlin in 444 would have more stopping power than the 30-30 or 35 Remington.

Or you could use the gun in my avatar...a Remington 760 in 35 Remington, or the other 760 I have in 30-06. All of those should work.

Sensai · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2010, 10:23:14 AM »

I love my Handi rifles, but I'm not a big fan of single shots for hog hunting. I've killed more with a Marlin 336 in 30-30 than anything else, but I just got a Puma '92 in 45 Colt that I'm itchin' to try. I think it'll be my new favorite. OBTW, I hunt on the ground, if you hunt from a stand, disregard and use a scoped bolt action in just about any caliber you can shoot well.

gendoc · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2010, 09:41:50 AM »

[quote author=Land_Owner link=topic=196705.msg1099004508#msg1099004508 date=1264148392

Soon, very soon I want to use my H&R Handi rifle in 357 Mag.

L_O,

the 357 handi does a very gud job on them pigs
i've taken a few 60-90lb'ers between 50-70 yrds with it.
using plated 158gr rmr's with a good dose of imr-4227
i call it the DRT load........

Lonnie · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2010, 03:34:15 AM »

All the above will do the job if you put the bullet in the boiler room which is a little more foward than a deer. As far as your price range, consider a good used 30/30 or the .35 Rem if you will be hunting your large game at short range (max 200 yrds) not only now but in the future, or consider the new Marlin XL7 in 30/06 or the XS7 in .308. I just bought a new XS7 in .308 at a local gun store here in TN for $350.00 out the door. I like the fact that it's lightweight and comes with an adjustable trigger. I haven't shot it yet but all the reviews seem to be positive. Around here, used Marlins and Winnie levers can be bought for around $300 to $325 with good buys out there for someone with patience. I bought a Win 30/30 last year for $210. The good news is that after hunting season, guns seem to be priced more reasonable. Just my thoughts, Lonnie.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2010, 10:46:56 AM »

gendoc...Poster 45-70 is an FFL holder. He sold me a VERY NICE (THANKS TIM) NIB Handi-rifle in 357 Mag. caliber, gave me a bunch of cast bullets, and sent me on my way - a Very Happy Camper. I attached a 4X scope to that synthetic stocked bull barrel. It's a REAL good looker...but so far doesn't shoot...my bad though.

I had accumulated ~500 x 38 Special and ~500 x 357 Mag. brass cases. I bought 4-pounds of Hogden 700-X powder. Using my RCBS powder measure, I dropped 50 rounds of powder under 185 grain cast bullets in 38 Special cases...sort of a shorter case for a small charge of swift powder and a deeper seat for the same cartridge OAL as 357 Mag. Then I started getting keyholing and Minute of Paper accuracy. Probably not enough velocity, but for now I don't care.

I am back to square one having had a BALL shooting those first 50 rounds, dirtying the brand new barrel, and I am itching (now that deer season is over) to reload some variable powder loadings and variable seated depths (in that order) in 38 Special and 357 Mag cases.

=============================================================================
I didn't post it before, but for some of us, the 22 Long rimfire is PLENTY of firepower for killing hogs, under specific self-imposed conditions:
1. Not over 25 yards
2. Rock steady rest
3. Hog still
4. Frontal head shots only in the "X" between ears and eyes
5. DRT

Rack another round, wait for it, and shoot its buddy. Continue until the whole sounder is dead or they get wise to the three or four already lying dead under the feeder and SCRAM. The 22LR, in my neighborhood, sounds like the distant shots from the shooting range a 1/2 mile away. Larger caliber rifle reports from my tree stands will send them scattering into the wood immediately. They are hearing conditioned to some reports.

gendoc · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2010, 01:42:43 PM »

L_O,
the 700x is a good powder but, there is too much empty space in that mag round....
i been there, and learned the hard way.

i think me and you talked about this on the h&r forum here.

you got any imr-4227 ?

my h&r and my gp-100 ruger both likes bout 15gr of it below a 158gr jacket or plated bullet
and the accuracy is amaze'n !!!!!!!!!

it'll dang-sho put'um on there side....right there. i mean DRT

i guess you cud call'um branch kin.....

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2010, 07:07:19 AM »

i have seen used 357mag handguns for 400$ or less and they work well. There a lot of used guns that will do it. I like a handgun but i would get the H&R becuase it can take the Buffalo Bore Ammunition or you could get a H&R Handi Rifle in 500 S&W Magnum for a good cost. That would be a very powerful gun.

big_bore · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2010, 06:46:52 PM »

I have only hunted hogs near Grapevine Texas, so the terrain was timber, brush, river bottoms and some clearings. My downed hogs have been in the 75-175 pound range.

I've used my T/C Contender with a 10" 7-30 Waters chambered barrel and a 1-5x scope and I've used a 10" .223 barrel scoped with a 1-5x. All my hogs to date have been one-shot kills from about 10-70 yards. I always try for a head or a neck shot. Missed a couple that I shouldn't have, but these nimble creatures don't stay put for a money shot - they're always moving.

fatercat · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2010, 02:35:43 AM »

my grandpa killed all his hogs with a 22lr.

sooner man · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:45:48 PM »

Brush guns for sure. 336 in 30-30 will get the job done with proper shot placement.

squirrellluck · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2010, 05:32:49 PM »

Here in Louisiana they don't seem to be any tougher than deer to kill. Whatever you use for deer will do the job. But it is a very good reason to buy another gun

so I would look hard at the 30-30 levergun.

skarke · « **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2010, 06:26:44 PM »

Here's a thought. Pigs are getting smarter. They avoid times of day and situations that expose themselves to mass slaughter by loud, high powered rifles. They've learned to scatter.

What seems to be growing in popularity, and I plan on testing this extensively once Texas gets below 100 degrees outside, is to sit somewhere above where they take bait like corn, and knock the suckers off with good head shots with a 22. It is quiet enough to not scare them off for long, and they really don't seem to care about their fallen buddy.

Chickasaw Hunter · « **Reply #26 on:** July 20, 2010, 04:37:22 PM »

When you ask about a hog gun you always get lots of advice, most of it good. If you shoot'em in the head anything will work. Here's my 6.8 hog rifle. Kills hogs and I try for a head shot everytime unless I can't. CH

RON17T · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2010, 04:49:16 PM »

12 guage slug gun will work fine I've killed 5 hogs 1 with a 12 guage,3 with a 270, and 1 with a 30-06 they all went down about the same.

dougk · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:37:31 PM »

You should look at a combo gun. Savage 24 is in your price range. When I am stalking hogs or out at night I always use a combo gun. I like having the 30-06 with 3 inch 00 buck (14 pellets vs 9 in the 2 3/4).

I believe Savage makes a 30-30/12 combo.

yukondog · « **Reply #29 on:** July 31, 2010, 11:25:22 AM »

Like aiready said the sav. makes a good package gun that fits your needs, I got one and can hold groups at under 2-21/2" at200 yrds. My hog gun is a 35 rem. but I have taken them with a 270,444 and shotgun all killed just fine.