Author Topic: Javelina: What would you use??? (Read 4229 times)

drdougrx · « **on:** February 18, 2011, 03:06:10 PM »

Hi All,

Planning a trip to TX in the fall for aoudad and oryx (if still huntable) and may add javelina if possible. What are the suggested guns/calibers??? I'm assuming my 35whelen as my primary and think it would be a bit of overkill so I was thinking of the following:

Handguns - 357, 41mag, 44mag or 480ruger
or
Rifles - assorted 223s, 243, 22lr or 17hmr

If you had these choices, what would you use???

stubshaft · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:11:14 PM »

For Javelina I would use a Hornet or download a 223. Used to shoot alot of the in AZ with a bow. They are not too hard to kill.

cabledad · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2011, 03:13:43 AM »

Aoudad are hard to see hard to kill and a wonderful trophy.I shot at one 2 years ago North of Lakey,Texas he was way out too far,They are like hogs they are nocturnal at least around our lease.We have seen them on our game cams.The Texas hill country is loaded with them.Yea get your Orynx now because there going to be protected and really screw things up in the Hill country.Good luck Chuck

Mohawk · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2011, 09:19:46 AM »

For Javelina the .357 should do fine for revolver. Any self defense load of general calibers work fine. Its done all the time. 9mm, 40, 45 etc.

Mohawk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2011, 09:21:43 AM »

But the Aoudad can take some lead. 7mm or 300 Win Mag would be suitable. 30-06 at a minimum.

gr8ful · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2011, 11:56:10 AM »

When I lived in New Mexico, I shot several javalina with a 22 Mag, killed them dead right now.

GeneRector · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2011, 02:38:57 PM »

Howdy! If you plan to use a rifle for Javelina, I would recommend the 243 with a 100gr bullet. I don't know much about handguns, but the 357 Mag would probably work just fine if you can get a good shot placement. Higher calibers are probably overkill. I would think a Javelina would be a great mount trophy as well. Best of luck!
Always, Gene

RaySendero · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2011, 03:56:41 PM »

Quote from: drdougrx on February 18, 2011, 03:06:10 PM

Hi All,

Planning a trip to TX in the fall for aoudad and oryx (if still huntable) and may add javelina if possible. What are the suggested guns/calibers??? I'm assuming my 35whelen as my primary and think it would be a bit of overkill so I was thinking of the following:

Handguns - 357, 41mag, 44mag or 480ruger
or
Rifles - assorted 223s, 243, 22lr or 17hmr

If you had these choices, what would you use???

I'd probably just use the 35 for the little piggies, too!

dukkillr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2011, 04:40:15 PM »

We talking free range or tame?

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2011, 06:44:27 PM »

There are no tame auodad or javelina.

For javelina I'd use a .357 magnum if handgun hunting or my .25-20 if rifle hunting. I almost had a hunt set up for javelina once but had to back out for health reasons. I was gonna use a 6 TCU for the hunt.

crash87 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2011, 03:47:15 AM »

Been on one javelina hunt, 2008 West Texas, My Dad, son, and myself.
2 taken with a encore (Rifle) 250-3000 100 gr hornady (My Dad)
2 taken with M-7 Rem. 260 Rem. 120 Rem PSP CL (My Son)
1 taken with Contender (pistol/15") 7X30 Waters, 120 Hornady (Myself)
To do it all over again, I will, I would now consider, a 22 Hornet or a 223 Rem. or because the limit was 2, both.
I also shot an Oryx, in Africa, Tough animals to say the least, But, any deer caliber in the 270 and up with premium bullets would be my choice. I used a wildcat 300 mag. with ballistics similiar to win. 300. Your 35 Whelen would equal perfection also. Good luck
CRASH87

drdougrx · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 06:32:49 AM »

Thanks for the replies everyone....I may look for a 22hornet and convert to a K Hornet...we'll see. I can certainly use the 243 or a revolver....not wedded to either one.

Dukkillr....we're talking free range...didn't miss your insult though...I forgive you....you are lawyer after all.
LOL(not)

Mohawk · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:35:35 AM »

Don't do as I did in my youth. I killed my first two Javelinas with a .338 Win Mag at 20 yds. Closets I've ever been to blowing anything in half. There is a group of LEO's here in Texas that simply use their personally owned duty weapons and ammo on a Javelina hunt each year. Their stories are some pretty interesting reading. They use the meat in a charity chili cookoff every year, the money going to crime victims.

drdougrx · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:07:05 AM »

Also...looking for an "excuse" to buy another gun!!!!

S_J_KENNELS · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:15:52 AM »

243, 223, 357mag, 22mag, 22lr, 45 colt anything that you want. A large caliber is over kill though.

oneoldsap · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:34:57 AM »

This thread brought back some fond memories . I was stationed at Ft. Hood from 1970-1974 and was a charted member of the Rod & Gun club . I was fortunate enough to have done quite a bit of Javelina hunting . I always used my S&W Mod 19 .357 or I'd sign my M-16 out of the Arms room for the weekend . We had great fun and they are pretty good table fare if handled right . Have fun !

dukkillr · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:55:37 AM »

Quote from: drdougrx on February 20, 2011, 06:32:49 AM

Dukkillr....we're talking free range...didn't miss your insult though...I forgive you....you are lawyer after all.
LOL(not)

Not meant as an insult, just that I would use a different gun depending. Do like the PeeWee Herman comeback though!

drdougrx · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:27:20 AM »

OK Dukk....musta missed the "different gun depending " suggestion in your post ...I'll scroll down and see what you suggested....glad you liked my comeback.....

Mohawk · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:01:33 PM »

Just have fun, Doc. And please report your hunt. If you ever wanted to see what a carry load can do, ballistically, this is your chance(at least to their scale) Anything centerfire is legal in TX and probably adequate for Jav's. You should be able to get quite close and put the bullet in the vitals without a problem.

drdougrx · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:36:25 PM »

Not a prob Mohawk....dukk soo enjoys his zingers .... no matter .... look'n forward to heading to Tx twice this year...once for business and once for pleasure. May just take the 41 I'm having converted to a bisley.

hamneggs · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:24:37 AM »

For the mini hogs a .223 will smoke 'em as will any moderate energy hangun load with a well constructed 110gr bullet. My friend has killed several stone dead with a HMR.17(don't condone it though I've blasted my share of vermin with one).
My only Aoudad was taken with a 300xtp from a smoke pole and my buddy tracked one all day that was well hit with a 7X30 before pumping the finale in it.They are tough critters. I'd say a .30 would be ideal.They will run into brush that would make a whitetail choke if not well anchored.
Good luck!

drdougrx · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:31:20 AM »

Thanks Ham! I also think the 17rim is a bit too lite. I can certainly use one of several 223s I own or one of my revolvers...it's fun scheming about what to use though!

Though I have a .300 as well as several other calibers that would be adequate for aoudad, I'm planning on using a 35whelen with a 225gr bullet at 2700fps.....

whitetailmaniac · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2011, 02:50:07 PM »

I have killed 2 aoudad one with 25-06 115 gr Nosler BT. The other with 270 140 gr winchester failsafe. 270 DRT, 25-06 ran about 40 yards. Dont have any experience with javelina though. Good luck on the hunt bud.

Chris

jmayton · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:21:10 PM »

Javelina will die easily with a .223 or anything similar. As for Aoudad, a friend of mine has killed them with his .223 but also with his .308 when he didn't feel like getting close. I'd say somewhere between .243 and 30-06 would be ideal for the sheep. They're usually pretty skittish, so you may have to reach out there. I think a .260 or 7mm-08 would be ideal. . . and would also take care of the Javelina without completely tearing them in half.

drdougrx · « **Reply #24 on:** March 02, 2011, 05:57:27 AM »

Thanks J,

I'm going to use my Whelen for the sheep...will get the same distance as an 06......

I do have a hankering to use my bushy natl match target.....the question is, do I want to cart it to TX on this trip. I have a HBar Car15 as well...would work fine and is a bit lighter....or a rem700 varminter....or a ruger MKII in 243....or...or...or....such problems!

jmayton · « **Reply #25 on:** March 02, 2011, 07:26:04 AM »

The default hog gun here in texas is quickly becoming some type of AR variant. Most use 16" barreled models in .223, but other calibers and configurations are used as well. For hogs in packs, nothing beats a semi.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** March 02, 2011, 07:37:26 AM »

years ago I shot with a couple guys who hunted Javelina in Texas every year , one had a friend out there. They used 22 mag SA revolvers .

Justin10mm · « **Reply #27 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:03:50 PM »

A while back I saw an old used Remington pump rifle in 32-20win. on the used rack in Cabela's, I can't help but think how much fun that rifle would be for javelina.

Mohawk · « **Reply #28 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:10:42 PM »

I love the .32-20. I am alive and typing today because my grandfather cop of Dallas PD defended himself with this cartridge years ago. A Smith .32-20 hand ejector that I now own. In a rifle it is awesome and very suitable for jav's.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #29 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:43:50 PM »

I just got back from hunting in AZ For javilina.
So far I have taken only one but the rifle I took was a CZ 527 American in 223 with 50 grain JHP Remington Bulk box.
I did take my 77/22 Hornet as a back up in case I or one of my buddies broke a rifle on the steep rocky hill sides.
Either would work well.
So far we have all been 75 to 200 yards away when shooting at them.
So fa my CZ has two my buddy used the 223 when he ran out of ammo chasing one up a hill with bullets. Ok he was trying to hit it but was shooting low.
As far as a handgun. Anything will work.
One of my buddys uses a 300 Win on the Javilina. Just makes a 30 cal hole in and 35 cal hole out. i expected the little pig to look like a ground hog that was hit with a 223.
Here is one with Mike and I and Javilina just before the huger rain storm in the background hit.