The .223 can get the job done if you use premium quality, dangerous game bullets. If I remember correctly, swift makes a solid copper bullet that will get the penetration you need. However, in my opinion, the .223 is marginal on large hogs. If I had a .223 in my hand when a hog charged, then I would use it to defend my self, but I doubt that I would go out looking to pick fight on purpose with one. I sure wouldn't buy one for that purpose. I know that a .223 will killa hog, and that there will be people come on here and say that they have done it, and I do not doubt them, but the .223 leaves very little margin for error, and if you spend very much time hunting hogs in the TX panhandle, sooner or later you are going to go beyond that margin.

Bill