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Shotgun for big hogs
I wanted an opinion from theguys here at HN. I am relatively new to hunting. All of my hunting up until nowhas been archery.1/2 mile from my house there is a WMA that opens for hog hunting for a few weeks a year. Archery hunting is allowed and shotguns, no rifles or muzzleloaders. The problem is this place is very thick swampy terrain. Very few wooded areas for treestand hunting. The wooded areas have almost zero hog sign. Mostly palmettos and peppertrees. I have walked/scouted this place extensively, about 5-7 miles a day. All ofmy encounters have been no more than 100 yds, but most are 30 yds or less. In this thick stuff archery is almost out of the question. We will be hunting there this season with our bows, but next season I want to get a shotgun. What would you guys recommend as far as brand (reliability, durability) and do I want a gun with a rifled slug barrel or a gun for shooting buckshot and or rifled slugs? I have no idea on range or accuracy with buckshot or rifled slugs. I have heard that rifled slug guns shoot accurate out to 100yds or so. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
BTW: If it matters most of the hogs we have seen so far have been on the large side. 200#+ |
RE: Shotgun for big hogs
ORIGINAL: Capt. Mark Bennett I wanted an opinion from the guys here at HN. I am relatively new to hunting. All of my hunting up until now has been archery. 1/2 mile from my house there is a WMA that opens for hog hunting for a few weeks a year. Archery hunting is allowed and shotguns, no rifles or muzzleloaders. The problem is this place is very thick swampy terrain. Very few wooded areas for treestand hunting. The wooded areas have almost zero hog sign. Mostly palmettos and peppertrees. I have walked/scouted this place extensively, about 5-7 miles a day. All of my encounters have been no more than 100 yds, but most are 30 yds or less. In this thick stuff archery is almost out of the question. We will be hunting there this season with our bows, but next season I want to get a shotgun. What would you guys recommend as far as brand (reliability, durability) and do I want a gun with a rifled slug barrel or a gun for shooting buckshot and or rifled slugs? I have no idea on range or accuracy with buckshot or rifled slugs. I have heard that rifled slug guns shoot accurate out to 100yds or so. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. BTW: If it matters most of the hogs we have seen so far have been on the large side. 200#+ I have used many shotguns in my life from .410, 20ga and 12ga with Smooth Barrel to Rifled Barrel and Slugs and Sabots and 00 for Hogs............The one I have used for many years is an FN Browning A-5 W/ Hastings Full Rifled Barrel and Winchester BRI Sabots...  |
RE: Shotgun for big hogs
I would suggest getting a Remington 870with arifled barrel and cantilever scope mount. As far as a scope, I would mount a Nikon 'Prostaff' 2-7 x 32mm shot gun scope. Ammo - Hornady SST sabots.
I like the idea of having a pump action for quick follow-up shots if nessesary in lieu of a single shot. Attached is a photo of this same set-up next toa 200 pound doe I shot through the heart at 110 yards. http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/huntingthenorth/P1010002.jpg |
RE: Shotgun for big hogs
I would get a short barrelled 1100 or 870 with a smooth barrel as opposed to rifled barrel and iron sights, another sight to consider is an aimpoint type sight . I would use 3"OOO buckshot or a Brenneke Rifled slug. OOO will hammer a deer out to 40-50 yards I have done it dozens of times. The Brenneke will be good to 100 yards with the smooth barrel.
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RE: Shotgun for big hogs
I appreciate the comments. A pump action is what I am looking for. That 870 with the scope looks like a tough gun. Really what I will need in this terrain.
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RE: Shotgun for big hogs
ORIGINAL: Capt. Mark Bennett I appreciate the comments. A pump action is what I am looking for. That 870 with the scope looks like a tough gun. Really what I will need in this terrain. |
RE: Shotgun for big hogs
I still would use archery equipment if 30 yard shots were the usuall range.If forced to use a scattergunwould opt for 12 ga pump or auto with a rifled barrel and shoot saboted slugs. They are very accurate and you will have the penetration needed for the bigger hogs. I have personally seen what buckshot does on big hogs, which is not much,it makes them angry and run off to die a slow death if that. Buckshot tends to flatten out andsimply doesnt penetrate that well onthick skin, fat and grissle that is common on big hogs. If they dont drop in their tracks, tracking them can be tough with no blood trial. Use a slug, make a good shot and get pass through so if they run, they leave a good blood triail and enjoy some pork.
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RE: Shotgun for big hogs
 I think I found the one I need. Short rifled slug gun with open sights. |
RE: Shotgun for big hogs
That's a nice one captain, I like it!
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RE: Shotgun for big hogs
Mossberg 535 ATS
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