best gun for hogs
 

what is the best gun for hog hunting?

RE: best gun for hogs
 

You're sure to get a lot of responses on this one!

I prefer to use a large caliber rifle, because you never know if you'll be shooting at a dinner-size hog or one the size of a bulldozer, so I feel it's better to be over-gunned than under-gunned.

I have a Savage 110 in .30-06, and I shoot 180-grain soft-point ammunition. It's a combo I've used a lot, I'm comfortable with it,it is accurate for me, and...itknocks 'em down just fine.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Any large caliber. I use a .308, but 7-08, through 300 mags are my recomendation. Mostly because large boars have a think pad protecting their shoulders and smaller caliber bullets won't make it through if you take a broadside shot. Personally, I am not much of a hog hunter, but rather a hog shooter (which means, I have access to a property with very large populations, so I pretty much harvest one, as opposed to hunting them), so I head shoot everything. If this is your situation, anything from 223 up will do. I usethe .308 because that is my carry gun on the ranch.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Anyone from .243 (100gr) to .30-30 (150gr)......Gosh guys, if you ever hunted Hogs you will know you don't need a Bazooka to hunt Hogs!:eek::)

30-30 vs Boar

RE: best gun for hogs
 

The one that you can shoot accurately.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

45-70, why not it,s fun to shoot:D

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Second that. I use a .223 because it is the gun I shoot all the time, so I shoot it accurately.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I hope a 7mm-08 will due. That's what I plan on using next month when I go.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Ditto, I love using my 45-70 on hogs and watching them cut a flip when hit in the shoulder with a 405 grain flatnose softpoint.

But most recently I've been using my AR-15 in .223 to bust 'em at night with my nightvision.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I use a .22, and that's not a typo. If I was going to be shooting a big boar I might use a .223 or .243 but a .22 right behind the ear on a smaller hog will do the trick. I friend of mine has killed a few 150-200 lb. hogs with his .22 (lung shot)and his little sister using a .243 killed 300+lb. gilt. I wouldn't use a .22 if I was trophy hunting for boars but for sals and population control, it works fine. If I was hunting for trophy boars at a place I've never been, I would probably use my 7-08

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I like the old 270. But if you know what you are doing like GA then I guess you can pick them of all day with a .22.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Hell Yeah!!!! 45-70 Gov't

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Back when I was living in California is the only place I have hog hunted. Ft. Hunter Legget, Camp Roberts, few other area's just outside the Monterey area.

Only thing I ever hunted them with was a handgun, .44 mag 7.5 inch barrel single action.

I always figured, hunting was supposed to be sporting. Get in close enough, give them as much chance to get you as you have of getting them. Always worked for me, nice to have someone standing behind you with a really really big rifle though.

:-)

RE: best gun for hogs
 

i average killing one hog per month. Most of my hogs have been killed with a .50muzzleloader. Some have been killed with a .22 Hornet and .223. A350 pound boar was dispatched with a Ruger 10/22 and solid point ammo.

Bullet placement is critical when hunting hogs.Saw a hog hit withtwo, 180 grain.30-06 bullets in the wrong place just run off and not be recovered.Do not think deer anatomy when hunting hogs. Here is a good link to hog anatomy:

http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I agree with the post that said, "the one you shoot the best". With that said, id still stay clear of small caliber. A 22 will kill a hog, but not the best choice. 22-250 or 222 or 223 are ok 22s, but not the rim fires. Id go with at least a 243 and up. Ive taken them with; pistols=38sp, 45acp, 357, 44mag, 454casull, and 45 colt. Rifles=22-250, 223, 30-30, 30-06 (which is a great all around caliber), 270 (another great all around caliber), 8mm, 300wby, 300rum, and 7mm rum. If I were buying a gun, id stick with one you can get the most out of, like 270s, 308s, 30-06s, or7mm-08s etc etc. Ones that you can use for a whole lot of other things..

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I do believe a .22 would do the job but what possible reason would there be for that choice. Unlessyou were a "really" great shot and that was all you had with you. It just seems a little on the light side especially if you were to try for a lung shot. I guess I'm missing something.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Rim fires will take them down with a head shot. That is why I dont suggest them. Other 22s will work great, like the 22-250 or 223.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

My new Hog gun.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Nice looking gun. Mine is a Marlin .450. It is bigger than I need but it is fun to shoot them with. We haven't had any of them run after being shot. With it we can shoot straight through the biggest hog and not have to worry about the shield.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Just use your deer rifle. There is no "Best". It's all subjective based on personal preference. Icarry my Rem. 700 .243 for deer, and, if I see a hog, I shoot it...

RE: best gun for hogs
 

10-10-10-10-10-10-4, Good Buddy!:D:D:D

RE: best gun for hogs
 

What're your thoughts on shotguns? I have a lottery hunt coming up and was planning on using my 12 gauge with 00 buckshot. Shots will probably be under 30 yards because of the brush, and I'd bet they're gonna be running everywhere.
-- B

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I used 00 buck years ago, but went with the Sabots back in the 70's whenstalking them and that wasn't to often cause I ran dogs for 45+ years and just carried side arm.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

i hunt on a very large place where the use of center fire rifles is prohibited. Muzzleloaders and shotgun slugs are sometimes restricted or prohibited as well. So i just take my trusty 10/.22 and shoot hogs if they get really close.Have yet to shoot one that got away. Just put that .22 solid point bullet in the ear or between the ear and the eye.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I agree with ipscshooter. What ever you deer hunt with would be great. I have taken hogs with everything from a .270 and a 30-30 to a 12 ga. and 22 mag. I will have to say that I have taken more hogs with my .22 mag than I have with any other weapon in my collection.

But if your looking for a good starting hog gun, you really can't go wrong with the trusty ol' 30-30

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I hate buckshot for any hunting, home defence yes but hunting no.
I've whitnessed far to many deer peppered with 00 buck and lost,so I doubt a hog would be any easier to kill with this stuff!
I started deer hunting with buckshot back in the 70's and after wounding three and recovering none I decided to hunt with a rifle or give it up altogether. Since then I've lost one deer that was hit and I've clean missed two.
I quit counting at 40 dead, some years ago. Glenn

RE: best gun for hogs
 

i prefer guns that shoot. that being said, i watched a show on t.v. the other day where a guy shot a 180 pound hog with a Gamo AIR rifle and killed it dead. shot placement is what kills, not guns.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I'm not really a big fan of buckshot either, but I decided to try it in my gun. Out to 40 yards I was getting 9 pellets on a pie plate. 5-6 were really dense though (3" group or so). I ended up buying a bunch for my hog hunt since everyone that's done it previously seems to recommend it. Hopefully I'll be able to see for myself how well it works. I'll let y'all know.
-- B

RE: best gun for hogs
 

The gun you want to carry hog hunting!!!

RE: best gun for hogs
 

For what you are describing, buckshot will work fine. I have killed many deer and hogs out to 40 yards. I see alot of people on here don't like buckshot, and I would bet most have no personal experience using it. The main thing about buckshot is to know your limitations. I use the same standards for buckshot that I use for archery tackle, and with that in mind, you will have no trouble cleanly killing deer or hogs.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

I agree, go with a slug over buckshot.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Well I sure wish I'd asked y'all sooner. The hunt is tomorrow and it's too late to pick up and shoot a few slugs now. Should I get a shot tomorrow, should I go for the vitals or the neck/head area?

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Did a canned hunt last year in NY State. All I had then was a 20 gauge Red Label. Used a one oz slug Buckhammer, and got a shot through the lungs on a nice 140 lb hog that was running. It went down and didn't move or make a sound. From 120 feet away in a treestand.
Just got a Rem 700 SPS in 300wsm. Would use that now, cause I got it! But that ounce of lead did the job last year. Use what you got, and place the shot!

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Just a suggestion;)

RE: best gun for hogs
 

A 10/22? Ruger 10/22? dang...never thought about such a small cal. for hogs....always thought a bit bigger is better. Think ill give this a try! My Ruger is deadly accurate too:D...(crazy is a man who hunts a large sometimes angry animal such as a hog with a small bullet! guess im going to be crazy;)))))

RE: best gun for hogs
 

One you can shoot the best. Id stay above a 243. 243 and large 22sand up are ok. Shot placement is probably more important.

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Shot placement is critical when hunting hogs. i have killed a few hogs with a .22 rimfire at close range and a lot of them with a .22 Hornet: However, most have been killed with a .50 M/L and the .430 240 grain XTP bullet.Just aim for the area between the eye and the ear. If you can put a bulletthere ear you got him.

Do not think deer anatomy when shooting hogs: They ain't the same. Hogs can be very hard to kill if the shot is not placed right: i,ve seen them run away after being shot with a .300 Weatherby Magnum and a 180 grain bullet. Here is a good thing on hog anatomy:

http://www.hunting-in-texas.com/learnhogs.htm#anatomy

RE: best gun for hogs
 

22-250or 200 warbird etc are all big rounds that have more than enough punch to kill a hog..

RE: best gun for hogs
 

CZ .17 HMR ear shots

RE: A couple of eating piggies

RE: best gun for hogs
 

Ok well I shot a 290lb russian boar with my 8mm mauser with 200gr. nosler part. and it went down fast, my dad shot a 260 pounder with his 243, as with anything bullet placement is what counts.