CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

O.K. Folks...I'm in the market for a new deer/hog rifle. I'm a lefty, and want a left handed bolt action....so that in itself narrows my choices down...butI could usesome input on caliber.
I'm not new to hunting or guns, just been out of the woods too long and I'm determined to get back.
I'm trying to decide between the .270, .30-06, 7mm. Rem. Mag., and MAYBE the .300 Win. Mag.

If it was JUST deer....the .270 would be my choice...but where I hunt we have lots of hogs...big ones! Hogs killed that weight over 400 lbs. in our area are not rare. Most are in the 200lb.-300lb. range for a big one.

So..just trying to get some feedback on which caliber you folks would choose for deer and hogs/BIG hogs.....I only mention the 7Mag and 300 Win. Mag. because I've seen how effective they are on some of the bigger hogs. That .300 will flatten them!....but recoil is pretty stout.

Any opinions would be welcomed

Schoolcraft

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Most people use a lot more caliber than is necessary to get the job done. In the last few years I have been using a 7x57 Mauser and love the low recoil and it has taken 4 deer, and a cow elk as well as several coyotes. My primary caliber has always been a 270 Winchester but frankly the recoil even from that is twice what the 7x57 feels like. I use 140 gr SP chronographed at 28oo fps. This load is good for out to 300 yards and frankly I never have had to shoot any game past that distance. The belted magnums are pretty much over rated and if you don't believe that get a chronograph and check them yourself. Also the 7x57 killed more elephants than any other caliber but with a 175 gr military bullet. If you don't handload get a 270 and use 150 gr. bullets. I prefer 130 gr. The largest hog I ever shot was with a 223 when I was squirrel hunting. Rember shot placement is the most important aspect in any hunting.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

I seen 270's flatten big hogs. I agree shot placement is key. I have a 7 mag and I just plain don't like it. 270 is my go to gun from sika deer to elk.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Out of those you have listed I would go for the trusty old 270

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

I hunt hogs with bows and XBows, but I have some buddies they all have 30.06 and 7mm for hogs here in California.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

My only real "concern" with the .300 Winny is it's recoil. Not so much the punch on the shoulder but getting caught over the eye with the scope.
I've shot the .270, .30-06, and 7 Mag quite a bit over the years and dont have any problems with their recoil.
Just wondering how much of a jump I would see going from the 7 Mag to the .300 in the same rifle.

Any help would be appreciated

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Buy a left hand Remington model 700 in .270 and don't look back.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Quote:

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I'm trying to decide between the .270, .30-06, 7mm. Rem. Mag., and MAYBE the .300 Win. Mag.

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From those choices?.............. .270

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

I want to thank all of ya'll for your opinions and advice. Kinda' makes me realize that the "best" caliber out of the 3 I listed is probably........the oneyou have the most confidence in.....so I'll change my question up a tad.

If you had a 400 lb. hog standing broadside at 100 yards and you wanted to put a bullet through both shoulders to anchor him on the spot.....would you rather be shooting.

1. a 06' with a 165gr. or 180gr. partition

or

2. a 7 Mag. with a 150gr. or 160gr. partition

I seriously doubt if the hog would be able to tell the difference, but just curious what you folks who have more experience on the terminal performace of these 2 calibers/loads on tough animals.

Thanks again for all the input! Ya'll are really helping me to come to a decision

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Haven't taken a hog over 400# but have 6 from 140# to 340# and none went more than 20 yards. The gun (Savage 22-250), the bullet (Barnes 53gr. Solid Copper, TripleShock). It just flat knocks the stuffing out of them. Want to keep you recoil down, go with the .270 or consider the 25-06. You don't need a cannon to shoot hogs, what you need is shot placement & penetration!!!

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

I have shot both caliber and own both caliber. But for me I would prefer 7mm rem mag. it truely has the punch and nock down power that you need for all hunting in north america. If I was in that scenario that you have mention I would prefer to have my 7mm rem mag than my 30-06 because if that hog decide to charge the 7mm rem mag with a not so perfect shot placement would definently take that hog down. I understand that most people would disagree with my thought but when a hog charges at you, you really don't have the time to make a good shot. If you know that you have 400lb plus hogs in the area you hunt the 7mm rem mag is never a bad choice of weapon but it is a bit over kill on deer.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Howdy Fellows,

Stick to the tried and true 30/06, unless you have a very good reason to move to one of the 300 magnums. I recommend Remington's Safari Grade ammo with the Swift A-Frame, or the Winchester Failsafes. The Swift has all the gumption you need for a dead-right-now hog.

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
Boar Hunting Calibers

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

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RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

being a lefty myself i can tell you that either one (270 or 06) will get the job done. I have a 30-06 Left handed browning a-bolt and its on the money and puts them down if they are hit in the right spot. I just ordered (again leftys have to do it differently) a Tikka 270 for the longer distance hunts in the daytime, but i havent shot or hunted with a 270 since going after boar. Bottom line: if i had to leave the house with one, it would be the 30-06.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

You do not have to have a great big gun to kill a great big hog I have seen 200+lb hogs quickly taken down with a trusty old 22-250. As others have said shot placement is key.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Hello All!

The 22-250, and all the other high steppers can certainly put a hog down given proper shot placement. But as is usually the case, field conditions may prevent one from putting the pill where it belongs, namely, in the ear and through the brain.

So just to clarify, the 22 centerfires can be used, albeit under limited conditions. There are new projectiles that have come out recently that have thicker jackets, more weight retention, and promise better performance on bigger game, but the implication is they are designed with deer in mind. Hog is a whole 'nother proposition.

Having said all that, I have killed more hogs with a 22 rimfire than everything else combined. And just in case anyone's wondering, I have never lost a head of game to date. I am very careful of how I shoot and when I pull the trigger.

If y'all are interested I would appreciate if you took a look at an article I wrote some time ago on caliber choice for hog hunting: Boar Hunting Calibers. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Great write up, Al.
I have to say the 30-06 is my go to rifle. From Alaska to Florida, I've takenmany kinds of game, to me it's a never fail caliber, if I do my job.
For hogs here in Florida, I prefer a 180 gr, by ... whoever. I like the Remington Corelokt, but I'm not choosy. As long as I domy job and assure the shot is whereI want it , the '06 will darn sure do it's job.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

You hunt witha stick and string! Are you even allowed to have a firearm Russ?:DBut correct a 270 will work well as something larger just shoot it well and problem solved!

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Out of the Calibers listed I would suggest the .270. Another great caliber that you didn't list that can be had in factory chamberings is the .280 Rem. Compareable to the .270 but with better bullet selection being that it shoots the 7mm bullets. You can get the great factory loaded Barnes bullets that don't come apart even while hitting heavy bone.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

I believe I saw where Remington was coming out with a lefty in 7mm-08 this year. That will be an excellent combo gun with less recoil than the venerable 30/06 if that's a concern.With 140 grn. partitionsthat's plenty of medicene for critters up to elk size. On the risk of starting a backlash I'll have to say that we have had more big boarsstop .270s in the shoulder shield and walk away than any other caliber. Maybe the bullet is just a little to fast at generally very close range to do what it needs to do, especially ballistic tips, which appear to be the favorite of most .270 fans. Maybe it's just because it's the most popular caliber we get and thepercentages just lean towards it. Either way, big boars with a heavy shield are as tough a shoulder shot as any animal on the planet. We prefer an earhole shot whichany caliber can neatly take care of business and not have us crawling through swamps half the night.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Bullet placement and bullet construction are much more important than caliber. A properly constructed bullet properly placed from any of the guns you mentioned will put a hog down. On the other side of the coin, improper placement or improper bullet construction can get you hurt on a big tough hog.

As was said above, most people use way more gun than they need. I have personally killed more than a hundred 300+ lb hogs with the lowly 30-30.

Just buy the gun you like best, use well constructed bullets, and practice enough to be able to put them where you want them.

Bill

P.S. A nosler balistic tip is not a "properly constructed" bullet when hunting hogs. It is fine for deer, but use dangerous game bullets when hunting hogs, you are, after all, hunting dangerous game.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Get either the .270 or 30-06 and use a quality Bonded bullet and you will be good to go. My experience with ballistic tips on hogs has not been favorable. Shot an 80 lb hog at 100 yds through the boiler room and he still managed to run 100 yds. But I dropped a 250lb hog instantly at 100 yds with federal 150gr round that you can get from walmart for twelve bucks a box. I shoot a .308 CZ 550.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

i think an ideal crossover caliber or a calibewr to take ANYWHERES would be the .350 mag. its not really a supermagnum of todays standards but it does have a belted case. its def. a thumper though! remington could probably make you a left handed model if you emailed the custom shop

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Any deer rifle will kill any hog on this planet. Hogs are not super animals. I kill them all the time with a slow longbow as well as what ever gun ive got on hand. Ive taken them with 243s, 30-30, 30-06, 270, 223, 222, 22-250, 7mm,300 wsm, 300 wby, 308s, etc. Pistols 38 special, 45 acp, 9 mm, 44mag, etc. Good shot placement is the key, just like with any other animal. If I were you, Id get the caliber you like for deer, and it will work for hogs.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

How about a old trusty 45/70 !! That will kill any hog I know of with ease.With the new Hornaday rounds your range is extended to 200 yards.With some practice 250.

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Where were you hunting that you can hunt squirrels with a .223? Here it's rimfire or shotgun or .32 cal muzzleloader. No centerfire.

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

10-4, Burnie.....

RE: CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
 

Why does every one get the latest tack driver with a high power scope in then shoot an animal in the shoulder ?
head and neck shots for me and small calibers. If I shoot for the shoulder its because I am using an iron sight 30-30.
My best friends son busted a bruiser last week 240lbs gutted. One shot from a .22 LR open sights.