I'm planning on going on a couple hogs hunts this year during the off season in central california. I have a .243 savage that I always shoot either 100gr corelokts or 100gr winchester cxp2's. the only problem is theyre lead tipped and i can't use these in central cali because of the condor zones. i've already read on a couple other threads about using a .243 on hogs and most people say it's a big enough caliber to do the trick with a well placed shot, just need help on which loads i should use since i have to avoid lead. thanks gentlemen!

I've used 25-06 with 100 gr Core Lokts and they work fine. A .243 will kill them you just have to be careful with your shot (I've killed tons with .22s on depredation permits). The condor range is a different matter and I use Barnes bullets in those areas. They are available commercially loaded for .243 by Federal and I understand Hornady has just come out with a non-lead bullet. I haven't tried those but the Barnes Triple Shock or Maximum Range work just fine. Where in Central Cal are you hunting?

well i was thinking guided hunts cause they're pretty low priced, but apparently there's a lot of great hog hunting land around san luis obispo and santa barbara. i'd prefer to hunt one down myself rather than pay someone half a grand to take me right to them. just my preference. they say you can even ask blmfor updated maps on where there's a lot of them. i'm going to look into that.

The 243 will do a great job if you place your shot in the right place. The only copper bullets out there are the Barnes TTSX and TSX (they are essentially the same thing but the TTSX has a plastic tip), the Nosler E-Tip, the Hornady GMX, and the Remington Lead-Free (which is actually a GMX in a new wrapper).
All will do the job you are looking for. They won't be 100 grains but with the weight retention that copper bullets have they will still preform great if not better then what you are used to. I would go Hornady GMX Superperformance and see if my rifle likes them.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=838367

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=144470

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http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=941434

Core-Lokts will do the job and most of the others, but my Ruger likes the 100gr Sierra "Game Kings".....

Federal Premium
85gr Barnes Triple Shocks! 100% copper...

thanks a lot for all the great info guys. this is very much appreciated!

Widgeonator, If you want a "do-it-yourself" hunt check out the California Fish & Game web site and check out the Sonoma Lake public drawing. I hunted the ranch that ceded the land to the state for the lake and killed some nice hogs but it's a draw, .... and it's public. You might also try Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett, both in Monterey County (I think), contact their Provost Marshals.

If you want to pay a bit (a much better hunt) I think the Tejon Ranch in Kern County has commercial hunts. A top of the line hunt in Monterey County (by Camp Roberts) is Camp-5 Outfitters in Bradley (www.camp5outfitters.com). This is the finest pig hunting I've ever seen. A bit cheaper and a bit further south is Tom Willoughby, less frills but a good hunt (if you want his number let me know). The pigs in the central portion of the state tend to be bigger than the north so if you're looking for a trophy keep that in mind. If you're into meat ask whoever you hunt with if they have a reduced price for a second hog (they usually do). Good luck!

That's what I was thinking too.Are the 85g Sierra Gamekings lead free?

No, Game Kings are copper jacketed lead bullets, they're illegal where Widgeonator wants to hunt. The goo-goos think the condors will eat the gut piles and ingest lead. They had one they released a few years ago who swooped down into a parking lot and slurped up some antifreeze and died, ...... not as dead as lead poisoning though. They haven't been able to establish there were ANY condors killed by lead that I know of. Well, maybe the ones who were shot with it!