I am surprised at how many 5.56 cal rifle are posted.  I haven't started hunting yet, was planning on using a 12.5" AR10 SBR, prolly w/ 155 grain Tap or maybe a better penetrating bullet.  Maybe that's overkill???

Are you guys who are shooting em' w/ 5.56 cal rifles stalking around in the brush or are you shooting at some range?

I know that if you can snipe them in the neck from a distnance w/ a 5.56 you'll kill 'em dead, but I don't know if I would feel very good about facing a big charging boar w/ a 5.56 nato rifle.  

I even see people talking about using 55grain Vmax etc.  I understnd that will make their throat explode if they are turned sideways to you but I dont' see stalking hogs in the brush w/ that...

Thanks for your thoughts.

77gr. SMK gets the job done.

you need the Barnes 62 or 70 grain TSX for the job. Or step up to the plate and buy a 6.8 SPC.  Special purpose is killing hogs.

You have it a bit backwards.

The 5.56 is just enough if you get really close.  That means 50 yards or less.  Sure, it will kill them if you get the optimum head or neck shot, but shooting at center of mass or on the run or both, usually results in a wounded hog.  That's when things really get dangerous.

6.8 and .308 are better suited to one shot kills at a greater distance, IMO

YMMV

A lot of folks use a .223 for hog hunting.  Will it work? U bet your ass if u do your part.  If you have the time to make proper shot placement a .223 is plenty. The problem is depending on how your hunting can change that very fast. I now prefer my Fulton. 308. Most of the time I'm stalking on foot, and very seldom do I have a stationary target. The. 308 is much more forgiving on shot placement compared to a. 223. You can hit them in the ass,stomach,shoulder or wherever and more than likely they wont go far.  There's just a ton more energy delivered with a larger caliber. Its still a kick in the ass though shooting them with ar's!

.223 75gr TAP will get the job done.

+1

I shoot a lot of hogs and I have killed a lot of them with a 5.56, but there are better choices like the 458 Socom.

Our huntin buddy, Trigger uses a 5.56 mini 14 and gits the job done, but he also has a 450 Bushmaster that is a THUMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!

What ranges?

Most of my hunting is done at ranges under 100 yards. I have made shot out too 200 yards with both my 5.56 and my 458 Socom. With the 5.56 there is little room for shooter error or poor bullet performance. Most of the hogs I have shot with the 5.56 were shot in the ear or neck. With the 458 Socom A good hit with a 405 grain jsp will put them down hard. The Socom is at its best when ranges are less than 100 yards. Its one hell of a brush gun. I manage the hog population on a few ranches in my area and I carry both guns with me whenever I hunt. I use the Socom when I need to kill a single hog or a large hog and I use the 5.56 when I have to kill a large group of animals. Spraying a mag full of 458 Socom into a group of pigs gets pretty expesive. The top gun is the 5.56 and the bottom is the Socom.

On my grove I have shot many hogs with 5.56 . a few months ago I bought an AR in 7.62x39. It is better suited for the job. My problem is I hunt at night and I would loose the hog after shooting them. I would find them a few days later by the buzzers feeding on them. 5.56 will work but your better off with the 308

.50 Beowulf will knock 'em down with one shot, no matter where you hit them, I'm sure, same as the .458. I've hit them in the ass and had an exit through a shoulder. I've also done MANY one-shot-one-kills with my 5.56 and my 6.5  Grendel. For walking through some thick brush, not knowing where they may jump up, the big-bore can't be beat.

It doesnt matter what round you use, as long as you make a good shot.

I have been using a .22 hornet for the last 9 years and have never had a hog iv hit get up and run off.  Given, I have had a few running pigs get hit and collapse soon afterwards.  556  is enough if you put it where it needs to go.

I like to use a 5.56 from a stand or at night over bait, but when I stalk I tend to use something bigger (12ga or .30-30 are my favorites)

- AG

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Agreed!