Posted: 4/8/2010 5:26:56 AM EDT
Okay I am going on my first Hog hunt after I get back from Iraq here at the end of may in South Tx and packing my AR-15 and Browning 7mm for back up. Will the AR be enough to put the little begger to the ground. I will be using .223 Ballistic tips the my brother loaded up with max load. Not to sure the specs of the ammo. But is there any over the counter rounds that you guys would recommend. Or is what I have good for the little piggies.  
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I'm no expert on shooting pigs, but from my experience using the .223 on pigs is all about shot placement.
I used a Sako bolt action with Winchester 62 gr soft points when I first tried pig hunting. I placed my shots just like I would on a deer. First big boar I shot dropped in his tracks, there were a bunch of other pigs so we turned around and engaged them, I wounded a sow, then had another boar charge us my buddy hit the boar and I went back and put one into the head of the sow. Went back to get the big boar and couldn't find him. After that I switched over to a 6.5x55 Mauser and shot several more with no problems. I have since learned that my shot on that first boar was probably to far back to reach the heart and lungs. Learn the pigs anatomy and where to place your shots and the .223 will work fine, but I personally prefer to hunt them with a larger caliber. |
| I assembled my AR with hog hunting being the main objective for it....and its a .223. Dont let all of the "bigger is the only way" crowd get to you. Place the round where it needs to be and the .223 will drop them every time. And if for some reason you get a "bullet proof" hog, you should have atleast 20 more rounds....so keep hammering. |
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I believe 223 is enough to take down a big boar w/ correct shot placement. That being said, on my first hunt ever I used a Romanian PSL with 203gr sp in case I didnt get shot placement (but I made a heart shot anyway) because I do not have a 'true' hunting rifle in large caliber (only milsurp). I have a 223 savage w/ accutrigger that I could have used and it is my only true 'hunting rifle'. I never thought I would go hunting in my life so I never bought a 'real' hunting rifle. Bought the 223 savage because ammo was cheap to bench shoot with.
Links to hog shot placement (is not like a deer). http://www.wildboaroutfitters.com/hunts.html I am the photo on the homepage. The owner/guide said many experienced hunters were missing shots. http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html This guy made the PERFECT shot placement with 223 on his first hunt ever. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=9&t=634158 I was never in the military and had never been hunting for anything in my life and this is a short version of what I did to prepare http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=9&t=633208 With your military background you should be miles ahead of me. |
| I jsut got back from going last week, and i used my ar exclusively. I was easier to pack around through some of the woods and accurate enough to make some kill shots at 100 or so yards. I used 60 grn partitions that I loaded. I had always thought that ballistic tips were more for thinner skinned animals and the partitions were more of a solid more bone breaking bullet. I dont know though Im new at the hog game I just know what I used and I go results. I feel after seeing the shield that even little pigs have that placement would be key on a bigger pig. |
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I used a 7mm to kill my first hog. I'll use my 45-70 for the next. Not once did the thought of using my .223 cross my mind - not when I had much better calibers to choose from. Use the Browning 7mm. A hog is not a thin-skinned enemy combatant. The 7mm round will punch through the thick shoulder plate on a hog and give you a greater margin for error. Or do you just feel like putting multiple rounds into a dying animal as you track it through the woods? If so, have at it. |
I Know 7mm will do the job no doubt about that. Any person who has any sense about hunting and shooting guns can shoot an animal. But when you start making it a little more challenging by using a .22 caliber round to put a kill shot on a hogs Thing Tank target. That's what I like about the hunt is how hard can I make it. I have been hunting my entire life and to go out and shoot a deer with a rifle anymore is easy. But I love to stalk with my bow that I find is a pretty good challenge so far I have killed 4 deer that way. I also consider myself a pretty good shot so I am confident that I will be able to do it. But who knows if I get one of those little bastards to charge me and have to pull the 1911 and go muzzle to tusk with the little beggar that might change my mind. Not saying that all hunting isn't hard I have gone elk, ram, and oryx hunting before and that was a challenge. I got lucky enough to draw an oryx tag before I deployed and killed a female with 33" horns and that was one of the best hunts I have ever been on. I am just looking to make this a bit more challenging.
 
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When using 5.56x45 on hogs, shot placement is critical, particularly for the larger ones.
Many folks seem to recommend 60gr. Partitions or 64gr. PowerPoints as preferred projectiles. I have used the former effectively, but have never tried the latter. Ballistic Tips would not be my first choice. YMMV. Good luck on your hunt, and thanks for your service on behalf of our Nation. |
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Quoted:
I Know 7mm will do the job no doubt about that. Any person who has any sense about hunting and shooting guns can shoot an animal. But when you start making it a little more challenging by using a .22 caliber round to put a kill shot on a hogs Thing Tank target. That's what I like about the hunt is how hard can I make it. I have been hunting my entire life and to go out and shoot a deer with a rifle anymore is easy. But I love to stalk with my bow that I find is a pretty good challenge so far I have killed 4 deer that way. I also consider myself a pretty good shot so I am confident that I will be able to do it. But who knows if I get one of those little bastards to charge me and have to pull the 1911 and go muzzle to tusk with the little beggar that might change my mind. Not saying that all hunting isn't hard I have gone elk, ram, and oryx hunting before and that was a challenge. I got lucky enough to draw an oryx tag before I deployed and killed a female with 33" horns and that was one of the best hunts I have ever been on. I am just looking to make this a bit more challenging.
Ok dude. You did not disclose this information at the beginning of your post. When you try to make hunting more difficult than it already is you a one of the superhunters and, most probably, you will get the shot placement because you have proven experience and capabilities. |