First Hog Hunt Advice

S

sholling

New member
I'm going on my first hog hunt next month. Feral hog or Russian boar. I've opted for a guided hunt and I have a good personal collection to choose from. A Howa in 30-06 with a 3.5-10x42 scope, a brand new Tikka in 300wm with a 4-16x42, or an open sight Benelli M1 S90 with a 20" barrel. Right now I'm thinking the Howa is a good compromise. I have plenty of 180gr. SP Federal Power-Shoks in both 30-06 and 300wm. I've been looking forward to this for ten years and finally have the time. I'm open to suggestions from the old hands.

My selection for backup is a little sparse. My choices are limited to 230gr FMJ from a 45acp, or Corbon 200gr. hard cast 357mag from either my 4" model 66 or my 6" 686. Again that's what I have on hand. Of course the guide will be my primary backup but I'm very belt and suspenders when it comes to protecting my hide. I'm leaning toward the model 66 for the weight but I'm open to suggestions. Recommendations?
 
Wild hogs aren't hard to kill the .30-06 will work fine. I myself would use a lighter bullet but your 180's will work OK. I would probably carry the .45 if it was to stop a charging one, pumping some 230 gr FMJ into its snout should work.
 
Where are you heading, or are you staying in Kali?

For back-up, any of your choices is fine, just pick the one you draw fastest and shoot straightest:D

I know pigs can be dangerous, but on the hunt we went on in Texas, you were more likely to get steam-rolled as they were trying to escape than them actually charging you.
 
Wild hogs aren't hard to kill the .30-06 will work fine.
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Thanks. Just out of curiosity why would you go with lighter '06 rounds? I was worried that the 45 wouldn't have enough penetration but packing my M&P45 would sure be a lot lighter than either of my .357s.

Don't use a 9mm :D
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Brain damage does not run in my family... ;)
 
Where are you heading, or are you staying in Kali?

For back-up, any of your choices is fine, just pick the one you draw fastest and shoot straightest
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There's a rancher about 50 miles from me that offers guided hunts on his land. He comes highly recommended by the gun shop that gets most of my money.

I'm best with my M&P45, I've never even fired the 357s. My dad left them to me and I just haven't gotten around to it yet, and my 1911s are too fricking heavy to pack along. So I guess that's my pick.
 
sholling said:
Just out of curiosity why would you go with lighter '06 rounds?
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Flatness of trajectory.

The .30 caliber 150's are structured for good performance on deer, hogs, ect at .30-06 velocities and give a flatter trajectory than the 180's which are intended for larger game or the higher velocity of the magnums.
 
30-06 should do nicely with a tactical 6" fixed blade as back up.
more sporting that way. your guide could end it if you got into trouble.
I may have missed this but is the guide supplying dogs? and whats an outing like that go for nowadays?
 
$350-450 depending on what you're going after. $50 if you come up empty handed. I have no idea about dogs. I've seen other places ask 2-3 times that.
 
the sidearms you have will be fine. the shoulder arm should be a quick handling fast pointer carbine type. so any you have will do but an 16" barrel job is ideal.
 
That is why I asked if you are staying in California to hunt or going somewhere. What I have seen and read of California hog hunting, and you could confirm with your guide - it is a lot more open and you can actually make some long shots.

Brush hunting is a fast shoot game, so I would agree with a shorter rifle. The hunt I did in Texas was almost like quail hunting. They would sit tight in the cover until you almost stepped on them, and then all heck would break loose.
 
I'm afraid my only carbines are Mini-14s and M1s and I'm not ready to take on a Hog with either. Here's a couple of photos borrowed from their website. It looks like pretty typical southern California hill country terrain.

terrain1.jpg
bighornpig.jpg
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If I can get close enough, I use my S&W 686+ in .357 mag with red dot scope. Got a hog a few nights ago that weighed about 100 lbs. He was running broadside at about 25 yards. One shot with Double Tap 158 gr. gold dot to the side of the head. Bullet went in and out and he dropped right then.
 
With either rifle, stay away from ballistic tip bullets. They don't work well in thick skinned animals like hogs. You need a bullet that will mushroom reliably and stay together as it penetrates.
 
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