Gun for boar hunting?

H

HiWayMan

New member
I plan on going on my first boar hunt next spring and I would like some feed back on what to take. I'm trying to decide between my S&W 1000 semi-auto 12 gauge or my custom 1903A3 .30-06 loaded with a 200gr. RN.

I'll entertain all suggestions because hell I may get to go buy a new gun out of the deal.
 
Often recommended for that job is the Marlin in 45-70 .It will take even the biggest pig very efficiently.
 
Choices were neither the 44 Mag nor the 45-70, though I understand the offer to buy a new gun.

HiWayMan-
Either the 12 Gauge or the 30-06 will get the job done in short order.

Gof'rit
Rich
 
I can't even begin to tell you how many hogs I've killed with my .30-06 when hunting. As far as a 200 Gr RN, if that's what you like and it performs well in the gun, then that will work out great. I've seldom felt the need to go heavier than 180 grain (furthest I had to track a pig with that round was about 40 feet). Heck, my 150 grain spitzer style bullets have performed well many a time. Just whatever shoots well and accurately in the gun.

Now if I was going to go buy a gun just for boar hunting... well I've been looking for an excuse to buy a .375 H&H for years. That would probably be my excuse for it.
 
Already had an '06 and 12 gauge, but most recent purchase for "hog gun" was Ruger .454 revolver. As explained to The Wife, the primary "reason" that I "needed" such was for "bear defense" ;) when hiking in SW Colorado. Then, showing her a picture of one of the big ole ugly boars posted over at THR sealed the deal. :D
 
How do you plan on hunting hogs? If you're chasing them with dogs, take the lightest gun (I'm partial to 44mag revolvers or short carbine lever guns in 44mag or 30-30, though I just picked up a light 12ga auto). If you aren't running all over creation up and down the mountains grab what ever is handy put a sturdy bullet/slug in it and go. I'd be more worried about a fast expanding non-penetrating bullet more than 12ga or 30-06 (though I'd take the auto 12ga - faster pointing). I have a friend who climbed a tree (dropping his Rem 7400 :eek: ) because he didn't listen and tried some light fast 87gr 243 that worked good on little deer. He bought a lever 30-30 for hogs. :)
 
Of the two choices given,I'd have'ta go with the 30-06.However,bullet placement is of the utmost importance with those critters.Most of those I have killed(40-50)where taken with either a .243 or .222mag.In or right behind the ear will drop'em like a rock.Those that are caught in a trap are dispatched with a .22LR right between the eyes.

BW
 
I agree with the 30-06

The 30-06 has a bit more range on it. slugs are good close in. I advise against buckshot. Buckshot performance is spotty on piggies.
Anyway, I like being able to reach out a bit further on pigs, just in case they decide to put distance between us. Taken quite a few pigs, and unless I'm in the thick stuff I like my rifle.
By the way if you do get an in the ear shot, DRT everytime. .22 works in the ear just fine.
 
Oh the 30-06 is the way to go for sure! If you have a 'pet load' for the 200 grain bullet have at it ! I wouldn't hunt pig with anything lighter than a 180grain STOUTLY CONSTRUCTED bullet. A 200 or 220 is even better. Make sure your gun is sighted in for your load. Avoid facing shots, if you have to take one a 30-06 will brain him ok! :)
 
I've gotten a couple of boars with my Ruger Super Redhawk .44mag 9.5".
It's alot of fun sneeking through the woods with a long pistol. I put a red dot scope on it & it works great for white tailed deer here in Michigan also. :cool:
 
What's the range that you'll most likely be shooting them at?

I think the .30-06 with open sights or a very low-power scope would be best but I used to hunt hogs all the time with a 12 gauge loaded with magnum 000 buck and it worked fine. However, my shooting distances were rarely more than 20 or 30 yards because of the thick brush on our land. I once hunted with a guy who insisted on using a .22 mag. I was skeptical but he shot and killed two big hogs on the run that day. He'd just lay into them in the side of the chest/heart area with several shots. Worked like a charm.

Now I pretty much just hunt them with my .357 mag revolver. That's what I have the most fun with and I've had good success with it. So far hard cast bullets have worked the best but 180gr sjhp's work fine too. I think the next load that I'll try will be Winchester Partition gold in 180gr.

brad cook
 
The '06 with the 200 gr. RN will get the job done easily if you make a decent shot. Remember, a pig's heart is very low in the chest and is right behind the front shoulder.
 
for feral hogs, h unted in heavy cover, I am partial to the .44 mag, loaded with a Speer 270 grain GDSP over a lot of H110. If hunting in terraine with longer range shots, I go with my Mannlicher-Schoenaouer carbine in 8mm. I use a 220 grain Speer Game King at around 2500 fps. Simply deadly on hogs.
 
I love warthog hunting!!!! Anything will do with the correct shot placement. I've killed warthog with .22 to .458 and it all works but they are tough so I prefer my .375 with cast bullets.

They are so much fun!!!!!!!!!
 
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