hog hunting... calibers you'd use first???

we have calibre restrictions over here, as does most of europe
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a good point. Different states have different regulations for hunting. I know you said where your at there are no caliber restrictions, but if you ever go hog hunting in another state that has a restriction, you might want to keep that in mind when choosing your caliber.

Washington State does not allow anything to be hunted with less than a .24 caliber. We don't have a feral pig population either though.

Edited to correct: Mountain lion alone can be hunted with a .22 caliber center fire.
 
Last edited:
Caliber restrictions are for game animals. Maybe California considers them game, I'm not sure of others. Non-game species usually have no restrictions other than a hunting license.

I'm agreeing with those that are gonna hunt them as a trip or weekend hunt with only one opportunity, take a more powerful gun.
 
.223 will kill a hog but you need to shoot it in the right place. I would prefer bigger rounds. Although not the biggest or the best, my preferred hog gun is my Marlin 336SS in 30-30. It gives me a fast second shot with a decent and powerful round. I have also used my Remington 870 12ga.
 
Not only does California consider hogs to be game, tags are issued for regular hunting and folks get prosecuted for poaching (no tags) and wastage.
Click to expand...

Not to mention the exorbitant prices ranchers want you to pay to hunt them on their property. When I was young there were no pig tags and there was no season, and people wanted the critters off their ranches. Now it's a money making deal for them so I've not hunted pigs in 30+ years.

The only time I got the hunt pigs I took a small boar with my 30-06 using 165 grn Hornady Interlocks. Bullet made a nice big hole but the jacket did separate from the core. I did not see anything special that made a "normal" sized animal look armored plated but years later when I was managing a hog farm we had a bore that weighed in at 805 lbs on slaughter day. If I ever get to hunt hogs again and I come across something that big, I'll wish I had my 30-06 again!
 
I like the idea of that .357 Maximum- but I also wish I could have a while to try out the .300 Savage and .250-3000 Savage rounds.
 
There's no restrictions on feral pig in the US. They are a non-native invasive species.
Click to expand...

Hunting regulations for feral pig are managed by each individual state, and many DO have restrictions. It would be wise to check the regulations of the particular state you hunt them in.
 
I would guess that many of the states with regulations on feral pigs, probably don't have a feral pig problem.... Anyway, it was only to illustrate why some folks use calibers not used for hunting regular game.
 
I like my SKS for hunting hogs in close quarters. That being said, there is a world of difference between a small sow and a big boar. My friend shot a 400lb+ boar with a .270 at dusk, came back the next morning and the carcass was still warm. The bullet entered one shoulder and never exited. For smaller pigs, I would have no problem using .223.
 
Anyway, it was only to illustrate why some folks use calibers not used for hunting regular game.
Click to expand...

I get that it is a big problem but you are still taking an animals life

it doesn't sit right with me somehow, it is not the animals fault it is a problem.

Sure it is a pest and causes problems but there are still some ethics we should stick with. a good clean death is that ethic

hunt it year around and 24/7 if needed

but don't use the hog problem as an excuse to hunt with less than optional means. or in such a way that the only reason is to say that you did it

there are videos of people hunting with airguns, tannerite and whatever.
gun-people and hunters have a big enough problem as it is we don't need to throw gasoline on the fire.

Sometimes efficiancy and helluva lot of fun converges like helihunting (or so I believe from watching videos of it)
but if somebody thought it would be fun to spear pigs from a motorcycle just for laughs I would have a problem with it
 
I've taken plenty of hogs with a .223. It's plenty of power to take down a hog. Hogs are not magically armor plated. Put the bullet where it needs to go and it will do the job just fine.
 
Agreed,
But a feral pig can be taken very humanely with a .223. It has limitations, mainly range. Feral pigs are hunted at close range, often in the company of domestic animals. Most aren't very big, even full grown. Lots are under-nourished. By the very nature of pig eradication on farms, you must take a disciplined shot. Most of it is done at night. .223 makes sense. It's powerful enough to work humanely, bullet exits can be limited. You also do not want a wounded pig barreling into a calf, you make sure the shot counts.

Hunting them for sport would obviously have a different set of parameters. A bigger longer range gun would be a better choice.

I think a CNS shot with .223 is way more sporting and humane than 30-06 to the kidney or an arrow in the chest.... People's viewpoints differ.

I don't think many people here are advocating reckless, inhumane killing
 
the same disciplined should of course be followed with a bigger calibre

there isn't a shot you can make with a 223 you can't make with a 308. the margin of error is bigger with a smaller calibre IMO, or am I wrong?

bears have been killed with 22lr but they shouldn't be activly hunted with it just because (or maybe we should allow it and just bet on the next Darwin awards:D )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top