Transbrake
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What caliber AR for hogs?
- Thread starter rodwhaincamo
- Start date
Suwannee Tim
New member
I vote the .308 winchester for long range hog killing in an AR platform. I am still waiting for the 30-06/270 combo to come out for the AR.
There you go! A combination gun, two barrels, one 30-06 and one 270 based on the AR. Can't beat that for 350 yard hogs! This thread is making more sense by the minute!
rodwhaincamo
New member
I typically use a 270 Win for hunting. But I'm trying to convince myself and mine that an AR (not the AR 10) is a worthy addition. It's basic use would be for HD, but with the ability to hunt medium game.
Maybe I should have worded my statement/question a little differently when I mentioned "hunting." Hogs can be very destructive, and ranchers/farmers can be found that will allow you to hunt them for free. They want them eliminated so the more you can put down at one time the better as they may not come back around for months.
The 6.5mm Grendel has plenty of umph at 300 yds to take a 50-250 lb hog. In fact I read how a guy (developer?) used his to put down a bull elk at over 400 yds with one shot. It didn't go more than 10 yds before it piled up.
I definately believe that even nuisance critters should be dispatched quickly. A pass through shot I might add.
As for being able to shoot that far accurately? Not sure if I can. But I definately can put their eye out at 200 yds or less with one hand tied behind my back. So with lots of practice and an understanding of it's trajectory and windage I feel I could do it.
6.5mm Grendel (19.5" barrel)
129 SST/IB 2500/1790 1548 1332 1140 971
+5.8 +6.6 0.0 -15.4 (-6.5 @ 350 yds)
Maybe I should have worded my statement/question a little differently when I mentioned "hunting." Hogs can be very destructive, and ranchers/farmers can be found that will allow you to hunt them for free. They want them eliminated so the more you can put down at one time the better as they may not come back around for months.
The 6.5mm Grendel has plenty of umph at 300 yds to take a 50-250 lb hog. In fact I read how a guy (developer?) used his to put down a bull elk at over 400 yds with one shot. It didn't go more than 10 yds before it piled up.
I definately believe that even nuisance critters should be dispatched quickly. A pass through shot I might add.
As for being able to shoot that far accurately? Not sure if I can. But I definately can put their eye out at 200 yds or less with one hand tied behind my back. So with lots of practice and an understanding of it's trajectory and windage I feel I could do it.
6.5mm Grendel (19.5" barrel)
129 SST/IB 2500/1790 1548 1332 1140 971
+5.8 +6.6 0.0 -15.4 (-6.5 @ 350 yds)
Last edited:
rodwhaincamo
New member
I understand that there are cartridges better suited for a task such as that, but I don't understand why you feel I might as well be carrying a BB gun. The 6.5mm has over 1k of energy with a 129-130 grn bullet @ 350 yds. Why does this only produce a nasty wound?
globemaster3
New member
I don't have experience with all the cartridges you mentioned, but I did grow up in central FL and shot quite a few hogs before leaving for the USAF.
I currently own a 6.8 and would not hesitate to shoot at a hog with confidence at 150 yards. The problem is you are looking at 350 yards. I just don't have faith that the 6.8 retains sufficient energy there. I would say the same about the 7.62X39.
Here's a thought to consider. DPMS builds a Sportical in .308. The lowest price I've seen is through RGuns, in Carpentersville, IL, for $840. By the time you paid shipping, FFL transfer, you'd be around $900. That's probably within the realm, or cheaper, than what you were looking at. Plus, you'd gain the additional flexibility of the .308.
I currently own a 6.8 and would not hesitate to shoot at a hog with confidence at 150 yards. The problem is you are looking at 350 yards. I just don't have faith that the 6.8 retains sufficient energy there. I would say the same about the 7.62X39.
Here's a thought to consider. DPMS builds a Sportical in .308. The lowest price I've seen is through RGuns, in Carpentersville, IL, for $840. By the time you paid shipping, FFL transfer, you'd be around $900. That's probably within the realm, or cheaper, than what you were looking at. Plus, you'd gain the additional flexibility of the .308.
rodwhaincamo
New member
The 6.8mm with a II chamber a 110 AccuBond has about 900 ft/lbs @ 350yds. The ballistics aren't as good as the 6.5mm or 6mm, but it is possible. 350 yds would be pushing it I believe. But 350 yds is what I consider the ultimate edge of range. Ideally I would wait until they were more like 150 yds away giving me ample time in an open field to possibly take out the ones running.
I like the AR-15 size, weight, and recoil. Anything with an 08/06 case I'd chose a bolt or T/C for as these have the potential for longer range.
I feel that for slaughtering #s of hogs the smaller cartridges have a slight edge in that they allow for quicker follow up shots.
What I don't understand is why the heat over such "weak" rounds when the 6.5 x 55mm and 7 x 57mm has killed numerous larger critters. Even the 257 Roberts is considered a decent medium game getter.
Elmer Keith used a 44 Spl +P to kill large game for years, and that may have 1/2 the energy with nonexpanding bullets.
These have about as much energy at 300 yds as a 44 Mag at the muzzle.
I like the AR-15 size, weight, and recoil. Anything with an 08/06 case I'd chose a bolt or T/C for as these have the potential for longer range.
I feel that for slaughtering #s of hogs the smaller cartridges have a slight edge in that they allow for quicker follow up shots.
What I don't understand is why the heat over such "weak" rounds when the 6.5 x 55mm and 7 x 57mm has killed numerous larger critters. Even the 257 Roberts is considered a decent medium game getter.
Elmer Keith used a 44 Spl +P to kill large game for years, and that may have 1/2 the energy with nonexpanding bullets.
These have about as much energy at 300 yds as a 44 Mag at the muzzle.
rodwhaincamo
New member
I'm surprised that the 5.56mm has more votes than the 6mm and 6.5mm. I wouldn't try a vital shot at that distance. I know some voted before having noticed the range.
globemaster3
New member
Rod, I would not hesitate to tote any of those (6.5X55, 7X57, .257 Roberts) and be perfectly confident in the shot.
As for the Nosler Accubond, I took SSA's 110 gr offering at 2650fps, using a BC of .370 from their website, and plugged it into handloads.com's ballistic calculator. At 350, you're at 857 and only 70 fps above the minimum recommended limit for reliable expansion.
At 150 yards, I'd saddle up right next to you with my 6.8!
As far as the .257, Remington's 117 gr loading is holding 999 ft lbs at 200 yards, and drops to ~600 ft pounds at 350 yards. I'd stop at 200 with it.
For the 6.5X55, at 400 yards, you are still pushing 1,023 ft lbs and 1814 fps with the Remington 140 gr offering! That's why the Europeans love that round!
As for the 7X57, you are still cooking with 1,037 ft pounds and 1827 fps with the Remington 140 gr load.
So, comparing them to the 6.8 just doesn't make sense.
But, again, I assert that if you are really concerned with rapid follow up shots with an AR platform, and want the 350 yard capability, look into the AR-10 family (using the AR-10 to denote all .308 sized platforms). I've got the DPMS LR-308B and shooting quick follow ups is NOT a problem. You'll be out close to a grand for that model, not much farther off than if you were to buy a Grendel or 6.8 (not considering kits).
As for the Nosler Accubond, I took SSA's 110 gr offering at 2650fps, using a BC of .370 from their website, and plugged it into handloads.com's ballistic calculator. At 350, you're at 857 and only 70 fps above the minimum recommended limit for reliable expansion.
At 150 yards, I'd saddle up right next to you with my 6.8!
As far as the .257, Remington's 117 gr loading is holding 999 ft lbs at 200 yards, and drops to ~600 ft pounds at 350 yards. I'd stop at 200 with it.
For the 6.5X55, at 400 yards, you are still pushing 1,023 ft lbs and 1814 fps with the Remington 140 gr offering! That's why the Europeans love that round!
As for the 7X57, you are still cooking with 1,037 ft pounds and 1827 fps with the Remington 140 gr load.
So, comparing them to the 6.8 just doesn't make sense.
But, again, I assert that if you are really concerned with rapid follow up shots with an AR platform, and want the 350 yard capability, look into the AR-10 family (using the AR-10 to denote all .308 sized platforms). I've got the DPMS LR-308B and shooting quick follow ups is NOT a problem. You'll be out close to a grand for that model, not much farther off than if you were to buy a Grendel or 6.8 (not considering kits).