Getting into hog hunting. What is the common caliber, or maybe the minimum you would want, or just your suggestion.

Have a good opportunity to take some hogs anytime I want.

223 556 I personaly use a 6.8

I built my 6.8 SPC specifically for hog hunting but I am not above shooting one with whatever I happen to have with me at the time.

I have seen a 270 not pass thru a boar. It knocked him down and he got up and ran. Good shot too. We found him about sixty yards from where he was shot in the creek bottom. That was black box powermax winchester ammo. Depends on size of hog and how much brush. I would make a 243 the minimum caliber unless shooting in the head. Then smaller caliders can be used. I use a R25 in 308. Just my opinion.

30-06 w/ 165 gr if I'm huntin from a stand. AR-10 with NV at night, Marlin GBL 45-70 when stalking them.

I killed hogs with a 223 and a 220 Swift for a time, but there were quite a few that required tracking or shot number 2. I moved up to the 260 and except for one that was almost 500 yards out, they've all hit the ground with a thump. I'd say that a 243 would just about be perfect for coyote/pig work.

Anything stronger than 22lr (can be effective, more difficult shots though). All about shot placement. If you are in brush move up a bit. I like .308 all-around. Humane and works in almost any situation, kinda big for smaller pigs though.

Anything more powerful than .22 lr is about right, LOL. I currently use 6.5 Grendel but have used 5.56, .308, and .45-70. They all worked fine with proper shots. They have all performed less than fine with less than proper shots.

Which is why some dudes think you need a 300RUM to kill a hog. Take out the nervous system or liquify the heart and it isn't going anywhere lol.

I was using a SIG 556, but too many big ones ran off. My T/C Encore knocked them down, but only one shot available--although I've had pigs return while I was reloading occassionally. I sold them both and got a Ruger SR762. Lots of bigger bullets makes me happy. [/URL][/img]

22
223
243
308
300 mag
12 ga
bow

Killed 2 this weekend with a 22-250 and that's not the first time. Shot them both behind the shoulder and they ran about 20 yds. One weighed about 150 and the other 175. I've killed more with that gun than any other.

Anything I happen to be carrying at the time.

Yep, you can use pretty much anything, but out about 350 or so, when they aren't standing still, the shot placement gets a bit trickier when I use the 220. I get more margin for error with the 260. It all depends on your hunting situation. Up close and personal, I was doing fine with the 223 and Nosler Partitions, but I just found that those close shots were not often the case. I want them dead and I don't want to track them. Their next job, if not to fill my freezer, is to be coyote bait. The 260 is probably more than I need, but that's better than something that's just a bit less than I need.

I've killed them with anything from a 30-06 to a 22. Whatever you can get will work if it's accurate.

.308 AR-10

Rock River predator in 308. I have taken hogs with 6.8 and 243 but I think they are a little light for the 300+ pigs.

I prefer my 6.8 ar15s with EOtechs and a PVS14 behind it. I think it is one of the most effective rounds for taking multiple hogs from sounders in one encounter. The 6.8 has excellent terminal ballistics and very little recoil. The pvs 14 I got from Ident Marking is one of the most versatile pieces of night vision available. Together they create an awesome hog slaying weapon.

X2

Started out with a British Enfield .303. It worked fine, but being a battle rifle it wasn't quite as accurate as modern hunting rifles. Still, I used it for my first dozen or so hog kills.

I tried an AR-15 but felt it had insufficient knock-down. A good shot works fine, but the hogs don't always offer perfect shots and sometimes I even miss a little . . .

Nowadays if I'm hunting at night I use an AR-10. I just got a Sightmark Photon Night Vision scope. I like it so far but haven't had opportunity to use it a lot yet. When hunting at dawn or before sundown I carry a Browning A-Bolt II in .308 since it's much lighter than the AR-10 setup. There's nothing magical about .30 caliber, but it does offer wide choices in ammunition and plenty of stopping power for the larger hogs.

I use .223/5.56 with success. It all about bullet choice and shot placement. Don't use cheap FMJ's or varmint rounds, and shoot them behind the ear.

They don't always allow that shot though especially when shooting more than one it's pretty difficult to hit one behind the ear when they are all scrambling. So for dedicated pig popper go with 6.8 hands down.

X3

20G slug gun, .338 Win Mag, and .223 with 60g Partitions is what I have used so far. Next one will be with a .54 cal traditional black powder gun.Just ordered a new .308 for pig hunting this morning....

Mike

That's the truth! I carry a 300 blk out these days.