Hog Hunter's -- Your help please.

[canvasbck]

Since your buddy's goal is hog erradication, you really should get ahold of some traps and set them. Just a few guys with rifles will not be able to adequately control a hog polulation. Use every tool available. As a bonus, you get to shoot a few hogs with the XD.

This post was in no way meant to put a damper on your desire to build an AR, do that anyway.

[grim-bob]

I've hunted hogs with a 30-30 lever, bolt guns, shotgun, AKs and ARs. Eradication is the goal of our hog hunts. (we also trap)

End of day I pick the AR just about every time when I am looking at hog hunting. My reasoning is that I can much more quickly take down multiple hogs with the AR than with the other platforms. Hitting 2 or 3 before they scatter is not impossible if you can get them in the open. It can be done with the other rifles as well but requires more practice. Most times you get a single out of the crowd before they make the tree line anyway. Always choose the sows first if you can.

As others have said get as much gun as you are comfortable with. A larger round gives you a bigger margin of error. .223/5.56 will take them down all day with good shooting. One thing I won't recommend is doing 7.62x39 in an AR platform. 7.62x39 in an AR will work but is much more prone to problems. if you want the bigger round in the AR, 6.8 is a very good choice. 7.62 in an AK is an acceptale option as well and has taken many a hog on our hunts. You just lose the longer distance shots depending on how accurate the AK is.

One other thought for you is that this being your only rifle you might want something that can serve multiple purposes. The 30-30 stands out in this instance as it is a great all around gun for hunting around here. The AR in 6.8 can be a good all around also. Cost wise the 30-30 is the cheapest, bolt rifle and AR would be a bit more depending on what you want to do for optics if needed.

[LongHairedRedneck]

We're headed to our place this weekend to do some hog hunting and trapping. Going to give the Night Vision it's maiden voyage!!

.223 or 5.56 works ok with proper placement, not much room for error with that small of a bullet. I would go with something more along the lines of a .270, .308 or .30-06. Ususally you just get one shot and then they run like greyhounds for the nearest cover. Another advantage with a larger caliber/bullet is you can get the two for one shot if you line them up correctly. As for pistol calibers used for dispacthing them in a trap, I stick with 9mm or larger. Also have seen a .40 ricochet of a hogs head, make sure that your shots into trapped hogs are at safe angles.

[TX0303]

If you're in the woods, the shotgun will work for shorter distances with buckshot or slugs. I would be wary of using it on a big bore or sow as they may charge.
Lever action 30-30 with iron sights will be cheap. Also you can get a Savage .308 bolt action for around $300 but will then need a scope.
If I were going black rifle, I would buy/build a 5.56/.223 just for the versatility of also using for home defense, competition, and a fun gun. With a 62g bonded soft point, you'll drop a hog easily. If you want a semi 308, a Saiga will run less than $600.
I've killed small hogs with 7.62x39. Never tried the round on a large hog.
Also check out this link so you know where to shoot: http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[2up1down]

This post was in no way meant to put a damper on your desire to build an AR, do that anyway.

Thank goodness, I can pull my lower lip back up now! There are so many options on the AR now-a-days..
Don't want to rush the build before I can get someone to help with the particulars and I don't want cost to
limit what I can do for that project.

As always Canvas, take care of you and yours, I was down in your 'neck of the woods' Monday and wished
well for you.

[2up1down]

I've hunted hogs with a 30-30 lever, bolt guns, shotgun, AKs and ARs. Eradication is the goal of our hog hunts. (we also trap)

End of day I pick the AR just about every time when I am looking at hog hunting. My reasoning is that I can much more quickly take down multiple hogs with the AR than with the other platforms.
That's what I was thinking!

Hitting 2 or 3 before they scatter is not impossible if you can get them in the open. It can be done with the other rifles as well but requires more practice. Most times you get a single out of the crowd before they make the tree line anyway. Always choose the sows first if you can.
Guaranteed.


One other thought for you is that this being your only rifle you might want something that can serve multiple purposes. The 30-30 stands out in this instance as it is a great all around gun for hunting around here. The AR in 6.8 can be a good all around also. Cost wise the 30-30 is the cheapest, bolt rifle and AR would be a bit more depending on what you want to do for optics if needed.

Awesome answer and advice Sir. Thank you!

[2up1down]

We're headed to our place this weekend to do some hog hunting and trapping. Going to give the Night Vision it's maiden voyage!!

.223 or 5.56 works ok with proper placement, not much room for error with that small of a bullet. I would go with something more along the lines of a .270, .308 or .30-06. Ususally you just get one shot and then they run like greyhounds for the nearest cover. Another advantage with a larger caliber/bullet is you can get the two for one shot if you line them up correctly. As for pistol calibers used for dispacthing them in a trap, I stick with 9mm or larger. Also have seen a .40 ricochet of a hogs head, make sure that your shots into trapped hogs are at safe angles.

Great Advice!
Y'All are exactly why I posted here. EACH AND EVERYONE of you has lended your personal experience without
condescension in your answers in an effort to help me take on a hunt I have never had the opportunity to before.
My sincere thanks to all of you.

[2up1down]

If you're in the woods, the shotgun will work for shorter distances with buckshot or slugs. I would be wary of using it on a big bore or sow as they may charge.
Yes Sir! Watched some videos and researched for several hours last night. The Big one's are BEAST.

Lever action 30-30 with iron sights will be cheap.
Kinda leaning this direction at the moment. Dad had one when I was younger, it was a blast to shoot.
Also you can get a Savage .308 bolt action for around $300 but will then need a scope.
What scope power? Cost?

If I were going black rifle, I would buy/build a 5.56/.223 just for the versatility of also using for home defense, competition, and a fun gun. With a 62g bonded soft point, you'll drop a hog easily.
Are you a mind reader good Sir? Exactly what I have in mind when I have my pennies saved up.

If you want a semi 308, a Saiga will run less than $600.
I've killed small hogs with 7.62x39. Never tried the round on a large hog.
Also check out this link so you know where to shoot: http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I found several anatomy charts last night including the above.. Thank you for adding it though, after
review I can see how vital it is for proper shot placement.

ALSO, I would like to welcome you to the forum, albeit a little late. Been reading your post and they
are very good. I read the forum as a wind down to my 14 hour day every evening. I don't post much,
and I am very aware that a high post count doesn't correlate to good answers as often as it should.
You answered each question I posed and added valuable information. Welcome aboard and please
keep contributing.

Sincerely,
Michael

[texasmusic]

I like the AR. Versatile, cheaper ammo, ability to put a scope/light which can turn out to be a difference maker if you're stalking them or have to go confirm a kill. The way I've been seeing them lately I just have to shoot into a massive running cloud of pigs and semi auto comes in handy, as well as a magazine which never seems to run dry!

I'd pick what you like shooting the best though. They can be taken with anything from .22 to 30-06. 22 is a stretch but the big '30 doesnt agree with them very well

[TX0303]

Saw that Acedemy has a Remington rifle with a scope installed for $300. That's cheaper than a new 30-30.

[Greybeard]

Once you start shooting them, they may go noctournal quickly. You may want to look seriously at a flashlight/laser combo along the lines of Streamlight TLR-2. Another real handy $200+ toy that, if shooting a semi, can make the difference between hitting one or two when ya jump em in the dark and hitting several.

[TX0303]

Once you start shooting them, they may go noctournal quickly. You may want to look seriously at a flashlight/laser combo along the lines of Streamlight TLR-2. Another real handy $200+ toy that, if shooting a semi, can make the difference between hitting one or two when ya jump em in the dark and hitting several.

Do you use the laser dot as the only sight or do you co-witness it with an optical? I haven't tried it but seems to me that a mounted light and a red dot would be better and faster.

[blackdog8200]

If your mission is erradication and you run into "Multiple targets" take the advice a lady in Doss TX told me:

Gut shoot as many as you can (center mass for garanteed hits) then you can go back and finish them off. With the gut shot you at least kill the hog eventually even if you don't recover it. (I know this goes against the ethical hunting concepts) But we are killing zombies here and there are no rules.

If you are meat hunting, and don't want to kill a mess of hogs, take your time and make a good shot.

+1 on the red dot sights and a side mount weapon light at night. From a stand up until dusk I like a little magification for scanning the brush. At night a Big Light and 12 gauge buck works well too.

[texasmusic]

But we are killing zombies here and there are no rules.

Agreed, the pigs have crossed too many lines messing with people's livelihoods. They are our enemy, the only good pig is a dead or terminally wounded pig!

[TLE2]

If I had to do it again, and hopefully I will, I want my SBR in 308. (That's Saintly Black Rifle).