Boar Hunting Question

[Horrendo Revolver]

6.5 Creedmore may be a more accurate cartridge at longer distances but it is very expensive and can be hard to find

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/407252/hornady-american-whitetail-ammunition-65-creedmoor-129-grain-interlock-spire-point-box-of-20

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/218202/hornady-american-whitetail-ammunition-308-winchester-150-grain-interlock-spire-point-box-of-20

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020005753/federal-power-shok-ammunition-65-creedmoor-140-grain-soft-point

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001656034/federal-power-shok-ammunition-308-winchester-150-grain-soft-point

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/210073/remington-core-lokt-ammunition-65-creedmoor-140-grain-core-lokt-pointed-soft-point-box-of-20

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/248766/remington-express-ammunition-308-winchester-150-grain-core-lokt-pointed-soft-point-box-of-20

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018218060/winchester-deer-season-xp-ammunition-65-creedmoor-125-grain-extreme-point-polymer-tip

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900127469/winchester-deer-season-xp-ammunition-308-winchester-150-grain-extreme-point-polymer-tip

I’ve got to disagree with you about price as evidenced by the above examples. When it comes to availability I see 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition just about every place I walk in to that sells ammunition. Granted, you may not find 6.5 Creedmoor at Inbred Jimmy’s Dry Goods in Crack Whore Holler but the differential in availability between it and .308 isn’t that big IMO.

[diver160651]

I guess you missed all the stuff I wrote about the 6.5 recoiling less? Figures, as you seemed to also miss the part about where the OP 'had pretty much settled' on a rifle, which didn't include your pet round.

You know what also recoils less? A .243, not that it does the OP much good if he wants a Kimber Subalpine.

Yep.. I also mentioned the 6mm/243 and yes I saw his choices. I even pointed him to the similar Kimber in those calibers..

Don't you find it strange that almost every new shooter and many wantabe hunters all think the need a 300WM class cartridge ?

I was very clear why I thought he might want to look at the other Kimber choices-- especial with back surgery and being new..

I guess you also didn't get that my point was to look at the bigger picture not just certain calibers.. any caliber for that matter .. but the gun/weight caliber relationship.

in a uber light mountain gun recoil sneaks up fast -- brake or not..

BTW by the time his 7lbs gun gets a base, scope rings, scope caps, brake, sling bipod and a good scope -- he'll be around 11lbs..

[NapalmCheese]

Yep.. I also mentioned the 6mm/243 and yes I saw his choices. I even pointed him to the similar Kimber in those calibers..

Don't you find it strange that almost every new shooter and many wantabe hunters all think the need a 300WM class cartridge ?

I was very clear why I thought he might want to look at the other Kimber choices-- especial with back surgery and being new..

I guess you also didn't get that my point was to look at the bigger picture not just certain calibers.. any caliber for that matter .. but the gun/weight caliber relationship.

in a uber light mountain gun recoil sneaks up fast -- brake or not..

BTW by the time his 7lbs gun gets a base, scope rings, scope caps, brake, sling bipod and a good scope -- he'll be around 11lbs..

I don't find it weird at all, that's what the magazines and TV shows sell you on, coupled with the idea that real men shoot big rifles and there's no possible way you'll ever go elk hunting with anything less.

I must be doing something wrong, my 6ish lb rifle comes in at 8ish lbs with a scope and sling. Maybe a brake and bipod adds up to two lbs? It doesn't matter, it's not on on the OP's cartridge choices anyway.

[diver160651]

I don't find it weird at all, that's what the magazines and TV shows sell you on, coupled with the idea that real men shoot big rifles and there's no possible way you'll ever go elk hunting with anything less.

I must be doing something wrong, my 6ish lb rifle comes in at 8ish lbs with a scope and sling. Maybe a brake and bipod adds up to two lbs? It doesn't matter, it's not on on the OP's cartridge choices anyway.

Ya, maybe I am to picky but most nice scopes Id put on a $1600+ Kimber, like the NF SHV, SB, Kahles, TT, XTR, ERS and down to the vortex PSTs are around 1-1/2lbs on the light side many are 2lbs. yep, caps, rings and base 1/2 (8oz), brake, nice sling another 1/2 and the bipod all will end up fairly close to the weight I mentioned.. but sure with anything you can find lighter.

I run expensive ultra light BP with carbon frame and cut every once out of my other carry items and put the weight into the gun.. but that's me - I'll be the first to say that isn't for everyone.

BTW the rail on the gun is 4oz that I showed and is for my Carbon Tripod or shooting off small foot prints-- I do hunt with a RRS tripod.

Written on the plane- was a bit bored sorry.

[LynnJr]

OP
Since Diver and Napalm are giving you the low down on the ballistics there is something else to consider.
Barrel Length!!!!
Guns like the 280 AI 300 Win Mag 300 Weatherby 300 WSM all shoot great and carry a great deal of energy but to get the best performance you generally want a barrel length of 26+ inches to take advantage of what they offer.

In a pig gun I myself wouldn't want a barrel of that length and most of my hunting rifles use barrels that length or more.
I don't shoot many pigs as I prefer to hunt deer but packing a heavy rifle isn't fun if you can avoid it.
Diver also brought up another point nobody ever talks about and that is your other gear.
I shot a buck at 844 yards this year and had him gutted out before 8 AM.
I didn't make it back to the truck until 3:08 PM and I shot him from within 6 feet of my truck.
Pigs are not as easy to get out as deer are and since you just mentioned surgery you might think about a pack so you can bone out your pig in order to get it back to your truck
You can drag a buck out by its horns but with a pig you need hay hooks or some hardwood dowels with a rope strap as pigs don't have any handles.
I use a ruck sack that has a cheap tarp in it 3 plastic garbage bags a cheap one time use knife some water a short piece of nylon rope and a Henry survival gun. I leave everything else back at the truck as I am not packing it all around the woods.
If I am hiking I leave the survival rifle behind the seat and pack ammo in its place.
The picture shows a 300 pound pig ungutted on my tailgate and it took two big guys to get it there something I wouldn't want to do after a surgery.

[OCEquestrian]

Which of the following rounds would you choose and why? These are the only selections:


.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
.300 Winchester Short Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
.280 Remington Ackley Improved


Thanks!!!!!

I almost always hunt boar with .308 in a bolt action but have also done it successfully with .44 mag in a lever action model 92

[pennstater]

When I hunted pigs, boar, whatever, I've used my mod 94 30-30. First one was on a ranch in the King City area. Probably around '85. 170gr Hornady FN. Other two, in the Atascadero/Paso Robles area. Same rifle, using 150gr Barnes TSX bullets. These boars dropped fast. Longest shot, maybe 125 yards. Only one required a 2nd shot. Rifle was/is scoped. You do NOT need a super zapper. Shot placement is paramount. Know your gun.

[splithoof]

When I hunted pigs, boar, whatever, I've used my mod 94 30-30. First one was on a ranch in the King City area. Probably around '85. 170gr Hornady FN. Other two, in the Atascadero/Paso Robles area. Same rifle, using 150gr Barnes TSX bullets. These boars dropped fast. Longest shot, maybe 125 yards. Only one required a 2nd shot. Rifle was/is scoped. You do NOT need a super zapper. Shot placement is paramount. Know your gun.

Very well said.
Lever guns are so easy to carry. I've an old 94 in .32 Special, someday I'm going to hunt with it.

[diver160651]

Some great points.. in the last few posts. as Lynn pointed out, pigs also do not seem to slide along the ground as easily as a deer and I think in addition to what Lynn said it also has something to do with their hair. Maybe it is just my perception, but pig hair is supper course and dulls knifes with the dirt it holds.. it just feels like your dragging it backwards even when going the proper direction.. So I tend to brake it down and make a few trips, if I get lucky enough to get a large one.. Wild pigs run a lot and they tend to be leaner and smaller than a lot of the images you see.. Once the head is gone and it is boned you might be surprised how little is left -- think no bacon... Some of the uber big guys might have even been feed when they were younger on a farm.. (that's another point).

I had a pig lease between Coalinga and King City.. I've also covered a lot of BLM with less success than I would like to say.

I've paid for private lands and lately even guides. When my son comes back for the Holiday brake, I will pay a guide this time, just because it really is nice to be put on the pigs and not try to pack an animal out on your back.. But it you want a "hunt" you need to be very clear to the guides what you are looking for, or they will try to have you ambush hunt them.. Take your time talking to them and make sure your setting the expectations if you choose a guided experience.

Might be something also to think about..

BTW I also have hunted with a Model 94 30WFC (lever action).. But honestly I don't like being in the pig beds.. although I have a buddy who did the knife thing.. nuts

[jyo]

Back in the day, I used my Browning BLR lever-gun in 308 to hunt pigs---Winchester 150 grain softpoints did the job nicely... Pigs are not as tough as advertised when hunted with a rifle---handguns, on the other hand were a whole different game---much closer to the action...

[7anthony7]

I just went last night and used 223. Out of those options I would go 308

[JTROKS]

I just went last night and used 223. Out of those options I would go 308

What bullet did you use or brand/load name? Bullet weight?

How far was the feral pig?

Was it effective? Judging by your preference for the 308, I’m thinking it took several shots to anchor the hog?

[splithoof]

Speaking of bullets, Midway has many Barnes TSX offerings on sale currently.

[diver160651]

I just went last night and used 223. Out of those options I would go 308

[Horrendo Revolver]

When I hunted pigs, boar, whatever, I've used my mod 94 30-30. First one was on a ranch in the King City area. Probably around '85. 170gr Hornady FN. Other two, in the Atascadero/Paso Robles area. Same rifle, using 150gr Barnes TSX bullets. These boars dropped fast. Longest shot, maybe 125 yards. Only one required a 2nd shot. Rifle was/is scoped. You do NOT need a super zapper. Shot placement is paramount. Know your gun.

Probably half the hogs I’ve killed were shot when I was hunting deer or coyote. When hunting specifically for hogs I too use a 30-30, a 336. Not claiming it to be perfect for anyone else, it is perfect for me. It has a nicer scope than you see on most 30-30’s, a custom shop installed reticle for optimum low light performance, the comb is raised for a perfect cheek weld and it has an aftermarket trigger.

I WILL not comment on shooting animals at extreme distance other than it would be unethical for me to do so. 30-30 works fine for me out to 200 yards and I’ve never been in a situation where I couldn’t get within 200 yards of a hog. Bullet used is a 150 grain CoreLokt.