.223 for Hogs? Recommend a caliber please.

[1911ShooterPhil]

A .223 REM is good for plinking, not for hogs...

We've got the opportunity for some good hog hunts close to us in the central valley. I've been looking at .223's for plinking and was hoping I might be able to use it for the occasional hog as well. Can that light caliber serve both purposes?

Please discuss!

I'm sorry. I just cannot recommend .223 REM for use on a four-legged creature -- other than ground hogs or coyote. On wild pigs and boar...I've used 7x57 Mauser (150 GR), 8x57 Mauser (195 GR), .308 WIN (168 GR), and .45-70 GOV'T (405 GR). For me, I found the .45-70 GOV'T worked best.

I would not recommend anything less than a .30-caliber rifle for wild pigs or boar. Period. They have lots of flesh, fat, and dense bone. It will take more than one .223 REM to drop a pig of any kind. That's not humane. The whole idea about hunting is to do it conscientiously and humanely. Not to go into the wilderness and blast some animal. Why would you want to wound an animal, just to spend hours tracking it? Hunting is not just about killing. It's about harvesting. It's re-purposing something from nature to the benefit of man. Meat for food. I'm sorry, but I won't recommend anyone to use a .223 REM for wild pigs or boar. That's just my opinion. Take it for what it is. --1911ShooterPhil

[cstatman]

all my TX pals are using 300blk for feral hog now. they seem quite happy with the result, and? I 100% agree with Shooter Phil, be a good, humane hunter, show solid woodcraft skills.

[ladyeclectic79]

I hate to threadjack, but would a .243 work on pigs? I recently purchased my first rifle, a Remington Varmint, and have been practicing well on paper with 100gr soft point bullets. The plan is to go on a pig hunt hopefully later this year, but will this be enough? Where would I need to aim for this round/calibre?

[NapalmCheese]

You'll be fine, a bonded bullet in the heart/lung area will do it.

[shooterfpga]

I hate to threadjack, but would a .243 work on pigs? I recently purchased my first rifle, a Remington Varmint, and have been practicing well on paper with 100gr soft point bullets. The plan is to go on a pig hunt hopefully later this year, but will this be enough? Where would I need to aim for this round/calibre?

243 is more than enough. They arent these tough beasts people continue to spread myths about atleast not north american hogs. I mostly shoot for the heart/lungs and on occasion will take a headshot. Just depends how they present themselves.

[1911ShooterPhil]

That'll get the job done...

You'll be fine, a bonded bullet in the heart/lung area will do it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/861749/federal-power-shok-ammunition-243-winchester-100-grain-soft-point-box-of-20

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900235446/winchester-super-x-ammunition-243-winchester-100-grain-power-point

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/393014/wolf-gold-ammunition-243-winchester-100-grain-soft-point-box-of-20

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/181457/hornady-american-whitetail-ammunition-243-winchester-100-grain-interlock-spire-point-boat-tail-box-of-20

You should do alright. Stick to 100gr soft points and aim behind the front set of legs. That'll get the job done. --1911ShooterPhil

[200Apples]

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Lotta folks posting in here seem to be forgetting the difference between most Texas pigs and some of the tougher California hawgz. Seems most of the .223-on-pigs crowd are from Texas, or have friends in Texas.

Anyone in this thread should be just fine to shoot .308; as in capable of handling it's recoil. Why use anything less? Well... I guess .30-30 is a bit milder. Talking manufactured loads here; not hand loads.

[shooterfpga]

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Lotta folks posting in here seem to be forgetting the difference between most Texas pigs and some of the tougher California hawgz. Seems most of the .223-on-pigs crowd are from Texas, or have friends in Texas.

Anyone in this thread should be just fine to shoot .308; as in capable of handling it's recoil. Why use anything less? Well... I guess .30-30 is a bit milder. Talking manufactured loads here; not hand loads.

Ive seen no such evidence that hogs from california are much tougher. It would make more sense that an area such as texas which has a much larger population of hogs and a much longer presence of such would have these "tougher" hogs.

Also this is only subjective but most pictures ive seen of others who hog hunted in ca tend to take what looks much smaller than your average hog ive seen and taken in texas. Theyd be the size id pass on and wait for a bigger hog. Its hard to tell from pictures sometimes because of angle and all that so im not putting much into it.

[200Apples]

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From Post #11 in this thread:

pacrat

Also note that there are 2 distinct different types of "wild hog" in Ca. Central coast hogs are Euro Wild Boar hybrids. The boars have a thick damn near bullet proof cartilage armour from the neck to hips. Across the valley are domestic ferals which are much easier to knock down, like the Texas hogs.

Everything's usually bigger and tougher in Texas! Everyone knows that. Heyll, Texas! It's a whole 'nuhter country! ...except fer hawgz.

Internet hawg warz! omg!

[shooterfpga]

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From Post #11 in this thread:




Everything's usually bigger and tougher in Texas! Everyone knows that. Heyll, Texas! It's a whole 'nuhter country! ...except fer hawgz.

Internet hawg warz! omg!

Good quote didnt see that. Weve been getting more hybrid action as well but not eurasian hybrids as far as i know.

[penguinofsleep]

don't know about hog hunting, but in general, if hunting (usually smaller) hogs for tastier meat, it seems like everyone is saying big and slow is the way to go? also, would downloaded 308 do the trick or is it better to just get that lever action in .44mag or maybe even .454 casull that i've always wanted? feel free to share any particular projectiles/bullets that you guys like for the above.

now if i'm hunting (tougher) wild boar, but again, probably smaller for tastier meat, would i be able to use the same round?