Becuase the dumbest question is the one that never gets asked

[rojocorsa]

How feasible is hog hunting with a .30 M-1 Garand rifle using iron sights?

I've never been hog hunting, and common sense tells me to stay away from my AR-15 as a beginner. (Well, I did see the thread about it and deduced that I should pass on the .223 for now.)

[SickofSoCal]

That's a lot of caliber for anything but big game. Just make sure it's not Bear or a Bobcat, or Fish & Gayme might be after you.

[rojocorsa]

Just for hog hunting.

My main concern is actually if I'll be OK with sticking to iron sights.

[jeager]

You might have to try a few diff loads of softpoints to make sure things cycle properly.
start with ~150gr
(Expanding Only 'round Here) Beware of Condor histoical fly zones (unleaded)
I wouldn't shoot anything more'n 150 yards w/ peeps.
Wear a set of baseball catcher's shin guards AND a Cup!
We got some Euro Boars in MRY county

For Hogan's Heroes to be syndicated in Deutschland, they overdubbed:
"How High Does YOUR CORN GROW?"
before anyone gives the Fascist Salute.
""It grows THIS HIGH!"
is dubbed during the visual of the greeting.

[Trapper]

The M1 Garand will get heavy by the end of the day and the sights may be difficult to pick up in dim light but other than that it's a great rifle in a great caliber.

[SickofSoCal]

Just for hog hunting.

My main concern is actually if I'll be OK with sticking to iron sights.

Are you joking? Of course it will be OK!

I have a friend who is a crack shot of the crack shoots. He's used nothing but iron sights for his entire life. He doesn't even own a scope. He's been shooting since age 5. He can hit a zig-zagging chipmonk in the forest with iron sights - I've seen it first hand. He's hit rabbits, marmots, birds, flying bottles, everything with iron sights. Scopes are better on stationary or semi-stationary targets anyways. if you ask me, iron sights are better.

Just make sure you have the yardage in the ballpark, and you should be just fine.


P.S. low light may be a little different. Assuming daylight here.

[bigbossman]

The M1 Garand will get heavy by the end of the day and the sights may be difficult to pick up in dim light but other than that it's a great rifle in a great caliber.

^^^ This.

I've used and taken hogs with an M1 Garand. The caliber is perfect for pigs. The rifle will get heavy after awhile, and the stock peep sights are nearly useless in low light..... which is when you'll usually see your pig.

I liked the 30-06 a lot, so went with a scoped bolt gun in the same caliber. Much better, and with the excellent light gathering characteristics of the Leuopld scope I was able to kill at least two pigs since that I would have had to pass on with a Garand in my hands.

But if that's what you've got, it'll serve well. After all..... it was good enough for Jerry, so it should be good enough for the pigs.

And yes.... stay away from the .223 for hogs, unless you can put a round right in porky's ear.

[rojocorsa]

I'm not worried about shooting over 200 as much as putting the shot exactly where it needs to go while using iron sights.--and now you mention low light, hmmmm

[Solus]

an M1 grand is fine for hogs. you can use it for deer and bear as well just make sure you have lead-free ammo in the condor zone. Ive shot up to 200yards with iron sights it just takes a steady hand and lots of practice good luck.

[rojocorsa]

Or would I be better off and taking my .22 for rabbits for my first time hunting?

[bigbossman]

Most places I know of to hunt rabbits close to the Bay Area are shotgun only. If you know of an area that allows rifles, then by all means go.... and take me with you.

Of course - cottontail season just closed, so you'll have to settle for jackrabbits.

[rojocorsa]

Is that a bad thing? Jack rabbits are bigger anyway, no?

[bigbossman]

Is that a bad thing? Jack rabbits are bigger anyway, no?

Depends - do you just wanna kill stuff, or do you wanna eat them? If you want to eat them, stick with cottontails.

Jacks are bigger - sometimes a lot bigger. Faster, too.

[rojocorsa]

Yeah, I was looking to eat. I found this great recipe I wanted to try out:

http://youtu.be/G69bs_2pthY

[DirtyDave]

Dont over think it. Just go hunt. You are the only one that knows your limitations. If you are confident with irons, go for it.