If You Were Going On A Hog Hunt

[Blaine]

I really enjoyed the Hog Hunt thread. It's something I'd really like to do someday.

So, if you were going on the next hunt, and expected to run into one of those 300-500 pound monsters, what do you currently own that you would take with you?
I'd have to say my Marlin .444 with some Hornady 265gr, or perhaps the Win. 94 BB .375 with those Buffalo Bore loads......
Open sights for both.

[Old Ironsights]

I have a .72 Howda that pushes 1oz loads with 100gr of BP.

That's my BUG...

[jeepnik]

No brainer.

[JohndeFresno]

Marlin 1895G "Guide Gun" (18 1/2 in. barrel) in .45-70
I need to change the mount position. Scope is a Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter 2-7x32 with BDC 200 reticle.

I have some favorite loads, but I'd have to load up some all-copper missiles due to regulations in our state.

My as-of-yet untested load would more likely be the Barnes 300 grain #45843 TSX FN,
COAL 2.515"; 44.0 gr. H4198, Win WLR primers
QuickLoad ballistics software gives the prediction of 38,669 psi max pressure, 1956 fps muzzle velocity, 2549 ft lbs ME

A similar load, shows a trajectory of around 3" + at 82 yds, 2.7" at 100 yds., -3" at 162 yds., -10.2" at 200 yds.

(Edited for spelling errors)

[Blaine]

Yup, but my only 45-70 right now is the 12 pound Shiloh... If there were fixed positions, that might be a good choice. .

[ollogger]

Would like to do that!!
my Savage 99 in 375 & a 45 colt revolver


Brad

[Lassiter]

My Browning 1886 with Grizzly 45-70 +P 350 gr. BCFP ammo and my Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt with 300gr. hard cast

[jeepnik]

Yup, but my only 45-70 right now is the 12 pound Shiloh... If there were fixed positions, that might be a good choice. .

Sounds like it's time to hit the weights.

[J Miller]

I really enjoyed the Hog Hunt thread. It's something I'd really like to do someday.

So, if you were going on the next hunt, and expected to run into one of those 300-500 pound monsters, what do you currently own that you would take with you?
I'd have to say my Marlin .444 with some Hornady 265gr, or perhaps the Win. 94 BB .375 with those Buffalo Bore loads......
Open sights for both.

Well, the one rifle I currently own I'd take is my Marlin 1894 Cowboy

IMG_0124.JPG

loaded with 265gr Keith SWC's

Joes Keiths.jpg

over 18.5grs 2400.

I suspect that load would do whatever is needed.

Joe

[Blaine]

I really enjoyed the Hog Hunt thread. It's something I'd really like to do someday.

So, if you were going on the next hunt, and expected to run into one of those 300-500 pound monsters, what do you currently own that you would take with you?
I'd have to say my Marlin .444 with some Hornady 265gr, or perhaps the Win. 94 BB .375 with those Buffalo Bore loads......
Open sights for both.

Well, the one rifle I currently own I'd take is my Marlin 1894 Cowboy

IMG_0124.JPG

loaded with 265gr Keith SWC's

Joes Keiths.jpg

over 18.5grs 2400.

I suspect that load would do whatever is needed.

Joe

I suspect you're right.

[M. M. Wright]

Browning 86 SRC cut to 19 inches. 45-70 of course with 300 grain gas checked lead rnfp over 38 grains of 5744. 30 grains would probably do everything needed with less leading.

[cshold]

My Savage model 99c in .308

[URL=http://s99.photobucket.com/user/mountai ... 8.jpg.html][/URL

[2ndovc]

So far I've used my .33 Win, .35 Win and my .450 Marlin. I've seen them taken down by .223 and a .243 Win. and a 45-75. All DOA.
Your .444 or .375 should do quite nicely.
Next time I get a chance I'll take a .303 British and a 45-70.

Lots of fun!

jb

[tman]

I really enjoyed the Hog Hunt thread. It's something I'd really like to do someday.

So, if you were going on the next hunt, and expected to run into one of those 300-500 pound monsters, what do you currently own that you would take with you?
I'd have to say my Marlin .444 with some Hornady 265gr, or perhaps the Win. 94 BB .375 with those Buffalo Bore loads......
Open sights for both.

Either

[crs]

Blaine,
I have shot them with .357 mag,.44 mag, .308, .405, and .45-90.
My son has taken them with ,223 and .308.
My grandson makes one shot kills with this 7mm-08, but then he always shoots them either in the head or heart.







I could go on but it is embarrassing!

However, there is a place up on the Red River where folks have taken 400 -600+ pounders and for them, I would recommend at least a .308, as some of the cover is dense and makes tracking tough.
If you come down to hunt with me, I can see that you are suitably armed.

[Blaine]

If you come down to hunt with me, I can see that you are suitably armed

I have a .308, but do you think the .444 is not adequate? There's also my 12ga 870 Tactical with good slugs.....

[gundownunder]

Marlin cowboy .357 with 175gr rnfp @ 1750fps. If they're mud caked I'd still feel safe giving them a smack under the earhole.

[6pt-sika]

I went to southeastern Arkansas with my gunsmith buddy in February of 2012 I took along a 444 loaded with my MM/RD 432-325GC bullet , a Marlin 336-44 loaded with the RD 432-265GC and a Ruger #1B 7mm Rem Mag loaded with Nosler 175 Partitions .

My gunsmith buddy that year carried CZ550's in 375 H&H MAG , 416 Rigby and 505 Gibbs as well as a Remington Model 7 in 300 SAUM an AR-15 in 223 and a S&W 629 .

Granted we carried way more then a fellow needs , but once you plop one with one rifle then you can go to another .

I've only been once but my friend goes every year for the last 10 or 12 . This past year he took the 300 SAUM an AR-10 308 set up with a suppressor and a night vision scope . And of course his 629 .

[Les Staley]

I like a fast second, third and fourth shot if necessary. The M14 with an Eotech on it filled the bill for me. These two came in to a feeder and I waited for an ear hole shot. The first one never knew what happened, the second one, not so much. He was exiting stage right as fast as his little piggy feet could move, but the bouncing red dot caught up and ended his escape..

[AJMD429]

Wow....I'd feel neglectful of some of my 'old faithfuls' if I took a newer one along, but would love to test out a newer one...can I take TWO along.......?

There are more and faster follow-up shot with my 1894 vs my 444, and the former is already set up for night use...


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46640#p583183

It used to be a 44 Mag but I always wanted a 45 Colt; the factory ones were hard to find (or afford), but I found a new 45 Colt barrel for $108, and all the other parts are identical on the 44 Mag and 45 Colt, so I swapped them out myself.

But I COULD put the same sights on my 50 Beowulf....

[earlmck]

I remember a few years ago 86er posted a video of hogs coming into a feeder. He waited 'till they lined up just right and got two with one blow. 35 Remington -- seems to me 'twas a pump gun he used.

So I'm thinking my Rem 141 pump in 35 Rem would be my "hog gun" although I have some other possibilities that would do just fine.

[Lastmohecken]

I set up this BLR in .308 with a green light for hog hunting last year. I have no doubt I can kill a hog out to probably 100 yds on a dark night with this rig, but you have to see a hog before you can shoot it, and I didn't have much luck on that trip to Texas.

[crs]

I have never hunted hogs at night - cannot see the rattlesnakes at night. Even if they rattle, in the dark you do not know which way to jump!

[DadsMod12]

I've never hunted hog, but I did see a gun a show a couple of weeks ago that would do. Winchester 1876 in 50-95. The guy wanted $22,000 for it. It was a very interesting gun.

[Griff]

One of about seven rifles... in order:

1 - 1894 Marlin in Cowboy 45 Special (think 45ACP) & 225 JHP @ ~1000fps (actually have this planned when I get it finished... still needs metal finishing).
2 - 375 Marlin w/220 Hornady JFP @ ~2200fps
3 - 1874 Shiloh in 40-90SBN. 350 cast @ ~1600fps
4 - 1886 Browning in 45-70, 325 cast @ ~1250fps
5 - 1892 Rossi in 45 Colt, 240 JHP @ ~1400fps
6 - 1873 Uberti Short Rifle in 45 Colt, 240 JHP @ ~1100fps
7 - 94 Winchester Trapper in .30-30. 150 FNGC @ ~2200fps.

I've not been hog hunting before either, but feel confident any of the above will do the job.

[2X22]

My first thought was the 444 Marlin I've killed my last two or three elk with, using a 275gr cast and some 3031 at about 2,050fps. Inch, inch and a half groups at 100 yards.

But then I began thinking about the dozen or so elk before that, all killed with a Marlin Cowboy in .44 mag, using a 260gr cast, 296 and cruising along at about 1730fps. Inch and a half or slightly over at 100 yards.

I don't know why either one wouldn't work and I'm fairly certain you have both calibers.

[Blaine]

My first thought was the 444 Marlin I've killed my last two or three elk with, using a 275gr cast and some 3031 at about 2,050fps. Inch, inch and a half groups at 100 yards.

But then I began thinking about the dozen or so elk before that, all killed with a Marlin Cowboy in .44 mag, using a 260gr cast, 296 and cruising along at about 1730fps. Inch and a half or slightly over at 100 yards.

I don't know why either one wouldn't work and I'm fairly certain you have both calibers.

There's an older 1894 .44mag hiding in the back of the safe someplace.

[Mainehunter]

My primary would be the Savage 99 358 Winchester but if I need some rapid fire either the M1A or my custom AR47. As for my side arm carry it would be the Sig P226 357 Sig with a high capacity round loaded up with Buffalo Bore heavy 357 Sig ammo

Mainehunter

[TedH]

I've only been hog shooting a couple times. One time I used my Marlin 356 with 220 gr. Speers, and the second time I used my 470NE with a 500 gr. cast bullet. The 470 put them down considerably faster than the 356.

If I were to go again, I'd probably take my 444 with 265 gr. Hornadys, and a 375 Winchester, the Marin wears a scope, so probably the Winchester 94BB for close in shots with dogs.

[Mainehunter]

The more I thought about it I should of included my Marlin 336 in 35/30-30 to back-up my Savage 99.

Mainehunter

[marlinman93]

Without a second of thought. I'd take one of my .45-70's with me. Probably my Hepburn.

[Bill in Oregon]

Lots of great choices here, gentlemen. I'd be tempted to carry my soon-to-be-completed Lee Metford sporter in .375 Flanged 2 1/2 NE.

[FWiedner]

I'd have to know where I'm hunting, what time of day I'd be hunting, and what the preferred or selected hunting technique might be.

I'd pick a different rifle for spot-and-stalk than I would for hunting from a stand, because some rifles I own are distinctly easier to carry all day than others, although any rifle can be made to work if needs be.

For a daytime hunt in dense foliage I'd pick something light with iron sights. For stand-hunting or longer distances, I might go with telescopic sights, a longer barrel, or even a bolt gun. For ambush or night-time hunts, it might be better to use a shotgun, spotlights, night-vision, etc.

Pigs aren't hard to kill, given the favorable shot opportunity, and it's preferred to put them down fast and hard because if they run, even wounded, there's an even chance that you won't see them again. IMO, you really don't want to deal with a wounded and ambulatory hog, unless it's really really small, like... sandwich size.

If there's an opportunity for a head or neck shot, literally any rifle cartridge will suffice. On the lighter end I'd be happy with a .357Mag (if that's what I had with me) or preferably a .30-30. There are tales of the trusty .30-30 failing to penetrate sufficiently to stop big hogs when a heart/lung body shot was attempted, due to the heavy cartilage across the shoulders and ribs, so... head shots with these. I've seen guys take hogs with .22 Hornet and .223 using head or neck shots.

If I wasn't sure what shots would be presented or if longer range might be required, I'd go for something that penetrates a bit more effectively and flies a little bit farther, e.g., .30-06, .308, .356, .358, .44Mag, .45-70, whatever has appropriate sights and handles best for the environment I'm hunting in (or whatever needs exercise and I feel like lugging around.)

Personally, I think I've narrowed down my choices over the last couple of years to what I've found works for me and the places I hunt, and I'd use one of the following from my inventory:

Winchester Model 94 Trapper in .30-30 for close cover meat hogs, daytime, iron or red-dot sights
Winchester Model 94AE in .356Win for close cover larger hogs, daytime, iron sights
Savage Model 10 in .358Win. for stand hunting or longer daytime range, scoped, nighttime with feeder lights or green spotlight
AR-10 in .308 for long-distance and night time, scoped or night-vision
Remington 870 with extended magazine, #00 Buckshot.

Lots of opportunity for cross-over. Truth is, I always bring more than one gun just in case conditions change or I break something.

[model55]

Hmm......1894 Winchester trapper in 30-30.

[Stan in SC]

I primarily hunt with a combo gun. 12 gauge over .308.Handles everything well.

Stan in SC

[guntar]

Blaine,

Hunting feral hogs seems to stimulate people's imaginations more than just about any animal commonly hunted in the lower-48 states. My guess is that it can be attributed to the lack of any truly dangerous game in those same areas inspiring a vicarious thrill in all of us. When I first started hunting them, I am sure I was no different.
The number of feral hogs I have seen must run well up in the thousands. I lost track of the number I have killed back in the 80's before most of my experience occurred. There are a few things I think I learned during that time:

- Despite hunting in many different areas in four different states, I have never seen a feral hog that went over 400#. The two largest I have personally killed went slightly over 300#. Hunters who saw them before they were weighed swore up and down that they were 500-600#.

- I have never been charged by a feral hog. I have had a number run in my direction, but that was because that was where their nose was pointed when they got spooked.

- Bullet construction is far more important with hogs than the power of the cartridge. Hogs seem to be much more densely constructed than most of the animals I have hunted. Penetration is what you need with hogs. Jacketed hollow points would not be my first choice. A heavily constructed jacketed soft point or a hard-cast lead bullet works much better in my experience.

- Caliber seems to be more important with hogs than it is with many other animals such as deer. The larger, the better. Velocity doesn't seem to be nearly as important.

- Bullet weight is one factor I am not really sure of. I tend to use the bullet weights that are "normal" for a cartridge:
25-06: 100-115 gr.
7x57: 140-175 gr.
30-30: 150-170 gr.
300 win.: 180-200 gr.
348: 200-250 gr.
357: 150-170 gr.
41: 210-220 gr.
44: 200-240 gr.
45 ACP: 200-230 gr.
45 Colt: 200-250 gr.
54 cal ML: 430 gr.
As long as the bullets were designed for penetration, they all worked pretty well.

My bottom line recommendation would be for you to use what gives you the most enjoyment. Either of the rifles you mentioned would have plenty of power. Most firearms that are reasonable deer rifles work fine. Just be careful with your bullet construction. If you are going to be hunting at night, make sure you use a scoped rifle.
Just make sure your bullets penetrate well. An incident early in my hunting career might help illustrate my point:
I was hunting in southeast Georgia near the coast. I shot two hogs on that trip, both with a 41 magnum handgun. Both were frontal shots (not an unusual presentation). The first weighed about 125# and I used a 210 gr, Hornady JHP at somewhere around 1400 fps. The hog was feeding towards me with its head down and I shot it through the top of the neck. It was lucky that I broke its neck because it only penetrated 5 or 6". I am doubtful that the shot would have been fatal, at least not right away. The next morning I shot another, larger hog (200#+), again facing me. It was slightly uphill and I shot it through the chest with a cast lead bullet of the same 210 gr. weight at about 1300 fps. The bullet traveled through the gristle plate, the heart, lungs, paunch, and one of the rear hams and embedded itself in a tree. Both animals died on the spot, but from that time on, I was very careful with shot presentation when using JHP's. Many of my shots at hogs were targets of opportunity while I was deer hunting, and JHP's work very well on deer. They worked on the hogs as well. I just had to wait for the right presentation. If I knew I was primarily hunting hogs I used either JSP's or hard cast lead bullets.

If I were going hog hunting in daylight I would probably use my M92 in 45 Colt with a 250 gr. bullet. If at night I would use my M77 in 7x57 with a 175 gr. Nosler Partition.

Hunting hogs is a lot of fun. They can be hunted in many different ways, usually year-round, and, in many areas, 24 hours a day. Have fun.

[jeepnik]

I primarily hunt with a combo gun. 12 gauge over .308.Handles everything well.

Stan in SC

Love the idea of combo guns yet I don't own a single one. I've been looking for a Savage 24C for a long time. The few, very few, I've found have either been trashed or way over priced. What combo do you use?

[piller]

For the really big pigs, I would use my .480 Ruger caliber model 92 and 410 grain hard cast wide flat nose LBT style bullets. When you get heavy for caliber hard cast bullets, they tend to make a hole in whatever you shoot at, at least in my experience. I could also use my Guide Gun in .45-70 with the 405 grain +P Grizzly rounds. I would not feel undergunned with that combo for anything up to Alaskan Coastal Grizzly or Cape Buffalo.

[jackruff]

In my experience, and that of my hunting buddies, there isn't really anything any better than a .30-30.

[JohndeFresno]

Great posts, here.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I've been popping pigs with my model 1894 Marlin this for year makes 40 years and it has never disappointed me, all shots one shot drops, and the biggest boar a tad over 300 pounds.
For "hogzilla" I do have "Smelly Nelly" my 45/70 bolt gun based on a SMLE Lithgow Enfield that I also have great confidence in.

[Hans-Jurgen]

I'd feel good going out with any of you! I would bring my Winchester 92, with hard flat nosed .45 cal, and my S&W 460 with 300 gr. Hard flat nosed bullets. But I'm getting to old to want bring in a huge hog, by my self! I like the smaller hogs, for eating! Besides, I hunt for the comraderie, more than trying feeding two old people. But I'm still not to old for an adventure!

[JReed]

Without a second of thought. I'd take one of my .45-70's with me. Probably my Hepburn.

Nuts just drooled on my key board! I have a big soft spot in my soul for the Hepburn.


To go along with Joe my 94 trapper in .45colt same powder charge but the Sierra 300gr JSP for bullet choice. But then again my No4Mk1 with 180gr Sierra's at 2450 sure does put holes in things and actions almost as fast as the 94.

[Blaine]

Without a second of thought. I'd take one of my .45-70's with me. Probably my Hepburn.

Nuts just drooled on my key board! I have a big soft spot in my soul for the Hepburn.


To go along with Joe my 94 trapper in .45colt same powder charge but the Sierra 300gr JSP for bullet choice. But then again my No4Mk1 with 180gr Sierra's at 2450 sure does put holes in things and actions almost as fast as the 94.

If you missed, you could always beat it to death with the scope.

[Rusty]

When I was in high school in S.W. Fla the crowd I ran with would laugh you out of camp if you used anything bigger than a .22 mag.

[FWiedner]

When I was in high school in S.W. Fla the crowd I ran with would laugh you out of camp if you used anything bigger than a .22 mag.

A .22Mag right behind the ear or through the eye will sure enough put the biggest hog down.

No argument there.

[Bronco]

Used to work with a southern boy who only brought a big knife, Arkansas tooth pick to be exact, and dogs. He did also bring plenty of thread with a couple of needles to stitch back up the dogs. He would wait until the dogs had the hog spread out like a rug then jump in with the knife . He asked me if I wanted to go with him once, I spinelessly declined. He had pictures of the adventure. man O man

John

[mikld]

Well, from reading what the other fellers would do, I guess my plans would place me in the "under gunned" category. I would like to go on a hog hunt and have fixed up some loads for my .44 Magnum Puma ('92 clone); 265 gr. Ranch Dog RNFP cast over a hefty load of 2400...

I remember reading about some fellers that hunted pigs with spears. Real "He Men"...

[Blaine]

Do yourself a huge favor and read Chapter 20 of Ruark's book that dealt when the Old Man took The Boy pig stickin'....... If you can make it through without cracking a rib laughing....

https://books.google.com/books?id=fEu0p ... ng&f=false

[sore shoulder]

I have seen 300 lb pigs dropped with one shot 70 gr Barnes TSX from a 16" carbine AR. That is what I would use.