Hog hunting can be a thrilling and demanding activity that requires both skill and patience. Selecting the correct firearm for your next hog hunt is key to ensuring you have success on the range.
When hog hunting, it is essential to select a rifle that can accurately deliver your shot at whatever range you require. The caliber you opt for will depend on your location and how often you plan to use the firearm.
.223 Remington
If you’re in search of a rifle to take your hog-hunting activities to the next level, the.223 Remington should be taken into consideration. This popular intermediate cartridge comes in various projectile types and weights for maximum versatility.
It is a versatile cartridge suitable for most hunters, even those who have never fired a centerfire rifle before. With minimal recoil, it provides an ideal learning tool for new shooters.
Factory ammunition for 223 Remington rifles is available, such as Nosler and Sierra bullets. These bullets make an excellent choice for hog hunters since they deliver consistent results when hunting pigs but may also be successful against smaller animals like raccoons and coyotes.
Core-Lokt controlled-expansion bullets are ideal for hogs since they can expand to a certain point while still penetrating the vitals of a deer. Furthermore, these bullets are lead-free – perfect in states where hunters are prohibited from taking big game with bullets that contain lead.
6.5 Creedmoor
If you need a gun that can take down big games without scaring them away, the 6.5 Creedmoor is your perfect choice. This round has proven its mettle among hunters and when combined with a lightweight rifle, can effectively take down large animals without scaring them off.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has long been known to be more forgiving of ranging errors than other rounds, making it a go-to choice among target shooters and hunters alike. Furthermore, this cartridge is highly accurate and can be loaded with an assortment of bullets for any specific hunting need.
6.5 Creedmoor is an especially potent round for smaller games like ground squirrels and rabbits, as well as varmints at moderate ranges.
Despite its shortcomings, the 6.5 Creedmoor is still one of the most popular cartridges used today for long-distance shooting. When loaded with premium match-grade bullets, this cartridge is remarkably accurate and has very light recoil – making it easy to stay on target when taking follow-up shots.
.224 Valkyrie
In 2017, a new cartridge designed specifically for the AR-15 was introduced:224 Valkyrie. This cartridge utilizes 6.8 SPC cases necked down to.224 diameter and claims to perform better than 223 Remington, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and 22 Nosler in terms of accuracy, flat trajectory, and gunpowder placement.
224 Valkyrie was a favorite among hunters and shooters due to its long, aerodynamic bullets with relatively low recoil. These rounds also boast top-end ballistic coefficient (BC) ratings which help the cartridge shoot flatter, buck the wind better, and hit harder when it reaches its target.
This feature of any rifle is impressive, but it’s especially advantageous when hunting hogs since low recoil makes it simple to make follow-up shots if needed.
Federal tested several 224 Valkyrie loads and their initial offering, the 90-grain Sierra MatchKing, fired consistently at 2,700 fps with a 1:7 twist barrel. Not only was this weapon capable of producing a devastating downrange punch at impact and an efficient harvest, but it was also quick enough for humane harvesting after impact.
6.5 Grendel
The 6.5 Grendel is an iconic hunting cartridge designed by Bill Alexander over forty-eight years ago. It’s highly versatile, suitable for hunting varmints, small game, and big game alike.
The 6.5 Grendel is an ideal choice for hog hunting, unlike other AR-15 cartridges due to its aerodynamic design and ability to be fired from an AR-15 platform. Furthermore, this highly accurate rifle allows you to take down hogs at longer ranges.
Another advantage of this cartridge is its powerful nature with low recoil. This characteristic makes it ideal for hog hunters since hogs move quickly and you want a gun that gives you the best chances at success.
The 6.5 Grendel can be equipped with a 123-grain bullet, which has greater sectional density than a 7.62×39 bullet. This makes the 6.5 Grendel more accurate at long ranges than its 7.62×39 counterpart.
.308 Winchester
The.308 Winchester remains one of the world’s most beloved hunting cartridges, offering versatility and effectiveness to medium game hunters around. Available as a factory or hand-load ammunition, it’s chambered in many different rifles and continues to be favored by snipers and long-range hunters around the world.
Since 1952, this cartridge has been a go-to choice among hunters for all sorts of medium to heavy game hunting needs. A variety of bullet construction and ammunition types are available; 150-grain standard construction bullets work well on smaller non-dangerous animals while 180-grain frangible load provides controlled expansion that’s ideal for medium to large animals with hard-hitting characteristics like hogs, whitetails, and elk.
The 165 to 168-grain bullet weight is typically used as a heavier, more frangible projectile to promote quick kills on a lighter-bodied game such as 90 to 320kg (200-700lb). However, it also proves highly effective on heavier medium-bodied animals weighing 450kg or up, producing fast killing and exceptional penetration even on difficult-to-hit targets like moose, deer, or bear.
.30-30
Hogs may not be the most attractive, beautiful, or tasty animals on earth, but they play an essential role in America’s ecosystem. From North Carolina marshes to New Mexico shrublands and beyond into Florida Everglades, hogs traverse a diverse range of habitats.
Hunting hogs is different from hunting deer or black bears, as the former live their lives roaming for sows and fighting over piglets while the latter are bred for meat consumption. Thus, they’re much harder to take down with standard 6mm rounds like the.30-30; even heavier bullets need to be selected for them.
Slug ammunition designed specifically for hogs and their environment is essential in a successful hog hunt. This type of ammunition has wide bullet upset that develops deep penetration, making it hard for the hog to recover. Lead-free monumental loads such as Barnes TSX FN or Hornady MonoFlex can be used in guns chambered in 30-30, including Barnes TSX FN and Hornady MonoFlex; these rounds have greater recoil resistance while still retaining their weight after impact compared to conventional jacketed lead core bullets do.
.40 S&W
Hog hunting with a handgun is an exciting challenge that tests both your skills and patience as you take down a feral hog. It necessitates a different approach than hunting with a rifle; handguns require closer proximity to your prey, more precise shot placement, and patience.
The.40 S&W pistol cartridge is one of the most sought-after rimless, straight-walled pistol rounds for hog hunting. With its powerful muzzle energy, this cartridge can take down deer, hogs, and black bears at reasonable ranges.
Generally, the higher your muzzle energy, the greater the likelihood that your bullet will strike its target. However, this is not always true.
Hogs can be incredibly cunning, often staying low to the ground and concealing themselves among tall grasses. If you’re stalking hogs, move slowly, and be sure to check any thick brush before making your move.
.45-70
The trusted.45-70 Government cartridge is ideal for hog hunting with an AR platform, as it can handle the heavy loads needed to dispatch large boars. It has become one of the most sought-after hog-hunting cartridges and has seen a resurgence among American rifle makers recently.
The 45-70 is an effective medium-range round that can be lethal out to 150 yards. It boasts exceptional accuracy and makes an ideal all-around choice for North American game animals like deer, moose, grizzly bear, and elk.
Lee, RCBS, and Lyman offer a vast selection of bullets for hand loaders to choose from. These commercial-cast lead bullets come in various weights and shapes so they make great starting materials when creating custom hand loads.
It’s an effective cartridge that can deal a serious blow to feral pigs and big boars in the wild. Additionally, it works great against moose and elk but lacks some of the speed or power necessary for larger games like cape buffalo.
