Haven’t been around the board much (and miss it!). I didn’t shoot much over the summer as the hogs weren’t around & my health kept me pinned down. But I did pop a couple nice boars from the house this past week. The top one was taken right at dark. He came out and was aggressively chasing the deer off the protein. The range was right at 185 yards, and the 140 grain Nosler Solid Base (lead-tipped/old-style) from my 7mm Bullberry bored a holed through his heart and chewed through the opposite-side shoulder, dropping him instantly. Hogs often run a bit with a heart shot, but this one did not.

The hog in the bottom photo was taken by moonlight the very next evening and from app. 165 yards. It was misty/hazy as a fog was about to settle in, reducing the illumination of the near-full moon, but I could still see OK through the Kahles Helia CL 3-10x50 with 4a reticle. The bullet entered about 1/3rd ways up where the neck and shoulder joined, ripped through the lungs and exited tight behind the opposite shoulder, leaving a nickel-sized exit in its wake. He, too, dropped in his trcks. As to the Kahles, I found that scope used on another board, sold off a bunch of my stuff and – as the old saying goes – robbed Peter to pay Paul because I really wanted that scope as I’ve never had one in its class. I got it for $600, and at first I was not all that pleased as there were some cleaning marks on the objective glass that weren’t disclosed. But then I looked through it…and I really love this scope. The only thing I’d change would be to have it in the smaller 3-9x42 version.

It also proved its worth on the hog in the top photo. I actually had 2 rifles on my little shooting platform as I was itching to bag something else with my .309 JDJ. But when the hog emerged nearly 30 minutes after sundown, I could not see enough detail through the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 to make the shot. The image itself was bright enough, but the image detail had faded with the darkness, and I wanted to make sure the bullet went just where it needed to. With the Kahles, I still had a usable image and figure this scope gives me an extra 7-8 minutes of shooting time over the Conquest. That may not sound like much, but when the majority of your targets are dark animals that rarely emerge in good lighting, it really is a factor.

As usual Bobby great story and job on the oinkers. Congratulations Sir

Lora and I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

It's great to see you back Bobby. Been wondering what happened to you it's been so long.
Nice shooting, esp at dark on dark animals. They can be hard to see in such light and shadows.

Kahles huh? I have two on Dad's guns. FN .375H&H, and M'70 '06 both have crossed fenceposts and 4x. Bet you'd lose a pig at that range behind these posts. No taper, solid black lines all the way across and up n down.

Had another gutting Oct 16th myself. Took it all out, including the exit hole this time. Won't be anymore Chron's for my lower unit area now. Maybe both of us can get our health back.
Wish you well, and hang in there.
George

Nice shooting Bobby, like the rifle.Cheers Mick

I was a little worried about you Bobby. I'm used to seeing you post about killing a hog every few weeks. Good to have you back.

Great to hear you are able to shoot again! Always enjoy your hunt reports!

Great work my friend ,nice photos .

Thanks, guys. ANd Geroge, am still praying for you. Let me know how things are going. That same surgery may be something I will have to consider. As you well know, being home-bound and planning every move around the nearest bathroom is no fun.