The gorgeous moonlight and my inability to sleep for more than an hour or so spelled doom for a large boar in the wee hours of the morning. There was a strong south wind blowing, and I really didn't expect to see anything -- and I must admit being somewhat unprepared. I was barefoot on the deck peering through the binos when I spotted the motionless and out-of-place black blob to the West, so I stepped back inside, slipped on shoes and grabbed my 7mm Bullberry. I lumbered over to my shooting rest, and to my delight, he was still there, perhaps another 30 yards from where I originally saw him.

The range was right at 190 yards, generally too far to get a decent sight picture at night, but the strong moonlight and the wonderful optics of the Leica ERi 3-12x50 made it all possible. With the scope at 10x, I turned on the center dot, held on the vitals and sent a 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip on its way.

I felt good about the shot, but I did not get audible confirmation of bullet impact, though the stiff breeze certainly could have been a factor. Driving to the spot, I immediately noticed a spray of bright, frothy blood on the parched and freeze-burned grass. The trail ended 70 yards later, and blood was much in evidence the entire way. The 120 grain BT penetrated the onside shoulder before wrecking the top of the lungs and exiting a few inches behind the opposite shoulder.

For those who doubt the Nosler's ability to penetrate something as stout as a hog, I am posting a picture below. But if you are squeamish, please don't scroll down. It's a photo of the exit, and it's a bit graphic. But it also gives a better indication of the hog's tremendous size.

Edited to add: Unfortunately, this boar was not edible. He had an infection on his hip that appeared to be a splash wound from a poorly-placed shot -- and one that came from something like a .17 HMR or similar. I am guessing it was a week old as it seemed to be in the early healing stages, but it smelled horribly and the area around it was very warm to the touch. I wasn't even going to take a photo of it but changed my mind this morning before hauling if off for the buzzards and other scavenging creatures.

Bobby, you're turning in to quite a good storyteller. You'r shooting ability is beyond question. That hog needed to be removed for sure! GW

Nice! The Leica strikes again!

Nice shot. Thumped another nice-sized one. Think he would weigh 165 or so? Just curious.

That one needed to die!

ya!


GWB

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.

.

Thanks, guys.

CB-This one did get weighed (most do not) since there was no hurry to butcher it. It was actually a bit heavier than my guesstimate of 245. It weighed 254

But it's tough to gauge them from only a couple of photos.

Death rides a pale horse -- to collect Bobby's piggies!

Great post.
Question: You have an assortment of appropriate rifles, so how do you decide which one to use at that time of the night?

Oh boy. After taking a second look at the width of the back, I'm not surprised at the weight. I hope to drop my first this year thanks to an invitation from a very generous land-owner in N.E. Texas. I'd be tickled to shoot most any hog. Heading down on a foodie trip in late February.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Tomek:
Thanks, guys.

CB-This one did get weighed (most do not) since there was no hurry to butcher it. It was actually a bit heavier than my guesstimate of 245. It weighed 254

But it's tough to gauge them from only a couple of photos.

Karoo-

I primarily have 3 that I use, and I really don't think about it unless there's a new-to-me scope or load variation I want to try.

CB-

Good luck on the hunt...and safe travels as well. Be sure and post pics!

Bobby:
Seems like that's the biggest I've
seen you post.
sure makes that rifle look like a kids toy.

AND I was thinking the full moon looked like
a "lovers moon" that same night.

Do you keep those guns loaded or shells handy? Sure don't seem like it takes you long to get into action.

Thanks for sharing again.

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:

Do you keep those guns loaded or shells handy? Sure don't seem like it takes you long to get into action.

Thanks for sharing again.

George-My motto has always been that an unloaded gun is a useless gun when it's needed in a pinch. And I always have one handy. This one was just inside the front door.

While this boar was large, he's not the biggest I have taken but likely in the top 10. Nonetheless, it is absolutely rare for them to get this big around here.

Thanks. I have my fingers crossed on the weather. A few decades ago I made several winter runs down through route 81 with a straight truck in Virginia and weather can be a challenge there in February. One minute it's dry then boom there's sleet and cars and trucks sprawled everywhere over the next hill.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Tomek:
CB-

Good luck on the hunt...and safe travels as well. Be sure and post pics!

Very nice shot and a nice hog. Great story!

Great story and oinker Bobby. Good to see you are still working on them.

Now that is a HOG! Well done Bobby, and a good story to boot!