I am planning to do some back country (drive-in 4x4 or high clearance vehicle) camping and everything I've read about the area warns that there are Javelinas (Texas' Big Bend area) and those guys are agressive looking for chow. I don't mind carrying firepower and plan on buying any needed license. My question is which of the guns I CURRENTLY OWN is best suited (least unsuited?) for the task?

Here are the options (and nobody laugh, at least not on the forum anyhow, please?):

7.62X51 /.308 Win semi-auto (currently have 1K+ rds of G.I. M-80 but will buy box of whatever is needed if consensus agrees on this one)

.22LR semi-auto 10 rnd mag (can empty mag into 1" square at 50 yds in under 10 sec. if needed) will buy box of what is needed if consensus is this one

12 gau pump smooth bore. No rifling for slugs but have no problem using 0 or 00 buck whatever

.40 S&W semi-auto pistol (one with 15 rd mag one with 10)

I sorta suspect the .308 might be too much gun. But then I also sorta suspect the .22 might not be enough. You folks in this particular form are as close to experts on this subject area as there are. I trust your collective wisdom/acumin.

Note: I'm not really interested in hunting the ugly little critters, I just don't want 'em tearing up my stuff. My dog neither! If I have to drop a couple to run 'em off I got no problem.

Now, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. What say you? I seriously doubt I have anything close to what a real hunter would bring to take Javelina. I'd just like to know what you all think.

Thanks in advance.

A .22LR bullet to the head will kill one out to about 30 or 40 yards. A 12 ga. with 00 buckshot will or should "Stop" one out to about 15 or 20 yards. The .40 with proper bullets would be a better bet.

Of course knowing what I do about javelina, a few well aimed rocks up side their head will run them off.

Javelinas have the potential to get nasty but they usually leave people alone. Be smart, and don't let your dog run around by itself.

Just remember, in spite of what many think, javelinas are considered game animals by the state, and the limit is two, and Yes TP&W will prosecute even over javelina.

From 1991 thru Feb. of 2011 I was involved in the killing of close to 300 javelina. They are not all that hard to kill and like wise they are not all that hard to avoid. They will however go after a dog given the chance.

javelinas are a game animal and require a general hunting license... and there is a annual limit of 2.... as crazyhorseconsulting states, a 22 will kill one at reasonable range.... but chunking rocks at them will usually run them off....don't give them any opportunities at your stuff... keep it sealed, secured, keep your trash picked up.... and you shouldn't have any problems...caveat:::: firearm discretion is suggested in the national park area...just like open fires, etc........

In that part of the World I would worry more about 2 legged illegal alien bandits.

I would carry the handgun and the 308 semiauto...

And Lots of ammo, they both will work on javelinas, and mountain lions as well...

PS, the only 2 javelinas I have killed were with an AR 15 in 223...

Last Javelina I shot was with my Heym 450/400 double rifle. Gave him a good dose of lead at 15 yards in very thick brush.

Over the years, I've shot them with all types of rifle and pistol calibers --small to large-- along with various archery equipment.

Like anything we hunt, shot placement goes a long way towards a successful outing.

I have never shot a javelin, but have read about them.
I am sure that makes me an expert, so on the strength of that I recommend at least......

Many years ago, I got cornered by a rather aggressive group of large specimens. I found that using .357 with 140 grain hollow points, the first bullet would stop them, the second bullet would cause them to fall over.

I heard this rapid clicking noise from the pack. I was told afterwards that they were clicking their teeth to show how mad they were.

The Spaniards named them Javalina because their teeth reminded them of "little spears". Very apt.

Go with moderate to large caliber pistol, with either a big magazine or the ability to reload quickly. The group I was dealing with was initially a dozen. Acquaintances in Texas tell me of encounters with larger groups.

My wife & I took 2 each using our .375 Ruger rebarelled BLR. We used solids to minimize meat damage. Your .308 is plenty for a javelina, plus it gives you the long range opportunity should you spot one at a distance. Good luck!

quote:

Many years ago, I got cornered by a rather aggressive group of large specimens. I found that using .357 with 140 grain hollow points, the first bullet would stop them, the second bullet would cause them to fall over. I heard this rapid clicking noise from the pack. I was told afterwards that they were clicking their teeth to show how mad they were. The Spaniards named them Javalina because their teeth reminded them of "little spears". Very apt. Go with moderate to large caliber pistol, with either a big magazine or the ability to reload quickly. The group I was dealing with was initially a dozen. Acquaintances in Texas tell me of encounters with larger groups.

Great advice, just keep in mind that javelinas are considered Game Animals in Texas, with a limit of two per license year. Takes a really stupid person to get their arse nailed over a javelina.

CHC:
As you know well, there's plenty of those
types around too.
George

What does a big one weigh 45lbs or so any thing from 22lr on up should work.

I have killed one with a single shot to the head at about 30 feet or so with a .22lr.

It wasn't "Charging" however. It walked out of the brush, turned around and looked at me and I put the shot between his eyes.

George, javelina in Texas are a conundrum. They are considered a game animal, but only about half the counties that have a hunt-able population, about 43 or 44 have a structured season, Oct. thru Feb. The other 50 or so have No Closed season.

The annual limit is two, yet there are not any javelina tags on the license. In Arizona and New Mexico, they are treated like a game animal, just like deer or elk.

Depending on the county here in Texas, the Game Warden in that county and the rancher, they don't care how many a person shoots, they consider them a pest. While they can cause a few problems, they are "choir boys" compared to feral hogs.

Every now and then however a hunter will ass up and get a ticket for shooting too many or something equally as dumb.

Sounds like youre MORE worried about them leaving you alone than HUNTING them. If that's the case, then why not work on keeping them away then killing them.

Ive heard varying results with spreading pepper around your sight and using the large Pepper Spray (fire extinguisher size) when they get close.

I do think carrying the semi auto 308 (you didn't say which one) with a bandoleer of LOADED mags along with the pistol and a couple mags, is a VERY good idea anytime you are ALONE in a remote area. As far as FMJ, the military uses it because of the Hague Convention-you may have chosen it because its cheap BUT unless you are a soldier fighting soldiers in uniform, then SOFT POINT ammo is a better choice for 2 and 4 legged animals....

I've taken them with a .357 Python up close. I also shot one running up a cliff with a 7-08. I spined him and it was a pretty destructive.

The python kills were King Ranch. Rifle was Alpine area.