Im planning a hunt for Wild Boar and I wanna have some fun. Im toying with which rifle to use. Ive "NARROWED" it down to a 577NE built by JDJones on a Ruger No1., a 470 Merkle Double that I took to Afrika last year and never "Blooded", a 10 SxS that shoots slugs like it was built to do it!, or a 45-75 Bakail SxS. YES I know the 577 and 470 are a bit excessive; but heck that's part of the fun.

Im hoping for a monster Boar and I'll be stalking with a guide. The hunt will be at the Spartan Hunting Preserve in Tennessee.

Sir,

IMHO, velocity and frangible bullets are much more of a culprit than diameter and weight.
Say 2,800 fps and under you'll be fine. 2,500 fps and under you should be able to eat right up to the bullet hole.


My experience with stuff like a 350 Rem mag.....




35 Whelen




9.3 x 74R



375 H&H




45-70




they just drop, sometimes don't even flop.


Being a meat hunter, my go to shot on hoglets---I envision an imaginary line between the ear and shoulder the aim about 2 inches below the ear on that line.





325 WSM, 200 gr. Accubond
I was a 'touch" off, 200 yd. zero, +/- 20 degree downward angle, 165 yds. and a pretty good breeze and a moving hog, not too shabby. Course I don't shoot as good as I used to.

Anyway, if you do that or even near, it usually severs the spine. They drop and paddle.

Many time you don't even have to take a saw to separate the neck from the head. Bullet pretty much does that for you, plus you waste no meat.....




Course with a 400 gr. plus bullet, and ya' break down both shoulders, well that works also.

Wish you success on your hunt.

Be sure and post pix.


Best,

GWB

Wow, big boomers all! Perhaps ask the guides at the reserve what the hunt conditions ( eg- baying w/ dogs, sittin' at feeders, spot&stalk, est. ranges) will be and that can help you decide...Don't overlook buckshot in that 10 gauge, that ought to be enough to tame a running boar up close! Best of luck & keep us posted.

NO dogs, not sure about feeders. Hunting will be Spot and Stalk, pretty sure ranges are relatively short.

I guess I should add the Bakails come along on a lot of hunts when theres a chance of foul weather. I can much easier explain to myself why Im standing in a downpour with a $700 rifle than spend the day convincing myself I can dry off my $11K Merkel. Does that sound silly?

E- That makes perfect sense to me. Since its mostly spot-n-stalk I'd reccomend using whatever you feel is most accurate and go for head shots. Why waste any of that good meat? Maybe shooting off sticks, Africa-style, would help in case there are no solid rests nearby? Good luck!