I am going to join some friends for a wild boar hunt in OK early next year. It'll be a first time pig hunt for me so I'm not sure what I should think about bringing.

Apparently the pigs run pretty large on average here, 350 is normal, up to 500 is not uncommon.

I just don't see myself hunting pigs with my usual mule deer/elk rigs, they're all set up more for longer range stuff.

So what are you guys using for BIG pigs? Would a 30-30 be sufficient? A 45/70 is obviously a good choice but I can find a used 30-30 or 35 Rem almost any day of the week for around 300$ here. Any other choices? .243, .270.....this is all new to me. I like handguns, but I don't have a big bore right now, and this little weekend jaunt is not enough reason to drop the cash for a 44 or 45 if I can get another suitable gun cheaper.

Do you prefer a repeater, or a single shot? Singles are always a cheap option with H&R's in 44, 444, 45/70, 500 S&W, 357 Mag, 45 LC and such.

30-30 will be fine regardless of size assuming reasonable range. If shots may be longer take your scoped deer rifle. Have fun.

Pigs aren't that hard to kill, provided you hit them in the right place (the vitals).
I shoot hogs about 2" below the ear, on a line between their ear and shoulder. This shot severs their spine and they drop and paddle. They are DRT. I've killed hogs with this shot using anything from a 223 to a 458 lott.
GWB

I have shot pigs with LOTS of different calibers.

The choice depends more on conditions than the animal being hunted.

I have shot pigs at 10 feet when hunting with dogs and used a 32 Winchester Special, it worked great.

I have also shot pigs running like hell at over 400 yards with a 300 WSM. It worked well also.

Take a gun that is suited to the conditions you are going to hunt in.

Your deer/elk caliber rifles will work well if the country is open enough to allow you to use them.

Having said that, I have killed hogs at spitting distance with a .338 Win Mag. Have fun on your hunt.

What rifles do you currently own? .264 and up with a quality bullet, mono or bonded, will be more than adequete.

Perry

Ditto

You don't need a big bore to kill a hog. You deer rifle will work fine. Most of the time I use my 7mm-08. I prefer the behind the ear shot when possible, but a "normal" shot does the job very well. Your point of aim is different on a hog. See below.

Good Hunting,

Bob

I have a 264 Win Man, 300 Win Mag and 300 Wby mag. I have a 308 being built and if its ready ill use that but I don't want to count on it. And come on, who doesn't want a reason for a new gun??

What are ya'lls thoughts on single shots for pigs?

The worst thing about a single shot is perhaps missing out on a double when the pigs in are grouped up. I've started using a semi-auto more and more just to get that quick follow up shot. Two's better than one!

My most recent, last weekend, was a 200 lb boar, hit solidly thru both lungs at 150 yards with 140 gr Accubond from 280 rem. Damn porker took off like never hit. Went fifty yards into the most nasty underbrush on this ranch and the only trail to follow was broken branches and only a hint of any blood. Found deader than a hammer. Like noted above shoot them near the ear hole and you don't have to track them. Enjoy the hunt.

quote:

What are ya'lls thoughts on single shots for pigs?

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I love the single shots and have taken many, many hogs with them. Once you are accustomed to them, quick follow-up shots are easy -- and nearly as fast as a bolt rifle. I've taken a 2nd or 3rd hog on numerous occasions just by a quick reload.













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Also, you wrote: "Apparently the pigs run pretty large on average here, 350 is normal, up to 500 is not uncommon."

Unless they are farm-raised and released, I beg to differ on the weights. A fully mature, older boar will generally fall within a range of 180-240 pounds. Yes, they do get bigger, but those are the exception to the rule. I live in good hog country and have taken well into 3 figures, but those weighing 300-plus comprise a very small percentage of all hogs I have killed.

The hog below is pretty typical for a mature boar. If memory serves, he went something like 215.

They are pigs, NOT armor plated tankes. The problem is hogs dont usually bleed as well as whitetails, and the vitals are more forward. You have to be halfway down or less and from tip of elbow forward.

Use your deer rifle in the 270 class and up with cup and core bullets (premium bonded/monometal/partition style bullets are not necessary but will serve fine) and you will be fine. In my opinion guns from 243 and smaller are fine IF you are a very experienced shooter/hunter and use the right bullets. NOW yes a 22lr will work on perfect shots, but lets not go there.

In my experience and after talking to a long time trapper in TX here is what I have found. In the eastern part of TX I-30 area east of DFW normal hogs range from 90-125# both boar and sow. Large hogs are usually from 150-250#. 250-300# are RARE. 300#+ are killed about like Boone and Crocket bucks. This is for hogs that are born and raised WILD.

All of this is my OPINION and based of my experiences only. And I have a LOT less experience than a lot on here.

Thanks
224TTH

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Apparently the pigs run pretty large on average here, 350 is normal, up to 500 is not uncommon.

Never seen a wild area that could produce an honest 350# pig with any regularity.

Is it a game ranch hunt? Obviously I have nothing against that! Just curious where these monster pigs live. Not trying to be rude.

Anyway, anything larger than a .223 and you should be fine. I have had horrible results with .223 on pigs. Very low recovery rate, unless you "ear hole" 'em.

In a nutshell, any 7mm or larger will work. 7mm 08 and up is certainly sufficient.

I have shot hogs with lots of differant stuff. I guess what I would call my go to hog gun is a 03 scout rifle 2x leupold in 06 shooting 220gr round nose at 2300fps.

Is very fast win the brush no trouble making hits out to 200 yards. But hen it is fun shooting them with a 416 44mag 4570 ect is all fun.

Yes, they are on a ranch that focuses on pigs and has a few exotics as well. Its in Southern OK.

How about a 20g with 3" slugs?

Ok my bad guys, I misread something on the page regarding the 500 number. Something about some sort of hog scoring system where their pigs average in the 500's. Cant find it at the moment, I was reading the page on my phone when my buddy linked me. But, 300's and up don't seem to be hard to come by. And yes, it is a FENCED hunt, they offer open range too but we are doing the guaranteed fence hunt.

Hell I don't care how big it is, I just want to shoot a pig. Never have!

quote:

Hell I don't care how big it is, I just want to shoot a pig. Never have!

It's highly addictive. I like it much better than deer hunting.

Study the pictures Bob posted. The physiology is a bit different than deer. If you don't want it to run off, put it in the ear as Geedubya described. Doesn't take much gun.

We want a report after the hunt.

LWD

Its not until Feb, but you can be dang sure I'll put one up

MileHigh, I've been looking for some hogs around here but the Department of Agriculture ariel guns any they find. While you are down there, maybe you can find a couple of bonus hogs on some Public Land?

Not exactly "boar guns",
but
for your viewing pleasure,
some images of a number of porkers I have encountered over the last dozen or so years.
Enjoy!
GWB

Great pics! There's a light colored one in the middle of the pics, with the 2 men and 2 boys sitting over em. The one on the end looks like he is smiling lol

MileHighShooter,

Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with it. I was just impressed by the sizes that's all. A true 300# pig is a huge pig!

I have a couple huge pigs on my ranch that I will kill if I get the chance, they are fenced in, and I still can't get on 'em. Of course it has only been about 5 years. They may have died of old age by now. I did manage to take one in 2005, he was a toad.

Thats a big pig Wendell! Gonna have to make it down to your ranch someday for some exotics and pigs