Hog hunters? (edit) Wild Boar Hunters?

[Jeff K]

I knew the day was coming. I just had a hog in my front yard. He wasn't the least bit scared of our dog. By the time I grabbed a gun and headed out in the dark he was on the edge of the woods.
Question is... considering i don't intend to eat the stinkin critter what is my best plan of action. I was out with my home defense sawed off pump shotgun with buck shot. Not the best idea since I wouldn't be able to pump and hold the light.
I have a few long guns in semi auto from a .22 to .30-06.
Not too sure about touching off a 30-06 if I didn't have to. I do have houses 600-800 feet away.
12 gauge with slugs?
10 rounds of .22?  
I guess I need to up grade the dillio setup so I can shoot with light hands free. Hate to have to bother with it. The dillio problem cured itself when we got the dog.  

[Jess from VA]

Jeff a 12 gauge with slugs or buck should do it if you're close enough, and hit vitals, but if it was me I'd use a 30.06/.308/7mm/.270 with a scope. (Of course what size firearm/caliber is optimal really depends on pig size.... but I'd be looking for a guaranteed one-shot kill) (people find it very hard to identify the direction or source of a single shot, not so with multiple shots).  I assume you are allowed to shoot legally where you live?  Pull a sock over the barrel down over the fore end and duct tape a good flashlight under the rifle fore end.  The sock is just to keep the tape glue off a nice rifle.  When illuminated at night, the crosshairs are very bright, and you can make a killing shot from a safe distance (even if you can't see the pig so well with your eyes, you will thru the scope).  

I wouldn't be eating him either, so I guess I'd dig a hole next to him and roll him in.  Or donate meat to a charity, if that doesn't get you in hot water about shooting a pig, and if the logistics of picking the thing up and trucking him somewhere is doable.  Or put him on the roadside berm with a sign, "free to a good home."

Of course, you have to choose a safe shooting angle with a high powered rifle; is your house two-story?  Walk your property in daylight, and decide where and what positions are safe to shoot from.

[Jeff K]

Shooting around here is no big deal. I laughed Christmas morning because it sounded like EVERYONE got a new gun.

[Gavin_Sons]

Jeff a 12 gauge with slugs or buck should do it if you're close enough, and hit vitals, but if it was me I'd use a 30.06/.308/7mm/.270 with a scope. (Of course what size firearm/caliber is optimal really depends on pig size.... but I'd be looking for a guaranteed one-shot kill) (people find it very hard to identify the direction or source of a single shot, not so with multiple shots).  I assume you are allowed to shoot legally where you live?  Pull a sock over the barrel down over the fore end and duct tape a good flashlight under the rifle fore end.  The sock is just to keep the tape glue off a nice rifle.  When illuminated at night, the crosshairs are very bright, and you can make a killing shot from a safe distance (even if you can't see the pig so well with your eyes, you will thru the scope).  

I wouldn't be eating him either, so I guess I'd dig a hole next to him and roll him in.  Or donate meat to a charity, if that doesn't get you in hot water about shooting a pig, and if the logistics of picking the thing up and trucking him somewhere is doable.  Or put him on the roadside berm with a sign, "free to a good home."

Of course, you have to choose a safe shooting angle with a high powered rifle; is your house two-story?  Walk your property in daylight, and decide where and what positions are safe to shoot from.


What jess said, usually a slug from a shotgun will not penetrate far enough to kill one. Best bet is the 30-06 with a shot behind the ear. Good luck, hope the dog stays away from it.

[TJ]

lol

[CajunRider]

If you're not worried about eating it... then you're not worried about damaging the meat.  

I'd vote for a semi auto with a large clip... keep pulling the trigger till you can't see it any more.  Even if you don't get good penetration, the Swiss cheese effect still gives good results.  

Just make sure you let the neighbors know what's going on, and make sure they are comfortable with your firing angles... like, you'll only shoot between fence post "A" and barn door.  

If they're smart, they'll be happy you are ridding the area of a pest making it a safer place for their pets, and not feel the need to call the cops.  

[highcountry]

Any rifle larger than .22 caliber will work fine.  I shot them with a .30-06, 7x57, and 7.62x39.  All dropped them in their tracks.  BTW, sows are outstanding eating.

[Jeff K]

To many projects to bother with butchering a hog.

[Jeff K]

Well the Garand is to much screwing around.
The British 303 is too expensive and hard to find
The broom stick is a one shot deal
I have a 12ga auto but I don't think I've ever shot it
Couple of 20ga a pump and a bolt
i guess the best reasonable option would be my SKS But I only have FMJ ammo. Maybe that would be fine. Got it out and blew the dust off.

[Jabba]

Jeff, butchering a sow is EASY.  especially if you don't bother rendering anything or making bacon or ham.  Just make pork steaks out of it all.  It eats good, and doesn't take long.

I'd use the SKS.  It'll make YOUR life easier as it'll run off to die somewhere else.  Now... it might make a problem for your neighbors...

I want to go hog hunting... but I am looking to use an -06. 

Jabba

[DIGGER]

KILLED three this deer season on my deer lease out of Austin, Tx.....actually in Jarrell, Tx.    My trusty ole 270 sets 'em on their arses iffin ya take your time and put in a well placed shot in the neck right next to their big arse heads.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

If you've got a slug gun with a rifled barrel, even in 20ga it should work fine with premium sabot rounds. They generally use a .45 caliber or larger jacketed rifle or pistol bullet. Son Joe used his single shot 20ga NEF with rifled barrel and saboted slug to take his boar years ago. Just a single shot behind the shoulder did the job at around 80 yards. I used a 30.06 with a 180gr. bullet through the shoulders which worked great too. I botched my first shot though, pissed it off and had to track it over the danged mountain. I'd be a little worried about using a rifled slug unless you're really close. They're usually made from very soft lead and might not penetrate the shoulder.

With soft points I think the SKS would be ideal. I've been told you can put a lot of holes in a deer with an SKS and FMJ ammo before it drops. If you're close, a head shot with most anything (SKS in particular) should work. I've killed 200LB domestic hogs with a .22 rifle held against their forehead when I was helping a buddy butcher.

Wild hogs are "bad ass" animals though. If the first shot doesn't kill it then it might take 12 more to finish it once it's pissed off. A buddy of mine that's passed on now was charged by a large boar. His first shot from his 45/70 missed and blew up a stump next to the boar which triggered the charge. His second shot furrowed it's shoulder and made it limp and veer by him instead of mowing him down. His last shot into it's side at less than 8' feet killed it.

He said it took some of the fun out if rabbit hunting. 

[Jess from VA]

A few pics from AR15.com.  (they are not using .223)