So here it is, I'm a mid 50's guy who just started to hunt about 3 years ago. I'm on a great lease, with a great group of guys. We deer hunt, but also enjoy any time we have an opportunity to shoot pigs. Typically from a blind about 100 yards away at a feeder. I started out shooting them with my deer rifle: a Browning BLR .270. I shoot the Winchester SuperX 150 grain and have probably killed about 10 pigs in the past 3 years, and none of them ever took a step after being shot. Went straight down, usually shot in the shoulder area.

So last year my good friend made me an AR in 300 blackout. i also have a suppressor for it. It's fun to shoot, light, and love the semi auto. Problem is the last 2 hogs I hit both ran off and I was unable to find them. Shooting a Sig Sauer match grade 125 grain cartridge. By the way, both hogs jumped and squealed before running off. The last one I could hear the bullet hit it. I also checked yesterday to make sure the gun is sighted in correctly and from 100 yards I put 5 shots in a group that would easily hit a hog. Don't get me wrong, I realize this may be due to my lack of skill or experience. But, I didn't have a problem when shooting the .270.

So here is my question: is there a better cartridge for me to use that would be more effective in knocking down these hogs with the AR? Or should I just go back to my .270.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I have been hunting with the 300 blk out exclusively for 3-4 years now (Rem 700 bolt gun and AR-15 for night hunting with thermal scope). It has performed flawlessly for me. I shoot the 125 grain Hornady SST and 125 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip (BT) ammo. I have also used the 115 grain Berger Target bullet for hunting on a few deer and coyotes.

The Sig ammo looks like it is loaded with a 125 grain Matchking. Most likely, the bullet has not expanded at the lower speeds of the blk out and thick target jacket of the bullet. With good shot placement, it should still work. But using a hunting bullet, like the SST or BT, will provide perfect mushroom shaped expansion and and deep penetration. I would recommend these style of bullets. You can see some of the ammo links below on what I use.

The blk out is plenty of gun for the task with the right bullet and good shot placement. I enjoy shooting this round a lot.


http://dallasreloads.com/product-category/300-black-out/

I have shot hogs and dropped them with anything from 22-250 to 30-06, including .223/5.56, .243, and .300blk.

It isn't the ammo, it is shot placement. If the .300 isn't shooting around 2MOA at 100 yards, then the reliability to drop hogs is going to be reduced. I try (as do most who shoot them on here) to hit them in the neck behind the ears and in front of the shoulder to get a CNS shock that will stop the hog from being able to run.

A shoulder shot or gut shot hog (or deer for that matter) could run for a long time before dying. You have had some success with the shoulder shot, but the better place to hit them is in the neck area based on my experience.

ANYTIME you should a hog in the shoulder, it may run off, regardless of whether it is a .22 lr or a .45/70. If the central nervous system is not significantly impacted, the hog may run. Even if you manage to break both shoulders, the hog may run (I have seen this happen). If you should a hog in the shoulder and the bullet continues through and impacts the spine, it may very well go right down.

And no disrespect to you, but there is the chance you flubbed the shots with the new/different platform. Kudos for verifying that the gun/ammo were not at fault, but that still leaves you. I say this, only because through the benefit of video, I have been able to see where I have managed to screw up shots, sometimes getting a quick kick, other times having to go tracking and often losing the hog due to a flinch or yank that I did not notice at the time of the shot, but documented on video.

With that said, 5 shots "into a group that would easily hit a hog" is NOT a reasonable degree of accuracy. You are looking at something like 12x36 MOA when you should be shooting more like 1-3 MOA. So what was the actual size of this group? "Minute of Hog" is not reasonable.

You are getting less velocity with the 300 Blk from a lighter bullet, so you are going to have less energy on target. However, folks hunt hogs with that caliber quite successfully. I think the problem is that you are shooting a Sig Sauer match grade bullet that is NOT meant for hunting. It is a target round and it is quite possible the bullet is coming apart like a varmint round and penetrating poorly, especially if you are hitting the heavy bone of the upper leg (humerus). The hogs probably died a long way from where you shot them.

The .270 Winchester SuperX 150 gr. is a deer, antelope, hog hunting round. So there is a big difference in the bullets you are using.

We all have our favorite AR cartridges. Many people get by with .223. I prefer 6.5 Grendel. Others swear by 6.8 SPC. You could even go with a .458 SOCOM from an AR (ballistics akin to a .45/70).

I agree with buckeye. Ive shot pigs before with an AR and some run, others don't. It generally depends on the size of the pig and the shot placement, atleast in my experiences. As far as a .223 load that will bring them down, look at a polymer tipped round. Ive had great success with it. Warning though, it really does some damage on the way out.

Chad, thanks for the recommendation. I will likely order some ammo from you as my friend that made the AR for me recommended your website.

Shooting for the neck sounds like good advice. Thanks. I typically aimed for the shoulder. My lack of experience.

DNS, I should have been a little more specific when describing my grouping after testing from 100 yards. While I am no sniper level shooter, the 5 shots were in a grouping that was just a little low, and left of the bullseye. I adjusted my scope 1" (4 clicks up) and 2" (8 clicks to the right). I would say all 5 shots were in a 4" x 4" square approximately. I do not know the official terminology for that. I would like the ammo I use to take into account that I may not make a perfect shot every time. Sounds like the .270 ammo I have been using is a little more forgiving.

Go back to 270

There I said it

A 4x4 square at 100 yards is shooting approximately 4moa (minutes of angle, which roughly equates to 1 inch at 100 yards). That is not great. Think about it this way, if you are aiming for the shoulder of a hog and you miss 4 inches off, you are hitting gut, a potentially lethal shot but with no ability to track and a prolonged death on the hogs part. More range time will help sort out if it is fun, ammo, or you causing that group.

And that group was without the added adrenaline of shooting an animal, I would think that alone adds a couple more moa of inaccuracy to most of us, and to an early hunter, maybe more.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I appreciate it. My plan is to try one of the two loads Chad recommended, but first take the gun to the range and see if I can improve my grouping enough to be confident targeting the neck area versus the shoulder.

For 300 I stay under 100 yards using a Barnes 110 TAC TX. Hand loads at 2445 FPS. DRT!

The 300 black is a great caliber for shooting pigs
For the last three years I have been running guide trips for pigs
And supplying guns, the 300 does the job and it comfortable
For all shooters ,after shooting ar platforms
Which I have .223 6.8 and 300 blk ,it would be hard to go
Back to heavy calibers like a 270
I have been shooting Chads Dallas reloads since I started
And have no reason to change I use the 125gr bt tip
And direct hunters to shoot a Central nervous system shot
U must put them on the ground
A pig can run 60 to 80 yards without a heart and will do so
Every time
Head shot ,neck or high shoulder shot when running
Then follow up shot if nessary
Good hunting

I'm pretty new to the 300 BLK, so I don't claim to be very knowledgeable.

I think the MatchKing bullets are target bullets rather than for hunting.
The 300 BLK has a rather low velocity compared to other .30 cal or comparable rifles.
To get decent expansion with a 300 BLK, I'm using a varmit bullet. Specifically, I'm reloading a Hornady 110 grain VMAX bullet.
- I'm also trying Hornady 110 and 130 grain SP bullets. Hornady claims rapid expansion on these.
- I can't, at this time, say which of these bullets perform best. I suspect they'll all work somewhat the same.
- A lot of folks are using the Barnes bullets, but they are more expensive than Hornady. Again I can't say which is better, but I'd suggest something in this category.

Best of Luck!

I ended up ordering these, based on Chad's recommendation, (of these or the 125 grain Hornady SST):

http://dallasreloads.com/product/125-grain-nosler-bt/

Those should be a much more appropriate performer for you.

Every hog I've shot with 223 runs unless I hit it in the head or neck. Every pig I've shot with the 6.8 has died within 15 yds of where i shot it. Different calibers require different shot placement for a DRT but the 6.8 gives me more options for a quick kill. My 270 will drop them quick too.

Don't shoot match bullets. Try the Barnes Tac TX or Hornady SST next time. Someone has already said it, but any pig shot in the shoulder may run off.

Indeed! I tried a .223, but I didn't think it had enough knock-down power for my tastes so I switched to an AR-10. The .308 puts 'em down in a pretty handy fashion. I'm in the process of transitioning to a 300 Blackout. We'll see how it compares. I'm sure it won't match the oomph of the AR-10, but I'm hoping it'll have enough. The only complaint against the AR-10 is that it's heavy. The 300 BLK is basically an AR-15 with a different barrel, so the weights are similar.

Time (and the hogs) will tell if it's a good (enough) choice.

I've been shooting hogs with a 300blk for two years, I only use Barnes 120 gr Tac-TX. I mainly shoot from 120 yards and closer. I always shoot'em in the ear hole and they drop. Recently, I did change to the 6.8SPC. I can reach out a little further with the 6.8. I've had the same results out to 200 yards with Hornady 120 gr SST ammo.

I would hope so. In fact, you should be able to do that with FMJ for much cheaper. All shooting in the ear hole does is shot that the bullet can penetrate, but doesn't really mean it is a good hunting bullet in general. Your bullet is a good hunting bullet, excellent expander, only brain shots just don't need expansion to be effective for dropping animals readily.

Heck, I used to use 5.56 green tip penetrator ammo and make brain shots. Worked like a charm, but weren't great on body shots. Sometimes they zipped right through. Sometimes they made gawdawful nasty exit wounds. Performance varied, alot when shooting the body.

I get better grouping with Barnes than with cheaper ammo. I hogs head at 120 yards isn't a big target. I like the consistency from Barnes and that give me confidence to make the shot. You are correct. A brain shot doesn't need expansion.

Marty, be sure to sight it in with the new loads you ordered and plan to use in the field.

Eyeballs and earholes, ammo is irrelevant.

Yeah, that works great for singles, but not so good for sounders.

I think don't be so hard on yourself.
I could make a three minute compilation video of pig hunts
where I hit pigs good but they made it past the brushline.
But I'm not a meat hunter when it comes to pigs which isn't
to say I don't eat em. I just don't sweat it if they go to
the buzzards and coyotes. Some may call that irresponsible
but when you shear axles on hay balers caused by hog holes,
or you wrench your back and suffer for a weak from hitting
hog holes in a pasture, and tear up additional equipment
which is expensive and time consuming to fix, I don't see
it as inhumane. I don't care where a pig dies as long as he
ends up dead, my job has been done.

That's where the tannerite comes into play!