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Bullet type best for hog hunting?
#5681093
04/02/15 04:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 19
InsaneIrish
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 19 |
So, I've got a new purpose built 50 Beowulf AR. And I'm looking to work up some handloads for it for hog hunting. But, I'm not sure about which bullet type I should load for the best Hog Dropping potential. I've got load data for bullets ranging from 300gr up to 500gr in Balistic tip, hollow point, FMJ, and soft point.
Just some generic data: 300 gr Bullet: Velocity +/- 1,800 fps Energy - +/- 2,000 ft/lbf 350 gr Bullet: Velocity +/- 1,700 fps Energy - +/- 2,500 ft/lbf 400 gr Bullet: Velocity +/- 1,500 fps Energy - +/- 2,750 ft/lbf 500 gr Bullet: Velocity +/- 1,400 fps Energy - No data
Drop Chart: (from Alexander Arms using 334gr HP rounds) o yards -3" 25 yards -1.19" 50 yards -0.04" 75 yards 0.38" 100 yards 0.00" 125 yards -1.26" 150 yards -3.49" 175 yards -6.80" 200 yards -11.27"
What is the best recommendation on Bullet weight and type for dropping hogs at a max range of 100-150yds?
At first I was all about the Ballistic tips, but now, I'm not so certain if a Soft Point would not be better.
OR I might just be over thinking this since I am throwing a fist sized piece of lead down range. With this caliber does bullet type/weight make that much difference over shot placement?
thanks all!
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681293
04/02/15 06:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,005
JRJ6
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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I have never hunted with a 50 Beowulf on any game, but have taken hogs with 243, 270, 308, and 30.06 with no problem so I would safely assume your workups would do the job.
It may be a little overkill in my mind, but to each his own
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681297
04/02/15 06:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053
bo3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Any of those should work. The only thing I would worry about is bullet construction. Just make sure your not pushing it faster then its designed for since it uses pistol bullets. Nothing beats shot placement.
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681459
04/02/15 07:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 19
InsaneIrish
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 19 |
What about bullet type? Soft Point vs. Ballistic tip?
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681636
04/02/15 09:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950
Gravytrain
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950 |
What you have is a great gun for destroying toilet seats and cinder blocks. If you wanted to hunt hogs, you should have got a 6.5 grendel or a 6.8 SPC, even a 223 will work out to 200 depending on the bullet.
Don't get me wrong, it going to work just fine, just not an optimal choice. I'd use the Hornady FTX 300gr flex tipped bullets.
Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681701
04/02/15 10:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,089
elkhunter7x6
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Gravy with a 334-400gr bullet it is a much better choice for shooting hogs out to 150yds than a 223.
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5681836
04/02/15 11:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,510
syncerus
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I previously owned a BFR in .500 S&W that would send a 400 gr sierra bullet down range at 1600 fps, about the ballistics listed above. I shot a smallish hog at about 25 yards with it, and it put the extreme smack down on the hog, as you might expect. It also did the same on a ram at about 35 yards. I'd start with a middle of the road load that's accurate, shoot a few hogs and then see what happens, My guess is that you'll have dead hogs on the ground with big holes in them.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5682982
04/03/15 07:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
Let me a ask you a question. What type of shot placement are you wanting to aim for? A well placed 223 will work and kill a hog. You have way more energy in you 50 Beowulf. Our gun club had a hog guide from the nail ranch talk to our club. He said the only bad shot was in the shoulder area, due to biology. The hog has a massive gristle and bone protecting the heart. On a shoulder they have tried a 375 hh with the hog running off. The other thing that you should realize that a hog has a thick hide as compared to Texas deer. The 50 Beowulf has more power than you need. Make a good shot and you will drop it.
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: BIGDOG1956]
#5683050
04/03/15 08:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 97
clandr1
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 97 |
Let me a ask you a question. What type of shot placement are you wanting to aim for? A well placed 223 will work and kill a hog. You have way more energy in you 50 Beowulf. Our gun club had a hog guide from the nail ranch talk to our club. He said the only bad shot was in the shoulder area, due to biology. The hog has a massive gristle and bone protecting the heart. On a shoulder they have tried a 375 hh with the hog running off. The other thing that you should realize that a hog has a thick hide as compared to Texas deer. The 50 Beowulf has more power than you need. Make a good shot and you will drop it. Where did he suggest you aim, if not for the shoulder?
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5683265
04/03/15 10:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
Take a look at the image the a hunter will notice that a hog's lungs are well forward, and if he were to place a shot as he would for a lung shot on a deer, the result would almost certainly be a gut shot. a shot on a broadside boar should be placed in below the shoulder area, and lower is preferable. Just be careful not to aim so low that you shoot under the swine. If the animal is quartering towards or away from you, you'll want to place the shot so the bullet will end up in the vitals between the shoulders. Naturally, this requires a bullet that will penetrate well.Some hunters shoot hogs in the head, and that can definitely be a killing shot, provided you hit the brain. Make note of the fact that a hog's brain is a small target, and is well protected by its thick skull. Wild boar american hunter You need to realize the difference in anatomy and how low the heart is located and the gristle shield is attached to the front legs,
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Re: Bullet type best for hog hunting?
[Re: InsaneIrish]
#5684092
04/04/15 03:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053
bo3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,053 |
What about bullet type? Soft Point vs. Ballistic tip? Soft point, ballistic tip, or hollow point should work. Just find what you and your gun likes. At 300 grains and up, you shouldn't have to worry much about penetration. Don't believe all the stories you hear about pigs wearing Kevlar.
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