Hi can i use 22lr for feral hog hunting in SHNF? Or is that a very bad idea?

I wouldn't do it. You would be better off using a shotgun and buckshot if that's allowed

You CAN use a .22LR...but I wouldn't. Hogs are tough critters, and anything less than an absolutely perfect shot would not put them down. To be honest, a perfect shot might not either, depending on the hog.

If limited to rimfire, I might take a look at the .17 Super Mag with a tough bullet.

Bullet placement would still be vital.

A 22 will work for hogs if you have a nice head shot within 50 yards, I have shot a couple like that but was in a stand and the shots were both under 30 yards and I would not want to go much past that. A guy I hunt with shot about a 80lb pig in the head with a 22 mag about 100 yards away and never recovered the pig, it did leave a small blood trial but nothing mire than a few drops. That being said a shot that close in SHNF would be tough and if you did hit it there is a good chance you might not recover it. A shot gun with buckshot would be better, but a center-fire rifle would be best if allowed. Good luck!

I wouldn't Hesitate if it's a small pig and you could put the round in it's ear at a reasonable distance.

I shot a hog this weekend with a 150 grain .308 round in the neck. Pig dropped , but got back to it's feet after 2-3 minutes. I put another round in him breaking his rear leg and taking out his guts. I went to check on the pig and he was still very much alive. I proceeded to chase him for 200 hundred or so yards, and put 6 rounds of Federal 45 HST into him before he died. He didn't give up the ghost until I put one in between his eyes. Toughest dang pig I've ever seen. Even though he was mortally wounded from the 308, he still had plenty of fight to charge me twice. In fairness, the charges weren't overly aggressive due to his injuries, but the first charge kicked the pucker up to 10.

All of that said, pigs aren't bullet proof. I blame my situation on poor shot placement vs. the pig being invincible.

I use my S&W MP15-22 all the time for hogs. I hunt creek bottoms and the ranges are usually 50 yards or less. Pop that sucker between the eye and ear and he ain't going anywhere. If it looks like he might still be ambulatory, it's quick and easy to put 3 or 4 more rounds in the same area, and down they go.

Anything less than a CNS shot and its gone. That being said I dropped a 125lb hog with a neck shot with a 17hmr 17grain .
never have tried a pure 22lr as of yet. I am sure it would work but it gives you no room for error.

I saw a video of PIGMAN shoot one with a Gammo pellet gun right between the eyes.....done!

I hunt every small game season with a savage 22 mag. Only shot I've been able to take on a hog was a 50lb pig and it never knew what hit him. Hopefully have some more luck this weekend. If not, i'll bring some squirrel home

Big difference between 22LR and 22Mag

In my opinion when it comes to 22 lr and 22 mag for hog hunting there is little to no difference because neither is going to be able to reliably take neck, shoulder, behind the shoulder shots, if its not in the head its no good and at that point either in the head is as ok as the other.

Shots will have to be made precisely in order to put them down anywhere you might find them.

If you have the ability to place shots very well, wait for good shots and keep ranges as short as possible then I think you could be successful. I would try to limit yourself to bow range and head shots only.

with the 22lr you will need the pig to be quartered away and put it just to the sidebase of the ear going into its skull/brain... this works only when the head is up... I like the pig to be facing me and the head must be down giving you a flat target with NO slope what so ever.. put it right between the eyes/forehead and its lights out... taken many many pigs with 22lr but they need to be within 50yrds and I cant press enough the importance of the angle/tilt of the head when you take the shot.. id take something else but its plenty capable..

Right and be real carful that that between the eyes doest drift into the nose

The use or possession of buckshot at the SHNF is illegal. Don't do that.

22LR is legal for pigs but not for deer in the SHNF.

Bad idea to hunt pigs in the SHNF with a 22.

Yes it will suffice enough for protection no problem when walking the woods. But to actively hunt them at close quarters by yourself when you have no experience whatsoever is dangerous. Especially with a 22. You better have some type of pistol on your hip if you are going to go after them with only a 22. And to do that you have to have a CHL.

I would go with anything bigger than a 223.

An AR in 6.8 or 6.5 is the perfect weapon for hunting pigs in close quarters and in thick cover for the SAM. Most of the time you will be making a shot on a moving target so perfect head shots are out. A bolt action rifle will suffice also but I would go with nothing smaller than a 243.

Wouldn't recommend it. I've been charged after hitting them with shotgun slugs. Imagine taking rushed shots at a charging hog with 22lr. If you're good at climbing trees give it a shot.

If you have any other options, I'd go a different route.

I think there is quite a difference in terminal performance, I have taken many with a WMR with neck shots, primarily with 50gr Gold Dot and 45gr Hornady ammo. I have never attempted a 22lr, nor would I unless conditions were perfect. WMR gives you a slight bit of wiggle room. Full disclosure: I have never used WMR on a hog over 100lbs.

Okay i guess i can use it but it is not recommended and will work only if i get the perfect shot based on all the comments. I guess i will use a more powerful caliber or my crossbow

When I was trapping pigs of all sizes in my big open top trap, I had to shoot them, and I shot a lot of them in all sizes - small, medium, and large. Most of the time I used my 39A Marlin in 22lr. Seems like most all of the time they needed more than one bullet. And that was at close range.

A 223 with a Partition bullet should do just fine.

I shoot a ton of them every year with a 22. I have NEVER had one die on me on the spot, all have run off and died. That being said you can head shoot them and they will die but then you have to drag em off.

Shooting trapped animals is a different situation if you ask me. They are on alert and the adrenaline is flowing full force already.

I've shot lots of trapped pigs...all with .22 shorts...NOT LR but SHORTS.....very rare to require more then one shot....off hand I can only think of a couple.....large and small....its all about shot placement....I shoot them in the head....draw an "X" on their head from their ears to their eyes....makes the shot center of the forehead.....DRT.....

[img]https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/...0719_175416223.[/img]

This big boy was taking a mud bath. 60 yards. Behind the ear. He tried to get up, but I put 3 or 4 more in the same spot real quick.


HMM not sure why the pic doesn't work. Crud.

The landowner only allows me to use rimfire rifles were I hunt for hogs. I use corn to keep them in one spot and aim for the area between the eye and the ear only. Put round in this spot and your going home with some pork. Put one in any other spot and your going to have a runner on your hand. Chances are you will never see that pig again.