I have an AR15 in 5.56 and plan to start hog hunting. Does anybody hog hunt with a 5.56 and how effective is it?

Yes and it's effective with the right shot placement. Take CNS shots with any ammo and use quality ammo for vital shots.

I have several buddies that use AR's. Like bigjoe said, it's effective with the right shot placement. If you don't drop it in it's tracks though, don't count on much of a blood trail.

thanks

thanks

If you shoot enough of them there will be many that you never find.

used 55gr fmj & hp... 5.56 is used in the military M-16... So yes it will kill a hog... If ya want to recover hog, shot placement is key... On WMA used my AR & only one didn't find... Shot was 30 yrds or little more... Drop my hat were stood, walked ya were hog was, found a pin size drop of blood, marked area, retreeved hat... Marked blood splat with hat, did grid search in direction hog went, & found about two more blood drops... Hog was on the run... ... Entry wound for .223 is very small & not good blood trail as mentioned in above posts, it fills up cavity instead... That hog was farthest shot on WMA rest were taken closer range in thick areas, & were recovered...

The gun is a little under powered but effective if you use the right bullet. Barnes TSX is a very effective bullet for hogs in that caliber. I used 62 grainers because that is what my AR shot best.

I've been using federal fusion 223 for a while with good success. Shot placement is key as others have said. shot this guy between the eyes and the bullet penetrated the skull and dropped him in his tracks.

When I use my 223Wylde during the day, I use 70gr Barnes TSX loaded to 5.56 pressures.

The bullet is accurate enough to use on head/neck shots but tough enough to penetrate the chest plate and take out vitals.
When you take the vitals shot, be prepared for them to run a good distance though.

wow, thanks for the input. I want to start hog hunting and a friend told me to buy a 6.5 upper so that is how I'm leaning.

agree on the 62 as mine love it also

green tip 62 gr. lap 5.56 is what I use, behind shoulder or head shot I have only had one run and she made it about 50'.

the lap does serious damage when it hits, last one I shot was about 125 yds and hit behind left shoulder. the round penetrated and on exit left a slit about 8" long on the exit wound, ran a total of 3'.

the 5.56 is a good round for hogs, I stay away from the lighter gr. bullets though and like the lap round best.

i was thinking about moving up to a 6.8 upper but now feel for what i do is ok

As I said above, I only use the 223Wylde for daytime.

When I go out at night and do serious hog hunting, I carry my 6.8.
Those 120gr Hornady SST handloads hit hard and usually drop them, even on running shots.

The 223Wylde averages 3 pigs a year, usually standing fairly still.
The 6.8 averages 70 a year, about 40 percent standing and the rest on the move.

That comparison isn't really fair though since I only hunt seriously at night.
If I see a pig during the day, I'm usually riding around ranch on ATV and just happen to have the 223 with me.
I'm usually packing a 1911 during day on ATV but will still shot 'em!

The first round in the ear does a wonderful job. However trying to drop the remaining amped up pigs with a 556 while they are hauling butt across an open pasture is a challenge for most. You may hit some, but DRT likely won't happen.

my AR loves 62gr and i have some green tips so now to do more research on the 6.8 upper--thanks for the info

They're hogs. Just shoot them with anything you have. I rank them on the same level as cockroaches.

Lots of good info so far but the best is from aggiehunter03...







-Mickey

I've shot a bunch of hogs with 223's and a lot of them drop on the spot. Using fmj ammo and shooting them directly through the front let seems to do the trick for most of the time. I've switched to 6.5 Creedmore lately and while I love the caliber, it doesn't seem to drop them as soon...but I've been using 123 Gr. SST bullets, and heavier ones might do better. I am putting together an AR in that caliber so I'll find out.