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Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting #7160707 05/05/18 01:21 AM
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Goodo Texas Boy Offline OP
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Hello,

My co worker invited me to his ranch to shoot some hogs that has been a problem for him. I live in Texas. This is literally my first time shooting.
There is deer feeder where the owner says the hogs like to eat.

I go to the stand and sit in there with my AR-15 shooting .223 rounds with a scope. .

3 hogs pass by and I shoot on near the rib cage. The hog takes off running. I go look for blood and do not see none. It was raining as well. I am sure I hit the hog.

Another hog pass by, I shoot in the rib cage and same thing, the hog takes off running. I don't see any blood. Maybe I missed.

1. Is an AR-15, 223 or 556 recommended for hog hunting? I am seriously thinking of going buy a big caliber rifle tomorrow with scope.
2. What is the recommended rifle for deer and hog hunting at 50-200 yards away? What scope do you recommend? I will be hunting in Texas. I am not sure AR-15 is stronger enough for me as newbie.

Thank you

Last edited by Goodo Texas Boy; 05/05/18 01:37 AM.
Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160713 05/05/18 01:24 AM
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Bad shot placement especially with 223. Shoot them behind the ear or center of neck.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: SapperTitan] #7160716 05/05/18 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Bad shot placement especially with 223. Shoot them behind the ear or center of neck.


Thank you SapperTitan,

I believe you are correct, after talking to the rancher he said the same thing. He said shooting hog with a AR-15, 223 in the body will not drop them instantly. I did not know this and I stay in the stand for like 5 hours too.

What type of rifle can I use to shoot hog in the body and cause big impact?

Thanks

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160725 05/05/18 01:41 AM
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Any of the 30 caliber rifles like the 308 can and will drop a hog if you hit them in the shoulder, neck, or head but any descent size hog is gonna run with a lung or even heart shot most the time. They might not make it far but they will almost always run unless you turn their lights out or paralyze them.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: SapperTitan] #7160746 05/05/18 02:04 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Any of the 30 caliber rifles like the 308 can and will drop a hog if you hit them in the shoulder, neck, or head but any descent size hog is gonna run with a lung or even heart shot most the time. They might not make it far but they will almost always run unless you turn their lights out or paralyze them.


Thank you.

Sorry if this is a silly question.

What does "any of the 30 caliber rifles" mean?

Thanks

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160753 05/05/18 02:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: Goodo Texas Boy
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Any of the 30 caliber rifles like the 308 can and will drop a hog if you hit them in the shoulder, neck, or head but any descent size hog is gonna run with a lung or even heart shot most the time. They might not make it far but they will almost always run unless you turn their lights out or paralyze them.


Thank you.

Sorry if this is a silly question.

What does "any of the 30 caliber rifles" mean?

Thanks
308, 30-06, 30-30, 300win,

The point is a larger caliber isn’t gonna knock a hog down with a bad shot or even a lung or heart shot. Shot placement is important no matter the caliber. Many hogs are killed every year with smaller calibers just got to hit them in the right spot.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160784 05/05/18 02:39 AM
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What bullets were you using in the AR?
If FMJ they don't work well for hunting, don't use varmint bullets either.
There is loaded ammo with real hunting bullets such as Nosler Partition and Barnes TSX, not cheap but you don't need many if just used for hunting.
Best solution is to get a bolt action (Remington, Savage, Tika, etc) in 270 or 30 caliber as discribed above. A 3-9x scope. Check pawn shops for used ones.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160790 05/05/18 02:50 AM
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Any time hunting hogs, draw a mental line between the eyes of the hog and the point of his shoulder. Any shot along that line will anchor your hog very nicely. I once shot a hog with a 9.3x62 (286 gr bullet @ 2400 fps) right behind the shoulder. There were lung fragments all over the ground, but the hog still made it about 80 yards through fairly thick brush. I was very lucky to find him.

Repeat after me: "Body shots on hogs are bad news."

I'm not saying they won't drop hogs on the spot. They can and will, but you can never really tell where and when.


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Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: SapperTitan] #7160799 05/05/18 03:03 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
308, 30-06, 30-30, 300win,

The point is a larger caliber isn’t gonna knock a hog down with a bad shot or even a lung or heart shot. Shot placement is important no matter the caliber. Many hogs are killed every year with smaller calibers just got to hit them in the right spot.


Thank you SapperTitan,

I am learning now. I shot the hogs here http://prntscr.com/jdxrfz. I did not know to shoot in the shoulder or head if using a bigger caliber rifle.

So if I buy a 308 (or any of the 30 caliber) rifle, I should aim for the hog shoulder, neck, or head?
But for the smaller calibers (AR-15 223 or 556) I need to aim at the head near the ears?

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160807 05/05/18 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted By: Goodo Texas Boy
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
308, 30-06, 30-30, 300win,

The point is a larger caliber isn’t gonna knock a hog down with a bad shot or even a lung or heart shot. Shot placement is important no matter the caliber. Many hogs are killed every year with smaller calibers just got to hit them in the right spot.


Thank you SapperTitan,

I am learning now. I shot the hogs here http://prntscr.com/jdxrfz. I did not know to shoot in the shoulder or head if using a bigger caliber rifle.

So if I buy a 308 (or any of the 30 caliber) rifle, I should aim for the hog shoulder, neck, or head?
But for the smaller calibers (AR-15 223 or 556) I need to aim at the head near the ears?
pretty much. If you shot those hogs that far back they are guy shot or you might have hit liver, both are deadly but the hogs will run a long ways.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160818 05/05/18 03:22 AM
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Shot placement is critical to drop a pig. Even a 20 pounder might make it 25 yards if shot through the lungs with a 223

Brain shots, base of the neck, or spine shots are just about the only way to ensure he falls over on impact

Take a look below. As stated above... anything behind the shoulder will give a pig time to run (sometimes a very long time to run)


Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: MClark] #7160831 05/05/18 03:46 AM
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Originally Posted By: MClark

Best solution is to get a bolt action (Remington, Savage, Tika, etc) in 270 or 30 caliber as described above. A 3-9x scope. Check pawn shops for used ones.


Thanks MClark,

There is a gun show on 5/19 in Houston. I never bought a used rifle before. How I know if the used rifle will not have mechanical issues. I really rather just buy new.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: SapperTitan] #7160838 05/05/18 03:56 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
[quote=Goodo Texas Boy][quote=SapperTitan]Many hogs are killed every year with smaller calibers just got to hit them in the right spot.


SapperTitan,

And just to clarify,with a 223/556 (AR-15) the spot needs to be near the hog ear? Can the shot not be on the shoulder?

Thanks.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: syncerus] #7160842 05/05/18 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted By: syncerus
Any time hunting hogs, draw a mental line between the eyes of the hog and the point of his shoulder. Any shot along that line will anchor your hog very nicely. I once shot a hog with a 9.3x62 (286 gr bullet @ 2400 fps) right behind the shoulder. There were lung fragments all over the ground, but the hog still made it about 80 yards through fairly thick brush. I was very lucky to find him.

Repeat after me: "Body shots on hogs are bad news."

I'm not saying they won't drop hogs on the spot. They can and will, but you can never really tell where and when.


Thank you syncerus,

"Body shots on hogs are bad news."

Also body shots with a smaller caliber is really bad news from what I am reading.

Well, this is Exactly what I did today. I shot 2 hogs behind the shoulder on the body, and the took off running in the deep trees.

Does this mean the 223/556 (AR-15) can not drop a hog on the shoulder either?

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: SapperTitan] #7160844 05/05/18 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
pretty much. If you shot those hogs that far back they are guy shot or you might have hit liver, both are deadly but the hogs will run a long ways.


Thanks SapperTitan,

What does guy shot mean?

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160854 05/05/18 04:47 AM
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Your 223 needs to land inside the red polygon if you desire to drop a pig where it stands. Prepare for a 2nd shot always when using 223.

Even a 300 RUM (I have one) will often not anchor a pig where it stands if shot through the lungs.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7160862 05/05/18 05:03 AM
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Originally Posted By: Goodo Texas Boy
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
pretty much. If you shot those hogs that far back they are guy shot or you might have hit liver, both are deadly but the hogs will run a long ways.


Thanks SapperTitan,

What does guy shot mean?
gut shot as in stomach and intestines

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7161148 05/05/18 04:53 PM
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Another option if you already have an AR-15 would be to simply buy another upper.

6.8SPC II is popular, as is the 6.5 Grendel. Either of those will work on hogs and mount on your existing AR-15 lower receiver. You still have to put the bullet in the shoulder or neck. Head shots work but they're more difficult since the brain is so small.


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Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7161291 05/05/18 09:29 PM
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If you are going to use an AR-15 shooting a .223 round, then aim for the hog's head or the hog's neck.

I shoot a .270, a 300WSM and a 7mag and I make head shots on hogs because I don't like tracking them all night through the woods. Body shots (behind the shoulder or directly into the shoulder) sometimes don't produce a good blood trail.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7161307 05/05/18 10:03 PM
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Goodo Texas boy, with already having the AR platform you could consider the upper in 7.62x39. Ammo cheap and is 30 cal. with 124 gr. soft points or hollow ones. This will attach right to the AR lower. Not good for long range past 125 yards. There are other calibers also that will hook up to the AR lower.
Just my 2cents.
Welcome to the forum.

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: TexasTURhunter] #7161621 05/06/18 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: TexasTURhunter


Your 223 needs to land inside the red polygon if you desire to drop a pig where it stands. Prepare for a 2nd shot always when using 223.

Even a 300 RUM (I have one) will often not anchor a pig where it stands if shot through the lungs.



Thank you TexasTURhunter,

Yes, I understand now. I know better now. When using my ar15 223 I can only take head shots. And take another shots just case I miss. I clearly took one body shot, and that was in correct shot placement.

If I buy and use a .270 or 30 caliber rifle, I can aim at head ,kneck, and shoulder and drop hog? But using 223, only head shots, correct?

Thank you

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7162954 05/07/18 06:50 PM
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I'm shooting them on the run a lot, so I put my .223 and 5.56s back in the safe and went to a .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor last year. Haven;t had one run off on me since (at least not far). up

Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7163179 05/07/18 10:35 PM
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Draw a line from eye to eye raise up 1-1.5in and he will drop with his feet directly underneath him/her. no chase. Head goes up, feet buckle, drt----(DEAD RIGHT THERE) any caliber works with this aim point. Good luck and safe hunting.


Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7166620 05/11/18 04:00 AM
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Buy a 6.5mm Grendel upper for your AR15. Don't have to change anything but the mags. Similar trajectory and stopping power to an AR10 but much lighter. Get some Hornady Black 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain ELD Match. Then you got a .223 for the range and 6.5 (similar to .30 cal) for hog huntin.


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Re: Newbie Rifle Recommended for Hog and Deer Hunting [Re: Goodo Texas Boy] #7169067 05/14/18 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted By: Goodo Texas Boy
Originally Posted By: TexasTURhunter


Your 223 needs to land inside the red polygon if you desire to drop a pig where it stands. Prepare for a 2nd shot always when using 223.

Even a 300 RUM (I have one) will often not anchor a pig where it stands if shot through the lungs.



Thank you TexasTURhunter,

Yes, I understand now. I know better now. When using my ar15 223 I can only take head shots. And take another shots just case I miss. I clearly took one body shot, and that was in correct shot placement.

If I buy and use a .270 or 30 caliber rifle, I can aim at head ,kneck, and shoulder and drop hog? But using 223, only head shots, correct?

Thank you


Anywhere inside that red line is probably going to put him down, in his tracks, even with a 223. It ain't so much about the rifle it's about where you are putting the bullets. A bigger rifle isn't going to help unless you can hit inside that red line. You shoot one in the shoulder with a 308 they are likely to run a ways before they stop.

What kind of bullets are you shooting? At what range?

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