That is another reason I like 30 cal. For hogs, distance shots. Zen, I tend to agree with you on the distances, but I might fudge a little on the 7.62, if the gun was scoped.

I would prefer the 243, the 243 caliber is my choice for my predator guns.

I use to kind of turn my nose up at the 243 for hogs. Started using one a few years ago for ammo cost reasons vs the 300RUM and have been nothing short of impressed. Shoulder shots all have dropped in their tracks. Behind the shoulder shots all left great blood trails. Had a youngster with me one time shoot a boar in the neck with the 243......he dropped in his track as well. All with 100gr Federal soft points.

I did not like the 243 for much of anything years ago but the cartridge and bullet development over the years has produced much better ammo and results. I like the 7.62 x 39 for hogs because I like to carry an AR15 for hogs and the 30 caliber SP bullet works great, in a bolt gun I would go with the 243 if limited to those 2 choices.

Currently scoring the .243 with the lead on this question.

Since the original question was about hogs...

I've killed many, many pigs with everything from Ruger .22 pistol to 458 SOCOM.
Overall, I've taken most of them over 25 years with 7.62x39.
First in a Chinese and Yugo SKS, then later in an AR platform.

The main criteria for my type of pig hunting is need for quick follow up shots as I get on sounders and rarely solos.

You can get 7.62x39 in bolt guns, AKs, SKSs, and AR15 platform but the AR gets the nod as it is easy to mount optics and can be very accurate from them.
7.62x39 uppers in AR15 platform can be had complete for around 300 bux right now but you still have to buy specific mags for it and you can use your standard lower if you didn't put in light hammer/trigger springs.

You can get 243 in bolt guns but to go semi, the weight goes up considerably in AR10 over AR15.

I've done most cals in AR15 platform and stay with ARP barrels in 6.8 with 95gr TTSX and 120gr SST handloads for my two main pig guns.

The use of bullets under 100 grains for hogs still sort of surprises me, even though I have seen some drop from the 55gr .223 at 175 yards, and I am sure others have seen longer shots work as well, but they just seem awfully light for a critter with legendary toughness, and some dangerous reactions to being shot to boot.

I like the 7.62x39 now for the casual woods walking gun in hog country, certainly over the .223, but if I was more serious about the hunt and in the close company of some big hogs, I would reach for the good ole .45-70 and feel pretty confident that there was enough lead coming down the tube...

My favorite is my CZ 527 in 7.62 x 39, 30mm tube Zeiss scope, daytime out to 200 yards with a 125gr bullet.

Nighttime or out further, AR-10 in .308 with a Flir thermal.

At last count, I have taken 170 hogs with 90 gr. Speer TNT from 6.5 Grendel this year with shots out to 240 yards. Picking the right bullet for the caliber and velocity can go a long ways without the need for a big thumping round. I love the .45-70 for hogs. Nothing wrong with it is you like big thumpers.

Hogs are tough critters....like others are saying. It is all about "shot placement".

I just recently switched calibers from 5.56 to 7.62x39 for my hog hunting round. Currently I've only killed eight with it and am Sold on the 7.62x39 round for Hogs. I started with Wolf 125SP rounds and shot three with it and they all dropped from neck shots. After examining the exit wounds it appeared they didn't expand to much so I switched to Honardy Steel match with the 123SST and found it delivers more damage.
In the picture, this sow was shot facing away from me, bullet went in just behind the right ear and exited the left eye. this was a 75 yard shot.

35 Whelen with a 225 gr balistic tip , dit