Woke up at 6 am, couldn’t go back to sleep, so I wandered up to the front window. I don’t know exactly what time it was by then, but I could clearly see the front yard/pasture was crowded with hogs of all sizes. I keep an AR handy (223, with 65 gr Gamekings). I eased out of the front door, put the crosshairs on a big one and let him have it. And off he ran, dang it. I sent some more Gamekings at running hogs and figured on looking for blood once I got dressed. Found no blood, but I knew exactly where they went. They went 30 yards into the woods, got distracted by acorns and stopped to eat. I snuck up and dropped an 80 pounder, which I later gave to the neighbor. I never did find the one I shot earlier. That 223 just doesn’t have enough grunt for hogs.

I am switching to the 6.5 Grendel (grandson’s gun). We’ll see if that drops them better.

I am overrun with hogs. Never seen it like this before. Of course, if they left, I’d gripe about that.

Man. Sounds like a "fun" problem to have. I think you will enjoy the Grendel, that is my primary caliber when I hunt at night with a thermal. No complaints, other than not finding ammo more consistently.

The abundance of hogs was then, not now. I can’t find a hog on my place these days, though the neighbor caught one last night. Big spotted stinking boar. 175 pounds. He thought it might weigh a little more, but my scale (aka Lie Detector) gave us the real number. We skinned it over here, and he and his trainee pig skinner son did most all the work. Fine with me…

The boar was really fat, and not so old.

I did switch to the Grendel. Several have dropped on the spot, but one made it 30 yards. 123 gr SST reloads.

Yeah I love the Grendel for my Hog gun.

I will shoot pigs with a 556, but prefer something heavier. If I am shooting 556 then I use the 65 SGK or the Hornady 62 HPBT. Normally though the Grendel or the 300 HAMR gets the nod. Much harder hitting and fewer follow up shots.

Yeah, I know a lot of folks use 5.56 for hogs, but I tried it and thought it was a little light for the task. I've using a 300BLK for several years, which while it isn't exactly a powerhouse gets the job done at short to medium range. I'll admit that a Grendel or 6.8 hit harder but…

I’m also out of hogs. Gone to look at their usual places and not a track. This bunch is pretty tame. I’ve been around them several times and they haven’t spooked.

And just like that…the pigs are back. Yay!