What cartridge/bullet for hog hunting?

[338 dude]

I recently got an open invite to go hog hunting in Texas. I'm from Washington and don't have a clue. I suspect the guy that invited me doesn't really either, he's a big shot for a multi billion dollar co. and recently transferred down there and out of the blue called me all excited saying he recently went and gave me an open invite. Seriously thinking about it. I've got varmint barrel chassis 22 creedmoor,25-06, 6.5 creedmoor 6.5-300 270 wsm 300wsm and bigger but I'm gathering smaller is better?? I'm leaning towards winter time to get out of the rain. Any suggestions would be appreciated

The 65 Creedmoor would be the smallest I would attempt unless these pigs are very small,Neck shots just behind the ear drop them instantly most times

 

[mongo4567]

I shoot a ton of them every year, I've killed most with a 300 blackout. We view them as varmints...kill on sight. Any of the cartridges you have will be fine(head shot with 22 right behind the ear), but I would lean personally to the 6.5 creedmoor if you want to recover them.

 

[backwoodsshooter]

6.8spc

anything from 85gr up to a 130 has made plenty of hogs take a dirt nap and DRT

100-120grs projectiles are popular both mono and and lead core.

plenty of projectiles out there to cover everything.

 

[nealm66]

I guess another question is, are they suitable to eat? Should I be prepared to butcher and ship? Really appreciate all the help

 

[asd9055]

I guess another question is, are they suitable to eat? Should I be prepared to butcher and ship? Really appreciate all the help

Personally, If I am going to eat them, I look for the smaller ones. Stay away from large males. They stink
As far as shooting them, I used 223 and 300 blackout, but like I said, I shoot the smaller ones. Any of the rifles you have will work

 

[.300 Dakota]

I recently got an open invite to go hog hunting in Texas. I'm from Washington and don't have a clue. I suspect the guy that invited me doesn't really either, he's a big shot for a multi billion dollar co. and recently transferred down there and out of the blue called me all excited saying he recently went and gave me an open invite. Seriously thinking about it. I've got varmint barrel chassis 22 creedmoor,25-06, 6.5 creedmoor 6.5-300 270 wsm 300wsm and bigger but I'm gathering smaller is better?? I'm leaning towards winter time to get out of the rain. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Any of your cartridges with a Barnes, Woodleigh, Swift A-Frame, Norma, or Hammer

I've just finished and range tested my first .22 Creedmoor, and I can't wait to get after them with the 78 grain TSX from Barnes! Creedmoor with 160gr Woodleigh does bad things, also. If it's huge, aim for the head. I've hit them with a 300gr Sierra from 375 Ruger and 7Mag 175gr Partition and had them run and had to take a 2nd shot with the 7mag. 375 put it down after about 20 yards. We're talking over 600lbs of hog. Personally, I'm going for the head/neck every time, but for sure over 250 - 300lbs!

 

[seattleman1969]

I recently got an open invite to go hog hunting in Texas. I'm from Washington and don't have a clue. I suspect the guy that invited me doesn't really either, he's a big shot for a multi billion dollar co. and recently transferred down there and out of the blue called me all excited saying he recently went and gave me an open invite. Seriously thinking about it. I've got varmint barrel chassis 22 creedmoor,25-06, 6.5 creedmoor 6.5-300 270 wsm 300wsm and bigger but I'm gathering smaller is better?? I'm leaning towards winter time to get out of the rain. Any suggestions would be appreciated

I have hunted hogs a lot in Texas with my brother on his property. They are not so hard to kill. You can take any of the cartridges you mentioned and you will not have an issue, just use well constructed bullets in the lighter calibers. .223/5.56 is quite popular for hog hunting down there so 22 Creed oughta be just fine with say a Barnes or similar monolithic.

I killed most of mine with a .30-30, open sights, 150 Gr soft tip.

 

[walding1989]

I shoot piles of them a year. If hunting at night with thermal I kill them with my 6.5 Grendel and hornady black with the 123grain Eldm bullets and get one shot drops quite a bit. Or I whack them with my .264 win mag.

 

[seattleman1969]

Personally, If I am going to eat them, I look for the smaller ones. Stay away from large males. They stink
As far as shooting them, I used 223 and 300 blackout, but like I said, I shoot the smaller ones. Any of the rifles you have will work

And the bigger they get the harder to butcher too. But I totally agree, sub-100 Lbs are the best eaters!

 

[the blur]

I'm a firm believer in the .243 for deer. However, I had to shoot a hog 4 times with Ballistic tip .243 Maybe accubond would have been a better choice for hog : )

 

[mongo4567]

They are pretty good to eat up to 100lbs or so; can get tough if bigger. If you grind them up, there really is no size limit. I'm really careful not to touch the meat with a hand that has touched the outside...they love rolling in all kinds of nasty stuff. Some folks like to brine them as well.

 

[seattleman1969]

I guess another question is, are they suitable to eat? Should I be prepared to butcher and ship? Really appreciate all the help

The smaller ones are delicious just not much fat. Think VERY lean pork. Slow cooking, braising, etc is the name of the game mostly but yes, they are excellent table fare. Just not the big males, and the bigger they are the harder to butcher. I would plan on shipping at least some home for the table.

If you don't, don't feel bad, they are invasive as HE double hockey sticks. A lot of people shoot them and let lie.

My brother uses them as an alternative to catfish and deer. On the hoof pantry if you will.

 

[Chas1]

M-14 with a 20 round magazine of 308's

 

[seattleman1969]

I'm a firm believer in the .243 for deer. However, I had to shoot a hog 4 times with Ballistic tip .243 Maybe accubond would have been a better choice for hog : )

BTs would be way too light