Hogs with 30-06

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Hey THR, haven't had any questions for a while, things got so busy couldn't get out there and chase down any wild game. Now I'm ready to jump back in. Here is what I am needing advice on.....

Have a hog hunt coming up next month, got brand new rifle (30-06), and I have been looking for recommendations on ammo. I read another post that was similar to this one, but the thread sort of went off topic, and couldn't find what I was looking for. I was leaning towards Liberty Ammo Animal Instinct in 30-06, and my only reason for going to this round is because I carry the Civil Defense in my carry guns. What are your opinions on the Animal Instinct round in 30-06? Has anyone used it? What round would you recommend for taking hogs?

Thanks in advance THR, and can't wait to see the responses
 
In the ,30-06 I like a 180Gr controlled expansion bullet on hogs. That is simply because if the manner in which I like to hunt them. I like to spot and stalk them and wind up jump shooting them quite often. In the area that I hunt we run into some pretty big mature boars from time to time. Those big, solid boars take a bullet that offers some penetration.

I am not familiar enough with the ammo mentioned to comment on its effectiveness for hunting. I like Barnes X, TSX, or TTSX for hogs. I also like Nosler Partition, Accubond or an assortment of other quality bullets. For 99% of general hog hunting most bullets of decent weight for caliber will do just fine.
 
Anything in 150, 165 or 180 would probably be fine. I tend to like 180 grain bullets in 308 caliber. Check out Federal's Fusion line for an affordable option.
 
Thank you all for the suggestions, looking around online at ammo now, but please, if anyone has tried the Animal Instinct, please comment and let me know what you think. Guess I will be looking for, from what I have gathered from the thread, 180 gr rounds, going to pay attention to the Barnes and Federal Fusion. Thank you THR, if there are more suggestions, please keep them coming
 
My main round of late is the 150gr Nosler Partition in .280 Rem. Very similar to a 30-06 150gr.

I also shoot them with 170gr 30-30 Core Lokt Remington ammo.

My general observation is that all you need for hogs are the heavy for caliber weights and .243 or above cartridges. Smaller cartridges require a more premium bullet.

But what am I saying? I use CCI 40gr TMJs in 22 magnum for the majority of my hogs anymore and they work fine with headshots at less than 50 yds.

I’m not familiar with Animal Instinct but if it costs more than Core Lokts you probably should just be buying cup and cores from Federal, Win, or Rem.
 
Any standard hunting 150 or 165 grain bullet will work fine, but it's not what 30-06 bullet you use it's where you hit them that matters. If you shoot a hog like you would to shoot a deer in the lungs the hit will be too far back. The vitals on a hog are further forward than on a deer. Just follow the front let up onto the body and hit them half way up the body directly over the front leg. That's where the running gear is located. With a bolt action you will probably only get one shot because the other hogs will run when the gun goes off.
 
We wreck hogs of all sizes here with rounds like 223 (I use a 75 gr Hornady BTHP match), 300 BLK, and whatever random deer rifles people happen to own. I've killed several big ones and been present for many more that were killed quickly by a KBAR stab to the chest (With a pit bull holding the head). In my experience, they aren't hard to kill. I'm sure that 30-06 you mentioned will be fine as long as it is accurately delivered.
AR pig.jpg
 
In the ,30-06 I like a 180Gr controlled expansion bullet on hogs. That is simply because if the manner in which I like to hunt them. I like to spot and stalk them and wind up jump shooting them quite often. In the area that I hunt we run into some pretty big mature boars from time to time. Those big, solid boars take a bullet that offers some penetration.

I am not familiar enough with the ammo mentioned to comment on its effectiveness for hunting. I like Barnes X, TSX, or TTSX for hogs. I also like Nosler Partition, Accubond or an assortment of other quality bullets. For 99% of general hog hunting most bullets of decent weight for caliber will do just fine.


^^^^^^^ Agree with this. I think it is sage advice to choose 'heavy for caliber' bullets when hog hunting because you never know when a large boar might show up. They don't always present the best shot angle and under those conditions penetration is much to be desired.

IF you do have a good broadside shot (or something close to it) and want to anchor your hog...I always recommend taking a neck shot or high shoulder shot that breaks the spine. But you don't always have that option.

All of the bullets H&H mentioned above are well constructed,will hold together and penetrate well.
 
I still have yet to shoot a pig with an 06, and I've shot plenty of both lol. My buddy tho blasted the crap out of a few with my 06, using 178eldxs. I'd be comfortable with any 165-180gr bullet on animals under 200lbs.
In fact largest hog i shot, which was about that or more, took a single round from my 6x47Rem as it ran by at 50-60yds. The second largest took a round in the butt and a second in the head, bout 5 seconds after the first one went down.
100gr SPH at 2500fps

Our pigs might be softer out here tho, cause I've never considered them hard to kill.
 
I still have yet to shoot a pig with an 06, and I've shot plenty of both lol. My buddy tho blasted the crap out of a few with my 06, using 178eldxs. I'd be comfortable with any 165-180gr bullet on animals under 200lbs.
In fact largest hog i shot, which was about that or more, took a single round from my 6x47Rem as it ran by at 50-60yds. The second largest took a round in the butt and a second in the head, bout 5 seconds after the first one went down.
100gr SPH at 2500fps

Our pigs might be softer out here tho, cause I've never considered them hard to kill.

I’ve seen some big hogs in Northwestern Texas soak up an unbelievable number of bullets before giving up the ghost. Of course these ordeals are almost always started with a poor first shot under lousy conditions. But I’ve seen big boars out there with a 6” shield and healed over bullet scars in those shields. Usually what appears to be varmint style .22CF or some such as a guess.

Smaller boar hogs say, under 200lbs and sows are pretty soft and easy to kill. A mature boar over 200lbs that’s been fighting a lot and has built up a massive cartridge shield is an incredibly thick, heavy boned and muscled animal. They are not bullet resistant but they are tough on soft bullets and remind me a little of African DG when wounded. Not in the danger but in how tough they get when their adrenaline gets pumping.
 
If I were taking 30-06 I'd use ordinary 180 gr Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt as I have a ton of it. I can't see the need for anything fancier. Others have commented on shot placement with regards to the hog's shoulder plate and I would heed their advice. I'd also use a semi-auto, where legal of course, in case of a charge requiring a quick follow up shot.

I took a large feral hog (800+ lbs) using a LWRC REPR 7.62x51, Leupold VX-R 3-9x50 metric scope with Accuracy 1st cant gauge, Atlas bipod. Ammo: Remington HTP Copper .308, 168 gr. Barnes TXS.

Hog.jpg

REPR.jpg
 
They are not armored however, there is a big difference between a younger hog and mature boar. I have seen the integrity of bullets tested on the gristle plate on many occasions.
 
I’ve seen some big hogs in Northwestern Texas soak up an unbelievable number of bullets before giving up the ghost. Of course these ordeals are almost always started with a poor first shot under lousy conditions. But I’ve seen big boars out there with a 6” shield and healed over bullet scars in those shields. Usually what appears to be varmint style .22CF or some such as a guess.

Smaller boar hogs say, under 200lbs and sows are pretty soft and easy to kill. A mature boar over 200lbs that’s been fighting a lot and has built up a massive cartridge shield is an incredibly thick, heavy boned and muscled animal. They are not bullet resistant but they are tough on soft bullets and remind me a little of African DG when wounded. Not in the danger but in how tough they get when their adrenaline gets pumping.

That's sorta what I was wondering.
I've never seen a shield thicker than an inch or two. Ours don't usually get much over 250-300lbs. Buddy of mine offed one that was probably close to 350, but it looked like a run away domestic.
 
I shot a russia Russian boar with my 45/70. He was 400 field dressed. The shield was over a inch thick on him. The 400 Barnes hit so hard it blow the side i hit out the back.The boar looked like it was hit with an axe. They say a bullet will not push a animal/person back like in the old westerns, but my boar was flung back about 5 feet in to a fence.

I think the super thick and hard shield gave the bullet something to push, kinda like a bullet hits a steel plate.
 
I have hunted hogs before, just been about 5 years since I have. I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas with the US Army, and being as I was hunting on a military post, I was only allowed to use shotgun or muzzle loaders. So for a few years, I hunted hogs strictly with muzzle loader using 250 gr. Hornady sabot. Just haven't hunted with a rifle in a few years.

Will have back up firearms for protection. Will have two other people with me, will be caring my AR-15 with me, and caring my 44 magnum.

Something that has changed..... I am hunting private land, and the gentleman that owns the land has asked me to use copper rounds only. So I have moved my search more to that. No super long range shooting, so I can use the slower bullets if I need to. But maybe someone has used one of these. I have found the Remington Hog Hammer using the Barnes TSX (168 Gr.), Hornady Full Boar and Superformance (165 Gr. and 180Gr.). I like the looks of the Barnes TSX round in the Remington HH, but the advertised speed on the Superformance is 2940 fps for the 165 Gr. and 2820 with the 180 Gr.. So if anyone has any opinions on one of these rounds, would be of help trying to figure out which one to go with. If its a question of the rifle, will be shooting from a Winchester SPX Sporter with 24 inch barrel.

This is why I love THR. I have grown up learning from my dad, from other hunters, or good old trial and error. But when I have questions, you guys have a lot of knowledge to give. Thank you THR
 
I have hunted hogs before, just been about 5 years since I have. I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas with the US Army, and being as I was hunting on a military post, I was only allowed to use shotgun or muzzle loaders. So for a few years, I hunted hogs strictly with muzzle loader using 250 gr. Hornady sabot. Just haven't hunted with a rifle in a few years.

Will have back up firearms for protection. Will have two other people with me, will be caring my AR-15 with me, and caring my 44 magnum.

Something that has changed..... I am hunting private land, and the gentleman that owns the land has asked me to use copper rounds only. So I have moved my search more to that. No super long range shooting, so I can use the slower bullets if I need to. But maybe someone has used one of these. I have found the Remington Hog Hammer using the Barnes TSX (168 Gr.), Hornady Full Boar and Superformance (165 Gr. and 180Gr.). I like the looks of the Barnes TSX round in the Remington HH, but the advertised speed on the Superformance is 2940 fps for the 165 Gr. and 2820 with the 180 Gr.. So if anyone has any opinions on one of these rounds, would be of help trying to figure out which one to go with. If its a question of the rifle, will be shooting from a Winchester SPX Sporter with 24 inch barrel.

This is why I love THR. I have grown up learning from my dad, from other hunters, or good old trial and error. But when I have questions, you guys have a lot of knowledge to give. Thank you THR

Any of the barnes TSX in 168 or 180gr and or the Hornandy GMX will do an admirable job out of a .30-06. Any of the above will work just fine.
 
In that caliber really anything should be fine for anything you are likely to see.

I'm supposed to be going on a hog hunt this coming year and I am planning on taking my .223 and am not worried a bit.
 
In that caliber really anything should be fine for anything you are likely to see.

I'm supposed to be going on a hog hunt this coming year and I am planning on taking my .223 and am not worried a bit.
If you do, you better shoot it in the brain or cervical spine. A decent sized hog (200lbs) won’t bleed much when shot by a 223. A big hog (300lbs or bigger) likely won’t bleed at all. And hogs can cover a lot of ground really fast.
 
Honestly, I’ve killed pigs with everything from a 22LR to a 50 BMG and have yet to find a round that won’t kill them. That said, if I was going to carry a 30-06 I would use a bullet that better takes advantage of it’s abilities. A 100 grain lightly constructed 30-06 bullet just isn’t going to give you much penetration. I think you would be MUCH better served with a 165 gr Sierra Game King or down size the caliber and shoot a heavier for caliber bullet to give you enough penetration to take out both lungs.
 
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