.223/5.56 for small pigs?

[txhoghunter]

Ok, so for Christmas I will be getting an AR (5.56). My little brother (8 yrs) is really finicky when it comes to recoil but he is excited about shooting it and I feel like he should have no problems with it. We have a hog hunting trip scheduled for right after Christmas and he wants to use MY new gun (go figure right?). This is fine with me, since I want to use my .270 WSM. My only question is, if we limit the range he shoots at, and the weight of the pig, can the AR bring one down humanely?

He doesn't want to shoot a trophy hog since this will be his first hunt, just maybe 75-100 lbs?

Also, what ammo would be most effective for the job?

Thanks for the help

 

[janobles14]

any well constructed soft point will do with good placement. i would personally move up to a bonded bullet or copper solid. hogs are tough! the 60 gr. nosler partitions work very well. ive also heard good things about the 62 and 70 grain barnes tsx's.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

As long as you limit range to 100 and under and not try it out on a 200 pound boar a good 60 grain soft point will be adequate. Limit him to meat hog size (150 pounds or under). Many will say go for head shots. With him being new to hunting and not familiar with the body language of hogs I would not recommend that. Try to guide him to quartering away right behind the shoulder shots if at all possible. If the pig is perfectly still then a behind the ear shot is ok for an experienced marksman/hunter but will often result in a missed or injured hog when left to the inexperienced.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

depends on where your shotplacement will be, head shot or lung/heart shot. I kill em regular with a .17hmr so the .223 is more than enuf...

 

[Kachok]

OK so I am the only one to vote for hollow points. Why......Because the TSX is a hollowpoint. Penatration is the name of the game with hogs especaly when we are talking about the .223. TSX expands well and drives deep, my second choice is the Nosler partition which also has wounderful penatration and reliable expansion. FMJs are too tricky, they can make a tiny .22 cal hole streight through or tumble and blow up just under the skin. Cheap SP 223 can separete and fail at high speeds.

 

[redbullitt]

Yep yep, I think it'll do just fine. Maybe look at the 60 grain partition if you're going to load your own. It works well on deer, but I haven't gotten to shoot a pig.

 

[shastaboat]

Biggest pig I ever shot was with a 223 Rem. Pick the heaviest bullet weight. 60 gr. partitian.

 

[Justin Holder]

No one else voted for ballistic tips, so I did.

Two running shots from a .223 loaded with 55 grain V-max, first was at about 170yds and the second was at 225yds. Put them in the vitals and any pig will go down.

 

[ssyoumans]

For my 1:9" twist I would go with either the Barnes 62 gr TSX or the Speer 70 gr soft point. It seems to stabilize in 1:9's due to its profile & length. Both will penetrate well.

 

[FLAvalanche]

I went with the ballistic tip too because the OP asked for small pigs. The ballistic tips work well on your average to small pig. Table sized eatin' pigs around here run between 60-150 lbs.

I've had very good results with ballistic tip bullets, but I've also had very good luck with the TSX too.

I'm currently looking at the Remington DRT bullet in .223. A guy has been using them on deer with very good results.

 

[alsaqr]

Two running shots from a .223 loaded with 55 grain V-max, first was at about 170yds and the second was at 225yds.

Good job on the hog. You've got a nice rifle there too. I have the same CZ 527 in left hand. Mine has the Leupold FXIII 6X42 scope. It has taken dozens of wild hogs.

 

[mbt2001]

If it is legal where you are hunting, there is nothing wrong with FMJ's. Also, no reason to stick with "small hog". A .223 will kill hogs fine. Soft point or FMJ will work fine on big ones, small ones, medium ones.

Just remember that a hog ain't a deer. You have to shoot directly over the foreleg, not behind it to hit the heart.