caliber for florida pigs?

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coyote315

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Going hog hunting in the panhandle. Average shot will be 50-150 yards where I'm going.
I'm an experience hunter of other species who prefers in general one very accurate shot to using a supermagnumturbosledgehammer.
I have a .35 rem, a .243, and a 7.62x39 to choose from; my first choice for hunting anything is usually my .243 properly hand-loaded up or down, but I have no experiences w/ hogs so I want to ask about terminal ballistics. The .35 rem as I handload it is a pretty strong little thumper on white tail deer inside 200 yards, so I was thinking it might be the better choice?
 
My 7.62x39 is a very handy rifle; i use it for pest control and night hunting coyotes and have no complaints. Anyone think that it would be enough for a pig?
 
Any of those calibers will work with good bullets. The 35 will work with any bullet you choose to use. AR's loaded with 223's are popular and commonly used for pigs so I wouldn't worry about any of them doing the job. I'd carry the RIFLE I was most comfortable with and not worry about the chambering.
 
coyote: I shoot a CZ 527 in 762x39 and have killed several pigs with it, no problem at all. But Your 243 will work very well also. Your 35 REM will also get the job done, with out any question a 35 REM really shines hunting Pigs. Take the rifle that fits you, and You shoot the best.
ken
 
well then gents; the follow-up question is "what is your definition of the "right place?"
I have read about behind and below the ear because the vitals are too well armored, or the typical heart/lung traditional sweet spot.
I ask because; my .243 is a scalpel of a bolt action, but my pump .35 and 7.62 are faster follow-up so, depending on Point of Aim, will effect my selection
 
I really appreciate the positive input, guys. What 7.62x39 load/ bullet are you using, cpt-t? I have some of the hornady sst and then some fmj's and HPs. None of the 154gr soft point tho:uhoh:
I'm pretty certain that pumping ten rounds of that .35 rem can kill damn near anything within 200 yards of me.
 
coyote315: I use WOLF 124gr HP`S, and my rifle shoots them very well. The boys at CZ in Kansas City say that is the ammo that my rifle is desinged for. And I have bought several cases for it, don`t reload for it yet. My 35 REM is an old marlin and I use 200 or 220 gr hard cast LRNFP bullets. As far as the right spot, behind the ear, or the back of the head works very well for me. Or on the shoulder or just behind the shoulder also seem to works well for me. Most of the pigs I have shot were under 100 yds. Good luck in FLorida.
ken
 
If you can shoot any of the ones you listed will do well for you. There is no magic caliber for poor marksmanship!
 
Most of the time if I have any choice in the matter I try for below the ear in line with the eye. That of course isn't always an option.

The next best shot is dead in line with the front leg about 2-3" up from the belly line.

Here is a great source of info which shows more on what I am referring to,
TexasBoars.com

Look under the Anatomy and Hunting Tactics tabs.
 
I kill pigs on a daily basis when I check my 3 cattle pastures....I have killed them with a .17hmr to the ear also thru the lung/heart area with the little 20 grain hunting tip. the whole "armored area" thing is overrated, I just took about a 200 lb. boar with a .308 to that armored area and he didn't take another step. I prefer a good bullet like a partition type in rifles and in my revolvers round or flat nosed cast bullets when I walk up to make sure they are down for good. usually I just leave em lay for coytes or buzzards to eat, usually get a shot at a coyote the next day.
 
i can make the most precise shots the fastest w/ my .243; it's my "best rifle" and has dispatched quite a few running deer and 2nd coyotes. So, sounds like it's the scalpel to take (it usually is; i wouldn't own the .35 if it wasn't for indiana weird whitetail laws...). This link http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html pretty much answered all my terminal ballistics question (thanks 41mag); if a 220 swift can do that, my 243 can as well.
I'll let you guys know how it turns out when i get back next weekend, if the mods keep this link open
 
ok- you guys are definitely boosting my confidence then! (and to think TxPat, I was only going to take the .17 to plink with!)
Of course, if you want a couple of Army guys to come help you clean out the pastures, we can road trip over when we're done in FL! :)
 
I would think any of the calibers you have would be fine for hog. I use my Handi Rifle in .223 rem and put them down. Go for a head (ear area), neck, or right behind the shoulder. I have taken a good bit of hogs with these shots and not had any run more than a few feet. Good luck with your hunt.
 
All will be just fine, if this your first time hog hunting place the shot in the neck or in the front shoulder, anything farther back will be a gut shot!
 
"what is your definition of the "right place?"
Click to expand...

You don't have to get fancy with any of the calibers you mentioned. Behind the shoulder will do just fine with any caliber that you would use on a deer. With a 22, 22 mag, 17hmr or similar rounds I would head shoot them. I agree with the poster who said that the plating behind the shoulder is an overrated issue. Only the large boars develop them and even then I have never seen it stop any center fire cartridge from a .223 up. The plating behind the shoulder is more of an issue with bow hunting IMHO.

I have a 35 Remington in a 336 Marlin that I really like as a hog gun if shot distance is not going to be over 150 yards. Nice little pig thumper.
 
well, i was undone; the whole hunt i got hogs to pattern on one spot i was spreading corn, and the last night overwatched it in 28* weather, only to finally have a hog come in at 1030 at night. The night vision and scope did a great job of allowing me to take a good shot, but I learned something about aluminum scope mount plate screws. It had loosened up and my shot went high!! Very disappointing. I immediately went to the ad hoc range end of the property and shot at a paper plate; 6" high at 50 yards. Near as I can figure, when i shot 9 rounds through the rifle earlier that day ( to confirm the zero, ironically), i heated up the receiver enough to overwhelm the blue lock-tite... ugh. Went back to the bait and watched it until 8am, but didn't see a thing.
So, drove home w/ empty coolers and an empty heart. Should've taken the .243; it's an Icon so it has integrated rails on top.

Anyone wanna make some cash hosting me pig hunting at their place? I like stalking and ambushing, and will tent- camp about anywhere, and only request a good orientation to the property. Anybody?
 
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Like I said....
If you can shoot any of the ones you listed will do well for you. There is no magic caliber for poor marksmanship!
Click to expand...

Better luck next time.
 
nice.... LoL unfortunately my gunsmithing/ armorer's skills are new and not on the same level as my marksmanship, but I'm learning.:banghead: In my defense the shot group on the paper plate was quarter-sized, just WAY off high.;)
 
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