Hog hunt with 243

[stownsend]

My brother is preparing for a hog hunt and asked me a few questions. I don't have much experience hunting hogs so I thought I would ask here.
He has a 243. What would be the best bullet selection for hog. I told him to probably stick to the heavier ones, 90-100 grain. Anyone got any favorites?
Also, what is the best place to aim at for cleanly taking a hog. We are both familiar with deer, but I have heard that the vitals are lower in a hog. Pictures would be great too.
Thanks.

 

[coop4u2c]

I have seen a .243 w/ 100gr. soft points put down a few hogs with authority. As for shot placement, broad-side, right behind the ear, dead right there!

 

[MCgunner]

Do not shoot behind the shoulder, Either hit the shoulder or head shoot it. I'd advise a heavy controlled expansion bullet in 6mm. The .243 is plenty of gun, just need a good bullet to penetrate some heavy bone, muscle, and gristle plate on a big hog. Barnes is a favorite of mine. A Nosler Partition would work. Hogs are normally shot at well under 100 yards, so head shots are doable, but at night, you might have a problem getting a good shot on the head. A red light helps to keep from spooking 'em.

 

[Lightninstrike]

stownsend: You gotta read this thread in this section. Flintknapper has some good hog hunting tips.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=449721

 

[alsaqr]

A .243 with any heavy bullet is a good hog killer.

 

[dullh]

The place here I'm looking to go hog hunting specifies .243 as the minimum caliber they will let you hunt with. Since it's the minimum, I'm going larger. 7mm-08 is what I'm taking.

 

[stownsend]

Thanks for the input everyone. I will direct him towards a well constructed, 95-100 gr bullet. Any thoughts on the Hornady SST? Will also look into the Nosler Partition...

 

[TexAg]

I'd go with a 100 grain partition. The 6mm 95 grain SST I used on deer stopped under the far side hide. I'd like a little more hopes of penetration on hog.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Contrary to some advice posted here, behind-the-shoulder shots are just fine on hogs. I've literally lost count of the number of hogs I've shot over several decades (weighing up to 300 plus pounds) using standard heart-lung bullet placement. The 243 should work just fine at reasonable range using a good tough bullet like the Partition, which happens to be one of my personal favorites. As for SSTs, I can't speak for their performance in lighter rounds, but I just had perfect performance on a record-book bear with a single 225-grain SST out of a .338 RCM at 180 yards.