Thread: A good calibre on pigs

Anything from 243 upwards with good constructed bullets. When I was culling second day on the job I run into a big boar about 25 yds below me, I hit him with a 50 gr Sako factory round in the ear hole and he dropped but stood straight back up so he got another in the Same place , this time he stayed down but was struggling to get up so I shot for the heart and that finish him. I have also seen a big boar take a 222 50 gr Sako in the shoulder as we were spotlighting one night. That boar never even dropped a step and kept on running never to be seen again, the shot was perfect as we seen the dust fly off a centre shoulder shot. 222 etc work but there are a lot better, a 308 with a good 150 gr bullet would see you right.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Anything from 243 upwards with good constructed bullets. When I was culling second day on the job I run into a big boar about 25 yds below me, I hit him with a 50 gr Sako factory round in the ear hole and he dropped but stood straight back up so he got another in the Same place , this time he stayed down but was struggling to get up so I shot for the heart and that finish him. I have also seen a big boar take a 222 50 gr Sako in the shoulder as we were spotlighting one night. That boar never even dropped a step and kept on running never to be seen again, the shot was perfect as we seen the dust fly off a centre shoulder shot. 222 etc work but there are a lot better, a 308 with a good 150 gr bullet would see you right.

No disrespect but around the ear is a pretty soft spot for a instant kill and i find it hard to believe two shots there didnt kill it little alone the first one.
Fact is if that was the case there was something seriously wrong with the ammo as in that area thats the best place even for a .22 to have total sucess/ just saying

There was even a utube video on hunting pigs with dogs and the guy just being smart was using a .177 air rifle to knock over big boars shot in the ear at close range

Originally Posted by deer243

No disrespect but around the ear is a pretty soft spot for a instant kill and i find it hard to believe two shots there didnt kill it little alone the first one.
Fact is if that was the case there was something seriously wrong with the ammo as in that area thats the best place even for a .22 to have total sucess/ just saying

There was even a utube video on hunting pigs with dogs and the guy just being smart was using a .177 air rifle to knock over big boars shot in the ear at close range

Yes you are right I was surprised when he stood up after the first and still struggled after the second. He was a big animal maybe 200 pound. The bullets we then used were Sako 50 gr (factory)which I thought were a bit hard if anything. I don't have a problem with people using light calibers on pigs but you do get the odd stuff up which is why I would prefer 243 or better.
I would rather see them dead on the ground than get away wounded.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

I would rather see them dead on the ground than get away wounded.

And thats exactly the reason why there is a need for semi-auto centre-fires. Now, when you have only one shot, the chance of a beast getting away wounded has increased. Where as a good old double tap would have taken care of that.

Yep pigs standing still 223 fine all the time in the world for correct shot placement.
But on the run you need a bigger calibre. In France on driven boar you can’t hunt unless you have a bullet over 2500 joules which is basically 270 up with a 160 grain bullet. Better now that they have taken away the restrictions on some military calibres.
But as below once there on the move and to be humain use a bigger calibre than 223.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Anything from 243 upwards with good constructed bullets. When I was culling second day on the job I run into a big boar about 25 yds below me, I hit him with a 50 gr Sako factory round in the ear hole and he dropped but stood straight back up so he got another in the Same place , this time he stayed down but was struggling to get up so I shot for the heart and that finish him. I have also seen a big boar take a 222 50 gr Sako in the shoulder as we were spotlighting one night. That boar never even dropped a step and kept on running never to be seen again, the shot was perfect as we seen the dust fly off a centre shoulder shot. 222 etc work but there are a lot better, a 308 with a good 150 gr bullet would see you right.