Thread: Pig hunting without dogs in Waikato

It’s already been spelt out on the other posts but the 223 and 7.62x39 will be fine on small/medium pigs, which is what you should be targeting for the freezer. But large boars are a very different kettle of fish. I’m no expert but it seems that a 243 with a strongly constructed projectile would be about the minimum for tackling big boars, and a 308 would be a better bet. Talk to any experienced pig hunter and they will tell you that a wounded boar is no joke, being under gunned could be asking for trouble.

I don't find pigs especially hard to kill for their size and have shot plenty with .223 and .25/06, but believe the .308 is the best of calibres you've listed and it's what I normally carry.

When stalking pigs they're often found on the edge of 100 acre gorse blocks, just on dark. I want that pig dead right there. I hate crawling into a tunnel in the gorse looking for a wounded pig.