Caliber choice for pig hunting...

calaper · 03-13-2008, 05:24 AM

Hey guys,

Just looking at buying my first center fire rifle. Enough of using my father gear, i thought i should buy my own. Firstly there are a few things i need help with. I have several friends who go pig hunting reguarly, the majority of them use .308win for the job. As i want to use my rifle for both hunting and target shooting what would be the best option?

I also need to bear in mind that i am a left hander so models are quite limited especially here is Australia. If anyone has any helpful info please feel free to let me know.

Cheers

Brad Y · 03-18-2008, 05:03 PM

Dunno where your from mate, but I use a 22-250 and head shoot em. Our pigs arent the big mud covered bastards you get up north though. I would suggest you get maybe a 25/06 as it will be a good long range varmint gun, plus have plenty of power with 100gr bullets on pigs. Not sure about target work, maybe you could use it in F-open class, otherwise i would say you are looking at another gun for benchrest stuff, maybe 6ppc or something in a really flash rig.

irish murphy · 03-18-2008, 05:15 PM

I think the 308 is a good option for you.It is easy to get ammo or load your own,cheap.It will shoot the crap out of pigs and can also be used for target work.The other option for you isnt much of a target option,but is good for a lefty.Get a marlin lever action in 30/30.A left handed bolt action is going to cost more.Are you using right hand rifles now?Are you left or right eye dominent?How much do you want to spend?

Midas · 03-18-2008, 05:25 PM

The .308 would work just fine for hogs, it'll lay em in the dirt. As for lefty rifles, there arn't a whole lot of options, but Savage offers most of it's models in a left handed variant.

irish murphy · 03-18-2008, 05:48 PM

Your cheap option would have to be a 303 SMLE.The thing i love about mine is 10 rounds in the mag,you can top load it or just change mags for a full 10 shots again.If you want to shoot target its going to shoot alright.Only you havent told us what sort of target work you want to do?

GO THE 303, hahahhahahah

Farmer · 03-19-2008, 02:59 AM

Murphy,
I thought you woudl be pushing the nagant, 7.62 x 54 isnt it? plenty of power for pigs and a mice example is available for $250.00 aud.

irish murphy · 03-19-2008, 03:19 AM

Now why would i do a silly thing like that hahahhaha.I dont own a mosin yet.But would like a finn.Im a 303 man and always will be.Like i said,ten in the mag and very fast shooting is always deadly on a mob of pigs.After all,i shoot pigs to get rid of them.Not to get a trophy.If i was allowed i would be saying get a L1A1 slr and a 30 round magazine.Then some pigs would hit the floor.

Brad Y · 03-19-2008, 05:57 AM

geez im surprised murphs not pushing claymores or something on pigs....

irish murphy · 03-19-2008, 06:15 AM

Could be fun to set up an ambush site with claymores sitting in the water of the dam facing back up the dam wall.Imagine 20 pigs disappearing in less than a second.Like you wouldnt want a SLR if you were allowed hahahah.They are still for sale.Last one i saw was $4500.But you will need to convince the govt that you need a D class or is it C class license to be leagal.

Brad Y · 03-19-2008, 06:45 AM

hehe would be great to set up for sure. If i had the coin I would be looking at one of the streetsweeper automatic shotties, then an M60 for the top of the cruiser

jack412 · 03-19-2008, 06:52 AM

you can still pick up omark spotco's in aus for the right price, under $500..a very nice target 7.62

irish murphy · 03-19-2008, 02:46 PM

That they are,but they are heavy as buggery for hunting.

cabincowboy · 03-19-2008, 03:17 PM

The 308 is an excellent big game cartridge. It's accuracy makes it one of the top choices for 1000 meter shooting. If you are serious about target shooting I would recommend a bolt action. There are a number of accurate big game cartridges but ammo for the 270, 30-06, & 308 can be bought at almost anyplace that sells ammunition. If target shooting is your goal you will also want to purchase a quality rifle scope, unless your targets are 100 yards or under. For hunting I like a 2-7 power, for target shooting or hunting over 200 yards you will want something like a 6-24. Two hundred yards and beyond takes practice and good shooting technique, but thats the fun part. I'm not sure what kind of big game you have in Australia; you don't need the power of a 308 for pigs. We use the 308 for game up to the moose size here.

sbowers5 · 03-19-2008, 03:37 PM

Irish, there is a gunsmith up in northern OK who is taking a stevens mod. 311 12 ga. double barrel shotguns and putting a 45-70 linner in the left barrel and rechambering the right side to 3" mag if it is not already that way, and puting iron sights on the gun and regulating them for 50 yrds. for the hog hunters around here and everybody is just raving about how good they work for hogs at distance and up close also, haven't seen one yet but will very soon and will let you know what i think.
steve

minkowski1552 · 03-19-2008, 04:09 PM

Murphy, I would swap my Russian M44 for one of your Aussie Enfields any day.

calaper · 03-20-2008, 01:10 AM

Wow, i posted a while ago, been busy...come back and there are posts every where. I have purchased the .308win. I thought it was a pretty good all round cartridge both hunting and targets. I've attatched to it a Leupold Vx1-4-12X40 scope, hopefully it will do the job, sort of an in between scope so i can use it for hunting and mid range targets. The targets are only going to be shot probs around 200 yards, nothing more.

I have 2 .303 enfields sitting in my safe....they are the old mans favourite. He picked them up from the army real cheap when he left all those years ago. One day they will be mine....ha.

Farmer · 03-20-2008, 06:14 AM

mmmmmmmmmm RPG

irish murphy · 03-20-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabincowboy

you don't need the power of a 308 for pigs.

You do over here up north.They are very tough skinned with a couple of inches of mud before you get to the hair and meat.I wouldnt feel over gunned with a 308 any day up there.I would feel under gunned when you encounter a cranky scrubber though.Give me the 300wm then.

Brad Y · 03-20-2008, 07:46 AM

How would we best describe a cranky charging boar from up north mate... similar to an injured bear for these guys? I dont know first hand but all I hear is once they charge you, they dont stop in a hurry.

irish murphy · 03-20-2008, 03:35 PM

Yeah pretty close but about half the size of a bear.Im sure the pigs they have are just as cranky.They just arent the same as our razorbacks.If you want a real challenge,take on a scrubber or a buff.

03-13-2008, 05:24 AM	#1
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 106	Caliber choice for pig hunting... Hey guys, Just looking at buying my first center fire rifle. Enough of using my father gear, i thought i should buy my own. Firstly there are a few things i need help with. I have several friends who go pig hunting reguarly, the majority of them use .308win for the job. As i want to use my rifle for both hunting and target shooting what would be the best option? I also need to bear in mind that i am a left hander so models are quite limited especially here is Australia. If anyone has any helpful info please feel free to let me know. Cheers

03-18-2008, 05:25 PM	#4
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,798 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	The .308 would work just fine for hogs, it'll lay em in the dirt. As for lefty rifles, there arn't a whole lot of options, but Savage offers most of it's models in a left handed variant. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

03-19-2008, 02:59 AM	#6
Farmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Limbri NSW Au Posts: 296	Murphy, I thought you woudl be pushing the nagant, 7.62 x 54 isnt it? plenty of power for pigs and a mice example is available for $250.00 aud. __________________ Cheers, Rob

03-19-2008, 03:37 PM	#14
sbowers5 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sawyer, ok Posts: 537	Irish, there is a gunsmith up in northern OK who is taking a stevens mod. 311 12 ga. double barrel shotguns and putting a 45-70 linner in the left barrel and rechambering the right side to 3" mag if it is not already that way, and puting iron sights on the gun and regulating them for 50 yrds. for the hog hunters around here and everybody is just raving about how good they work for hogs at distance and up close also, haven't seen one yet but will very soon and will let you know what i think. steve __________________ For those who never fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

03-20-2008, 06:14 AM	#17
Farmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Limbri NSW Au Posts: 296	mmmmmmmmmm RPG __________________ Cheers, Rob

03-18-2008, 05:03 PM	#2
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	Dunno where your from mate, but I use a 22-250 and head shoot em. Our pigs arent the big mud covered bastards you get up north though. I would suggest you get maybe a 25/06 as it will be a good long range varmint gun, plus have plenty of power with 100gr bullets on pigs. Not sure about target work, maybe you could use it in F-open class, otherwise i would say you are looking at another gun for benchrest stuff, maybe 6ppc or something in a really flash rig.

03-18-2008, 05:15 PM	#3
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	I think the 308 is a good option for you.It is easy to get ammo or load your own,cheap.It will shoot the crap out of pigs and can also be used for target work.The other option for you isnt much of a target option,but is good for a lefty.Get a marlin lever action in 30/30.A left handed bolt action is going to cost more.Are you using right hand rifles now?Are you left or right eye dominent?How much do you want to spend?

03-18-2008, 05:48 PM	#5
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Your cheap option would have to be a 303 SMLE.The thing i love about mine is 10 rounds in the mag,you can top load it or just change mags for a full 10 shots again.If you want to shoot target its going to shoot alright.Only you havent told us what sort of target work you want to do? GO THE 303, hahahhahahah

03-19-2008, 03:19 AM	#7
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Now why would i do a silly thing like that hahahhaha.I dont own a mosin yet.But would like a finn.Im a 303 man and always will be.Like i said,ten in the mag and very fast shooting is always deadly on a mob of pigs.After all,i shoot pigs to get rid of them.Not to get a trophy.If i was allowed i would be saying get a L1A1 slr and a 30 round magazine.Then some pigs would hit the floor.

03-19-2008, 05:57 AM	#8
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	geez im surprised murphs not pushing claymores or something on pigs....

03-19-2008, 06:15 AM	#9
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Could be fun to set up an ambush site with claymores sitting in the water of the dam facing back up the dam wall.Imagine 20 pigs disappearing in less than a second.Like you wouldnt want a SLR if you were allowed hahahah.They are still for sale.Last one i saw was $4500.But you will need to convince the govt that you need a D class or is it C class license to be leagal.

03-19-2008, 06:45 AM	#10
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	hehe would be great to set up for sure. If i had the coin I would be looking at one of the streetsweeper automatic shotties, then an M60 for the top of the cruiser

03-19-2008, 06:52 AM	#11
jack412 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	you can still pick up omark spotco's in aus for the right price, under $500..a very nice target 7.62

03-19-2008, 02:46 PM	#12
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	That they are,but they are heavy as buggery for hunting.

03-19-2008, 03:17 PM	#13
cabincowboy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8	The 308 is an excellent big game cartridge. It's accuracy makes it one of the top choices for 1000 meter shooting. If you are serious about target shooting I would recommend a bolt action. There are a number of accurate big game cartridges but ammo for the 270, 30-06, & 308 can be bought at almost anyplace that sells ammunition. If target shooting is your goal you will also want to purchase a quality rifle scope, unless your targets are 100 yards or under. For hunting I like a 2-7 power, for target shooting or hunting over 200 yards you will want something like a 6-24. Two hundred yards and beyond takes practice and good shooting technique, but thats the fun part. I'm not sure what kind of big game you have in Australia; you don't need the power of a 308 for pigs. We use the 308 for game up to the moose size here.

03-19-2008, 04:09 PM	#15
minkowski1552 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 41	Murphy, I would swap my Russian M44 for one of your Aussie Enfields any day.

03-20-2008, 01:10 AM	#16
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 106	Wow, i posted a while ago, been busy...come back and there are posts every where. I have purchased the .308win. I thought it was a pretty good all round cartridge both hunting and targets. I've attatched to it a Leupold Vx1-4-12X40 scope, hopefully it will do the job, sort of an in between scope so i can use it for hunting and mid range targets. The targets are only going to be shot probs around 200 yards, nothing more. I have 2 .303 enfields sitting in my safe....they are the old mans favourite. He picked them up from the army real cheap when he left all those years ago. One day they will be mine....ha.

03-20-2008, 07:46 AM	#19
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98	How would we best describe a cranky charging boar from up north mate... similar to an injured bear for these guys? I dont know first hand but all I hear is once they charge you, they dont stop in a hurry.

03-20-2008, 03:35 PM	#20
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Yeah pretty close but about half the size of a bear.Im sure the pigs they have are just as cranky.They just arent the same as our razorbacks.If you want a real challenge,take on a scrubber or a buff.