223 hog hunting

[Coyoteslayer223]

Hey all. This april im going to texas for a hog hunt. Ive heard of guys using a 17hmr to take them on. I want to take my beloved 223 but im not quite sure if its sufficient. I plan on taking shots no more than 150 yards behind their ears. So my question is will a 55 grain soft point take a hog? Thanks in advance,

[kevin_stevens]

Yes. If you don't miss.

Somewhere along the line a lot of people have decided that since hogs aren't "real" game animals, and there are enough of them that we find them annoying, that they don't deserve the same respect and clean deaths that sportsmen strive to afford other animals. None of their justifications for this position have impressed me thus far.

KeS

Edit: Here's the Texas Dept. of Wildlife's position -


Night hunting with a spotlight is often used; however, the local game warden must be notified beforehand. (There are certain laws which prohibit using artificial light where deer are known to range.) Hunting with well-trained dogs is another hunting method utilized and can be very exciting. Because the feral hog has such a tough hide the best rifle calibers to use should be a .243 or greater to prevent wounding and loss of the animal. Bowhunting, muzzleloading, and handguns are also popular among sportsmen to hunt feral hogs.

[MaDa]

I hold the same point of view as Kevin does.

Have fun and get yourself some bacon!

[teebirdhyzer]

your .223 should do fine. Especially with head or neck shots. If you shoot them in the shoulder you may have to do some tracking.

[irondog54]

My only suggestion would be to use a good 62gr bullet. It might make a lot of difference on tracking and knock down on pigs.

[Coyoteslayer223]

Thanks guys. I plan on only taking head shots within 150 yards.

[jb6.5]

We kill lots of hogs here in south ms. Used everything from 17hmr to 300 mag. The best thing we've found in the 224 cal. Is the. Arne's tsx or ttsx. Had good luck with 60 gr nbt in my 223 also. Most work if you put it where it needs to go, but the barnes are pretty darn impressive.

[Willoughby]

Savage makes a 223 "HOG HUNTER"
shot placement allways has & allways will be
more important than bullet size-& or speed........
if you spray & pray -better get a magnum
Semper Fidelus........

[65impala]

Savage makes a 223 "HOG HUNTER"
shot placement allways has & allways will be
more important than bullet size-& or speed........
if you spray & pray -better get a magnum
Semper Fidelus........

Absolutely, I'd rather a good solid hit with a 22 than a miss with a 458! ;)

One of my favorite bullets for hogs is the 65gr Sierra gameking from a 223. We put down quite a few back in GA with a single shot 223 H&R and this bullet. I don't recall ever needing a second shot....

[JCalhoun]

A Nosler Partition or thick Barnes bullet would work well for a .223 on hogs.

[kkeene]

No problem killing a hog with a 17 hmr with a brain shot, done it a couple of times when that is what I had in my hands.

But a shoulder shot with a 55 gr soft point may not penetrate enough. Brain / spine shot is no problem with a 223. I prefer a bigger gun in case I don't have a perfect shot.

Have fun / kill a lot of them!
Keith