.223 bullet for hog recommendations

**Texas Solo** · 09-11-2014, 09:26 AM

I need recommendations on a good .223 bullet for hogs. I want to stay heavy, as my 1/7 twist prefers them. Also don't think a HP is the best choice for hogs. (maybe I'm wrong?) So, I'm looking for a soft point type bullet in the 69gr range, I found nothing.

I shot a hog with Monday night with a factory Winchester "HOG" 64gr and it only went 15 yards before piling up. Hit him just behind the shoulder from 100 yards. Bullet exited the right shoulder with lots of damage. I was impressed.
Being a reloader, and already having everything but the bullet, I'd like to roll my own.

Suggestions appreciated.

**rjtfroggy** · 09-11-2014, 11:05 AM

Sierra has both 63 & 65 soft point I think they may also have a 69.

**03mossy** · 09-11-2014, 11:42 AM

I was supposed to go on a Hog hunt in January but it fell through. I also have a 1-7" .233 and I am working on loads with 70 grain barnes tsx. There a mean looking little bullet and hopfully someday I'll get to test them on hogs.

jb6.5 · 09-11-2014, 12:05 PM

BARNES!! The very best .224 bullet made for hogs.

Savage6x284 · 09-11-2014, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by jb6.5

BARNES!! The very best .224 bullet made for hogs.

Hard to argue against the superb Barnes TTSX and I won't but I will mention that the offerings from Cutting Edge Bullets are also superb if a trifle on the spendy side.

I am not Herbert · 09-11-2014, 01:41 PM

I have had good results with Sierra 65gn SPs as well as 62gn Barnes TSX, the caveat being my rifle is a 1:9 WV 25. Im not fond of body shots on hogs with a .223, so I aim for the head or neck. Ive never seen one do anything but be DRT at under 150 yards with either projectile.

**Texas Solo** · 09-11-2014, 06:30 PM

Thanks guys. I'm going to order up some of the Sierra 65 SBT Gameking, part # 1395.
I'll try 25.0 > 26.0 gr of Varget. Should get me close to 3000fps with a Colt 16" carbine.

Luke45 · 09-17-2014, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by Texas Solo

Sierra 65 SBT Gameking, part # 1395.
I'll try 25.0 > 26.0 gr of Varget.

That is exactly what I'd do. Well played

**JASmith** · 09-17-2014, 10:15 AM

How large do the hogs run in your area? Choose a weight toward the heavy end and go here for bullet weight suggestions grouped by design:

Ideal Bullet Weight

Any bullet heavier than the suggested minimum weight in a design class should work fine!

Luke45 · 09-17-2014, 11:56 AM

JA , when hogs get to big you just shoot them in spine or head with 223

**JASmith** · 09-18-2014, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Luke45

JA , when hogs get to big you just shoot them in spine or head with 223

Luke, we've chatted before! I learn a lot from our conversations!

And, yes, a good shot can go for the head but the sweet spot is smaller than most of us think. Even more so for the spine shot, which takes and excellent shot and a good knowledge of hog anatomy.

jb6.5 · 09-18-2014, 11:15 AM

Hogs are not as hard to kill as most people think. As far as bullets, I've killed over 200 with a 55 gr ttsx. They work every time.

**JASmith** · 09-18-2014, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by jb6.5

Hogs are not as hard to kill as most people think. As far as bullets, I've killed over 200 with a 55 gr ttsx. They work every time.

How many of those hogs weighed more than 150 - 200 lb?

jb6.5 · 09-18-2014, 11:38 AM

The average hog that is killed is gonna weigh around 180lbs in real world huntin, but we do find em bigger, a couple years ago I killed two sows that was 500lbs together. My first shot went through one, she fell, the other peeled off from the herd and made for an easy next candidate. Killed her. When I skined em I found my first bullet inside the seconded hog. One of the few Barnes I've ever recovered.
But we do kill some big ones. 250 to 290 I call big. This year killed one that went 350 and another 325, both boars.

**Texas Solo** · 09-18-2014, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by JASmith

How large do the hogs run in your area?

Average is about 200lb or less. The 64gr .223 Winchester did a fine job.

Luke45...you're spot on. A head shot with my Remmy R15 at 200 yds. doesn't scare me in the least.

Luke45 · 09-19-2014, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Texas Solo

Average is about 200lb or less. The 64gr .223 Winchester did a fine job.

Luke45...you're spot on. A head shot with my Remmy R15 at 200 yds. doesn't scare me in the least.

Yep! if its a boar over 200lbs, that 2" thick cartlidge plate over thier boiler room makes them bleed out slow and not give a good blood trail, so right where the back of the eye meets the ear!

**thermaler** · 09-20-2014, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by 03mossy

I was supposed to go on a Hog hunt in January but it fell through. I also have a 1-7" .233 and I am working on loads with 70 grain barnes tsx. There a mean looking little bullet and hopfully someday I'll get to test them on hogs.

Exactly my approach.

**jsthntn247** · 09-30-2014, 05:08 PM

With a 1-7 twist go with the heaviest Barnes you can find and H4895 powder.

**thermaler** · 10-01-2014, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by jsthntn247

With a 1-7 twist go with the heaviest Barnes you can find and H4895 powder.

The only thing I'd keep in mind with the Barnes is the TTSX (with a polymer tip) is going to open more reliably at lower velocities than the non-tipped TSX's and might be a factor if you're thinking shooting medium/long range.

Luke45 · 10-02-2014, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by thermaler

The only thing I'd keep in mind with the Barnes is the TTSX (with a polymer tip) is going to open more reliably at lower velocities than the non-tipped TSX's and might be a factor if you're thinking shooting medium/long range.

Medium/long range body shots on large hogs with a 22 cal rifle may be pushing the line! 223 if fine within in limits but I would advise against longerish range shots with low BC stout construction bullets, passed 300 yards they may not open up when they drop in the teens of velocity. and that means a pig that's running for a
While!