Solo Texas hog stalking with 6mm arc

[AZsniper]

Would like some input from people who night hunt Texas hogs. I have access to 1000 acre ranch and plan to start stalking hogs from dusk to midnight. I will do this alone a lot. Thinking about getting a 6mm arc upper and using 103gr ELDX suppressed. Hogs can be aggressive sometimes and large, and I will be alone. Just want to confirm I am ok with that round. I know 6.5 creed and 308 are more power but they are heavier and so loud. I really don’t want to go AR10 platform if I can avoid it. I have looked at the 350 legend uppers too, but there are so many reports of jamming mags and upper issues. Just wondering if there are any other suggestions. I have called coyotes and mountain lions in AZ for years so I am used to hunting solo. Just want input on 6mm/243 with hogs at less than 75 yards.

 

[ACHILLES]

What barrel length you thinking, and do you care about finding them after their hit?

 

[TxxAgg]

Pigs aren’t dangerous. You’ll be good with anything.

 

[AZsniper]

What barrel length you thinking, and do you care about finding them after their hit?

Thinking 16in, with a green light and illuminated scope. We can’t use thermal in AZ so I don’t want to get used to it in TX. The big ones I will drag to a pit on my hitch, I will harvest some small ones.

 

[AZsniper]

What barrel length you thinking, and do you care about finding them after their hit?

I have looked at a 12in 6.5 Grendel pistol carbine but lots of hunting ammo is no longer made. Seems to be going obsolete.

 

[JRMiller]

Is this east or west texas, terrain and shooting distances are quite different

 

[AZsniper]

Is this east or west texas, terrain and shooting distances are quite different

Pan handle. I have been told 75 yards is about the longest shot there.

 

[RWT]

Most danger you will get from a pig is fleas and ticks getting on you when you drag them off. I use a 16” 6.5 Grendel on my thermal You will be fine.

I moved from the 223 as it doesn’t incapacitate as quickly as the 6.5. I hate dragging them out of the brush at night. I prefer the DRT and the 6.5G does that better than a 223.

 

[SDHNTR]

Pig danger is Hollywood myth. Shoot whatever you want. This time of year, I’d be way more concerned with snakes.

 

[North of 60]

Pigs and AKs are a lot of up close fun

You'll do fine with 6mm, and if warm/hot out, definitely watch out for snakes.

 

[Wprinkle]

Not sure what part of Texas you are in or experience level you have at this but if you want to go on a hunt or two let me know. I go almost every night. My tactics are a little different as my goal is kill as many as I can as fast as I can but I hunt solo 90% of the time for hogs. The 6mm anything is an absolutely amazing cartridge for this. I am really fond if the 108 ELDM's in mine. I sold the Grendels after the first night of using a 6 ARC.

As to being worried about "charging or aggressive" hogs. The only time I have EVER been charged is when I have gotten into trailers or pens with captured hogs.. That shit may happen is russia or Hollywood but in (quick math) 2,000+- nights I have walked into hogs I have never been charged or worried about a charge.

We hunt em with dogs and knife em in the winter and even then I have never been cut, Catch dogs get cut sometimes. In the panhandle worry more about snakes than Hogs. In heavy hog areas they won't rattle anymore.

Good luck and if you have questions or anything I am happy to help.

EDIT: May be different in your area but.. hogs are very easily patternable. Locations, times, where they hold up and where they run too.

 

[AZsniper]

Not sure what part of Texas you are in or experience level you have at this but if you want to go on a hunt or two let me know. I go almost every night. My tactics are a little different as my goal is kill as many as I can as fast as I can but I hunt solo 90% of the time for hogs. The 6mm anything is an absolutely amazing cartridge for this. I am really fond if the 108 ELDM's in mine. I sold the Grendels after the first night of using a 6 ARC.

As to being worried about "charging or aggressive" hogs. The only time I have EVER been charged is when I have gotten into trailers or pens with captured hogs.. That shit may happen is russia or Hollywood but in (quick math) 2,000+- nights I have walked into hogs I have never been charged or worried about a charge.

We hunt em with dogs and knife em in the winter and even then I have never been cut, Catch dogs get cut sometimes. In the panhandle worry more about snakes than Hogs. In heavy hog areas they won't rattle anymore.

Good luck and if you have questions or anything I am happy to help.

EDIT: May be different in your area but.. hogs are very easily patternable. Locations, times, where they hold up and where they run too.

Thank you my friend. I will hit you up when I get a little closer to going. I will probably go a lot right after deer season.

 

[kcm2]

Pigs want to escape danger but yes, some are quite dangerous. I spot and stalk with a bow, and have killed several dozen at 5-15 yards. Find water. Find mud, if it's hot. Use the wind. You'll find them. Corn the road to get them out. A pig is a life support system for an appetite.

 

[sierracharlie338]

The Arc will be fine. On the 6.5G side I don’t think it’s going anywhere. My local store had at least 400 rounds on the shelf yesterday when I was wondering around in it.

 

[justinspicher]

This sounds like a good time.

 

[ACHILLES]

Thinking 16in, with a green light and illuminated scope. We can’t use thermal in AZ so I don’t want to get used to it in TX. The big ones I will drag to a pit on my hitch, I will harvest some small ones.

16” 6ARC will be fine. My neighbor has been sending me thermal videos of him shooting pigs with his 16” 6ARC bolt gun.

I have looked at a 12in 6.5 Grendel pistol carbine but lots of hunting ammo is no longer made. Seems to be going obsolete.

12” Grendel works great at short ranges. Id buy factory 90gr cx ammo. The black ammo works good too but has more drop and the 123s work great but they don’t exit on bigger pigs and their hide/fat seals the entrance so there’s no blood.
My 12” runs 123s at 2280 with black ammo and 97gr absolute hammer hand loads are 2480fps.
I run a 12” 22arc now as well.
Really anything will work. My buddy and I have killed a lot of pigs with 16-20” 223rems and thermals with neck and head shots.
Even if it’s just for one trip, if you can afford to take a good thermal do it and make your good experience even better. You won’t regret it.

 

[AZsniper]

16” 6ARC will be fine. My neighbor has been sending me thermal videos of him shooting pigs with his 16” 6ARC bolt gun.



12” Grendel works great at short ranges. Id buy factory 90gr cx ammo. The black ammo works good too but has more drop and the 123s work great but they don’t exit on bigger pigs and their hide/fat seals the entrance so there’s no blood.
My 12” runs 123s at 2280 with black ammo and 97gr absolute hammer hand loads are 2480fps.
I run a 12” 22arc now as well.
Really anything will work. My buddy and I have killed a lot of pigs with 16-20” 223rems and thermals with neck and head shots.
Even if it’s just for one trip, if you can afford to take a good thermal do it and make your good experience even better. You won’t regret it.

Good input. Thank you my friend.

 

[AZsniper]

16” 6ARC will be fine. My neighbor has been sending me thermal videos of him shooting pigs with his 16” 6ARC bolt gun.



12” Grendel works great at short ranges. Id buy factory 90gr cx ammo. The black ammo works good too but has more drop and the 123s work great but they don’t exit on bigger pigs and their hide/fat seals the entrance so there’s no blood.
My 12” runs 123s at 2280 with black ammo and 97gr absolute hammer hand loads are 2480fps.
I run a 12” 22arc now as well.
Really anything will work. My buddy and I have killed a lot of pigs with 16-20” 223rems and thermals with neck and head shots.
Even if it’s just for one trip, if you can afford to take a good thermal do it and make your good experience even better. You won’t regret it.

Do you know anyone who uses a 350 legend upper? Ammo is cheap and all my shots will be under 100 yards. Plus there are 300 grain subsonic options. I hear they jam a lot, but I think a lot of people try and just swap the barrel. I would get a dedicated complete upper. From what I have read the jamming is a common issue with that strait wall cartridge.