Texas Hogs - Caliber Question

[cnelk]

Going on my first Texas hog hunt in February.
Open range, no fences.

I have good intel from buddies that hunted it last year and they said to bring
long range rifle for hunting big field edges and a short range rifle for hunting brush.

My long range rifle will be my .270

Here is my question:

My short range brush gun will be my .44 mag lever action

I have 2 loads for the 44 and was curious as to which load to take?

One is 280gr lead pushed by 20gr H110

The other is 225gr Hornady FTX pushed by 24gr H110

Thoughts?

 

[jm1607]

Man, I don't think it matters much..

I think anything out of a 44 should be plenty.. They're tough and have a tendency to just swallow up bullets and keep going, but just put it wear it's supposed to be and you should be good.. I've used a 9mm before with a heavy bullet and it did the job..

You should get fairly close shots. You may want to take something you can shoot fast, like an AR-10 or something. I almost always use my bow and usually get 5-30 yard shots all day long. Will depend on terrain though, if they are in the center of a field like your buddies said then you may have to take a long shot.. They can't see very well. Just play the wind and stay low. You really don't even need to wear camo..

What part of the state are you going to be in?

 

[gumbl3]

Those pigs are like roaches around here. Bring both loads and kill every one you see

 

[TradAg02]

IMO they build pigs up too much on tv. It is laughable how much they overstate the weight on pigs. They also try to make you believe that every pig will charge you. The few times I’ve been “charged” It has simply been because I was in their path of escape. I have also never found a shield (very rarely see them anyhow) that a bullet of any caliber or a sharp broadhead will not penetrate.

Even though they are not the dangerous game the media make them out to be, they are a blast to hunt. Bring the gun you are comfortable with, shoot them in the head or lungs and move on to the next one.


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[cnelk]

The place is somewhere around Coleman TX

 

[FlyGuy]

Man that ought to be a hoot with that lever action! I recently came into an old Marlin 30-30 and that's exactly what I have planned for it.



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[gumbl3]

Hit the ear hole and they go down with the smallest of rounds, this one was a .243

 

[Aporia]

Both loads will work just fine. They aren't that hard to kill with good shot placement.

I used to aim dead center of the neck but after processing a few of them shot that way, I realized their spine is actually higher.

Now I make an equilateral triangle between the eye and tip of the ear and the point of impact will be right on the spine at the base of the skull. DRT, not even any twitching.

Got this guy using 223 and night optic last spring around midnight.

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[JWP58]

Either/or. A 22mag or hornet on up will kill pigs. Take either round and slay them.

 

[Cdpp880]

Both will be just fine. Like some have already said they are not as tough as most make them out to be. I have killed hundreds with a 64gr 223 and never felt underguned. I do think an AR with a decent bullet would be better suited than a lever 44 but it would work just fine.

 

[wytx]

Both are great choices. The smaller 44 bullet will work just fine. My 44 mag winchester is my brush gun for hogs and it works great. They can and will have a thick shield on the boars and I have seen 22 cal. bullets not penetrate it. Our family place does not allow 223 anymore due to wounding and lost recoveries.
They have incredible sense of smell but eyesight is bad. With good wind you can sneak right up on them in the open.
Yes they tend to over estimate hog weights on tv but be prepared for anything over 200 lbs, they are pretty common that size. They are also built like tanks. You'll be surprised how heavy a relatively small pig feels when dragging.
Have fun and don't be afraid to eat em up to about 200 lbs on boars. You'll know if he's too stinky to eat right away.

 

[cnelk]

I do think an AR with a decent bullet would be better suited than a lever 44 but it would work just fine.

I dont own an AR platform gun, not my gig.
Last count I think I have 5 lever guns in the safe

I been using lever actions for the past 40+ yrs and Im sure I can keep up with most using an AR

 

[Cdpp880]

I dont own an AR platform gun, not my gig.
Last count I think I have 5 lever guns in the safe

I been using lever actions for the past 40+ yrs and Im sure I can keep up with most using an AR

I would take someone that is proficient and accurate with a lever gun over a guy that just bought a cool new ar rifle and does not know how to operate it well. Both will work just fine in the right hand. Just my experience that an ar is easier to get on a new target quicker. And down hear the goal is normally kill as many as possible. Take what you can shoot the best and have fun.