Howdy Ags, looking at participating in my first hog hunt and was curious what set up i should use.

I have both a 16" AR-15 rifle in .223 and a 7.5" AR-15 Pistol in .300BLK. I'm leaning toward using the .223 rifle chambered in hog-variant cartridges but hey I'm no ballistics expert. I imagine we wont be more than 100-150 yards out if that.

I'm obviously a newb at this, any thoughts, advice, resources, etc.?

Bring/use both.

I think it depends on your company, if you are hunting with anybody but your best friends just stick with the .223, but no problem with bringing both as a backup

Unless your 300BLK is suppressed, that is gonna be one loud SOB.

I agree with GSS unless the 300blkout is suppressed I wouldn't bring it.

Depends on if you're shooting 77 gr bullets in the 223 or not. If your shooting the standard bulk packaged 62 gr, I would leave it in the truck.

Similarly in 300 blk, if you're shooting the big and slow bullets (anything 180 gr and above) I would stick with 223.

Ideally with those 2 options, I'd hoot 110 gr 300 blk. It will perform better than 223.

Obviously a good expanding bullet like an SST or Sierra Game King, etc is essential.

Doesn't matter. .223 is cheaper.

Secolobo said:

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Doesn't matter. .223 is cheaper.

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this.

Capt. Augustus McCrae said:

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Depends on if you're shooting 77 gr bullets in the 223 or not. If your shooting the standard bulk packaged 62 gr, I would leave it in the truck.

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Nonsense. 62gr will kill a pig just fine.

All about that shot placement baby! 223 around the head/neck area will put them down in their tracks

highvelocity said:

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All about that shot placement baby!

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Accuracy through volume.

My strategy is to pick the biggest one in the group, drop that one and then go call of duty on the rest of the groups ass haha

BurrOak said:

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Capt. Augustus McCrae said:

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Depends on if you're shooting 77 gr bullets in the 223 or not. If your shooting the standard bulk packaged 62 gr, I would leave it in the truck.

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Nonsense. 62gr will kill a pig just fine.

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You can kill a pig with a pellet gun if you shoot it in the right spot too.

I think you know what I meant.

Capt. Augustus McCrae said:

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BurrOak said:

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Capt. Augustus McCrae said:

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Depends on if you're shooting 77 gr bullets in the 223 or not. If your shooting the standard bulk packaged 62 gr, I would leave it in the truck.

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Nonsense. 62gr will kill a pig just fine.

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Not sure I would recommend a target HP over a "bulk packaged 62 gr" (not sure what that even is, FMJ I suppose). This offering might be a good compromise, at $8/bx of 20--
62 gr Bonded SP

The usual caveat also applies...nothing else we hunt can vary in size, as much a feral hogs. So the "perfect/best" cartridge doesn't really exist.

DeWrecking Crew said:

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I think it depends on your company, if you are hunting with anybody but your best friends just stick with the .223, but no problem with bringing both as a backup

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Quote:

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Unless your 300BLK is suppressed, that is gonna be one loud SOB.

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Edit: Assuming this is an invitation (not paid) hunt, the object is to get invited back on future hunts. Depending on who's attending, being the loud "300BLK pistol guy," might not help your case. It's less about ballistics to me than "getting a feel for the group," on your first outing.

Take the 7.5" for the inevitable shooting/range session after the hunt.

highvelocity said:

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All about that shot placement baby! 223 around the head/neck area will put them down in their tracks

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12th time was the charm!

text me back bish

.223 with a hunting round. FMJ just punches holes in them and does not put them down immediately.

Our preference is the Federal Premium Gold.

30-06 is an even better choice.

I shoot pigs with a 62 grain soft point in 223 or a 110 grain barns TSX in 300 blackout both work good with good shot placement.

Cole

Owning both 5.56 and 300BLK carbines..... Two words of advice.

1. If you're taking both guns on the trip, be very careful with your ammo. A 300BLK round in a 5.56 rifle will NOT end well.

2. Seriously consider an inexpensive bolt gun in 300BLK. The Ruger American Ranch Rifle is an awesome gun in 300BLK. They run $375-ish. With a decent scope you can comfortably go 100 yds+ with subsonic, 200 yds with supersonic. Good gun for alot of places in Texas.

Then slap a can on the bolt gun.
It's alot of fun sniping hogs with a suppressed rifle....

5.56 FMJ to the lungs kills them But the run off. Either use hollow points or head shots or both.

In 556 I use 69 grain AMax and it has never let me down. Deer, hogs, coyotes...drops them all inside 200.

I also use M193 and it is extremely effective. The bullet used in M193 is not an FMJ although it looks like one. Very effective.

There are two red cans in the shop that will go out the door in case of emergency, one holds a case of IMI M193, the other a case of 77 grain Mk262 Mod 0.

Whichever has cheaper ammo. Light em up!!

ghollow said:

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.223 with a hunting round. FMJ just punches holes in them and does not put them down immediately.

Our preference is the Federal Premium Gold.

30-06 is an even better choice.

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This. Make sure you get an expanding bullet. Better odds than FMJ. Like mentioned, if your shot placement is good enough it won't matter. Can't say mine always is.

Naveronski said:

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highvelocity said:

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All about that shot placement baby!

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Accuracy through volume.

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Coworker still won't let me borrow his SAW for hunting. Punk

Neither. Borrow a 308 and shoot 180 grain bullets. Won't have to wonder if you hit a big one.

Mas89 said:

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Neither. Borrow a 308 and shoot 180 grain bullets. Won't have to wonder if you hit a big one.

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Truth, although 150 grain is plenty with a 308.

Yeah but I really like to hear the extra thump!!!

I must be doing it wrong but almost all of my pigs have been killed with 53 or 55 gr ammo. Very few required followup shots.

I use 64gr Winchester SP and they handle the biggest hogs jus fine. I have also taken a lot of deer with that bullet.

P.U.T.U said:

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Naveronski said:

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highvelocity said:

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All about that shot placement baby!

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Accuracy through volume.

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Coworker still won't let me borrow his SAW for hunting. Punk

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Which is why you call him a coworker and not a friend.

Strongwind86 said:

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Owning both 5.56 and 300BLK carbines..... Two words of advice.

1. If you're taking both guns on the trip, be very careful with your ammo. A 300BLK round in a 5.56 rifle will NOT end well.

2. Seriously consider an inexpensive bolt gun in 300BLK. The Ruger American Ranch Rifle is an awesome gun in 300BLK. They run $375-ish. With a decent scope you can comfortably go 100 yds+ with subsonic, 200 yds with supersonic. Good gun for alot of places in Texas.

Then slap a can on the bolt gun.
It's alot of fun sniping hogs with a suppressed rifle....

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#2 but 7.62x39 and no can

Mas89 said:

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Yeah but I really like to hear the extra thump!!!

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Doc Hayworth said:

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I use 64gr Winchester SP and they handle the biggest hogs jus fine. I have also taken a lot of deer with that bullet.

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Same here.

I'm gonna try hunting with an open sight AK and a spot light sometime soon