Having hog problem on ranch. Looking for a good light weight rifle I can carry in truck and atv. Lots of brush but also some open pasture. Not wanting something I have to worry about the round traveling far if I miss. Need moderate to light recoil for wife and grandson also. Not a fan of the 223 as they are only good for pigs not the larger hogs Im seeing. Give me some suggestions to make my life easier. Thanks

Ruger 77/44, Marlin 336, and Ruger Mini 30 all come to mind.

AR in .308 or 6.5 creed

AR15 in 300blk is what you are looking for.

CZ 527 in 7.62x39

It's a nice little bolt action.

300 blackout

I guess not that light weight, but an old SKS could be thrown behind the seat...

SKS is also in 7.62x39. Not as cheap as they once were but still pretty cheap. Indestructible gun...

As many will suggest an AR (great option), the Howa or Ruger bolt guns in 7.62x39 could also fit your desire.

Any 30-30 is still a great hog gun.

Good old fashioned open site 30/30?

I've got a 7.62x39 AR that I use for same purpose

Marlin 1895 .45-70 Government Model

So you can REALLY kill them.

buddybee said:

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Looking for a good light weight rifle

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AR-15 or at least an AR platform rifle (.300 blackout, 6.5, etc). Customizable and you can certainly change it up based on preferred weight

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Not wanting something I have to worry about the round traveling far if I miss.

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Well, most rifle rounds are going to travel a long distance if they don't hit something so you're still going to have to be careful no matter what you choose.

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Need moderate to light recoil for wife and grandson also.

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Screams AR-15 or 300 blackout

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Not a fan of the 223 as they are only good for pigs not the larger hogs Im seeing.

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Last two hogs I've shot were with ARs and both dropped with single shots and didn't go more than 10 yards. Shot placement is key. 223/5.56 is plenty strong enough for hogs.

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Give me some suggestions to make my life easier.

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AR platform rifle in either 5.56/.223, 300 blackout, or 6.5 Grendel.

Henry
45-70

fightingfarmer09 said:

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CZ 527 in 7.62x39

It's a nice little bolt action.

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Dad-gum right it is

Ruger m77 hawkeye would be my choice though. 243 would fit the bill. Or 7mm08. Go ruger american if you want to go the cheaper but still very functional direction. They make a compact version in both models that are great

Get a AR chambered in 6.8spc, it fits all of your needs fairly easily.

Lots of solid selections here.

Personally I'd recommend the M134.

AR-15 in 5.56. I've had hogs swallow up a .308 broadside and keep going. Earhole 'em.

Recoil friendly. Lightweight. Can be compact. Irons or optics.

If you've truly got a hog problem, get a trap.

The 7.62x39 causes lots of damage. Dropped a hog the other day broadside.

Just go get an old beater SKS. Open sights. Barely any recoil.

ursusguy said:

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Any 30-30 is still a great hog gun.

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But it will likely ruin the coyote pelt if he is planning on skinning/selling them.

I recently bought a Henry 45 long colt. The all weather version is relatively light weight, easy to carry due to its length, and is low recoil

Would love to help you kill a few hogs if you are open to it.

I second the CZ in 7.62x39

Or Ruger American Ranch in .300BLk

Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39

Heavier calibers will obviously leave no doubt, but I do pretty well with my Mini 14 .223 with 65 grain expandable rounds. Love that gun! Of course, there have been a few that got away, but not if I hit them in the right spot. Admittedly, my kill rate is much better with my .308, but it isn't as much fun and has much more recoil. Pretty much no recoil with the Mini 14, which keeps your scope on the pigs longer and allows multiple shots.

According to a recent Facebook argument I was in, 300 WM or is the minimum appropriate round for Hogs.

buddybee said:

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Having hog problem on ranch. Looking for a good light weight rifle I can carry in truck and atv. Lots of brush but also some open pasture. Not wanting something I have to worry about the round traveling far if I miss. Need moderate to light recoil for wife and grandson also. Not a fan of the 223 as they are only good for pigs not the larger hogs Im seeing. Give me some suggestions to make my life easier. Thanks

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With any rifle you need to always assume the round could travel far if you miss.

30/30 with a low power scope would be perfect. Easy to maneuver quickly and the low power scope gives you a wide field of view.

If you are looking to keep the coyote pelts and skin them, then you'll need something a little different. A 22/250 would work well for the coyotes, but the hogs will laugh at that round.

jpb1999 said:

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I guess not that light weight, but an old SKS could be thrown behind the seat...

SKS is also in 7.62x39. Not as cheap as they once were but still pretty cheap. Indestructible gun...

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He's right you know...