Boar Hunting – Enough Rifle
Question:
I am going on a boar hunt in Florida next week. I have a .338 Win. Mag., however, my right shoulder is giving me some problems and I’m not sure if it is wise to use that big rifle. I have a .243 and ammo loaded with 90 Gr. Nosler Partitions. Question; Is the .243 adequate for boar if the shot is well placed, and I am in a tree stand? I guess if it isn’t, I’ll live with the discomfort and use the .338.
Response:
>I am going on a boar hunt in Florida next week. I have a .338 Win. Mag., >however, my right shoulder is giving me some problems and I’m not sure if >it is wise to use that big rifle. >I have a .243 and ammo loaded with 90 Gr. Nosler Partitions. >Question; Is the .243 adequate for boar if the shot is well placed, and I >am in a tree stand? >I guess if it isn’t, I’ll live with the discomfort and use the .338.
I have killed many, many boar with all calibers. My regular, all around rifle is a .300 WBY MAG which kills boar clean, fast and easy. With the really big guys, 300lbs plus, bigger is actually better! However, I have also killed pigs with everything from a Ruger 10/22 shooting longs to my grandfather’s beat to @ old Winchester ‘94, just make sure your close and a good shot. With the .22 I was running along side the 250lb pig shooting it in the head (several times), not a pleasant situation! But, my hunting partner of many years, also a major boar hunter routinely shoots a .243 and has no problems. Again, keep in mind, he is an excellent shot. Good luck, and don’t piss off the pigs, they bite! Scott Anderson
Response:
I agree that the .243 is enough if a lung shot is used and Nosler Partition bullets are used in 100 grains. In fact, an elk guide I hunted with uses this rig on elk. Just don’t use varmit weight bullets. If your aim is off and you hit the shoulder you will have a creater and no penetration. — Jeff
Response:
Agreed a pig needs a big bullet. I got the same thing from my German Guide. What you did not bring your 30-06? Maybe Elmer Keith was right Bigger is better. But I am still not giving my 6.5X57R or my Sako 270 Win. Later John
Response:
>I just returned from hunting Boar in West Texas this past weekend. One of the >people in our hunting party shot a boar (appx175 pds.) at 150 yards broadside >with a .308 150 grain remington soft point. While the pig was definately hit, >light blood color-little blodd loss, and bone fragments and lung tissue mixed >into the blood, we never found the pig. We did note that it ran about >a half mile before we noticed any blood trail. I have shot a hog broadside at
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Where at in West Texas? Jason Price Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
