Originally Posted By: sprkplug
I have never been a "big" game hunter, preferring small game instead, but I must confess to harboring a secret desire to go after a hog. I doubt I ever will, seeing as how there aren't any around here, but the idea certainly appeals to me. I wouldn't kill it if I couldn't eat it, so I guess that would mean a smaller animal for me.

What caliber is needed to reliably put one down?


Hogs might be closer than you think. There are some pockets of them in Indiana where they escaped from hog farms, or high fenced operations. Not much is said about them, but if you search enough on the DNR website, you can find where those pockets are located. Private land, so asking permission is a must.

As for caliber, it all depends on where you hit 'em. My buddy used a .44 Mag pistol, and went thru 2 reloads before putting it down. In the excitement he put his trigger finger too far onto the trigger and was pulling the shots right. .223 with good bullets work, but I'd want something heavier if the hogs are bigger and you haven't done a LOT of practicing shooting. Last few times I've used my Savage Muzzleloader, .50 cal and I was shooting a 350g .458" Barnes "X" bullet or the .458" 300g Barnes "X" Bullet, both moving around 2400 fps. or a tad quicker. They never moved once they got hit. wink

I wouldn't hesitate to use my .243 with a Barnes TSX bullet.

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