.243 FOR PIGS?

[Herb D]

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GOING PIG HUNTING ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS THINKING ABOUT LETTING MY NEPHEW BORROW MY .243.

HAS ANYBODY HAD ANY EXPERIENCE USING THIS CALIBER ON PIGS?

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES.

HERB D

 

[EVAN III]

Herb D, first off let me say, welcome to Jesse's

.243 will take a pig, it's probly not the best choice, but it will work if it's the only thing you've got. Be sure to site in with at least a 100 gr. quality bullet. Shot placement will be very important. One last thing, you might not want to shoot any fairly large pigs with it. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[SDHNTR]

It'll work. I've seen it done a couple times. But Evan is right, its not the best caliber. Definitely go with a 100 gr pill. A Nosler Partition would be a great choice for the penetration needed. Stay within 100 yards and you should be fine, just don't shoot a big nasty boar. You'll just make him mad.

 

[yotegetter]

I carry one for it. I've sighted it in for 100 gr. Core-lokt. You might want to sight it in for 100 gr if you normally use it as a varmint gun with 55 gr. There's a difference on it. Haven't taken one yet with the .243, but plan to on my next pig. I've known and talked to guys that have taken pigs with a .243. The Remington 100 gr core-lokt seem to work fine, as I'm told. I'm not that happy with the groups I'm getting with Remington ammo, but I guess will have to do until I get on reloading 100 gr. on the .243 . Then again, it's the first shot that counts if you miss and the pig rushes outta there.

 

[DILPRXO]

Hi Herb,
Have to agree with the other posters in that the .243 will do the job but is marginally up to the task.If its to the point where thats all you have and its that or your nephew can't go by all means let him use it.I believe Federal loads Noslers in their preium line for .243. Not sure what else your taking, but if thats the only rifle you have ..might want to consider taking a shotgun with slugs to "back him up". 12ga slugs have a wonderful way of settling down aggitated pigs if the need should arise.

 

[Hogskin]

If you're nephew isn't a skilled shot, I'd recommend against it. Not enough oomph, but that's JMHO.

Regards,
Paul

 

[prohunter]

I have to diagree! The .243 is plenty of gun for hogs and just about any wild game in North America! I know I am opening up a can of worms here, but I can prove it!

 

[Hogskin]

I think this is like the .270 for elk question. There's going to be plenty of intelligent folks on both sides of the argument and there's probably no "right" answer but my experience seeing it in action was not at all impressive (compared to bigger calibers). I believe that there is good reason that many of the guides & private ranches in California specify a minimum .30 caliber to hunt hogs with them. I'd prefer to squeeze the trigger and have the critter on his side sliding to a stop, rather than running a long way but I'm fat and don't like to hike any more than I have to so maybe that's just me.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Gus]

It all depends on what kind of shot you are with the gun. I personally use a 22-250 for all the hunting that I do. The largest hog I have killed so far was around 300# and one shot behind the ear did the trick.

 

[docapi]

I look at these type of questions like this-
On any given species you are going to get to the smaller calibers where 50% of the people (the more conservative ones) are going to say that the given caliber is marginal or too small. The other 50% are going to say that it is just fine.
On Elk it is at the .270 level.
On deer it is at the .22cal centerfire level.
On pigs it seems to be at the .243 level.
I have a tendency to stay on the more conservative side of the discussion. I like the peace of mind of knowing that I am carrying an undisputedly adequate caliber for my hunting situation. There are no right or wrong answers to these "marginal" caliber questions but it seems to me if half say it is fine and the other half say it isn't, then that makes it a marginal caliber by definition.

That being said, if it is a choice between using a marginal caliber or not hunting at all, then I would shoot what I got. Just be a little more selective with your shots and keep the range down to ensure a clean shot.

 

[jpeaston]

Prohunter is right,
the .243 is just right for hogs, of the last ten or so hogs i've murdered, only one went farther than 50 yards, and he was pullin six feet of guts. the 100 grain win supremes are downright devastating. one of the hogs i shot had about a eight inch hole on the other side, filled with sausage. if you don't want them to run, "shoot 'em in the nnneeck", all those guys that need .30 cals, are the kind of guys that are scared to "do it" with the lights on.
suck it easy,
jp

 

[Hogskin]

 

[jpeaston]

Hogskin,
whats that suppose to mean?

 

[Hogskin]

jpeaston,

Welcome to JHP. As to my post, it means that you're not going to win any friends here with posts like that. So far you've got all of about 4 posts under your belt and most have been boorish. We enjoy lively, civilized debate here but check your childish insults at the door.

Regards,
Paul

 

[jpeaston]

i only have four posts because i just found the site about two hours ago. the post wasn't meant to hurt your feelings, believe it or not i'm thankful for people like you. if you ever find your self in my part of the woods i would feel priviledged to have you stay at my house, i'll leave the lights on for you.
thanks for your concern,
jp




p.s. if you ever get tired of that hogskin, i've heard a bannana peel works good too!


oops, there i go again being immature. (boorish?)

 

[Hogskin]

jp,

Insults from guys like you roll off me like water off a duck's back. My feelings don't hurt easily but I've got to tell you, you're on the edge of a crumbling cliff. Cool it and act like a gentleman or hit the bricks. We're not going to put up with it.

Regards,
Paul

 

[DILPRXO]

Thanks hogskin

 

[songdog]

Hogskin is a pretty level headed guy so if you get his dander up you've had to work at it.

As for the original question - like most have said - a .243 will do it at moderate ranges with premium bullets. If you're going out to buy a "pig gun" then there are definitely better calibers but if it's what you have in the safe at the moment, by all means pick a good bullet and use it in good health.

If we want contraversy in this thread let me at least pull it back to a shooting related contraversy... Calling the .270 the minimum for elk has always puzzled me. Personally, I've always felt that the .25-06, .260, .264 WM rounds were the "contraversial" edge calibers for elk. The .270 has to be in the top 5 if not the top 3 choices for an elk round (at least those that have been killed with it).

So... there's your contraversy. Anyone who doesn't shoot an elk with a Ruger #1 in .270 is a sissy (how's that for name calling?).

 

[Speckmisser]

Let's maintain civility. No point in making things personal. And like F Gump says, "That's all I have to say about that."

As to the question at hand, I think it's been well answered. Yes, a .243 with 100 grain bullets will work. But depending on the marksman behind the scope and the situation in the field, it can be marginal. If your nephew has the option of using more gun, it would be worthwhile.

It's not a question of machismo, but simply increasing the odds of a good, clean kill in less-than perfect circumstances. Hogs are tough animals. In my opinion (widely shared) a .243 is bare minimum for shooting them.

 

[Hogskin]

Sissy?? Who you callin' a sissy? Why I oughtta.... Actually, Songdog, to clarify the .270 reference I think that it's plenty for elk. I saw a couple shot with them up in Oregon, some really BIG bulls, and was impressed with the amount of damage they did. I was always told to shoot elk until they lay down (implicit in that statement is that they'll have to take several before they say, "nighty-night") but I saw two bulls take lead pills from a .270 and just fall right over. SO in my enormous experience of seeing 7 elk killed, the .270 seems more than adequate. My previous comments were in reference to the .243 being enough gun for oinkers.

And with the wisdom of Solomon, Hogskin settles yet another long-running debate.

Regards,
Paul