Hog Caliber

[CenCalChris]

I think I read somewhere that CA regs for big game hunting is no caliber less than .223, is that true. I have access to a sweat .22-250 and need to know if I can use it to shoot hogs in CA.

 

[ltdann]

CCR says centerfire cartridges. Generally, the 22-250 is considered a varmint round and I'm not sure its appropriate for big game, particularly tough feral hogs. Most folks think bigger is better when talking about hogs.

 

[White Mamba]

There are no size restrictions for centerfire on big game.

 

[CenCalChris]

I will have the first shot with a 30.06, but if a "roaster" was walking around he would take the second. I just need to know if that is legal. If not we will not take a shot with the .22-250 at anything but a varmit.

 

[ltdann]

If its centerfire its legal.

 

[CenCalChris]

Thanks guys, now all I have to do is find a non-lead ammo. Does anyone know of one?

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

Can you do it? Yes....Would I recommend it? No....

Of course shot "placement" is everything. We have ALL heard that before and I couldnt agree more. Pigs are built like tanks, things happen in the field where when you pull the trigger the round does not go exactly where intended. Personally, I would want a heavier bullet to give me that little "insurance" my hog is gonna drop in it's tracks or a short distance away. I know one guide in central cal who hunts hogs with nothing but a .223 rem. I can only speak for myself, but I like the bigger heavier bullets on those nasty pigs...:two cents:

 

[CenCalChris]

HogHunter, even on a smaller, younger pig.

 

[RoosterKiller]

Remington makes a good non-lead round

 

[Fugaloo]

I think it's a double edged sword. On one hand, the 22-250 is generally more accurate than a bigger round, which theoretically gives you more range. However it's ability to punch through the armor plated shoulder is questionable at best. With that said if you can put it right behind his ear it's dead right there. So with the smaller caliber a brain shot is the only thing I would go for, but with that round it should be easier to pull off than with a heavier, and less flat shooting round.

 

[myfriendis410]

I DID shoot a big hog (165 lbs. gutted boar) with my 22-250. (see photo)

A LOT!!!

Emptied the gun into him after I missed screwing it into his eye (low) and he decided it was time to un-a$$ the AO. Put four more rounds into his neck while running and he kinda slowed up, stopped, thought about it and keeled over dead.

You can do it. I would NOT recommend it. I did it only 'cause it was what was in my hands at the time. Great on squirrels. Use it for that.

 

[larrysogla]

My personal preference is nothing smaller than a .30 caliber. If I were shooting a .22 centerfire...............then I would use a Barnes all copper hollow point and head and neck shots only to drop the hog as quickly as possible. I am not a fan of tracking and chasing after wounded hogs. Dropping the hogs as quickly as possible is my cup of tea.
Only .30 caliber rifles for me or bigger calibers.
'NUff said
larrysogla

 

[freezer]

The bigger the better! The first pig I saw I hit with a 168 Gr 308 moving at aprox 2900 fps. It was a running shot and I blew him off his feet at 50 yrds. He tumbled into a ravine. Went to get him and he was gone! No blood no trail! I found two drops of blood in an hour of tracking. The bigger the better!

 

[larrysogla]

My preferred hog gun is my Tikka 300 Win. Magnum loaded with 180 grain Barnes X at 3,500 foot pounds of impact energy. Enough to pass through tail to throat on a 200 lb. hog. As Spectr17 keeps saying........animals leak oil better with 2 bullet holes(entry and exit hole). Even with a medium sized hog running away from me.......there is that confidence that a tail running away shot will have enough penetration to reach the vitals. The expanded petals of the Barnes X do a lot of damage on the hog innards, so much so that one medium sized hog looked like the innards was run over by a tornado. Barnes all copper hollow points or some other equivalent tough constuction bullet and plenty of muzzle horsepower and adequate caliber size can make a difference between a wounded lost hog or a bacon in the freezer. I haven't recovered any of my .300 Win. Mag. bullets or my .338 Win. Magnum (225 grain Barnes X at 3,800 ft. lbs. of impact energy)bullets either. Those medium sized hogs don't have enough body mass to stop the powerful bullets in their torso. I don't have the money or the time to waste a killing opportunity when the hog comes into play. Dropping the hog as quickly as possible is the name of the game. Again, if using a 22 centerfire, load the Barnes all copper hollow points or equivalent and head and neck shots only.
'Nuff said
larrysogla

 

[oldskool67]

I like my 45-70

 

[huntley]

.300 Winchester Short Magnum. A bit more balistically efficent than a .300 Win Mag, but either is an excellent choice. Just make sure the gun isn't too light, or you'll get beat up by recoil. A 180 Grain pill will get it done. All of this said, shot placement is key, but a larger caliber gives you a bit more room for error.

 

[MtnCruzr]

Best choice in my opinion is the trusty .270, best for both accuracy and knockdown. :bounce-aqua:

 

[SoJo]

+1 what mtnCruzer said...when using my rifle I use a .270. However I was only able to find 130gr copper...that didn't matter much as I got my last hog with these bullets. my shot was a low neck/spine shot that exited out the other shoulder..angled down and away when I shot.

 

[CenCalChris]

Thanks to everyone's input. I see now that the shot is going to have to be a select one. Small pig, Close range, and at the brain. If that shot does not present itself, the ethical thing to do would be to pass it up. Thanks Again.

 

[.243]

I guess it's already been said, but find a caliber your comfortable shooting. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot and when your done, shoot some more. The largest calibers with the heaviest bullets and the most "energy" will kill. But..........how well can you place a shot with a rifle is more important than HEADSTAMP! Good luck and enjoy the copper. It's your friend. Many of hogs have been killed with the little TSX.