MIni 30 for hogs?

[calicop70]

Hey guys im a newbie to hunting, I was wondering if a Mini 30 would be any good for hogs. I tried a search but I coudnt find anything. I want a semi auto rifle bigger then a .223, but I dont want to spend an arm and a leg. I can get a new Mini 30 for about $750 out the door.

I appreiate the help.
Robert

 

[TogaLive]

Welcome to the sport! Well I haven't been in the rifle shooting business for too long (started out in archery) but from the general looks of it a mini30 should do the trick imho. Really its more of an issue of practice and shot placement then anything else, I'd be willing to bet there are plenty of people out there that take pigs regularly with smaller caliber cartridges, simply because they have the practice to back up their shots and feel comfortablee doing so. Also, if your looking to do something other then a semiautomatic I personally picked up my Marlin XL7 in .270 for about $300 and it shoots great! Plus a bit cheaper rifle, depending on your budget, would leave more spending money for a good quality scope. I think if I remember correctly, the general rule if your planning on buying a hunting rifle that you will be sticking a good scope on, the rule is to be willing to spend anywhere from about half of what you originally spent on your rifle, all the way up to equal to how much you paid for your rifle. Just dont skimp on your rifle when it comes time to decide what to get. And remember, when it comes to any shooting sport, especially hunting, practice makes perfect, not the scope, as I'm sure your familiar with being a cop

 

[myfriendis410]

Are you expecting combat pigs? Seriously, all you need is one round properly placed. A bolt rifle in any of the commonly available calibers i.e. .270, .30-06, 7mm r.m. etc. will do you just fine and you will have an easier time of finding hunting ammo in that caliber. 7.62 X 39 is comparable to the older 30-30, but shoots a lighter bullet and is commonly only found in "ball" which is illegal for game. You can buy a Weatherby Vanguard for under $500 and spend $300 on a VXII Leupold and be ahead of the game already. That's my advice.

 

[boar slayer]

this round is only recomended on hogs up 90 lbs per dfg info and range is not veary good max distace accurate 100 yds if you have 750 to spend there are many better choices out thier if a semi auto is what your looking for check out the pawn shops in your area its bad times people are selling all kinds of stuff cheap . also the mini 30 may become an assault rifle and then you cant hunt with it on public land

 

[XDHUNTER]

Welcome to JHO! Have you look at the browning BAR family? a little expensive but you can get them with your budget if you look around.like gun broker.com guns america.com or other gun dealers.On the caliber you want(223) i'll go a little higher 270,or the 30 family, just my 2 cents.I love my BAR for close encounter situation.you can pump two or three on the vitals in split seconds.I know a lot of JHO members like the BAR, they will chime for sure.
good luck.

XD

 

[Speckmisser]

Calico, why do you want a semi-auto? For most big game hunting, that rapid follow-up shot really isn't necessary. You're generally better with a slower, carefully placed second shot than hosing down the woods. But if you want it because you like semi-autos, that's a good enough reason.

The round is suitable under proper conditions, but it's not a great round for hog hunting. There are so many better options that it doesn't really make great sense to handicap yourself with a marginal caliber.

 

[EvBouret]

I have friends that hunt with 7.62 and kill hogs, but it is less than an ideal round for California hunting. All the people I know who use this round are making shots on running hogs through thick brush at less than 50 yards. They all hunt with dogs and use the rifle to kill or slow down the runaways.

For the same price you can pick up a nice used bolt action with a decent scope on top. I bought my Ruger M77 30-06 for 450$ in lightly used condition, this will leave you with 300$ for a premium scope.

For a close range 75-100 yard brush gun: the mini 30 will do fine.

 

[bigboarstopper]

If yer looking for a decent hunting rifle dont get a semi auto. They have the highest tendancy to fail on you when you need it. Especially if your new to hunting. Id look up weatherby online. Most folks dont know but Weatherby right now has a deal on their vanguard line of bolt action rifles. 399$ I swear. Look em up. You cant get a Weatherby for less than a 1000 bucks. Its their baseline model though. But its has an accuracy guarantee. They put three rounds through the rifle at 100 yards and sent the target with the rifle so you know it groups well. Just got mine. Its sweet

 

[bigboarstopper]

Oh yea. Google "mini 30 accuracy". It is horrible. The gun is almost usless past 100 yards. Id be impressed if somone could hit a pie plate consistantly past 100 yards with one. Im sure somone has one that will do it after selecting the ammo it likes to shoot but for the most part I havent found anybody who would choose one as a hunting rifle.

 

[richracer1]

Hey guys im a newbie to hunting, I was wondering if a Mini 30 would be any good for hogs. I tried a search but I coudnt find anything. I want a semi auto rifle bigger then a .223, but I dont want to spend an arm and a leg. I can get a new Mini 30 for about $750 out the door.

I appreiate the help.
Robert

Vanguards are selling for about $400. A Rem SPS is around $450 - $500. Also check out the Savage line. Most of these rifles and a decent scope will keep you around the $750-$800 mark you're will to pay for a mini-30. LIke previously mentioned, look at the following 270/7mm anything/308 Win/30-06/300 anything.

 

[m57jager]

Browning BAR or Remington makes a semi now. Check gunbroker.com for used and good prices.

 

[EvBouret]

Check out Browning BAR Lightweight Stalker...they have all kinds of big calibers in a semi action

Also check out the Ruger 44 carbine...sweet little gun for brush hunting

 

[Speckmisser]

Ruger 44 carbine will have the same terminal performance and accuracy limitations as the Mini30 (same basic rifle, different caliber). For most hog hunting, it's not going to do you any favors. You'll have to stay close, and place shots carefully. It's a neat rifle and fun to shoot, and it would be a good choice for dog hunters, but in most CA hunting situations, those limitations can be a real damper on your shot opportunities.

(Another note on the .44, by the way. If you're hunting in the "Condor zone", non-lead ammo for the .44 is REAL pricey, if and when you can find it.)

If you're serious about using a semi-auto for big game hunting (hogs, deer, etc.), the BAR is probably the best, most accurate and reliable semi on the CA market. You can find a used one in the price neighborhood you described, and they come in a variety of excellent big game calibers.

Some guys are doing some interesting things on the AR-15 platform, but those rifles tend to be well out of the price range you described. Some of them are also illegal in CA, which is a shame because I think they'd be really good hog guns.

The Remington semi-auto, Model 74, 740, 7400, and 742, are another choice, although reliability of that finicky gas action can be an issue. If you are diligent about maintenance, it's a good rifle, but if you are the type to let things sit, it can let you down at a critical moment.

Like so many others have said, though, you'd do well to consider a good bolt-action. You can get superior accuracy and lifelong reliability for a relative fraction of the cost of a quality semi-auto, and your choices of caliber are all over the board.

 

[easymoney]

IMHO, I have seen pigs shot dead with a 17 bee and elk killed with a 7.62x54, that being said head shots behind the ear are very hard for most folks to achieve reliably.
I would suggest a bolt action rifle (does not jam or hangup), in at least 270 preferably 30 cal. They are very affordable and ammo is readily available and they kill big game. I have skinned hogs out that had various cal bullets between the skin and the armor, they are tougher that most give them credit for.

 

[DBAR]

Get a Tikka(.270,.308,30-06) and put a scope on it for around the price range you have. You'll be alot happier!!!!!!!!

 

[Farmerdoug]

One other thing to keep in mind is ammo. It might be a little difficult finding 7.62x39 in copper if you plan on hunting in condor zone.

 

[hatchet1]

DUDE..DONT DO IT...

 

[easymoney]

farmer, I have a russian SKS and have not found any copper ammo yet...
I agree with those recommending a 270, 30.06 or 7mm as ammo can be found even in some liquor stores or hardware stores. There is a place listed in the DFG booklet that loads anything, for a price.
And only CA has gone non lead so far, so if you hunt out of state you can burn up that ammo there.

 

[calicop70]

Wow, thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it. My main reason for the Mini 30 was basically get one before they are gone. I wanted something that I could get revaltively cheap ammo for and go plinking in the desert and still have enough power for a decent pig.

I have a Howa .223 and a Smith&Wesson MP15T, but from what Im hearing on here is thats not good enough.

I also have a Remington 710 in 30.06, its pretty accurate even though im the one shooting it, but the mag release button broke so know its a single shot rifle.

Thanks for the info guys

 

[easymoney]

calicop, get that rem 710 repaired. The 30.06 has taken more big game than most other cals combined and it's not a bad rifle action. Plus you already own it.
If it's dated in your eyes, re stock or add a new scope...