Mariosjsk8
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Mario
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Mario
theseacow
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You may get many opinions on the "thutty-thutty" for pigs, but personally, for pigs, I wouldn't use it on them past 120 yards. The 30-30 is a great gun, and has taken probably more game then most others, but will lack the penetration and ballistics at longer ranges. The shotty with the right barrel, and sabot slugs would be my choice, as it will be more versatile.
just my
-theseacow
just my
-theseacow
Speckmisser
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Mario,
It may not have been your best choice, but a 30-30 is fine for pig hunting.
You'll definitely want to keep the shots to 100 yards or less. The 30-30 was never made for stretching out across canyons or barley fields. It's a close contact rifle. Not that you can't kill a hog at 150 with it, but keeping it inside 100 will hedge your bets, so to speak... especially since you're a new hunter.
No matter what you're shooting, you do yourself and the game a favor by trying to close range as much as practical. The last thing you want to do is have a trailing job on your hands.
After a couple of boxes of shells at the range, you should have a pretty good idea of what your most accurate range is with the gun, and you should use that as a guide in the field. If you're shooting the rifle with iron sights, you might even find that you aren't consistent at 100 yards. If that's the case, don't push your abilities on live animals. Keep it close.
I've always used Remington Core-lokt 170 grain bullets in my 30-30. Never used it on a hog, though, but after seeing what it does to deer I have no qualms at all about its ability for hogs at reasonable ranges.
As far as making your Mossberg into a slug gun, all that entails is getting a new barrel. You can switch back and forth to your heart's content. If cost isn't an issue, then you ought to go for it. It'll give you access to some areas that rifle hunters can't go.
If you want to scope it, I'd definitely recommend a cantilever mount, so you can attach the scope directly to the barrel. That makes switching back to scattergun mode quick and easy.
Good luck!
It may not have been your best choice, but a 30-30 is fine for pig hunting.
You'll definitely want to keep the shots to 100 yards or less. The 30-30 was never made for stretching out across canyons or barley fields. It's a close contact rifle. Not that you can't kill a hog at 150 with it, but keeping it inside 100 will hedge your bets, so to speak... especially since you're a new hunter.
No matter what you're shooting, you do yourself and the game a favor by trying to close range as much as practical. The last thing you want to do is have a trailing job on your hands.
After a couple of boxes of shells at the range, you should have a pretty good idea of what your most accurate range is with the gun, and you should use that as a guide in the field. If you're shooting the rifle with iron sights, you might even find that you aren't consistent at 100 yards. If that's the case, don't push your abilities on live animals. Keep it close.
I've always used Remington Core-lokt 170 grain bullets in my 30-30. Never used it on a hog, though, but after seeing what it does to deer I have no qualms at all about its ability for hogs at reasonable ranges.
As far as making your Mossberg into a slug gun, all that entails is getting a new barrel. You can switch back and forth to your heart's content. If cost isn't an issue, then you ought to go for it. It'll give you access to some areas that rifle hunters can't go.
If you want to scope it, I'd definitely recommend a cantilever mount, so you can attach the scope directly to the barrel. That makes switching back to scattergun mode quick and easy.
Good luck!
Native Instinct
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For most hunting in California you will be fine. Its usually pretty thick
vegitation anyway so shorter shots are common.
vegitation anyway so shorter shots are common.
ozstriker22
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Whichever you choose, make sure to practice at the range in positions other than benched. With iron sights benched, you might be able to hit the kill zone at 100 yards. After hiking through dense brush and canyons and hills, taking a kneeling shot may be tough at 80 yards.
A VERY good and inexpensive way to get good target practice is to find some public land that allows rimfire cartriges and go jack rabbit hunting with a .22 - it's cheap and you'll get practice taking standing shots... a kneeling or sitting shot will be no problem after that!!!
Have I killed a pig - Not yet. But I haven't seen one either. But I can hit anything within 80 yards the size of a beer can with my ruger 10/22. I'm pretty sure I won't miss on something bigger
A VERY good and inexpensive way to get good target practice is to find some public land that allows rimfire cartriges and go jack rabbit hunting with a .22 - it's cheap and you'll get practice taking standing shots... a kneeling or sitting shot will be no problem after that!!!
Have I killed a pig - Not yet. But I haven't seen one either. But I can hit anything within 80 yards the size of a beer can with my ruger 10/22. I'm pretty sure I won't miss on something bigger
chap_dog48
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Mariosjsk8, I will tell you from experience that a Marlin 30-30 is a great rifle. Like mentioned it won't go out there 200+ yards that well but it is still a great rifle. I have one, it was my first deer rifle from age 12-to now. I killed 10 deer and a pig with it. I still use it in the brush. Here is why I like it. The Marlin can be fitted with a scope. Since the shells eject out of the side you can mount a scope on it. I have a Leopold 4x on it since it got it. Still as accurate as hell. I use a 150 grain bullet, flat point. I get groups of 3 in the 1-2" range at 125 yards. Mine is sited at 125 yards. I have taken deer at 200 before just hold 5 inches high. But I will tell you a 30-30 is no joke. I will do the job. The other thing is it is light to carry and the kick is nothing compared to my 300 Weatherby Mag. I love to take it to the range and go thru a box. Get to the range and at least shot 100 round to zero it in and get a feel for the stiff trigger and sights or scope. Hope this helps.
Mariosjsk8
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Thanx alot for the info guys. So what is a good bullet for pigs and deer. Some guy at a sport shop near here sold me a Winchester 150gr. CPX2. Do i need a 170 grain or will the 150gr. do just fine? I was going to buy several boxes of different bullets to see what my gun does, just wanted to know if I should sight it with the 150's or 170's. Also, I was thinking of just getting a BSA deerhunter 3-9x55, are those good, or should I just get the 3-9x40 BSA Deerhunter. i really don't want to spend a lot of money on a scope mainly because I don't have it.
Rancho Loco
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I'd go for 170 gr.'s...Take some boxes of different brands to the range, and see what shoots best.
You should also think about cleaning the bore after you do all that shooting. You might want to pick up a bore-snake, some hoppe's #9, and also some oil or breakfree.
As for a scope, instead of buying a cheepee for a 100-150yd max. pig rifle, I'd suggest you look at XS Ghost Ring Sights.
That's what I have on my lever gun, and I love 'em.
You should also think about cleaning the bore after you do all that shooting. You might want to pick up a bore-snake, some hoppe's #9, and also some oil or breakfree.
As for a scope, instead of buying a cheepee for a 100-150yd max. pig rifle, I'd suggest you look at XS Ghost Ring Sights.
That's what I have on my lever gun, and I love 'em.
Speckmisser
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Mario,
First of all, let me commend you on doing your homework. A lot of guys wouldn't be asking all these questions, and as a result, they'll learn things the hard way... which is a tough way to go.
Those 150 gr, CPX2 bullets will probably be "ok", but not optimal for hogs. That load is made for deer and "thin-skinned game", and will do a good job on them. However, Winchester's ammunition makers seem to consider hogs thin-skinned game, which they are NOT. Small ones aren't too tough, but a big pig is anything BUT thin skinned.
That's mostly theoretical stuff, of course, and if you had to go into the woods today with what you have (assuming adequate practice and sighting in), you'd probably kill your pig. The pig won't notice the difference.
To optimize your odds, though, I'd say to move up to the 170grain bullets, and get something like the Winchester Silvertip or Remington Core-lokt. Look for bullets that offer "controlled expansion and deep penetration"... it'll usually say it right on the box. For a hog, you want to drive it through the fat and skin, and get it into the vitals before it expands.
What you don't want are bullets that expand quickly. If it expands quickly, close to the surface, you'll end up wasting a lot of meat and possibly losing your hog.
All this said, you are on the right track with your plan to shoot several different rounds. There aren't really all that many kinds of ammo available for the 30-30, so this won't cost a fortune. I think it's fine to try the 150 grain bullets, and if they shoot better for you, go for it, but get a bullet that's gonna penetrate.
As to scoping... everybody else has heard me say this too many times, but I'm not a big fan of scoping a short-range rifle. If your eyes are up to the task, that gun is at its best in the thick stuff, and up close. Iron sights are the perfect complement to the ballistics and handling of that rifle. If anything, then I'd consider Rancho Loco's suggestion for Ghost Rings. They're awesome for quick target acquisition, and you can dial them in almost as tight as you can a scope.
If you MUST get a scope, consider something with long eye relief and a relatively small objective. Those 55mm bells are great for sitting in a treestand at dark, but that's about all they're good for. I would strongly recommend against anything over 40mm, and on the 30-30, I would even think about a low power (1.5x or 3x) shotgun/muzzleloader scope... something you can shoot with both eyes open if you had to.
Mario,
First of all, let me commend you on doing your homework. A lot of guys wouldn't be asking all these questions, and as a result, they'll learn things the hard way... which is a tough way to go.
Those 150 gr, CPX2 bullets will probably be "ok", but not optimal for hogs. That load is made for deer and "thin-skinned game", and will do a good job on them. However, Winchester's ammunition makers seem to consider hogs thin-skinned game, which they are NOT. Small ones aren't too tough, but a big pig is anything BUT thin skinned.
That's mostly theoretical stuff, of course, and if you had to go into the woods today with what you have (assuming adequate practice and sighting in), you'd probably kill your pig. The pig won't notice the difference.
To optimize your odds, though, I'd say to move up to the 170grain bullets, and get something like the Winchester Silvertip or Remington Core-lokt. Look for bullets that offer "controlled expansion and deep penetration"... it'll usually say it right on the box. For a hog, you want to drive it through the fat and skin, and get it into the vitals before it expands.
What you don't want are bullets that expand quickly. If it expands quickly, close to the surface, you'll end up wasting a lot of meat and possibly losing your hog.
All this said, you are on the right track with your plan to shoot several different rounds. There aren't really all that many kinds of ammo available for the 30-30, so this won't cost a fortune. I think it's fine to try the 150 grain bullets, and if they shoot better for you, go for it, but get a bullet that's gonna penetrate.
As to scoping... everybody else has heard me say this too many times, but I'm not a big fan of scoping a short-range rifle. If your eyes are up to the task, that gun is at its best in the thick stuff, and up close. Iron sights are the perfect complement to the ballistics and handling of that rifle. If anything, then I'd consider Rancho Loco's suggestion for Ghost Rings. They're awesome for quick target acquisition, and you can dial them in almost as tight as you can a scope.
If you MUST get a scope, consider something with long eye relief and a relatively small objective. Those 55mm bells are great for sitting in a treestand at dark, but that's about all they're good for. I would strongly recommend against anything over 40mm, and on the 30-30, I would even think about a low power (1.5x or 3x) shotgun/muzzleloader scope... something you can shoot with both eyes open if you had to.
chap_dog48
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Speck is right on with his info. 150gr is good in that it will give better range with the lighter bullet and more fps. But as stated the round needs to penetrate. Go with a fixed scope if you get one a 2x 3x or 4x. This will keep you from cranking that scope up to see that pig at 300 yards and then think " I can see it in my scope I guess I can shot it" wrong. Get boxes and try them all. Shoot it into a 3 foot think bunch of cardboard boxes bound together to see the bullet expansion and penitration.
35REMHOGHUNTER
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Excuse me but the 30-30 you bought is fine for hog hunting...most on my friends hog hunt with 30-30's or 35 Rems...I prefer 35 Rem myself...all these threads about the 30-30 being a 150 yard gun are right...but I laughed reading that people shoot over hundred yards hog hunting...we average 30 to 50 yards maybe 75 yards on a long shot...hogs are a short distance game...we hunt all over the South and kill more than our share of hogs and never shoot over 75...
Don't feel like you made a mistake because the 30-30 is a great gun...next thing you know they'll tell me the 35 Rem is not a deer & black bear gun...I shot a 30-30 for 10 years and the last 30 years a 35 Rem...
Happy Hunting...
Don't feel like you made a mistake because the 30-30 is a great gun...next thing you know they'll tell me the 35 Rem is not a deer & black bear gun...I shot a 30-30 for 10 years and the last 30 years a 35 Rem...
Happy Hunting...
I've killed a lot of hogs with a Marlin 30-30. I had a Lyman peep site on mine and it was grear unless you are loosing light. I don't know how the ghost rings are in low light. Peep sights are extremely quick and the one I had was adjustable for windage and elevation. Mounts with two screws on the left hand side of the receiver. Most Marlins are already drilled and tapped on the upper left hand side. If it is, you will see two flush mounted screws there.
Speckmisser
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35Remhoghunter,
First off, welcome to the list. Glad to have another hog hunter aboard.
That said... easy there, brother.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
The whole world ain't Florida or Texas.
You'll find a lot of opportunities out past 150 yards if you hunt them here in CA. Not that you have to shoot long, but the opportunities are plentiful. For a lot of us here, hunting is also pay-to-play, so there are times when that 250 yard shot is the only way to get pork for your money. Not to mention that you bust your hump to hunt public land here, so when you do find a hog, you want to be able to reach out and touch him if you have to (within reason).
Anyway, let's not start laughing at folks just yet.
There's a lot of places and ways to hunt hogs.
First off, welcome to the list. Glad to have another hog hunter aboard.
That said... easy there, brother.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
The whole world ain't Florida or Texas.
You'll find a lot of opportunities out past 150 yards if you hunt them here in CA. Not that you have to shoot long, but the opportunities are plentiful. For a lot of us here, hunting is also pay-to-play, so there are times when that 250 yard shot is the only way to get pork for your money. Not to mention that you bust your hump to hunt public land here, so when you do find a hog, you want to be able to reach out and touch him if you have to (within reason).
Anyway, let's not start laughing at folks just yet.
There's a lot of places and ways to hunt hogs.
BobcatJess
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Good Evening Mario,
I feel that you made a good choice with the 30-30 as your first rifle. I have been using nothing but my Winchester 30-30 for 16 years and it has been a very reliable rifle in the brush. Using open sights are fine, just make sure you put in many shots down the range. If you plan on using iron sights I would reccomend after you got the basic shooting skills down, is to take a quick jog before you shoot; this will allow you encounter a real life scenario; usually after seeing a pig you usually have to hike a bit after it and you heart is pounding. By practicing this way it will make you a better shot. Trying different positions as well: standing, kneeling and prone.
As for bullet choice, I personally use a 150 grain bullet, but I usually never shoot at anything further that 125 yds. with open sights. What ever bullet your bullet choice is make sure you practice with it. Just remember sight alignment, sight picture, and slow steady trigger squeeze.
Good luck to you.
Jess
I feel that you made a good choice with the 30-30 as your first rifle. I have been using nothing but my Winchester 30-30 for 16 years and it has been a very reliable rifle in the brush. Using open sights are fine, just make sure you put in many shots down the range. If you plan on using iron sights I would reccomend after you got the basic shooting skills down, is to take a quick jog before you shoot; this will allow you encounter a real life scenario; usually after seeing a pig you usually have to hike a bit after it and you heart is pounding. By practicing this way it will make you a better shot. Trying different positions as well: standing, kneeling and prone.
As for bullet choice, I personally use a 150 grain bullet, but I usually never shoot at anything further that 125 yds. with open sights. What ever bullet your bullet choice is make sure you practice with it. Just remember sight alignment, sight picture, and slow steady trigger squeeze.
Good luck to you.
Jess
35REMHOGHUNTER
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Speckmisser..
Thanks for the welcome...didn't realize people shoot so far...
Here in the Southeast deer shots are pretty much 35 to 100 yards sometimes 125...and hog shots less...we are taught when we're kids hunting too stalk our quarry...too work our way up as close as possible to ensure a clean kill shot...we could shoot deer and hogs at greater distance...but the stalking and working our way up for that perfect shot really makes hunting a thrill...I never found much excitement looking through a scope and shooting a deer 200-300 yards away...just too easy...more fun stalking the game and taking it at 125 yards or less with a good peep sight...
I agree people hunt differently everywhere...if someone's somewhere that can't stalk and work their prey then they should take the long shot...
Sneaky Pete..
Thanks for the welcome...didn't realize people shoot so far...
Here in the Southeast deer shots are pretty much 35 to 100 yards sometimes 125...and hog shots less...we are taught when we're kids hunting too stalk our quarry...too work our way up as close as possible to ensure a clean kill shot...we could shoot deer and hogs at greater distance...but the stalking and working our way up for that perfect shot really makes hunting a thrill...I never found much excitement looking through a scope and shooting a deer 200-300 yards away...just too easy...more fun stalking the game and taking it at 125 yards or less with a good peep sight...
I agree people hunt differently everywhere...if someone's somewhere that can't stalk and work their prey then they should take the long shot...
Sneaky Pete..
Speckmisser
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35rem,
Hope I didn't come across too strong.
Anyway, I know what you mean about the southeast, as I grew up hunting the coastal swamps of North Carolina. In my whole life there, I think I only took one shot out to 100 yards. Heck, in most of that area, you're lucky if you can see over 100 yards.
When I came to CA, I was pretty blown away by how big the country is out here in the west, and by how far away you can see game. Of course, just seeing it doesn't mean you should shoot at it (one of my pet peeves is people shooting too far), but the landscape sure changes things.
Personally, I still try to get close and usually do pretty good. But lots of folks don't, and that's cool too... as long as they aren't stretching it too far.
Hope I didn't come across too strong.
Anyway, I know what you mean about the southeast, as I grew up hunting the coastal swamps of North Carolina. In my whole life there, I think I only took one shot out to 100 yards. Heck, in most of that area, you're lucky if you can see over 100 yards.
When I came to CA, I was pretty blown away by how big the country is out here in the west, and by how far away you can see game. Of course, just seeing it doesn't mean you should shoot at it (one of my pet peeves is people shooting too far), but the landscape sure changes things.
Personally, I still try to get close and usually do pretty good. But lots of folks don't, and that's cool too... as long as they aren't stretching it too far.
Live2hunt
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35Rem,
I've hog hunted in both Texas and CA. I believed hog hunting the rest of the eastern states are pretty much similar to Texas where there's a feeder and a tree stand 100 yards apart from each other. And the terrain is pretty much rolling hills or flat with thick vegetations where vision is limited to with 100 yards or less. That hunt is a total difference from hog hunting in California. Here in California pig country is mountaineous. A hunter can be on one hillside of a canyon looking at a group of hogs 200-300 yards away on the opposite hillside of the canyon. Stalking the hogs by going down to the bottom of the canyon and up the other side may be doable or undoable depending on the terrain and the physical ability of the hunter. The hike down to the bottom of the canyon and up the other side to get within 75-100 yards of the pigs may be a mile away and may take an hour or longer. Probably by the time the hunter get to the other side, the pigs may already be in the next county. Or the hike down and up the other side may be undoable due to thick brushes or dropped off cliff. In this case the hunter choose to snipe out a hog from across the canyon to get his money worth like Speckmisser mentioned, if the hunter was paying for the hunt. I and my dad personally have sniped hogs out to 300+ yards using 7mm Rem. Mag, although it doesn't happen very often. The majority of hogs we've killed were shot within 100 yards, but once in a while we do run into occassions where long range sniping is the only option to get a hog.
L2H
I've hog hunted in both Texas and CA. I believed hog hunting the rest of the eastern states are pretty much similar to Texas where there's a feeder and a tree stand 100 yards apart from each other. And the terrain is pretty much rolling hills or flat with thick vegetations where vision is limited to with 100 yards or less. That hunt is a total difference from hog hunting in California. Here in California pig country is mountaineous. A hunter can be on one hillside of a canyon looking at a group of hogs 200-300 yards away on the opposite hillside of the canyon. Stalking the hogs by going down to the bottom of the canyon and up the other side may be doable or undoable depending on the terrain and the physical ability of the hunter. The hike down to the bottom of the canyon and up the other side to get within 75-100 yards of the pigs may be a mile away and may take an hour or longer. Probably by the time the hunter get to the other side, the pigs may already be in the next county. Or the hike down and up the other side may be undoable due to thick brushes or dropped off cliff. In this case the hunter choose to snipe out a hog from across the canyon to get his money worth like Speckmisser mentioned, if the hunter was paying for the hunt. I and my dad personally have sniped hogs out to 300+ yards using 7mm Rem. Mag, although it doesn't happen very often. The majority of hogs we've killed were shot within 100 yards, but once in a while we do run into occassions where long range sniping is the only option to get a hog.
L2H
35REMHOGHUNTER
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Live2hunt...
Thanks for the information...I've certainly learned a lot about hog hunting here...I've never seen a tree stand used for hog hunting and never have had to pay too hog hunt or any other kind to think of...
I can understand the long shots in California and other places...here you just go out across the pasture and the hogs are all over the cypress stands and swamp lands...it's nothing too see dead pigs on the side of the road from being hit by cars...and with all the new housing developements...hogs are all over...you can leave home and be back in 2 hours with 3 or 4 hogs...sometimes it gets boring so easy...and of course here in Florida you can hog hunt year around on private property...some shoot them here...some catch them with dogs...in any case we have an over abundance of them...
35REM
De Oppresso Liber
Thanks for the information...I've certainly learned a lot about hog hunting here...I've never seen a tree stand used for hog hunting and never have had to pay too hog hunt or any other kind to think of...
I can understand the long shots in California and other places...here you just go out across the pasture and the hogs are all over the cypress stands and swamp lands...it's nothing too see dead pigs on the side of the road from being hit by cars...and with all the new housing developements...hogs are all over...you can leave home and be back in 2 hours with 3 or 4 hogs...sometimes it gets boring so easy...and of course here in Florida you can hog hunt year around on private property...some shoot them here...some catch them with dogs...in any case we have an over abundance of them...
35REM
De Oppresso Liber
I have hunted here in Calif forever and wasn't aware that people were shooting hogs 200 and 300 yds out. I would be scared to death I would hit one of the dogs from that far away. I try to keep the shots inside of 10 to 20 yds(under 5yds is common) unless they are bayed up off a ledge or something along that order.
Speckmisser
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Sometimes, one can only grin.
Sometimes, one can only grin.
