Which Caliber to choose in So. Cal for Hog

[straightshooter]

Hi,

I'm new to hog hunting, and I will be purchasing a gun in about a week or so. I have enough to buy a nice bolt action rifle (I would prefer a 30-06), but I can also buy a winchester 94 30-30. I figure I will probably only hunt either deer or wild pig in Southern Cali. My question is, should I go with the 30-30, or 30-06? I have read up on the ballistics, and it appears that the 30-30 is good up to 150 yards. However, the 30-06 can go more then that, but at close ranges the 30-06 might go right through the hog and not have the stopping power of the 30-30 at closer ranges. I read through another forum here that most hogs are taken at 100 - 150 yards. Also I heard that in thick brush the 30-30 is better, but that is not a problem in So. California. Also I could scope out the 30-30, but what would be the point if that gun is for shorter ranges. Which would you choose, for hunting in this area (so. cal)?

Thank you!

 

[>Killzone>]

HI,

I am kind of new to hog hunting compared to some guys here, but have hunted with some guys who have got dozens of hogs. The most popular is 3006, and the Rem.coreloc 180gr, are very good!! at stoping hogs. They are like tanks. Smaller rounds do not have the stopping results. You dont want to loose your hog or trail it for hours, you want massive early schock/death so it does not produce a lot of adrenaline and hormones, dont forget the long run and chase down.

Good luck,

Jim-Killzone


Boomsplat and Robert, booms hog

 

[SDHNTR]

Any way you measure it the 30-06 is a better choice, regardless of range, IMHO. That sure doesn't mean that the 30-30 is bad, just the 30-06 is far more versatile. Especially if deer or other game are, or will be in the future, on the menu.

 

[Speckmisser]

Straightshooter,

I'll agree with these other guys.

You'll most likely be a lot happier with the 30-06. It's simply going to give you a lot more versatility, from hogs to deer to elk or bear (should you choose to go that route). There's nothing wrong with the -06 in brush either. Get a good scope with plenty of eye relief and a low power setting, and you'll be fine.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 30-30, and it's killed a bunch of deer. It's definitely enough for hog hunting too. But you're limited in range and power, and that's not a good way to start.

As far as bullets punching through without doing any damage at close range... that's mostly a myth unless you're shooting full-metal jackets (not legal for hunting anyway). Most of the modern bullets available today will do fine at close or long range, especially on hogs. Remington Core-lokt is a good, solid bullet that works great on hogs and deer, and won't cost the arm and leg that "premium" bullets will cost you. You want 165 or 180 grain bullets. If the 165 grains shoot well for you, go with them. The extra 15 grains in the 180 may not be worth the increase in recoil.

Once you get your rig, get out and shoot it. A LOT. Shoot from a good benchrest until you get it zeroed in. Once you've got it dialed in, move away from the bench and start practicing from field positions. Sitting is a good one, as is prone. You're likely to use these positions the most. Do some offhand shots too, just so you'll be aware of the limitations. Shooting offhand shouldn't be forbidden, but it's hard to be accurate unless you're a really skilled marksman. Learn to use the other positions, then practice them as much as possible.

 

[DILPRXO]

I believe my opinions mirror the rest of the members..go with the 06..put a quality mid power scope such as a 2X7 or a 3X9..I prefer Leupold but lots of folks like other brands such as Nikon or Burris.. Take the time to learn to be able to make that rifle "sing" under field conditions..which requires alot of range time and "dry" firing at home.When the time comes use a quality bullet like a Nosler or Corlokt and you'll be bringing home the bacon.. Good luck with whatever you choose

 

[Freedivr2]

I hunt with people who use different guns for different things. A .444 for hogs close, a .243 deer, a 30-06 for hogs at a distance.

Not my cup of tea. I'm not smart enough to remember all the trajectories of all the guns and be familiar enough with a bunch of them to be able to shoot instinctively with it (that is, not look for the crosshairs, but use em, not to make sure you have a spot weld on the stock, but it just happens). Don't know if that makes a bunch of sense, but what has worked well for me was to pick one gun and shoot everything with it. I chose a 30-06 M70 Winchester. I'll use pretty much the same load (165 grain handloaded Nosler Partitions, 57 gr. IMR 4350, buzzing out at 2882 FPS), and have gotten to know it's point of aim at 50 yds, 75 yds, 100 and 200 almost without thinking about it too much......and it knocks the socks off of the animals.

I had heard that the 30-06 is the caliber that will take any game in the adjacent 48. I've got no plans for going to Alaska soon, and if I do, then I'll consider a larger caliber. It's the one gun I take to the range. It's just become so comfortable since I've put a lot of rounds through it and shot it from so many different positions. I think there's something to be said about practice making perfect, and my advice would be to follow this lead, because it sure has worked for me. This might sound like a brag, but it's not, I'm just making a point; the last hogs I took (4 of em in one shooting session) were on the run at 150 yards, and I wouldn't have had a chance at dropping probably more than 1 or 2 of them had I not been well versed at where my bullets were going to be hitting. BTW, no gut wounded hogs on that either, all heart and/or heart/lung shots. Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin to it............

 

[straightshooter]

Thanx for all the replies! You guys have really helped alot. I have made up my mind and I will be going with the 30-06.

 

[BDB]

Good choice on the caliber. I just picked up a 30-06 myself and broke it in on a 170 lb pig. 165gr Remington Core Lokt's. The bullet did not pass through either. In one shoulder, took out the lungs but did'nt exit.

I picked up the Howa 1500 Synthetic. Couldn't happier with it in regards to quality, accuracy (1" or less out of the box) and the trigger, for the price that is !!! Brand new for $379 + tax and DROS, scope not included. I could have picked one up from a larger store with a scope but I didn't lke the cheapo scope they had mounted on it.

 

[gregm]

I'm new from Az and am anxious to go pig hunting here. Imagine my surprise when I learned it is year round in CA!!!

I'm waiting on my birth certificate so I can get my CA drivers license so I can get my hunting license and a rifle. What a process. I think it is easier to buy a handgun in Az then it is to get a CA drivers license.

Anyways, I'm going to buy a 30-06, but am not sure what manufacturer is the best. I'm leaning towards a Winchester M70, but was wondering what the more knowledgeable people here think. Any suggestions?

Also, I plan on going to Los Padres to look around (not to hunt yet but just a scouting mission). I'm totally unfamiliar with this area, but decided to start there since it is close to where I live (TO). Any suggestions on a good place to camp/hike in Los Padres to see some wildlife and do some fishing? I've just seen the area on a map.

Thanks in advance.

Greg.

 

[SDHNTR]

gregm,
The Win. M70 is an excellent choice. If you like the way it fits it will serve you well for longer than your lifetime. As for being new to hog hunting, check the pages here and download the "hunting wild pig in CA" book from the DFG. www.dfg.ca.gov

 

[BLASTMASTER]

I guess I'm the only one who likes my 30-30.
The 30-06 is probably what you want, but I gotta give my 2 cents.
I grew up shooting little blacktails up north with a 30-06. Bullets went clean through the chest most of the time, and I always had to walk 'em down. For some reason, the last few years, I walk 'em down less with the 30-30. Last spring a guy out with me, using a 30-06, missed 3 pigs at Laguna Mt. because they were too close to find in his 3x9 set on 3. I like my 30-30 with the 3x9 mounted high, so I can still use the iron sites. Although I've taken it for black bear, I usually use a 7mm, no scope, for that. As far as power goes, I put like 4 or 5 12ga slugs into a pig's chest last may, before it would stop trying to get up, but my daughter dropped her's like a rock with a single .410 slug. I'd much rather let one far away go, than miss one at 30 feet. I guess what I'm saying is, no matter what you choose, you have to be prepared to accept it's limitations and choose your shots accordingly.

 

[gregm]

Thanks for the information SDHNTR. It looks very helpful. Now I just need to read through it.

Later,

Greg.