Selecting The Right caliber For Hog Hunting

10/1/2010
HHG

Caliber selection is always a tricky subject. Especially around the hunting camp, or “experts”.

Basically everyone has their own opinions. And they are entitled to them. BUT…..I don’t care. It is not in my nature to want to over complicate things just to make myself feel “smarter”. Or like I know something other people don’t.

I pick equipment that works and that I can use to get what I want. If that means I choose a larger or smaller caliber, then that’s what I do.

I own a .450, .50 Beowulf, .223 Bushmaster, and various other hunting rifles for taking hogs. My favorite out of all of them is not what most would think.

I will grab my .243 Remington 9.5 times out of 10. With a 100 grain bullet, and flat trajectory that rifle is a machine. It pumps out rounds with ease, and they always seem to find their mark. When they do, the results are often very deadly for the target on the receiving end.

Obviously a .223 is effective with PROPER SHOT PLACEMENT, but a man firing 25 rounds at 3 hogs usually isn’t going to place his shots very effectively. The results are embarrassing for hunters, and affect all of our reputations in the field.

So, I always…..ALWAYS recommend rifles for hog hunting based on the individual’s desired style of hunting. Then we talk about the reality of their hunting situation. After we’ve established that they really don’t need a Barrett .50 Cal, then I talk about what really works.

I always recommend the .243 because I like it. It’s great for my kids and I’ve taken tons of meat with mine. The 10th time I’m told, “Yeah, but I really want…….” then I make sure they know that they’re buying what they want. And that may not be what works……

Best of luck in the field this month. Keep the rest of us hog hunters in mind and remember that what you do affects our reputations as well. And take a kid hunting…..you won’t regret it.

HHG