Girlfriend shot her first wild hog

[PhysAssist]

Hi Eddie and everybody,

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it, although sometimes it starts to feel like the more I learn, the harder the decision is to make .

I'm going to be looking around quite a while before I commit to another rifle and plan test fire as many as I can before jumping on one.

My older brother's Weatherby (either 300 Mag or 400-something) kicked my behind a few times when I was just a teenage brat, and I'm not all that fond of shooting my 12-gauge for round after round either.

While I don't hunt, I DO like to target shoot, so cost per round has some effect on me, but it is never the prime mover in my decisions.

Happy and safe hunting,
Thomas

 

[teejk]

For smaller game I would base the decision on availability of ammo. There are more and more "wildcats" coming to market every year but you'll die trying to find ammo for them without a mortgage on the house. The .270 is essentially the same as a 30.06 (IMHO probably the best round ever made for all around hunting but both can kick like a mule). A friend owns a .257 Roberts and loves it (and more than enough power for hogs/deer).

We don't get much long range shooting at anything around here. And we have a growing (sad) situation of territorial rights that prevent retrieving an animal when it crosses the property line, the trend here is back to the mags.

 

[k0ua]

Hi Eddie and everybody,

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it, although sometimes it starts to feel like the more I learn, the harder the decision is to make .

I'm going to be looking around quite a while before I commit to another rifle and plan test fire as many as I can before jumping on one.

My older brother's Weatherby (either 300 Mag or 400-something) kicked my behind a few times when I was just a teenage brat, and I'm not all that fond of shooting my 12-gauge for round after round either.

While I don't hunt, I DO like to target shoot, so cost per round has some effect on me, but it is never the prime mover in my decisions.

Happy and safe hunting,
Thomas

Don't forget about reloading metallic cartridges, it is safe, fun, and you can do it. It can easily cut your costs in half. I have done it for a lot of years, and I still have all my fingers and both eyes:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[deerseeker001]

good job the next one will come easy.

 

[teejk]

Don't forget about reloading metallic cartridges, it is safe, fun, and you can do it. It can easily cut your costs in half. I have done it for a lot of years, and I still have all my fingers and both eyes:thumbsup:

James K0UA

If anybody shoots a lot, then you are correct. The tools (press, scale, sizer etc. are a little pricey but don't seem to wear out). Brass is only good for so many reloads though so we're back to the availability thing unless you have a fully equipped machine shop.

 

[Fastowl]

A nice combo would be 22-250 for light varmint, 250-3000 for bigger varmint to deer size. Both are exceptional classic cartridges.

The 22-250 was originally a wildcat derived by necking a 250 Savage(250-3000 Savage) to .22

Likewise a 243 is a necked down 308. Additionally a 243 (6mm) in some states it is a minimum legal caliber size for white tail. http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/whitetail-deer-hunting/227252-legal-rifle-calibers-state.html

 

[thatguy]

Eddie,

Not to threadjack, or turn this into a gun forum, but I wanted to ask a question:

We had been thinking about adding another .22LR long gun, but were also considering an upgrade that would be good for reaching further out with more power for varmints, etc., do you recommend the .22-250 caliber as a good next step?

Have you been having the same problem with finding ammo that we have been going through with the. 22 rounds?

What model do you have, and what, if any other would you get instead, if you could?

Thanks,
Thomas

PS: Again way to go!

just my $0.02 - if you wanted something for bigger game - a 7mm-08 is a 308 necked down and has recoil like a .243 (not much).

brian

 

[gsganzer]

Eddie,
Great to see your girlfriend enjoying shooting. I keep working on my wife but I don't hold out much hope. At least she lets me pursue my hunting passion without many complaints and is now wanting to join me for photography opportunities.

It's hard to beat a .243 for small frame or recoil sensitive shooters. That's probably what I'll turn my daughters onto when they show more interest. Right now, my oldest will burn through 22's with her little Henry mini-bolt and is starting to show an interest in something larger.


I've always had the hankering for a .243 or .260 in an AR platform for shooting hogs. In fact, I have a stripped POF-308 lower in the safe, for such a project. However, I think I've shot more hogs with my 44mag lever action, then all my other rifles combined. Go figure.

 

[tommu56]

Eddie can you use 30/06 and use a lighter load?

110 grain hollow 308 hollow point and ~ 50 grains 4320 powder would be a light load and still be at 3000 fps



but the .243 has a better light weight bullet selection but what is the availability of ammo?

 

[EMcPhee]

Yep, 44 Mag carbine lever gun is the way to go in the brush. I have bagged a ton of hogs with it. But in the open, I use a 308 with a bull barrel, or my '06. If you are shooting from a stand a bull barrel will reduce the recoil due to that added weight—but you may not want to lug it around all day if you are tracking game.

For warthogs I always go with the 375 H&H mag, just in case some other beast is out and about when I am.