Best Caliber for Hog Hunting???

[tombstone]

Extreme velocity produces some astounding effects that seem to defy physical laws. This was brought to my attention years ago when I read an article in Volume I of P.O. Ackley's classic "Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders."

Ackley noted that his experience proved that a .220 Swift was the most deadly caliber ever produced for deer and similar-sized game. His book was copyrighted in 1962, but his understanding of the compound effects of extreme velocity remains as true today as it was then.

In addition to some extensive shooting tests on animals, Ackley demonstrated his findings by firing two 48-grain bullets from a 220 Swift into half-inch armor plate on the front of a U.S. Army half-track. He also fired 100-grain bullets from a .270 Winchester and armor-piercing rounds from a government .30-06. All shots were fired from a distance of 30 feet.

The results were amazing. Both of the .220 Swift factory loads penetrated completely through the half-inch armor plate, leaving holes approximately 3⁄8 inch in diameter. The 100-grain .270 bullets managed no penetration whatsoever, leaving only shiny spots on the armor plate, and the .30-06 armor-piercing bullets made only shallow craters.

QUOTED FROM AN ARTICLE DISCUSSING THE 257 HOT TAMALE

[cwink]

Extreme velocity produces some astounding effects that seem to defy physical laws. This was brought to my attention years ago when I read an article in Volume I of P.O. Ackley's classic "Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders."

Ackley noted that his experience proved that a .220 Swift was the most deadly caliber ever produced for deer and similar-sized game. His book was copyrighted in 1962, but his understanding of the compound effects of extreme velocity remains as true today as it was then.

In addition to some extensive shooting tests on animals, Ackley demonstrated his findings by firing two 48-grain bullets from a 220 Swift into half-inch armor plate on the front of a U.S. Army half-track. He also fired 100-grain bullets from a .270 Winchester and armor-piercing rounds from a government .30-06. All shots were fired from a distance of 30 feet.

The results were amazing. Both of the .220 Swift factory loads penetrated completely through the half-inch armor plate, leaving holes approximately 3⁄8 inch in diameter. The 100-grain .270 bullets managed no penetration whatsoever, leaving only shiny spots on the armor plate, and the .30-06 armor-piercing bullets made only shallow craters.

QUOTED FROM AN ARTICLE DISCUSSING THE 257 HOT TAMALE

Your are correct.. The saying Speed Kills defintly applies to bullets.. What duramax said about bullet type is also correct.. A hollow point wont have the same penetration as a bonded bullet.. But if you compare the 220 and the 308 with the same bullet type.. The 220 will have better penetration..

We used 220, 222, 223 and 22-250 down in south texas to hunt with a good bit. We had long range shots over wide open shooting lanes from nice big box blinds and take neck shots.. You would be suprised how accurate you can be with a small caliber on a good rest. No fear of flinching when there is no recoil.. Man I put a box of shells thru my 22-250 the other day and never even knew it..

[MudHog]

Quick isn't always best. Take a .270 for example, I've seen alot of animals live from a .270 shot. The bullet is just to fast and goes through and through with only a small hole. The bullet doesn't fragment as good as a larger bullet. Fragmentation is what tears up the tissue and muscle and causes the exit wound and then death. If every shot was a heart shot, then year a small bullet through and through is OK, but 95% of the time, it's not a heart shot or you have some sort of bone in front of the heart (with a hog, it's their large shoulder plate).

[duramax]

Your are correct.. The saying Speed Kills defintly applies to bullets.. What duramax said about bullet type is also correct.. A hollow point wont have the same penetration as a bonded bullet.. But if you compare the 220 and the 308 with the same bullet type.. The 220 will have better penetration..

Yeah that's what I was saying about not taking FMJ's into account.

I am wanting to build up a 220 swift myself. That or a 22 cheetah. I'll probably use a Savage action and get the barrel built. A 50-60 gr bullet would be nasty on deer. And it would be great for those long range coyotes my .223 just can't reach reliably.

[Blackduck]

That is pretty impressive. The counter argument is that some people want big holes in there game. That is why some hunters prefer a .30cal round to a 7mm or 270. Craig Boddington's book American Hunting Rifles goes over this point time and time again. He has had some impressive kills with a 7mm but still a 30-06 is his favorite.

Jack Oconnor (very well respected hunter, esp sheep) was a huge .270 fan b.c of its flat shooting and high energy it delivered. The 270wsm is very impressive if you look at the ballistics.

This being said if I had to buy a hog gun I'd get a semi automatic in something .223 or larger. Probably put some glass on it. 4x fixed or maybe a tactical 2-6x scope from leupold. You could go the super percision route with a nice bolt action but chances are you will see more than one hog at a time so it may not be a bad idea to sling some lead rather quickly.

This is what I would buy
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=38

[duramax]

My friend just got back from hunting in Africa (antelope primarily). He was shooting a 7mm mag, and they aren't crazy about speed over there. They told him that they much prefer bigger and slower. They much preferred a 30-06 with 200 or 220 grain bullets. Doesn't deflect in brush and packs a wallop on the animals.

[cwink]

The 270 does have flat shooting capabilites especially if you go to the 100 grain bullet.. It is pumping out some pretty good balistics.. When I moved to MS everyone called my little 243 and 85 BTHP a pea shooter.. But it does a number on deer.. They were also impressed that I could hit a deer at 200 yards in the neck. I hear the same theory over and over that a larger caliber will make up for bad shot placement.

I tend to think that a smaller caliber will help a less than average shooter be a better shot. If you shoot a .243 bolt action rifle with a trigger say at 3lbs. Your less likely to flinch and less likely to pull the shot when you squeeze the trigger. If you go to a bigger caliber say 7mag on a bolt action your going to have a lot of recoil.. Therefore some people switch to autos to reduce the recoil, but then you don't have the same trigger pull abilities that you do on a bolt action.. That is just my 2cents.. I also like the shorter rounds like 308 for the short action, cause I have missed before and will do it again.. And I can chamber that short round pretty quick..

Blackduck. I like the 270 WSM alot also.. I could get the same ballistics out of a 130 Grain bullet that I was getting out of the 85 BTHP in the 243. With a lot more knock down power.. But I couldn't get over the long barrell so I opted for a 7mm08 in a 16.5 inch barrel.

[cwink]

My friend just got back from hunting in Africa (antelope primarily). He was shooting a 7mm mag, and they aren't crazy about speed over there. They told him that they much prefer bigger and slower. They much preferred a 30-06 with 200 or 220 grain bullets. Doesn't deflect in brush and packs a wallop on the animals.

Got that one covered also 444 Marlin..

[duramax]

Got that one covered also 444 Marlin..

I just bought one this summer too. I'm going to try and load up some 180gr xtp pistol bullets in it and push close to 3000fps. They should have some pretty violent results.

[cwink]

My friend just got back from hunting in Africa (antelope primarily). He was shooting a 7mm mag, and they aren't crazy about speed over there. They told him that they much prefer bigger and slower. They much preferred a 30-06 with 200 or 220 grain bullets. Doesn't deflect in brush and packs a wallop on the animals.

Got that one covered also 444 Marlin..

In fact got most of the hunting situations covered..

Top to Bottom
Ruger 22-250 (Thanks Blackwater) - Varmit and Yotes - South Tx Deer
Ruger 7mm08 Compact - Deer and If I get to go out west
Remington Model 7 243 Synthetic - Deer in bad weather
Weatherby Vangard 243 Wood - Deer in Sunny weather
NEF 444 Marlin - MS Primitive Weapon and Africa

Now if I could just find someone to pay for my trips out west and to Africa

[pelahatchie dawg]

only problem is sometimes he misses.

[cwink]

only problem is sometimes he misses.

Didn't you ever here the saying "If you aint got nothing good to say, then just don't say anything at all"

Besides. I already said that..

That is just my 2cents.. I also like the shorter rounds like 308 for the short action, cause I have missed before and will do it again.. And I can chamber that short round pretty quick..

So there..

[duramax]

only problem is sometimes he misses.

That is just my 2cents.. I also like the shorter rounds like 308 for the short action, cause I have missed before and will do it again.. And I can chamber that short round pretty quick..

So there..

You need to just get an AR. Lots of shot really fast.

[cwink]

only problem is sometimes he misses.

That is just my 2cents.. I also like the shorter rounds like 308 for the short action, cause I have missed before and will do it again.. And I can chamber that short round pretty quick..

So there..

You need to just get an AR. Lots of shot really fast.

No I need to get some friends that won't rat me out..

[Meeka]

I use an 85 grain 2 blade mechanical on carbon coming out of a Hoyt with 65 pounds of pull. See for yourself!

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... c&start=60