hunting hogs

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
I ran into this internet video
(LINK BELOW)

related to hog hunting
I found it very interesting, in that ,
I can partially relate ,
but I find it rather amazing,
as it seems to show mostly rather un-skilled shots,
its just not that hard to hit a close moving target after some experience,\
but I'm guessing they mostly don,t have experience,\
and yes hogs can and do attack and bite!
I've very successfully used both a 44 mag revolver and a 44 mag
loaded with a hard cast 310 grain lee bullets , over a powder charge of 21 grains of H110 powder.
that combo is very effective when the shots well placed.
its skill at placing shots and knowing hog anatomy that counts!
hogs are very common, because of the brush and palmetto thickets they seem to prefer,
in the mid florida area ranges tend to be under 50-60 yards,
making most common iron sight rifles and handguns work rather well
many guys successfully use 357 mags,with hard cast 158-180 grain bullets
10mm, 41 mag,are popular
, SKS and M1 carbines AR15 with 62-70 grain bullets
and shotguns and 30/30, and 44 mag, carbines

(and certainly not nearly as powerful as a 12 ga shotgun loaded with slugs)
most of the guys in the video seem to use shot guns,
but I'm amazed that it looks like the majority of shooters in the video can't shoot accurately,
and seem reluctant to shoot and continue shooting when the chance to place a shot or more arrives
hog-hunt4.jpg

I.ve also used a 357 mag revolver and a 10mm glock
but I can assure you while both work,
and are 100 percent lethal if you can place shots accurately,
they don,t hit as hard as the 44 mag,
(WHICH GETS THE JOB DONE VERY NICELY,)
and
while you certainly don,t need a,
480 ruger
,445 DWSM
,
454 cassul
460 S&W
,or

500 S&W revolver,
all those CALIBER choices pack even more stopping power,
so if you can handle a bigger revolver they are an option,
YOU MIGHT CARE TO LOOK AT
keep in mind that cartridges like the 445 dan wesson
(an extended length case 44 mag,) or the 454 casull and 460 S&W ( an extended length case, similar to a 45 colt)
while significantly more powerful than a standard 44 mag, are not necessarily more lethal in skilled hands, but the extra velocity allows longer effective range use.
and the DAN WESSON REVOLVERS ARE KNOWN TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY ACCURATE and BARRELS ARE EASY TO REPLACE

445PP1.jpg
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_hunt_121305/
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if you watch this linked video keep in mind hes using jacketed hollow point ammo, you can generally get significantly deeper penetration with hard cast flat nose bullets in either caliber
I would strongly suggest selecting a 6"-10" barrel pistol or revolver for any serious hunting application to maximize velocity and to provide a good sight radias.
http://www.biggamehunt.net/articles/beginners-guide-big-game-handgun-hunting

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http://www.ballistics101.com/357_magnum.php
(while certainly not a power house choice, Or something Id recommend),
in the hands of a skilled hunter I has taken about everything in north America at one time or another)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=


http://www.ballistics101.com/10mm.php
(not bad for a compact auto pistol used for hunting and with proper hand loads certainly useful)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=10 mm&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=


http://www.ballistics101.com/41_magnum.php
(great choice if recoil bothers you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=41 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=


http://www.ballistics101.com/44_magnum.php
(without doubt the least expensive and most effective choice for most people)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=


http://www.ballistics101.com/454_casull.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=454 Casull&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.ballistics101.com/460_sw.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=460 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=


http://www.ballistics101.com/480_ruger.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=480 Ruger&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.ballistics101.com/500_sw.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
S&W 1006 10mm
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pistolpen.png

above a chart obtained by shooting factory hollow point ammo into
a pressure treated rail road tie , notice how both projectile weight and velocity effect the impact energy, but, its both bullet weight and diameter and the bullet construction that matters
hard cast lead alloy bullets cast from 95% lead and 5% tin generally penetrate deeper, even the better hard cast 357 mag 170 grain bullets tend to exit the far side of hogs I've shot and a 44 mag loaded with 310 hard cast almost always will, and hard cast do expand rather consistently but its max penetration that they get thats critical.
hard cast bullets seem to produce more consistent results in my experience than factory hollow points, that can be devastating most of the time but occasionally fail to penetrate,or at times zip through without the same effect.

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btw the best hunting load I've found over the decades for the 44 mag revolver
now this observation has very little to do with the handgun or caliber you decide to carry, but I find it rather amusing when I see guys state something along the lines of
"well, Id prefer a glock with 13-19 cartridge capacity over a 5-to-6 shot revolver"

yeah I can easily see that thought process, but I've actually been charged by a large very vindictive hog, one of my friends wounded..... your issue is with time and distance, and if you think your going to have the time available on a rapidly charging hog, or bear, too place your shots, precisely or have that set of teeth/tusks/claws in your sights for more than at most a couple seconds your in for a rude awakening.
yeah, you can pump out several shots a second at the range on a stationary target , but in close cover you'll be lucky to have 3-to- 5 seconds to react, and on a fast in-coming target
that's not a great deal of time.
I used to shoot bowling pin matches double action with a S&W 44 mag revolver,
(where you try to knock several bowling pins off a table against a stop watch)
I think I'm at least above average in both skill and experience, you might have more than 3-4 shot capacity but your unlikely to have the time to place even 2-3 shots.

I Use 95% WW alloy and 5% pure tin by volume
20 grains of H110 and this LEE 310 grain, or a lyman 300 grain ,cast bullet, sized .430,,seated just shy of cylinder length and crimp firmly (casting the bullets hot enough to have a slightly frosted appearance and dropping them into a 5 gallon bucket of water seems to help consistency and uniform hardness)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...cf-430-diameter-310-grain-flat-nose-gas-check
notice on this penetration test that the 300 grain hard cast 44 mag at roughly 30"

http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh.penetration.tests.asp?year=all

linba4.png

Glock2010mmd.jpg

while these may not be most peoples choice in hunting handguns I can assure you that in practiced hand's
Ive found both choices are quite effective

the 44 mag silhouette with adjustable front site and 10 5/8" barrel
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ranges tend to be short in florida brush
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http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-a-handgun-for-hunting-hogs-deer-elk.1864/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...you-cast-and-hunt-with-bullets-you-made.6802/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ow-many-guys-use-a-slug-gun-for-hunting.2722/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...rence-in-ammo-effectiveness.14384/#post-73941

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/need-sks-and-or-ak47-advice-7-62-x-39.5897/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/where-in-hell-is-my-buck.14375/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ounger-guy-how-to-hunt-with-a-revolver.14205/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/44-mag-reload-info.3409/
 
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have you ever taken the time and effort to teach a new guy too...hunt with a handgun effectively?

I've taken the time to teach several younger hunters over the years
I figured the first place to start would be to get the guy to pass a state hunter safety course , (he is a neighbors son thats about 22 in this case)
and have him pick up all the local management area brochures, game department regulations and local maps, , too read, we take the time and effort to frequently visit ,the local out door 100 yard range, to practice.
don,t get discouraged if your new disciple takes some time to become proficient it generally takes months, or even years in rare cases, too master a hand gun.
become proficient with a reasonably powerful and accurate handgun and an introduction to hand-loading.
he owned a 686 8.375" stainless 357 mag so I figured we could start with that as its certainly adequate with the correct hand-loaded ammo.
this nei design works well in my brother in laws 357 mag S&W revolver so I used the same mold design for these handloads

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S&W 1006 10mm
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http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html
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I generally suggest sighting all my hunting revolvers on a target like this at 75 yards, where you aim at the center yellow dot and adjust the sights so bullets consistently impact on the upper red dot, getting too the point where you can keep all the bullet impacts within 1"-2" of that red dot on the target takes lots of practice at the range and reload press and casting bullets., practice in all those steps helps.
like with most skills this takes work, and consistent practice and if your not willing to put in the time and effort you;ll have a hard time mastering the required skills.
now a 357 mag in skilled hands can kill any deer or hog and thats what this guys intending to hunt, I have a suspicion that he may eventually move to a 41 mag or 44 mag , or even a 480 ruger, revolver as his revolver skill and proficiency with that current revolver increases

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun

12 grains of h110 powder, under a gas check, 175 grain nei 357 bullet cast from 95% ww alloy and 5% pure tin, sized .358, once you've helped a new guy,develop the required skills with the weapon of his choice, Ill show him related skills like field dressing use of a climbing tree stand etc.
most guys range estimates are laughable past about 100 yards with an iron sight revolver so I generally suggest they not shoot past 100 yards , but if you do sight in a revolver to shoot a couple inches high at 75 yards those occasional shots taken at 100-120 yards tend to be hitting much closer to the intended impact points
if you look at that hog diagram, shots to that area with the three dots that basically destroy the heart/lungs and shoulder work and a bit higher shatter the spine all lethal hits
 
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Grumpy I would love to hunt hogs but they arn't around here. I just bought a Desert Eagle 50AE. I only shot it once and it shoots nice and a lot milder than I expected I did have an issue with my reloads not cycling the slide I started at the lowest charge of accurate #9 as I moved up a tenth at a time it seemed to push the slide farther but still not cycle. The factory rounds worked fine and my reloads fired good once I cycled it by hand so I'm thinking the charge is the problem and there is not a lot of info on the loads. I also got a couple new deer rifles a Tikka t-3 lite stainless 25-06 and a Savage trophy hunter 116 in 7mm Rem mag so Ive got some work to do working up loads for them and the other 4 I bought myself for Christmas all pistols a Sig 1911 and a Sig 380 that I hate I thought the woman would like it better than the Glock 43 but I was wrong I also got a Para Expert 1911 and an older S&W 5906 9mm that I like a lot and really don't know why I can't explain it yet but there is just something I like about this 9mm but I like it better than the rest of my 9mms and I have a few to compare but not enough yet to make me happy because I want them all like any gun owner its never enough. On a side note Grumpy I'm looking into a progressive press for pistol only I need to stay with a Hornaday because of all the dies I own I have the L&L bushings for and that's a lot of money in bushings and its so easy to change over to different calibers I am looking at the bullet plant press but i'm not sure of the auto feed. I think I'm liking the plane progressive press because its more hands on and still has to be a lot faster than a single stage press. Because you are about the only one I know of that I know isn't blowing smoke I do value your opinion and experience
 
Grumpy I wanted to explain the blowing smoke I meet a few people at the range that reload and claim to know everything there is to know about reloading ( and they might ) but they don't impress me in that way plus they are the best shots on the face of the earth but never have a gun and every year they shoot a 40 point buck at 1000 yards with a pea shooter I'm sure you have met the type one day this one guy got mad at me because I was picking up my brass and he told me that he came up to the range every morning to pick up the brass I didn't get ignorant but told him he wasn't getting my brass because I reload it. This idiot had the nerve to tell me that I could have my own brass then. This is why I don't like going to the range I would much rather go to the farm by myself
 
your Desert Eagle 50AE cycling issue sure sounds like your charging the cases with too little powder and btw, on a case that large moving up a half grain at a time, not a tenth , is still very conservative.
I think youll find that Tikka t-3 lite stainless 25-06 to be an excellent rifle (most stainless barrels need to be cleaned frequently to maintain best accuracy) Ive had excellent results in my 257 wby with these https://www.speer-ammo.com/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullets/257/257-100-sptz-sp-bullet limit the hits to lung/heart shots they expand rapidly
yes theres always a few guys that
( conveniently always forgot to bring their good rifle)
who know everything about what YOUR doing wrong,
most of them can,t hit a coke can at a 100 yards,
shooting off hand if you pay them.
I've always been amazed at the guys that can put three shots in a quart off the bench rest at 100 yards,
that assume that now that the rifle can do that that THEY CAN,
shooting from field positions ,
many could not consistently hit a 5 gallon bucket at 200 yards,
shooting off hand or even from a sitting position.
well? how many of you gentlemen have or want to hunt deer and hogs with a handgun? how many of you have taken the effort to teach some younger guy the basics?
https://www.google.com/maps/place/I...05d2d67c056d3b!8m2!3d26.4185248!4d-81.4174057

Ive shot a good many hogs in that basic area,
JW corbett, bear island, sprit-of-the -wild management areas

http://myfwc.com/media/2884420/BigCypressMap.pdf

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/''/@26.6201885,-81.4803156,12z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x88db993a4fd92217:0x184efaff3144750a!2m2!1d-81.4102753!2d26.6202056


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/26.3620778,-82.3193964/''/@26.6201885,-81.9705805,9z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x88db993a4fd92217:0x184efaff3144750a!2m2!1d-81.4102753!2d26.6202056


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...hooting-from-field-positions.9380/#post-71169

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-you-don-t-sight-dead-on-at-100-yards.14018/
 
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have you ever been charged by a hog
Anatomy-Pig2.jpg

https://huntsfish.com/hunting-wild-boar-shoot.html


Ive shot dozens of hogs over several decades, most try hard to avoid hunters and vacate the area your in fast.
now I'll be the first guy to point out that some "charges" guys talk about,
maybe the result of some hog just picking the direction he was headed in and running flat out to escape a perceived threat!
but I'm convinced after decades thats not always true!
I know from decades of hunting hogs that on a rare occasion if you wound a large hog,
he may have revenge on his vindictive, little pig minds agenda!
on one of the first hog hunts I ever went on my buddy was in a tree stand overlooking a field of about 7 acres,
and I was across that field that was covered in densely grown grass, weeds brush, about 2-3 feet thick And tall mostly sawgrass,
covering an area that had been burnt off the year previously.
he had just shot at a large hog with his 12 ga using buck-shot at a range of about 50 yards,
As I was about 1/2 way across that field the hog must have heard me walking as at the shot,
I could see the grass parting like a bow wave from a ship as he headed straight for my location,
while several other smaller bow waves generated by other hogs took off at about 90 degrees, from his route.
I had a 44 mag model 29 loaded with 240-grain hard cast gas check bullets,
Smith-and-Wesson-29-4-DA-44-Mag-Blue-8-375-Target-Hammer-Goncalo-Alves-Grip_101363628_87170_FC95E40FA6BB628E.jpg

over a stiff load of 19.5 grains of 2400 powder,
I could see the grass parting in a straight line headed in my direction,
but until the hog got to about 30 feet distance I could not see him.
now keep in mind, the ranges where we hunt in Florida seldom exceed 40 yards and 50 yards is a rare long shot,
most shots are taken at under 40 yards , in very thick brush. saw grass palmetto etc.
frankly, I was not ready at the time to repel a charge but as soon as I saw a target I fired and the hog flipped and skidded and kicked a few times,
the body stopping about 10 feet from me I thought Id fired once, but after checking I realized my pistol had two empty cases,
and the hog was hit once in the spine behind the head and once in the ribs further back along the spine,
Id fired twice both double action shots at close range,(at under 35 feet)
with both hard cast 44 bullets passing through that hog that had to weight in the 120-130 lb range,
exiting the lower hog stomach area at different angles and locations.
dressing out the hog we found two buckshot in the left ham.
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on a different hunt a buddy shot at a hog that looked like it dropped instantly he went over and was about to nudge it with his toe when it jumped up and hooked him in the calf causing a 15 stitch slice in his leg
both he with a 9mm and another buddy with a 357 mag revolver stopped further damage, with a hail of bullets,
and a rapid trip to the local hospital resulted from the serious medical damage to his leg, that took months to recover from and it left a damn impressive scar!

why on earth, this guy in that video, did not put a second arrow on the bowstring,
the second he released the first,
shot and draw it and aim it in anticipation,
and have it ready for that potential charge?
thats like archery hunting 101 !
like with every other weapon, you keep shooting until the game drops as long as its in range
even a less than ideally placed body shot on a wounded game animal is better,
than standing helplessly and useless and clueless , unprepared as the game charges or runs away!
while its been my experience that most hogs will immediately,
try to be as far as possible from any hunter they see,, and youll seldom get a shot still hunting,
as they will generally detect you before you can get a decent shot.
much of my local area is very well stocked with wild or feral hogs
many farmers will let you shoot hogs on their property if you ask , look like your responsible and
offer free cases of beer.
the larger hogs (boar or sows) are potentially a threat, once they are cornered or wounded.
so approach a wounded or presumably dead hog ready to shoot, if that's required.
now Its been my experience that hogs stick to the thicker brush in daylight,
and you just don,t get shots much over 30-40 yards.
thus a reasonable handgun, iron-sighted rifle, or shotgun work rather well and scoped rifles are not always ,
as useful, BECAUSE IN THICKER AREAS THE LOCAL HOGS SEEM TO PREFER,
ranges can frequently be in the under 10-15 yard ranges,

I've talked to a great many of the local guys and they seem to shoot most hogs from tree stands while in theory waiting for deer.
if your 15-25 ft up in a tree stand your scent does not seem to be as easily detected.
know a few guys that say they can attract hogs to an area with bait,
rancid milk and molasses, cattle feed , and 3 day old frozen shrimp and molasses, raw peanuts and mollases are popular from what I hear.

https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20150214/SPORTS/801239392

https://www.hogmanoutdoors.com/blog/diy-hog-hunting-bait-tips-and-tricks-for-taking-feral-hogs

https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/game-changers/hog-hunting-where-kill-wild-public-land-pigs-south/#:~:text=Hunt Wild Boar for Free in Florida&text=The Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area,and offers good hog hunting.

http://www.floridasportsman.com/2020/06/05/baiting-hogs/#:~:text=Corn is king when it,Pigs like to dig.

(mostly private property)
but thats not legal in many areas
I generally hunt deer in preference to hogs , but some local guys just love hogs
while I prefer a magnum handgun, lever action rifles and 12 ga shotguns are the more common firearms used locally


If he could not learn that skill (a fast second shot with a bow)
he might want to spend $69 on a back-up plan to repel,
what might have been very expensive personal bodily damage
cold steel makes a semi-decent boar spear with a crossguard to keep the vindictive boar from advancing up the shaft once stuck through the body
CS95BOASKa.jpg

Last edited by hardcastonly; 08-02-2020 at 11:29 PM.

I suppose its a different way of hunting,
I was always taught, never ever, take your eyes off the game,
and if you can,t draw and nock a second or third arrow on your bow string,
without looking at the process, or if a hunter can,t do it seamlessly and nearly effortlessly,
they need much more practice,
you re-chamber or reload your rifle, working the bolt, or lever or slide during recoil,
I know I darn sure do that and get the sights back on target,
without thinking, a second about the necessity,
as you might need a follow up shot, even if 90% of the time its not needed,

you do that, without looking or dropping the rifle off your shoulder don,t you!
but admittedly I was taught to hunt with a 70 lb recurve not a compound bow

have you ever seen this video, its amazing what a really skilled archer can do,

 
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I was recently asked what to buy if you wanted a rifle designed to hunt deer and hogs in thick brush,
(youll rarely need to take shots over 100 yards in most areas on deer or hogs)
Hogs in florida are hunted on private property all year,
as they are considered vermin,
as they destroy millions of dollars in farm crops and do lots of property damage every year
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Id strongly suggest,after 5 decades of hunting hogs,
Id suggest you don,t try using #4 buckshot or a 20 ga with buckshot,
if your using buckshot stick to double ought shot size ,
and under about 35 yards in range if you intend on getting good results
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thats been good advice even when I use my 10 ga semi auto ithaca
a
1 3/4OZ slug loaded for stationary first shots followed by two 18 pellets 00 buckshot shells in the magazine
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a 12 ga works, but it's not quite as effective especially once ranges exceed 35 yards
now obviously smaller hogs under let's say 100 lbs maybe a bit easier to kill
than larger versions but most hogs are shot in fairly thick brush
and can go some distance once wounded, you don,t want to lose many with less than quickly lethal wounds

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well that answer depends mostly on your budget and personal preferences,
if you have to have a kick butt and take names carbine I doubt you can improve on a BLR.
I've found these two lever actions both dependable and accurate
THE BROWNING BLR in either 358 win or 450 marlin caliber chamberings
I received a brief e-mail asking why I seem to be promoting the 450 marlin and 358 win cartridges in the BLR
I'm not promoting any caliber or action type,
simply pointing out what I see rather frequently, being used.
they easily shoot tight groups and can be used on anything,
even ELK out a 250 plus yards in skilled hands.
(certainly the most versatile choice,
but it could easily cost near $1000
with a scope and mounts extra)
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358 win is 53,000 psi
with a 250 grain speer bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....250-grain-hot-cor-spitzer-soft-point-50-count
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards,

using 44 grains of imr 4064 AND A 215 FEDERAL PRIMER
(how everyone in our hunt club does it)
a 358 win will be about dead on at 200 yards and about 10 inchs low at 300 yards

btw
the speer 220 gain flat tip .358 bullet ,
loaded over 51 grains of 748 winchester powder
and a 215 federal primer has proven to be very effective on hogs and deer,
if used in a 358 win BLR

https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/
it would certainly kill elk but most if not all my friends vastly prefer the 250 grain speer bullet for elk.



the marlin 1894 in 44 mag is about the most common and well liked carbine around here and loaded with a lee 310 grain cat bullet over 21 grains of H110 powder its certainly very effective out to about 140 yards...
most hogs are shot at less than 60 yards, and I can count the deer I shot in florida at over 150 yards,
with several fingers left over on one hand,
cost generally runs close to $500-$600 currently on the 44 mag carbines


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these Norinco sporters are an excellent choice in my opinion,
but are hard to find,
and generally cost about $475-$550 the norinco is NOT a precision and superbly accurate target rifle, but IT IS more than accurate enough to consistently place all shots off a bench rest into a 3" 100 yard group,

with most ammo, and much tighter with match handloads,
and at least in my area shots over 50-60 yards are VERY RARE

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certainly a better option , and cheaper, and ideal for fast running hogs in thick cover,
low recoil, and certainly more effective than the typical m1 30 cal, carbines I see used.
than your typical marlin lever action 30/30 or ruger semi auto 44 mag or mini 14 in my opinion
remember FLA hunt regulations require a 5 shot max capacity mag,

and expanding bullets designs are used.
if you handload remember the 7.62/39 uses .311 bullets


22 grains of h4198 under 150 grain .311 bullet works well on hogs out of the norinko carbine:like:

certainly, a 16"-20" barrel AR15 has become very popular in this area
keep in mind your limited to use of a 5 shot magazine in florida
prices vary with options but $650-$800 should get you a decent example
I would suggest a heavy varmint barrel in a 16" version

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https://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=78
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