My Favourite Pig Rifle

[Baz460]

I think this will open up a huge can of worms but here goes nothing.

I have been hunting for 55 years, and have shot hundreds of Pigs with everything from Rem 17's,22 mag, 222, 22-250, 25/06, 257 Weatherby,7mm Weatherby, 30/30, 300 Weatherby, 50 Cal muzzle loader, 460 XVR SaW and probably 50 or so with a 460 Weatherby , but my favourite is the Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen.

The Whelen loaded with 220 grain hollow point soft nose, is absolutely devastating on Pigs, and it seems not a lot of hunters in Australia use them, but to me it is the best, with a Leupold Pig Plex scope and a 10 shot mag, it is very hard to beat, any one agree with me?

Cheers Baz.

[brett1868]

I know nothing of the 35 Whelen but you got me curious so I'll do some reading. I see you're a fan of the Weatherby's (I've got a .257 & .300) so in my eye you're a good bloke How do you hunt with the 460XVR? I've got one sitting in the shop pending PTA and hanging out to get my mitts on it, unfortunately it's not legal to hunt with handguns in NSW. For pigs I've only ever used a .308 or .300 Wby which seems to do the job nicely.

[Title_II]

I don't think it is ideal, but people shoot 600 pound hogs with 5.56 in the States. I know, shot placement is everything. Well, the animal gets a vote on shot placement, also. I feel you should use something that will smash through bone and make deep straight line penetration.

[sandgroperbill]

The best is whatever you have in your hand when you see one (within reason).
If you were going out with the specific intention of hunting pigs, well, there are plenty of options that would do the trick, but obviously heavier projectiles in something with good mag capacity that is comfortable to you, fast to sight and fast to cycle.
Your setup would fit the bill nicely here, 45-70 in a lever would also fit the bill nicely, jungle carbine, etc.
I've also been meaning to get some 220gr round nose projectiles to try out in the .30-06.

Also, why do I get the feeling Brett is about to buy a 35 whelan?

[GLS_1956]

Oklahoma has passed a law allowing for the hunting of feral pigs/hogs 24/7, no license required, just need land owner's permission. I've got two .223/5.56mm rifles, Ruger'sMini-14 and their SR-556, but if the swine run over 200 lbs I'd probably opt for the 308 Mark X Mauser.

[<<Genesis93>>]

I've always thought of a 35cal.... but in an STA, I bet the extra powder would give those 220grainers a nice shove.. but hollow point??

[wrenchman]

very good round based on the 06 what typ of sights do you have on it

[Title_II]

Oklahoma has passed a law allowing for the hunting of feral pigs/hogs 24/7, no license required, just need land owner's permission. I've got two .223/5.56mm rifles, Ruger'sMini-14 and their SR-556, but if the swine run over 200 lbs I'd probably opt for the 308 Mark X Mauser.

They wouldn't admit they were in my Great Commonwealth for about 15 years. They were afraid they would be required to preserve them and hunters would want them managed. They just wanted them dead. They finally had to give up and said if you are hunting, any season at all, and have a weapon capable, shoot all of them on sight.

[Carter]

I know nothing of the 35 Whelen but you got me curious so I'll do some reading.

Necked up 30-06, gunna have some impressive hunting power

What's not to like

[brett1868]

Also, why do I get the feeling Brett is about to buy a 35 whelan?

Nope, not going to happen. No new rifles till project 50 is completed which is looking more and more like Christmas. I am planning to pickup a Walther PPQ Q5 Competition 9mm this afternoon

[RoginaJack]

My favourite was the ol' 303, iron sights, 10 round mag. charger clip reloads, toss it in the back of the Toyota, made no difference, it just worked...

[Baz460]

Brett. Most of the pigs I shoot are around the 30 yds, but when they get out over the 100 mark and out to 350, I love to use the 257 Weatherby, so that and the Whelen are always with me in the ute, and I just grab which ever I need.

Cheers Baz.

PS .I had a 460XVR SaW for a couple of years, hard on the ears, but loved it, just to heavy to carry around, even with a good holster.

[COLLECTOR 1]

In the good old days my favourite pig rifle was a Valmet 308, with a couple of 10 shot mags,, ,,,they just didn't stand a chance especially when I was on a trail bike or quad.

These days but any of the 308's I own do the job just nicely.

Collector 1

[Releb]

Brett. Most of the pigs I shoot are around the 30 yds

The Whelan must make a serious mess of them at 30 yards.

[WayneO]

For me its my .303 Mk 4 with a synthetic stock, 18" barrel and a custom made ghost ring site with illuminated front pin. I shoot .215g Woodleigh soft's at 1950fps.
I have taken lots of Warthog and bush-pig with her. Now I need to start building her twin sister over here

[sandgroperbill]

Nothing wrong with the ol' three oh. In fact, probably my personal favourite cartridge. I have a real soft spot for it, and people underestimate it

[Strikey]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the venerable Winchester 94, 30.30, a light fast handling lever action with more than enough hitting power for pigs under 100yds, minimal recoil compared to some of the big bangers mentioned so allows for quick follow up shots especially when you spring a mob of pigs I don't get the time these days to go out chasing pigs but would love a dollar for every pig my old 94 has rolled ,

[MR. WINCHESTER]

Has the .243 Winchester been mentioned ?

[Oldbloke]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the venerable Winchester 94, 30.30, a light fast handling lever action with more than enough hitting power for pigs under 100yds, minimal recoil compared to some of the big bangers mentioned so allows for quick follow up shots especially when you spring a mob of pigs I don't get the time these days to go out chasing pigs but would love a dollar for every pig my old 94 has rolled ,

+1. But I would be happy to use the 223 for smaller ones and the 3006 with 180 gainers for bigger stuff these days.

[Gwion]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the venerable Winchester 94, 30.30, a light fast handling lever action with more than enough hitting power for pigs under 100yds, minimal recoil compared to some of the big bangers mentioned so allows for quick follow up shots especially when you spring a mob of pigs I don't get the time these days to go out chasing pigs but would love a dollar for every pig my old 94 has rolled ,

+1. But I would be happy to use the 223 for smaller ones and the 3006 with 180 gainers for bigger stuff these days.

I'm not an experienced pig hunter or anything, but wouldn't having on rifle for all your encounters on one hunt be easiest?

[WayneO]

Has the .243 Winchester been mentioned ?

The .243 is great, but those tasty little ones that you often get to crack at under 50m get turned into dog food very quickly when those 80 and 85g bullets find bone.

[Oldbloke]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the venerable Winchester 94, 30.30, a light fast handling lever action with more than enough hitting power for pigs under 100yds, minimal recoil compared to some of the big bangers mentioned so allows for quick follow up shots especially when you spring a mob of pigs I don't get the time these days to go out chasing pigs but would love a dollar for every pig my old 94 has rolled ,

+1. But I would be happy to use the 223 for smaller ones and the 3006 with 180 gainers for bigger stuff these days.

I'm not an experienced pig hunter or anything, but wouldn't having on rifle for all your encounters on one hunt be easiest?

Yep, would take the 3006.
But if I bumped into a smallish one while carrying the 223 would use it.

[Gwion]

Now i follow what you mean.

[MalleeFarmer]

Can't say I've ever gone after Pigs. But I suppose I'd take my .308 Mauser with 165gr SSTs.

I'm planning a Build on My M70SA and I'm tossing up Between a .338Fed and .358Win recon either of those would be a good pigging Cal as well.

[Blu333]

7600P in .308, short 16 inch barrel easy to handling the scrub, plenty of knock down power and quick and easy follow up shot if needed.

[nooman]

For me its my .303 Mk 4 with a synthetic stock, 18" barrel and a custom made ghost ring site with illuminated front pin. I shoot .215g Woodleigh soft's at 1950fps.
I have taken lots of Warthog and bush-pig with her. Now I need to start building her twin sister over here

Wha? Never seen one with synthetic stock! Got any pics? I love synthetic.

[scotty87]

I'm planning on a European cartridge for my "NT rifle", for pigs and bigger things, am stuck on the idea of a 9.3 x 62 with blued/dark metal in a walnut stock.

[<<Genesis93>>]

You know when you say Euro cartridge.... that covers dozens of chamberings from awesome 5.6mm bangers to 12.7mm boomers and up to 700H&H Nitro.... but I know by Euro most think of the 9 and 9.3mm offerings.

[Title_II]

I'm planning on a European cartridge for my "NT rifle", for pigs and bigger things, am stuck on the idea of a 9.3 x 62 with blued/dark metal in a walnut stock.

I had to look that one up. Looks like it packs a punch.

[scotty87]

You know when you say Euro cartridge.... that covers dozens of chamberings from awesome 5.6mm bangers to 12.7mm boomers and up to 700H&H Nitro.... but I know by Euro most think of the 9 and 9.3mm offerings.

the other one I am contemplating is the 7x64 brenneke which seems to be the equivalent of the .280 remmington, I've got about 200+ .270 winchester once fired cases (and no .270w rifles) which is why I am considering the brenneke, but haven't found any solid info on if I can fire form brass for it from the .270w cases.

at the moment I have available to me a .222 which can shoot 40-52gr projectiles, a .243 (partners rifle) for the 80-100gr, .308 for 135-180gr so I'm thinking the 9.3x62 would be the go for throwing heavier projectiles at things.