.223 with heavy projectiles as a pig gun?

[juststarting]

Question, would a .223 with 69gn or 80gn projectiles be enough, as a pig gun?

Ta

[Oldbloke]

Yep, should do for the smaller varieties. But whats wrong with using the 308? If the rifle has a fast twist rate, say 1 in 9 it should be more suited to the longer/heavier projectiles. But I dont think its a big deal. More experienced guys with 223s will better answer that qn.

[NukeBOMB88]

Yeah if you hit the boiler room it'd be very effective

[juststarting]

Oldbloke, absolutely nothing wrong with .308. But hey, if it's there, why not use it Hence asking.

[Oldbloke]

I would prefer the 308 over the 223. Better over than under gunned.

[AusTac]

I know id rather a 30 cal when a pissed off pig isn't far away

[MalleeFarmer]

I'm with old bloke as soon as I saw the thread and who started it my first thought was just use your .308 but I agree on one count. If you have it you may as well use it. I started loading up my .308 for foxes after all. Something that may be worth considering is the Nosler 60gr Partition. They're a well constructed bullet that by design can only mushroom the front half of the projectile and retain at least (most often much more than) half their original weight. Have a go but take your .308 as well in case your results with the .223 are unimpressive.

[Mitch]

Yup, I know blokes use them quite a bit. Personally I don't like 308's, overrated POS

[juststarting]

Yep, .308 is my go to, but was keen to see if .223 was doable. Sounds like it's doable but not preferred, which is cool. Testing required. I'll be with a friend (with 30-30), so I think it's worth a try. May bring .308 along just in case though. Nothing planned yet, in terms of a trip but starting to research now. Also got my first deer last weekend - 308 works well

[southwest shooter]

Yeah why not but I prefer a 25/06.

[Oldbloke]

If I was out fox whistling with a 223 and spotted a goat or smaller pig (say up to 60kg) I would take a crack. If I went pig hunting I would choose the 308 everytime.
Does that clarify it.?

[darwindingo]

I agree with Oldbloke, Congrats on the Deer Btw....

[juststarting]

Oldbloke, makes sense.

[on_one_wheel]

Pigs are Australia's most dangerous game.
While hunting them with a .223 isn't unheard of, I wouldn't recommend it especially if you have the much more suitable .308

Having enough gun is an important part of ethical hunting.

[juststarting]

Ok fine .308!

Bemtaz, I completely forgot about the Mosin. I think it needs more glory days, think you may be on to something.

[happyhunter]

Pigs are Australia's most dangerous game.

Now that's a bit of an exaggeration.

223 is plenty gun for pigs. Just don't use varmint projectiles. Use bonded bullets.

[tony308]

223 your under gunned on pigs

[on_one_wheel]

Pigs are Australia's most dangerous game.

Now that's a bit of an exaggeration.

That's no exaggeration, pigs are officially Australia's most dangerous game.

I'll try to find a link but I read in a hunting magazine that pigs cause the most frequent injuries to hunters than any other animals putting them at #1 most dangerous game in Australia .

It's not something to take for granted when your on foot around pigs.
Pigs will charge when threatened and those tusks are at a perfect height to rip your thighs deeply. There's some big arteries there.

[Oldbloke]

Gets back to the size of the pig and projectile. Along with a few other variables such as velocity, range, shot placement etc. As I said for smaller goats and pigs should do the job. But would not be my selection. Obviously u pass up shots on larger pigs. Better over than under gunned.

[juststarting]

I've read somewhere, that 69gn+ projectiles would do the trick. Bonded/good quality controlled expansion bullets seems to be the consensus as well. I was thinking about working up my load, close to max with AR2208 - using 80gn hollow points. Still might try one day.

But majority of you are saying 30cal. So going to go with that as default.

Thanks!

Now... NSW/VIC border seems to be the go, but I had a look on Google maps and this side of the border looks a bit restricted and lacks enough vegetation (where I was looking anyway). So, if anyone feels like DM'ing me with some Vic locations for porkies, that would be very nice of you.

[deanp100]

Most Buffalo or scrub bulls are less likely to be your friend.

[juststarting]

Oooooo

[David Brown]

Start at 6.5mm or .308

[on_one_wheel]

This is off topic but none the less interesting.

I have it on good authority that feral pigs have made it to Spalding South Australia with one grazier reporting a ewe had been eaten by feral pigs.

[Gamerancher]

I reckon buffalo and scrub bulls trump pigs as our most "dangerous" game. The stats on injuries to hunters would include "piggers" running around with dogs and knives.
The injuries would no doubt include things like twisted ankles and such from the chase. Be careful relying on statistics, unless you know what the parameters are. According to statistics, the most "dangerous" part of truck driving is getting in and out of the vehicle. Tell that to the hundreds who die in road accidents each year.
Personally, in over 35 years of hunting on foot, I've never had a pig "charge" me, the ones I shoot lie still (dead) and the others tend to vacate in the opposite direction, fast! Not saying it hasn't happened to someone but I reckon it gets blown out of proportion.
.223 for pigs? Why not, with a well placed shot at reasonable distance it will do the job. Hit one in the back leg with a 300win mag and it will still run away on the other 3.

[Baronvonrort]

It comes down to how big the pigs are, smaller pigs are fine with the .223 I would use something bigger for larger pigs.

[MalleeFarmer]

Short answer is YES. Long answer is use Enough Gun. You have a Mosin and you have a .308 leave the .223 for the foxes and bunnies.

[juststarting]

Ok ok I get it, 30 cal... Sheeesh.

[Oldbloke]

But wouldnt the 308 destroy too much meat?

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I think everyone missed my point.
Projectile too big or too small, too fast or slow for the range. Perhaps too hard or soft. Good or poor placement. Every situation is different, and there are a lot of variables. I would argue that a subsonic 22lr is not enough for foxes, but plenty are shot with it in cool hands. I have shot foxes with no 6 shot, but would never recommend it. This argument could go on for ever. At 50 meters on a small pig with good shot placement I would not hesitate to take a shot with a 223. In the same situation with a texas heart shot with a 308 would be very crappy indead. If you get my meaning. And ruin the meat. And your outlook depend on if you are pest shooting or for the pot.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

I'll add my 2 bob
I jave seen a few mates of mine drop some rather large pigs,deer with 222-223 rifles all comes down to shot placement. 308 at the end of the day wold be a more ethical calibre for the job. Now i did see someone say 300 win mag dont get me wrong great caliber however you'll tell anything in the next two post codes that your looking for them.

There are other options
7.62x39
30-30
22-250
300 blackout

End of the day they will all do the job, personally id be looking for something that you could constantly hit a 10c piece at 100