Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

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Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by goldiexxxx » 13 Feb 2020, 6:59 am

Hi all,

This is a two part question really.

Firstly, what are your recommendations for a 12Ga load for hunting pigs aside from 00/SGs and why? I know SGs will knock them over easily, but once they start getting beyond 30m, then there is not that many pellets to cover a pig. So here I'm asking what load then goes that bit further for the pigs in the mob still running away?

Second, there just seems to be so little on offer at my local gun shops. They only sell SGs or #4 Buck in a few types of lethargic loads. What ever happened to 18 pellet SSGs? These were the standard load I bought the last time I owned a shotgun some 30 years ago. What brand is still offered with SSGs that I can get one of my LGS to order in? I ordered a box of Winchester 16 pellets the other day, but $35 a box is a lot more than any other they sell.

I'll chuck in a third question. Is it worth it financially to load my own?

All help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Jt-2019 » 13 Feb 2020, 8:35 am

goldiexxxx wrote:Hi all,

This is a two part question really.

Firstly, what are your recommendations for a 12Ga load for hunting pigs aside from 00/SGs and why? I know SGs will knock them over easily, but once they start getting beyond 30m, then there is not that many pellets to cover a pig. So here I'm asking what load then goes that bit further for the pigs in the mob still running away?

Second, there just seems to be so little on offer at my local gun shops. They only sell SGs or #4 Buck in a few types of lethargic loads. What ever happened to 18 pellet SSGs? These were the standard load I bought the last time I owned a shotgun some 30 years ago. What brand is still offered with SSGs that I can get one of my LGS to order in? I ordered a box of Winchester 16 pellets the other day, but $35 a box is a lot more than any other they sell.

I'll chuck in a third question. Is it worth it financially to load my own?

All help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,



Hey mate id just assume that 00 would do the job if your worried about range maybe grab a rifle too? Sorry mate just trying to get my opinion across rather the actual knowledge because I don't really know much about hunting just trying to help.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Blr243 » 13 Feb 2020, 8:57 am

I get the idea about more pellets in the loads other than 9 pellet loads , but at longer ranges I prefer them to be hit properly with bigger pellets or not at all. I hate the idea of pigs getting away wounded with bb or aaa or ssg so I just stick with oosg these days. My change of thought about this is only recent. I previously preferred AAA shells
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Oldbloke » 13 Feb 2020, 4:22 pm

Never tried them myself but solids were popular with a couple of mates yonks ago. Or as mentioned above by a rifle.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Blr243 » 13 Feb 2020, 5:46 pm

Eley make bb and aaa I think they make a 32 and a 36 gram load in AAA
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by CAVEMAN » 13 Feb 2020, 7:20 pm

Heres something from qld government

Each model code has specific requirements for the types of firearms and ammunition
considered suitable for specific animals.

PIG003 Ground Shooting Feral Pigs - Large calibre, high-powered rifles (at
least equal to .243 performance), fitted with a telescopic sight are
recommended. Hollow-point or soft-nosed (minimum 80 grain) ammunition
should be used.12-gauge shotguns with heavy shot sizes of SG or SSG, may
be effective, but only up to a distance of 20 metres from the target animal.

DOG003: Ground Shooting Wild Dogs - Small bore, high velocity, centre fire
rifles fitted with a telescopic sight are preferred e.g. .22-250, .22 Hornet, .222
Remington, .223 or .243 Winchester. Hollow-point or soft nosed ammunition
should always be used. • Rimfire weapons with lower muzzle energy are not
recommended because of the greater risk of non-lethal wounding. • 12-gauge
shotguns with heavy shot sizes of No. 2, SSG, BB or AAA may be effective,
but only up to a distance of 20 metres from the target animal.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by MalleeFarmer » 13 Feb 2020, 8:19 pm

I’d agree with those who suggest buying a rifle.. otherwise use a slug in the 12g. I don’t like using pellets for anything other than birds or small game.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by bigpete » 13 Feb 2020, 9:22 pm

Blr243 wrote:Eley make bb and aaa I think they make a 32 and a 36 gram load in AAA

36 and 42 gram loads
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Blr243 » 13 Feb 2020, 10:31 pm

I stand corrected. That bloody eley stuff malfunctions in my new straight pull ...... there’s just no fun busting the skin of your hands as your trying to smash open a stuck bolt handle
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by wrenchman » 14 Feb 2020, 3:26 am

i have shot a lot of stuff with buck shot and the 1oz slug and can say there is not much that a 1oz slug will not kill i only use 00 buck when i no my shots will be under 50 yards and fast shots they are tools and if used right they will work great.
Keep in mind you should check your pattern with buck shot and make sure slugs hit were you put the beed and i have found with the slugs that i get my best groups from smoth bore shot guns with remington slugger
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by wrenchman » 14 Feb 2020, 3:31 am

these are them they sell 7/8oz and the full1oz with both you should make sure your gun shoots them point of aim.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by goldiexxxx » 14 Feb 2020, 7:27 am

Thanks for the advice folks.
I suppose I should have said my aim is to use a shotgun to eradicate more pigs than I can with a rifle. Nine and more pellets in rapid succession through a straight-pull shotgun, striking more pigs in a mob, than can be achieved with a bolt rifle. When the mob scatters after the first shot, I assumed a shotgun would put more lead in the air than a rifle, and therefore result in more dead pigs. I already hunt pigs with a rifle, I have a dozen rifles, but once the mob start to scatter, we generally only hit only one more extra pigs on the run (occasionally more). During daylight I hunt with a rifle, but at night we can get as close as 15m from mobs of pigs without them knowing of our presence. I am hoping that two straight-pull shotguns at that range is going to result in six or seven dropped pigs in a few seconds with the right shot load. Some of those pigs would be expected to still be shot out to 30-40m as they escape.

So the general opinion I am getting is that at the maximum effective (downed pig effective) range of the shotgun, then heavier pellets are still more effective due to mass, rather than shot coverage achievable from a lighter shot size?

I understand that almost any shot size will kill a single pig at close range, but I'm more concerned about what I should use on the third to fifth rounds in the magazine. Interested to see what your opinions on that statement are going to be.

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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Blr243 » 14 Feb 2020, 10:30 am

I also hunt mobs at night sometimes getting close enough to hear them munching. I bought a straight pull specifically for what u suggest hoping to get close to mobs of smaller pigs with AAA shells. I find the pigs are nervous at night in the open cultivation so they are bunched up tight together. I thought a couple of quick shots from the straight pull on mobs of young pigs and suckers wood b more ective than my rifle because the remaining pigs bolt often not giving me an opportunity for a second shot. Couple of times when loading the quad in the arvo prior to a nights hunting I have included the shotgun in my gear but for some reason it stays in the quad. Probably mainly because for a great boar or a fox out of shotgun range I know I can shoot anything up to 250 m with the rifle I don’t want to be out in the open with a shotty is I can’t get close. Perhaps one night soon I will see a mob of small ones close to the quad so I can walk out and get them. Otherwise my new shotgun is going to b living a very modest boring life
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Oldbloke » 14 Feb 2020, 12:27 pm

goldiexxxx wrote:
I understand that almost any shot size will kill a single pig at close range, but I'm more concerned about what I should use on the third to fifth rounds in the magazine. Interested to see what your opinions on that statement are going to be.

Goldie



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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Am88 » 17 Feb 2020, 7:51 am

I have a cheapo couch gun I bought, as at one point I had access (got sold) to a property with veggies and mangos, walking around I used to sling a rifle with a wrap around sling that held it in place, and I'd walk with the shotgun as I used to jump pigs alot in the thick where you couldn't see, in one barrel I has SG's 9 pellet, and a 1 ounce slug Inthe other, it seemed to work pretty well, and if I managed to come spot one a distance aways I just put the shorty on the ground and shot with the rifle, I used to do the same on the quad. Probably used shorty a tad more but still got a few with the rifle.

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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Archie » 17 Feb 2020, 9:49 am

So Goldie, just thinking this one through. You’re not (I think + hope) expecting to reliably down more than one pig with one shot yeah? I mean I’m sure it’ll happen but generally I don’t reckon you’d get enough pattern spread, and if you did I reckon you’ve got a lot of wounded pigs?

If I understand it right, what your plan is, is that you get shots off more quickly with a straight pull shotgun than with a bolt action rifle? So more hit opportunities before they scatter?

If that is the case, would you be better off going with a pump action rifle and a red dot? Or possibly a lever?
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by KMA » 17 Feb 2020, 9:46 pm

With my o/u escort 12g the second shot is just a pull of the same trigger ,2 loads of buckshot very quick.Having said that i prefer a rifle & a 10 round mag.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by goldiexxxx » 20 Feb 2020, 9:08 pm

So I haven't tried this out yet as the wet season has just kept us away from hunting. Too much water around to mess up the tracks on the property. But the thought I've had is to have two shotguns unleashing a hail of lead in a few seconds at a mob of pigs, which should drop more pigs than the two of us with rifles in the same circumstance. Kind of like a German Flak gunner just puts it up there and lets the aircraft run in to it. But in all seriousness, I want to avoid pigs getting away wounded, but not too concerned if I have to clean up with second shots. This is only at night where we can get to less than 20m of the mob with a thermal monocular, I would still be using a rifle during daylight. I'm looking for the best load that is the most efficient (quantity of dead pigs) without making a mess of it. I think SG or #1 buck is going to be the best options. I've only had one experience with a shotgun hunting pigs and that is what gave me the idea to improve upon that incident. That time my mate used a sawn off double barrel and he carved a path through the mob with only two shots; impressive even with the AAAs he used.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Am88 » 21 Feb 2020, 7:28 am

In that case IMO the 9 pellet 00SG's would be a good option, they are a fair size pellet, from memory about 8mm diameter, and they hit pretty hard, I have some #4 Buck shells at home, 16 pellet, and although good, they don't hit like the 00SG's on 20l of water. If your only 20m away use cylinder or improved cylinder bore choke too.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by pumaguy » 22 Jul 2020, 5:56 pm

we have a bernadelli O/U in .308 and 12G. works well! easy calibres to feed it. have seen a few O/U,s for sale. BRNO 12G 7x57R on used guns. a comprise but if 12 gauge doesnt centrefire will!
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Ferrisweil » 22 Jul 2020, 6:22 pm

I’lll throw in my two cents for what it’s worth.
I’ve shot a LOT of pigs in many situations. I’ve tried your method of the “German Flak Gunner” and it’s rare that it works well. Pigs are tough critters and using the tactic of throwing lead in the air, you’ll either miss or just wound pigs...
Shotties are great during the day, waking the brigalow, lime bush or the thick stuff when you’ve got quick shots in thick scrub. Also good chasing them on quads and we always have a shotty on the ute roof at night. I really only run 00SG and sometimes I’ll do as mentioned above and run OOsg, OOsg, Ssg, SSG or some sort of combo that suits the terrain. What you’ll find also works well is that if you’re out with a mate, one runs a shotty and the other a rifle. There’s one mate of mine that when I’m out on a walk, I’ll always run shotty and he runs a pumpy Remington. Deadly combo.
At night though, it’s a rifle mate. Either run a really good torch like and Olight or get yourself a thermal. Finally, and above all else, just get better at running shots. Pigs are one of the easier things to hit on the run. They’re long and don’t bob up and down. If you’re stalking out to them as you say, you should get enough time to bop 3-4 within easy enough range if you’re on song. We use thermal and a few little tactics can make a difference. If you can spread out a bit with your mates, the initial boom of two firearms can disorientate them and they’ll run in circles. Another trick is to shoot the one at the back first. This leaves a closer one as your follow up shot and I’ve head some blokes say that the sound of the impact on that pig at the back (think broom hitting rug) makes the pigs think they’ve gotta run away from that sound (towards you).
The thing that’s consistent about pigs though mate is the inconsistency of every mob. They all react differently but I’d just get better at shots on the run...
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Patriot » 22 Jul 2020, 6:52 pm

00 buck
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by TassieTiger » 22 Jul 2020, 7:09 pm

This might well be a stupid as, thing to say - being me I’ll ask regardless...IF your plan is eradicating as many as possible, as quickly as possible - can you trap them with a feed trail into a pen and drop them the next day ? Thinking pressure plate / door on a pen.
Can you load a quick action rifle hot for speed and try for 2 in the first shot - pencilling first pig? Would the akkar triple barrel be a possible?

Just throwing suggestions around really. If you have Netflix, there’s a meat eater episode where the trap pigs...shows you how.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by Blr243 » 22 Jul 2020, 7:28 pm

I know a bloke who shot two dingoes with one arrow. I try not to have pigs lined up behind each other because I don’t want to wound one of them . My pigs are always on the move browsing never standing still ...in the right situation I will be able to do it now that I’ll be useing the 308 instead of my old 243 and v max ......I See traps but I don’t set traps because if I catch ten pigs in a trap I have to shoot them and that means there’s ten less pigs for me to hunt next night. I can understand why land owners trap pigs .....I see evidence of pig traps not being checked regularly and I know they die of thirst and I hate the thought of it ....whenever I see pigs trapped for human consumption I always bring them water ever day .....and I know they are really grateful because every day the pigs thank me by trying to bite my fingers off
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by on_one_wheel » 22 Jul 2020, 7:43 pm

I has great results on pigs with 00 SG :thumbsup:
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by boingk » 22 Jul 2020, 8:17 pm

Sounds like you need a powerful lever action rifle. Quick shots in hard hitting high calibre goodness.

Something like a 30-30 or 44 mag.

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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by targetshooter900 » 22 Jul 2020, 8:39 pm

Try slugs instead
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by mchughcb » 22 Jul 2020, 11:15 pm

Never shot pigs before with a shotgun but have shot goats and there that almost makes me highly qualified.

Like every animal with 4 leg can run about 50km per hour or 13 metres per second. Therefore if you get to 30m to target and get one shot off then in one second the target can be 43m and right on the limit for a full choke 00 buck. Within 2 seconds it is at almost 60m and out of range.


If you are going to shoot i use 3" magnum loads 000 buck 10 pellets or 00 buck 15 or #3 buck 20 pellets. But past 30m you have a high probability of wounding which will require a finisher.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by womble » 23 Jul 2020, 4:17 am

All relevant to terrain, size, age of feral pigs. I guess. But generally i don’t think a shotgun is the right tool for the job.
Because it has limited use. Not much good spotlighting at night.
If it’s all you have then I think only slugs. Because slug = being hit by a kenworth truck. So essentially you are sending kenworth trucks down range.

Ideally a semi auto rifle. Second choice would be a pump action rifle. Third choice would be lever action, but it takes more practice to be fast and accurate with a lever action.
I’d probably even choose a semi auto rim fire over a scatter gun with pellets. Or maybe a spear... or a sword..

So in summary, if you really do have a feral pig problem. And you do want to rid yourself of that problem. A shotgun is not going to mange the problem very well. You will not eradicate the problem without 30 cal semi-autos, or less humane means.
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Re: Advice on 12Ga load for hunting pigs

Post by womble » 23 Jul 2020, 4:20 am

And you will need a permit for a sword too
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