Any Hunters in Here?

[SoonerAviator]

I'm sure there are better forums for seeking hunting advice, but there's seems to be a lot of bravado and other rigmarole to sift through to get anything meaningful. Long story short, looking to pick up a rifle for two things #1) feral hogs moving into parent's land and tearing stuff up, #2) joining in with some cousins who frequently deer hunt and have been asking me to go for years.

I have a Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun, but it's not really the tool for this job, even shooting slugs. Can it be done? Sure, I suppose, but let's just ignore that gun.

Anyone have a good idea on a caliber that would be effective for both activities? 30-06 is probably overkill for deer, and I've been seeing a lot of 6.5CM stuff but ammo is a bit expensive/hard to find in some instances.

Been looking at reviews on the Ruger American in .308 which seems like it may be a good option. Thoughts? (yes, it's a thread about guns, let's keep in non-political)

 

[Radar Contact]

If you’re going to have one rifle I’d suggest a Remington 700 30-06. The 700 is a great time tested rifle. The army uses is as their standard sniper rifle since the 80’s I think.

30-06 allows you to use lower grain bullets for whitetail and heavier grain for bigger game.

Throw a good scope on it and it will serve you well for many years.

 

[Whitney]

I have a 30-30, 6.5 creed, 7mm mag, 308.

If I were only allowed to keep one, I would choose the 6.5, choice two would be the 308.

 

[Bob Noel]

I don't hunt, but can 2nd (no pun) the call for the 700. It's pretty easy to work on and lots of options available.

You might want to ask your cousins what they use and why.

Bear in mind that you'll be carrying the rifle, so heavy isn't exactly what you want (heavy is good for target shooting, not so much for taking a walk in the woods)

Suggest that you use a scope, but get a good one. You cannot beat good glass. They cost more, but a lousy scope will make you think you are Mr Magoo.

 

[SoonerAviator]

If you’re going to have one rifle I’d suggest a Remington 700 30-06. The 700 is a great time tested rifle. The army uses is as their standard sniper rifle since the 80’s I think.

30-06 allows you to use lower grain bullets for whitetail and heavier grain for bigger game.

Throw a good scope on it and it will serve you well for many years.

It's actually a bit difficult to find many new rifles chambered in 30-06 believe it or not. .308 is where most of them stop unless you are looking at big-game rifles where they start throwing in 6.8GRN, .338 or similar which is REALLY expensive to buy.

 

[SoonerAviator]

I don't hunt, but can 2nd (no pun) the call for the 700. It's pretty easy to work on and lots of options available.

You might want to ask your cousins what they use and why.

Bear in mind that you'll be carrying the rifle, so heavy isn't exactly what you want (heavy is good for target shooting, not so much for taking a walk in the woods)

Suggest that you use a scope, but get a good one. You cannot beat good glass. They cost more, but a lousy scope will make you think you are Mr Magoo.

Agreed, I don't want to hauling a heavy gun through the woods all weekend. The cousins have multiple rifles, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have 6.5CM or .270 for deer hunting. Trying to get one to handle the thicker hides of feral hogs is another story. As far as the optics, I'll probably spend $300 or so on a not-quite-entry-level scope. Leupold is always a good option from my limited experience with other stuff.

 

[SoonerAviator]

If you’re going to have one rifle I’d suggest a Remington 700 30-06. The 700 is a great time tested rifle. The army uses is as their standard sniper rifle since the 80’s I think.

30-06 allows you to use lower grain bullets for whitetail and heavier grain for bigger game.

Throw a good scope on it and it will serve you well for many years.

Didn't really think much about changing grain for each application. May be worth taking a look at. I think the M14/M60 military rifles were .308 (7.62x51) though, not 30-06. Not that is matters much because it's basically the same round with a smaller cartridge/shorter action application.

 

[luvflyin]

I'm sure there are better forums for seeking hunting advice, but there's seems to be a lot of bravado and other rigmarole to sift through to get anything meaningful. Long story short, looking to pick up a rifle for two things #1) feral hogs moving into parent's land and tearing stuff up, #2) joining in with some cousins who frequently deer hunt and have been asking me to go for years.

I have a Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun, but it's not really the tool for this job, even shooting slugs. Can it be done? Sure, I suppose, but let's just ignore that gun.

Anyone have a good idea on a caliber that would be effective for both activities? 30-06 is probably overkill for deer, and I've been seeing a lot of 6.5CM stuff but ammo is a bit expensive/hard to find in some instances.

Been looking at reviews on the Ruger American in .308 which seems like it may be a good option. Thoughts? (yes, it's a thread about guns, let's keep in non-political)

I dunno a lot about specific brands and cartridges over about the last 30 years or so. But you may want to think about the kind of hunting you’ll be doing. In forested areas where long range isn’t much of an issue? Sitting up in one of then Deer blind things where you put some bait out and could take ‘em out with a pistol. Or are you gonna be out there actually ‘hunting? Lighter weight, higher velocity stuff may be a choice.

 

[L J Donelson]

I've carried an American Ruger 270 Winchester for years when I go hog hunting. All the stopping power needed for feral hogs, flat trajectory, and reasonable in light brush. Knowing I was going to be stalk hunting and walking in deep woods I elected to buy the synthetic stock because 1. it's lighter, 2. does not scratch as easily, and C. priced reasonably. Very pleased.

 

[robin ardoin]

I have hunted/hunt varmint/deer/elk and also shoot Long Range high power rifle competition. I have shot many chamberings from .17 Rem through .338 Win Mag. My favorite rifle for game has always been my .270 Win with a 120gr Nosler partition. Oldy but will do the job on all North American game save the brown bears and moose (and even then there could be disagreement). That being said a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 22-24" barrel running a 130-140gr hunting bullet will give excellent sectional density and penetration with a very wide and available (at least pre covid but getting better) choice of ammunition with very manageable recoil. I 'roll my own' ammunition and have done so since the '90's so ammo choice is a non issue for me but if I had to buy preloaded ammo I would be shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor with a 130-140 Berger hunting bullet. BTW....my smallest 3 shot group at 100yds off a rest with 'non custom' rifle was using a Ruger Precision Rifle (a tacti-cool rifle...LOL) with a screw on LRI barrel and 140gr Berger hybrids; the group measured 0.084" verified under magnification. Sometimes a blind hog finds an acorn...

 

[SoonerAviator]

I dunno a lot about specific brands and cartridges over about the last 30 years or so. But you may want to think about the kind of hunting you’ll be doing. In forested areas where long range isn’t much of an issue? Sitting up in one of then Deer blind things where you put some bait out and could take ‘em out with a pistol. Or are you gonna be out there actually ‘hunting? Lighter weight, higher velocity stuff may be a choice.

From their previous stories, it could go either way depending on circumstances. They've had some come right up within 100yds of a deer stand, and other times they've had to hoof it to try and find them, lol. As far as the feral hog situation, we'll hopefully be able to stay up near the house and see if we can't spot them coming up through the heavier brush, but definitely within 100yds. They are out in the rural areas, but there are still neighbors around so we have to be fairly selective on the shots we take. Ideally we'd be upstairs on the covered porch and able to have elevation on our side to give better shooting options. We won't be chasing them across the acreage for sure.

 

[Bell206]

Anyone have a good idea on a caliber that would be effective for both activities?

How far will you be shooting on average?
Have you ever hunted before?

 

[SoonerAviator]

I've carried an American Ruger 270 Winchester for years when I go hog hunting. All the stopping power needed for feral hogs, flat trajectory, and reasonable in light brush. Knowing I was going to be stalk hunting and walking in deep woods I elected to buy the synthetic stock because 1. it's lighter, 2. does not scratch as easily, and C. priced reasonably. Very pleased.

Yeah, I'll be 99% going synthetic stock as well on this one. Pretty wood furniture is nice to look at, but I don't want to be babying a rifle intended for hunting. If I need to lower it down from a tree stand or push through brush, I don't want to be thinking about every scratch being put on it, lol. For the price point I'm targeting on this one, I'd rather not pay a premium for pretty furniture as well.

 

[SoonerAviator]

How far will you be shooting on average?
Have you ever hunted before?

I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on anything further than 250yds or so unless I get really comfortable with the new rifle shooting tight groupings. My hunting has been mostly with fowl, hence why I don't own any rifles. Plenty of time at the range plinking with ARs and AKs, but again, different application altogether.

 

[eman1200]

when I started deer hunting I wanted to limit myself to bowhunting only. just a personal choice. any other hunting I've done (turkey, pheasant) has been with shotgun, so I can't really help on rifle stuff. sorry to clog your thread with useless information, but it's what I do best

 

[SoonerAviator]

when I started deer hunting I wanted to limit myself to bowhunting only. just a personal choice. any other hunting I've done (turkey, pheasant) has been with shotgun, so I can't really help on rifle stuff. sorry to clog your thread with useless information, but it's what I do best

Happy to hear it either way! The family hunts during bow season as well, but if my toying around with their compound bows is any indication of how a hunt would go, I may as well stay at home lol!

 

[Jackk]

308 is great, can also shoot 7.62 NATO (the inverse is NOT true however).

I’d get a AR10 and put a illuminated LPVO on it


For a budget rifle, still plenty good for that, and can be hauled around easily, very easy to shoot, and useful for many many tasks, the adjustable length of pull stock can also be quickly set for you, or a smaller or bigger person.

For hog and pest work you DONT want a old style bolt action, especially a 270 or 3006, it’s just not needed for what you’re shooting, it’s expensive, slower on the follow up shots or engaging the second hog.

You might also want a tripod for the rifle however.

1. 

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ble...steel-15-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle.html

Plus

https://palmettostatearmory.com/vor...port-cantilever-30mm-ring-mount-2-offset.html



you’ll also probably need a 5 round max mag for deer hunting, normally I like lancer mags.

This
https://magpul.com/pmag-10-lr-sr-gen-m3.html?mp_global_color=118
Plus this
https://magpul.com/minus5-round-limiter-pmag-gen-m3.html?mp_global_color=118

 

[EdFred]

Why not an AR-15?

If you're gonna take out some hogs, put on a 15 round mag and have at it. And the .223/5.56 still packs a punch for white tail.

 

[Jackk]

Why not an AR-15?

If you're gonna take out some hogs, put on a 15 round mag and have at it. And the .223/5.56 still packs a punch for white tail.

If he’s hunting deer, most states won’t allow a 223 as it’s not powerful enough to make a ethical kill in their opinion. Though a AR15 with a 20rd mag I have always found best, unless I’m going prone then a 10, the standard capacity 30s and the larger ones through the balance off IMP

Hence my recommend for the 308 AR10, and with a 5 round hunting mag, making it legal in most states for almost any game. Plus you can normally pick up 7.62 M80 ball for not much $$

 

[midwestpa24]

I'm not a big hunter per se, but have a little time behind the scope.

For the feral hogs, I'd definitely want a semi-automatic. They often travel in packs, and one shot won't always take one down no matter how well placed. You don't want to be fumbling with a bolt action in those circumstances.

You will also need to check local hunting laws. Different states have different rules, some prohibit all centerfire rifles from deer, some limit caliber such as .223 as Jackk stated above. Iowa is one of those.

I would second Jackk's opinion on some variety of the AR-10, an AR platform chambered in .308. Good all around semi auto, lots of options available, and chambered large enough to knock down a feral hog and likely to be legal for deer or other hunting.

 

[Timbeck2]

I’ve carried a .270 in various brands for 30 years. Currently a Tikka T-3 which I love. Great all around rifle. I’d suggest a .270 or 7mm. Both are flat shooters and light weight.

 

[Zeldman]

.557 T-Rex

 

[TCABM]

… .308 ….

Mighty fine all around cartridge. Depending on budget, I’d really look at Savage Axis w/accu-trigger. Hogs show up in multiples (a sounder) and a semi-automatic may be preferable.

Expect to spend as much on the optic as you do the gun. For what you suggest a decent 4x or 6x fixed power optic is just fine. SWFA, Athlon, and Vortex are good budget options.

Don’t settle for the rifle/scope combo, those optics are bottom barrel and will be more pain than it’s worth.

 

[SoonerAviator]

308 is great, can also shoot 7.62 NATO (the inverse is NOT true however).

I’d get a AR10 and put a illuminated LPVO on it


For a budget rifle, still plenty good for that, and can be hauled around easily, very easy to shoot, and useful for many many tasks, the adjustable length of pull stock can also be quickly set for you, or a smaller or bigger person.

For hog and pest work you DONT want a old style bolt action, especially a 270 or 3006, it’s just not needed for what you’re shooting, it’s expensive, slower on the follow up shots or engaging the second hog.

You might also want a tripod for the rifle however.

1. 

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ble...steel-15-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle.html

Plus

https://palmettostatearmory.com/vor...port-cantilever-30mm-ring-mount-2-offset.html



you’ll also probably need a 5 round max mag for deer hunting, normally I like lancer mags.

This
https://magpul.com/pmag-10-lr-sr-gen-m3.html?mp_global_color=118
Plus this
https://magpul.com/minus5-round-limiter-pmag-gen-m3.html?mp_global_color=118

I have looked hard at the AR10 platform (in .308). I absolutely understand wanting ease of follow-up shots with the hogs, I'd just feel a little silly carrying around the "tactical" rifle on a deer hunt, lol. They certainly aren't cheap to procure, either. I'd definitely get .308 in that platform to be able to shoot 7.62 rounds as well, versus one of the 7.62-specific models. The weight would be a bigger concern for deer hunting as well, as I'm not lugging a tripod through the brush/up hills. Lots of them set up with rail-mounted bipods, but that isn't necessarily the most convenient thing to have unless there's something nearby to set it on.

 

[Bell206]

I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on anything further than 250yds

In general, 308, 270, 30-06 are all about the same at that range for what you want to shoot. Look for a decent bolt-action with a medium priced optic on top. I'm partial to Savage with Accu-trigger and Leupold in 308. Don't forget the used market. Or if you're unsure on how long this venture will last, you can put a rifled slug barrel on your mossberg and run some quality rifled sabot slugs with a Red-dot optic and make yourself a decent 100 yard gun. Have shot farther on pigs with my slug gun but thats up to the individual. And FWIW, after the 1st shot all the pigs usually disappear unless hunting at night thermal optics. Good luck.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Mighty fine all around cartridge. Depending on budget, I’d really look at Savage Axis w/accu-trigger. Hogs show up in multiples (a sounder) and a semi-automatic may be preferable.

Expect to spend as much on the optic as you do the gun. For what you suggest a decent 4x or 6x fixed power optic is just fine. SWFA, Athlon, and Vortex are good budget options.

Don’t settle for the rifle/scope combo, those optics are bottom barrel and will be more pain than it’s worth.

I figured .308 was about the "catch-all", not the best for anything buy maybe good for a lot. The Savage was another budget-friendly option like the Ruger. Good reviews with both, but I agree on not buying the gun/optic combo as the optic will be of very mediocre quality. Fine for shooting at the 50/100yd range, but not the clearest and most durable for sure.

 

[Daleandee]

when I started deer hunting I wanted to limit myself to bowhunting only. just a personal choice.

I have a BIL that bow hunts and I find it quite fascinating. You just came up a few notches on the respect-o-meter!

 

[SoonerAviator]

In general, 308, 270, 30-06 are all about the same at that range for what you want to shoot. Look for a decent bolt-action with a medium priced optic on top. I'm partial to Savage with Accu-trigger and Leupold in 308. Don't forget the used market. Or if you're unsure on how long this venture will last, you can put a rifled slug barrel on your mossberg and run some quality rifled sabot slugs with a Red-dot optic and make yourself a decent 100 yard gun. Have shot farther on pigs with my slug gun but thats up to the individual. And FWIW, after the 1st shot all the pigs usually disappear unless hunting at night thermal optics. Good luck.

I though about the sabot slugs, but it's just one more barrel to buy for that Mossberg and I already have the 18" and the 28" lol. Hopefully my father and I can bag 2-3 of them before they get out of sight/range, but as you mentioned, they will bolt after that first shot. Going to have to get the rotorwing add-on to start raining lead from above!

 

[Sac Arrow]

Why don't you go for one of these bad boys...

Sig developed a new round (not a new round, but a new high pressure loading) so this could defeat advanced body armor. It has a cartridge closer to the size and weight of a 5.56 mm but packing the punch of a 7.62 NATO. That would put venison on the table and turn your feral hogs into mincemeat.

Oh, and interestingly, although it looks like an AR adaptation, it is not based on the Stoner system, but has a conventional above barrel piston.

 

[SoonerAviator]

.557 T-Rex

Just in case there are any elephants hanging out with the hogs!

 

[TCABM]

… Fine for shooting at the 50/100yd range, but not the clearest and most durable for sure.

When we were at Tinker, I don’t I shot any deer at more than 125 yards and I’d wager most deer in America are taken at less than 150 yards.

The low end optics just tend to have crappy glass and don’t hold zero after being jostled around between range, home, and lease.

 

[CJones]

Another vote for .308. It's a great all-around round for pretty much anything in North America. Also, ammo availability is typically really good for it - it's about the only thing I see on shelves these days other than the AR platform calibers.

Hypothetically, if I owned any guns, I would probably have a 6.5 Swede and a .303 Brit in the cabinet, but would probably be looking for a .308 right now due to consistent ammo availability. This would hypothetically be used for hunting whitetail deer in SE US as well as medium range Elk out west. ...Hypothetically.

If you just want something to plink hogs with, you can do it with a .22WMR up to about 100yds if you can put the shot in the earhole.

 

[Sac Arrow]

I dunno, I'd vote for a 5.56. Lighter ammo = lighter gun = you can carry more ammo and/or carry it further and faster. Shave three pounds off the total package and that is a decent amount of whiskey to tote around in the field.

 

[Bell206]

Going to have to get the rotorwing add-on to start raining lead from above!

Ha. But you cant shoot and fly at the same time. Better to apply the money to a trip where you do the shooting. It's a riot if you ever get the chance.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Why don't you go for one of these bad boys...

Sig developed a new round (not a new round, but a new high pressure loading) so this could defeat advanced body armor. It has a cartridge closer to the size and weight of a 5.56 mm but packing the punch of a 7.62 NATO. That would put venison on the table and turn your feral hogs into mincemeat.

Oh, and interestingly, although it looks like an AR adaptation, it is not based on the Stoner system, but has a conventional above barrel piston.

I'd really be tacti-cool then! I've seen a lot of the AR-15 crowd chambering in 300 blackout due to it being sub-sonic and very good with a suppressor, to the point where you can shoot it without ear protection without problem. I'm not filling out a Form 4 and setting up a trust for a suppressor to shoot pigs though, lol.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Ha. But you cant shoot and fly at the same time. Better to apply the money to a trip where you do the shooting. It's a riot if you ever get the chance.

I've seen some pretty legitimate outfits in TX that run the helicopter hunts where the hogs are a huge nuisance.

 

[SoonerAviator]

I dunno, I'd vote for a 5.56. Lighter ammo = lighter gun = you can carry more ammo and/or carry it further and faster. Shave three pounds off the total package and that is a decent amount of whiskey to tote around in the field.

In a perfect world I'd just get the AR-15 in 5.56 (or .300BO), and AR-10 in .308, and a dedicated deer rifle in any of the .30 cal variants. Wife would probably divorce me if I came home with $5K+ in rifles/optics though!

 

[Jackk]

I have looked hard at the AR10 platform (in .308). I absolutely understand wanting ease of follow-up shots with the hogs, I'd just feel a little silly carrying around the "tactical" rifle on a deer hunt, lol. They certainly aren't cheap to procure, either. I'd definitely get .308 in that platform to be able to shoot 7.62 rounds as well, versus one of the 7.62-specific models. The weight would be a bigger concern for deer hunting as well, as I'm not lugging a tripod through the brush/up hills. Lots of them set up with rail-mounted bipods, but that isn't necessarily the most convenient thing to have unless there's something nearby to set it on.

Nothing silly about hunting with a AR, and for hauling it around, it’s designed for that.

The tripod is used for the hogs, set up and you can pan and cant quickly and accurately to your next target, for most other hunting you’re doing it’s not that important.

The nice thing with the LPVO optic and that rifle is at 1X it’s a red dot site which makes it useful for closer range stuff, at full mag it’s plenty good enough to 500+ yards, a AR10 with a LPVO is a great everything rifle.


View attachment 107587

One of mine, this isn’t a LPVO, but it has a offset red dot sight, works just as well as a gamer rifle at the range as it does hanging out in a tree stand, now I have a closet full of rifles

If could only have one rifle for everything, it would be a AR platform 16-18” barrel with a LPVO, low power variable optic, which is a scope that can go out to just 1X so it works as a red dot sight, or can zoom to 4-8X depending on the model, making it great for most missions that require some reach.

 

[SoonerAviator]

When we were at Tinker, I don’t I shot any deer at more than 125 yards and I’d wager most deer in America are taken at less than 150 yards.

The low end optics just tend to have crappy glass and don’t hold zero after being jostled around between range, home, and lease.

Ideally 100-150yds is where I'd be most comfortable and where I'd sight the optics anyway. Since I'm not planning on using this particular gun a ton, I'd just buy once cry once on the glass to avoid being frustrated by losing zero all the time.

 

[Jackk]

I dunno, I'd vote for a 5.56. Lighter ammo = lighter gun = you can carry more ammo and/or carry it further and faster. Shave three pounds off the total package and that is a decent amount of whiskey to tote around in the field.

Illegal for deer in most places. Hell has no fury like the fish cops.