Wild pig hunting?

Question

In the opinion of experienced hunters, would an SKS in 7.62x39 be enough gun for a razorback hunt?

Answer 1

7.62x39 will do but it would be the bare minimum for smaller pigs. I'd say a .308 or the good ol' .30-06.

This site has a table of cartridges and how well they will work:
http://www.jesseshunting.com/site/hog.html
It was put out by CA Fish & Game.

"Wild hogs are not bulletproof and under most conditions are certainly not dangerous. But they are more strongly constructed and are tougher, pound for pound, than any deer. They also have thick hides underlain by layers of fat, so they rarely leave good blood trails. And they do have the capability to turn the tables if you make a mistake--especially if you have to follow a wounded pig into the thick stuff. It isn't common, but every year our local hospitals stitch up hunters whose encounters have been a little too close. The best way to avoid trouble is to shoot straight, use enough gun and use a tough bullet that will absolutely penetrate. "Enough gun" doesn't mean a cannon. I like the various .35 calibers from .358 Win. up through .35 Whelen and .350 Rem. Mag., but the .270s, 7mms, and .30 calibers are just fine if mated with a bullet designed to penetrate: Nosler Partition, Barnes X, Winchester Fail Safe, Swift A-Frame."

Answer 2

It would certainly not be my first choice. While hunting ammo is available for the 7.62X39 it is designed for deer which are thin skinned with much finer bones. It will take some luck to get the job done. There are certainly a lot of .308 bullets that will work better if you are a reloader.

I'd much prefer a .308 with heavier bullets and certainl more velocity. As one other person said, carrying a handgun as backup is not a bad idea, make it pretty big one. I've seen a hog shot seven times with a .357 before he went down and he was not all that big, When he was field dressed we found four of the rounds in the chest cavity. Hogs are tough.

Good luck

Answer 3

The 7.62x39 is ballistically comparable to the .30-30 Winchester. At short range the .30-30 is about the minimum caliber for large hogs. I consider it a minimal cartridge for the bigger, 250 Lb.+ pigs. Use a .308 Winchester. It has more punch and is probably more accurate. For hogs I use a .350 Remington Magnum or a .458 Winchester Magnum.

H

Answer 4

For those who compare the 7.62x39 to the 30WCF, the latter shoots a bullet with much better sectional density. Penetration with the SKS is going to be inadequate for adult hogs, though it'll do for shoats and pigs. You can get by with a smaller caliber if the bullet and ballistics are right, and I'd have no hesitation using a 6.5x55 or 260 Remington, but not that little sucker, even with a good climbing tree nearby.

Answer 5

the appropriate gun for hog searching is a AR-10. A AR -10 will shoot the 308 high quality bullet which has so lots greater knock down than a 223(ar-15) The 223 is a dash easy for sizable hogs. in case you are able to not take care of to pay for a AR-10 then think of a lever action chambered in 30-30 or 35 remington. Browning makes a blr leveraction which could be chambered in 308 additionally. For hog searching you prefer something that has rapid shop on with up photos.

Answer 6

1 DAWG (CATCH DAWG 1 .357 Or Larger Caliber) Pistol Plenty Of Ammo...Let DAWG Catch Hog Either Take Alive Or Cap In Spinal Cord To Disable...Good Hunting Oh Yeah Best At Night On Full Moon Good Rechargeable Flashlight lol

Answer 7

My Yugo works just fine. Go ahead and use yours. Have killed 6 hogs with it.

I do recommend hollow points no matter what caliber you shoot and always carry a backup pistol when hog or bear hunting.

Miketyson26

Answer 8

Yes, but they can get up to about 400 lbs and their hide is thick. You'll want to be within 150 yrds for a big one with that round.But they are easy to stalk and you shouldbe able to get within 50

Answer 9

12 GA. with slugs no doubt about it. SKS are fine guns but leave alot in the accuracy dept.