Is A 20 Gauge Shotgun loaded with #2 Buckshot Enough for Wild Pig?

Question

I'm going out for a California hog hunting trip in a few weeks and I have a friend who wants to come with me. Unfortunately I only have one big bore rifle. But, I do have a 20 gauge shotgun and I just bought some Federal Vital-Shok #2 Buck.

I think it will be enough, am I correct? If it is enough, within what range can one reasonably expect to take down a piggy? 50 yards?

I also have some Winchester Rifled Slugs, which I'm sure would work like a charm, but my shotgun does not have proper sights for slugs yet.

I have no experience hunting big game with a shotgun, so clue me in, so I can clue him in.

Answer 1

It will take a pig down at closer range, not 50 yards. That would not be a humane shot to take (50 yds with #2). I would use slugs. If not slugs then 0 Buck, 00 Buck, or 000 Buck with a full or modified choke. Your true range would be 40-45 yards max. Yes, you could kill something further than that but you pattern will be spreading out quite a bit the further you go out of this range. This is just general info, and you should pattern the shotgun with the loads to verify...who knows you may find that you can get more out of it.

Answer 2

Most 20 gauge defense rounds use 4-shot. Althogh it's not a good shot if there wearing a thick leather jacket. A 00 buckshot gives you about 5-6 pellets. And you can't go wrong with 00 buckshot.

Answer 3

For 20 gage slug sight- there was a quick fit deer sight available to strap on barrel- was like a metal strap with bent up pistol back and front blade sights. What kind of 20 Gage? Some Mossberg receivers have holes tapped and drilled for scope mount, some Stevens/Savages have grooved top that roughly lines with front beads for a 25 to 50 yard slug shot or 25 yard buckshot. Slugs fired from improved or modified choke barrels still good for 30-50 yards- some Wisconsin hunters use their bird guns with slugs on deer- collect enough venison to be worth while. H&R single shots often had notch in receiver at just back of barrel that roughly lined up front bead of barrel to center. Try a couple slugs at 25 yard target and see wher they go if your shotgun has any rear sight type- notch, groove, vent rib with center bead, - might be almost center on hits.

Answer 4

I wouldn't try and take a hog with even 00buck shot. These critters are amazingly tough. They are not Wilber in the barn yard. At 50yds you should be able to hit a paper plate with a slug even with just your front bead. Practice a little and see. With a slug you can bring a hog down with a good hit.
Happy hunting!

Answer 5

I would recommend a 12 gauge although a 20 gauge would do the job. That size shot is fine but I would guess no more than 50 yards with a 20 gauge.

Answer 6

Pigs inside 30 yards, sure. Shoats or adult hogs, no. Go with the slugs even with the bead only. If you shoot a pig, though, it's nice to have the slugs in case the sow decides to be protective, or be near a tree you can climb!

Answer 7

Go with the slugs, and keep within 50 yards - the buckshot should only be used as a last-ditch stopper, even then I'd prefer a side-by-side to let loose both barrels as simultaneously as possible.

To the best of my knowledge, 20ga. buckshot is only commercially loaded with the #2 buck, so the references to the larger sizes put you in 12ga. territory.

So fill up with slugs, and keep a pocketful of buck just in case.

Answer 8

#00 buck shot is better
max effective range on hogs is only about 30 yaeds
you might consider slugs

Answer 9

a full grown boar hog will just absorb #2 buck.
most likely even 00 buck

most large hogs have about 3 inchs of fat under the skin.

check your shotgun some of the newer ones have screws on top of the action that fill holes for red dot type sight rail.

if not many gun smiths can mount a rail for a red dot type sight.

Answer 10

I would use 20 gauge slugs. They will lay him down fast.