What caliber AR for hogs?

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 03:09 PM

I'm interested in a 16-20" AR that has the umph for hogs out to 350 yds. I'm on a mouse's budget. Eventually I'll be getting into reloading. I've excluded the WSSM's and the 30 Rem AR due to cost/availability of brass. I feel the 5.56mm is a little anemic but have included it anyway. So the choices are 5.56 x 45mm, 6 x 45mm, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.8mm SPC, and 7.62 x 39mm.

uncyboo · February 1, 2010, 03:16 PM

350 yds. on full grown hogs is kind of a stretch for any of them, isn't it?

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 03:25 PM

I definately feel the 223 and 7.62 are. Not so with the others. The 6mm has aboutn 900 ft/lbs @ 300 yds (w/ 20"). The others have more. I've read when I was a kid that 1000 ft/lbs is needed for medium game.

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 03:39 PM

I'm stuck between the 6 x 45mm and 6.5mm Grendel. The 6mm would have the cheapest/easiest to find brass, has a flatter trajectory, but doesn't have a whole lot of umph out to 350 yds. The 6.5mm has the most power with the ability to use a larger selection of bullet weights. I read here someone who stated they made brass from 7.62 x 39mm. If that's so I'd say that beats the 6.8mm SPC. Not to mention they are very limited on hunting bullets, which don't have as good of a BC as the 6.5mm's.

hoytinak · February 1, 2010, 03:52 PM

All the hogs I've taken have been between 75-100yds so an AR or SKS is my choice. I've used a .223 AR before but my favorite hog gun is my SKS "paratrooper". The 7.62x39 with a 154gr soft point works great for hog.

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 03:57 PM

For hog hunting I'd most likely hunt over fields and dirt roads. So the distances could get extreme. That's why I don't like the idea of the 5.56 or 7.62 for anything beyond 200 yds. I'd chose the 7.62mm were it primarily for stalking.

Skans · February 1, 2010, 04:36 PM

Personally, I'd rather have an .308 for hunting pigs. Of the calibers presented, I'd choose 7.62x39....but I've never heard of hunting pigs at 350 yards.

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 04:51 PM

Hogs can get really thick around here. It's possible in an open field to shoot that far. I think an AR with a good caliber for hunting style and proper bullet make an exellent rifle for 300 yd hog slaying. The lower recoil helps with next target acquisition vs the 308. There are plenty of farmers/ranchers that would allow you to hunt them on their property. Same with coyotes.
I wouldn't necessarily hunt them from 350 yds, but I'd like to be able to shoot 'em from that far.

Suwannee Tim · February 1, 2010, 05:08 PM

Are you kidding? Shooting hogs at 350 yards with an AR? This reminds me of the olden days when folks who had 30 carbines thought they were adequate for deer. The large calibers, 458 SOCOM and such would be entirely adequate but of the calibers you listed, I would be reluctant to stick the muzzle behind the hog's ear and pull the trigger. Well, that's a bit of an exageration, I might shoot a small hog with a 7.62X39. You want to shoot a hog at 350 yards and actually kill him? 30-06. Minimum. If you don't care whether you make a clean kill or not, and you can hit at that range, and most people can't, any of the calibers you list will make a nasty wound. Use some common sense. Sheesh! I see you are a Texican. Get a Texican gun. A BIG gun. Forget the mouse gun.

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 05:15 PM

Out to that distance I'd say that the 6.5mm Grendel is even with the 6.5 x 55mm with their older style bullets. On hogs that typically don't weigh much more than 200-250 lbs. The bullets are designed for medium game and there is enough momentum to produce DRT kills. I wouldn't say that's much of a stretch at all.

Scorch · February 1, 2010, 05:17 PM

I think the answer to this question is obvious: .458 SOCOM, of course!

rodwhaincamo · February 1, 2010, 05:20 PM

Typically it seems AR's are built to have that kind of accuracy at that distance. 30 Carbines make poor choices because it begins with little energy and they use conventional bullets of ultra light weight. They aren't even in the same class.

Suwannee Tim · February 1, 2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs.

I take note of your advice just a few minutes too late Scorch. My bad.

jmorris · February 1, 2010, 06:44 PM

I have a suppresed 458 socom that will roll hogs but it's not a 350yd rifle. Then again I don't' have a spotlight that good either...

pinetree · February 1, 2010, 07:00 PM

I voted 223 without seeing the 350. Buy a 7mm-08.

To3T@g · February 1, 2010, 07:02 PM

My dad just took his new AR hog hunting and it is a .450 thumper! stoped a 370lb hog like it was hit by lightning! it was DRT! I never knew they made an AR in a big bore 45cal but this gun is AWESOME and ive been trying to get him to let me buy it off him! he wont sell it! if yall havent seen one check em out! they are really called "the THUMPER"

RockyMtnTactical · February 1, 2010, 07:08 PM

I vote 6.5 Grendel.

mrawesome22 · February 1, 2010, 07:13 PM

You need a "other" option. .308Win.

dstyle47 · February 1, 2010, 07:15 PM

Go big or go home! 50 beowulf!!

pvt.Long · February 1, 2010, 11:40 PM

I would get the 7.62x51. insted of the 7.62x39 or 5.56 if I were you. ive got a few texan boars with my m14. I wouldn't rely want to take a 5.56 for the realy good sized ones that grow out in texas backwoods, you'll need a heavy bullet with a lot of punch as well as range. it does help to have a s&w .460 mag at your side just in case.

Transbrake · February 1, 2010, 11:49 PM

243 wssm www.dtechsuperstore.com

NWCP · February 2, 2010, 12:59 AM

The .308 really does work on hogs and has the reach you're looking for. If you can't afford it on an AR platform buy a decent bolt action.

benroe · February 2, 2010, 04:28 AM

I vote the .308 winchester for long range hog killing in an AR platform. I am still waiting for the 30-06/270 combo to come out for the AR.

Suwannee Tim · February 2, 2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

I vote the .308 winchester for long range hog killing in an AR platform. I am still waiting for the 30-06/270 combo to come out for the AR.

There you go! A combination gun, two barrels, one 30-06 and one 270 based on the AR. Can't beat that for 350 yard hogs! This thread is making more sense by the minute!

rodwhaincamo · February 2, 2010, 11:15 AM

I typically use a 270 Win for hunting. But I'm trying to convince myself and mine that an AR (not the AR 10) is a worthy addition. It's basic use would be for HD, but with the ability to hunt medium game.
Maybe I should have worded my statement/question a little differently when I mentioned "hunting." Hogs can be very destructive, and ranchers/farmers can be found that will allow you to hunt them for free. They want them eliminated so the more you can put down at one time the better as they may not come back around for months.
The 6.5mm Grendel has plenty of umph at 300 yds to take a 50-250 lb hog. In fact I read how a guy (developer?) used his to put down a bull elk at over 400 yds with one shot. It didn't go more than 10 yds before it piled up.
I definately believe that even nuisance critters should be dispatched quickly. A pass through shot I might add.
As for being able to shoot that far accurately? Not sure if I can. But I definately can put their eye out at 200 yds or less with one hand tied behind my back. So with lots of practice and an understanding of it's trajectory and windage I feel I could do it.
6.5mm Grendel (19.5" barrel)
129 SST/IB 2500/1790 1548 1332 1140 971
+5.8 +6.6 0.0 -15.4 (-6.5 @ 350 yds)

February 1, 2010, 03:09 PM	#1
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	What caliber AR for hogs? I'm interested in a 16-20" AR that has the umph for hogs out to 350 yds. I'm on a mouse's budget. Eventually I'll be getting into reloading. I've excluded the WSSM's and the 30 Rem AR due to cost/availability of brass. I feel the 5.56mm is a little anemic but have included it anyway. So the choices are 5.56 x 45mm, 6 x 45mm, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.8mm SPC, and 7.62 x 39mm.

February 1, 2010, 03:25 PM	#3
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	I definately feel the 223 and 7.62 are. Not so with the others. The 6mm has aboutn 900 ft/lbs @ 300 yds (w/ 20"). The others have more. I've read when I was a kid that 1000 ft/lbs is needed for medium game. Last edited by rodwhaincamo; February 1, 2010 at 03:30 PM.

February 1, 2010, 05:17 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I think the answer to this question is obvious: .458 SOCOM, of course! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 1, 2010, 07:08 PM	#17
RockyMtnTactical Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2006 Location: Western US Posts: 1,961	I vote 6.5 Grendel. __________________ https://battlebornreview.com/

February 2, 2010, 11:15 AM	#25
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	I typically use a 270 Win for hunting. But I'm trying to convince myself and mine that an AR (not the AR 10) is a worthy addition. It's basic use would be for HD, but with the ability to hunt medium game. Maybe I should have worded my statement/question a little differently when I mentioned "hunting." Hogs can be very destructive, and ranchers/farmers can be found that will allow you to hunt them for free. They want them eliminated so the more you can put down at one time the better as they may not come back around for months. The 6.5mm Grendel has plenty of umph at 300 yds to take a 50-250 lb hog. In fact I read how a guy (developer?) used his to put down a bull elk at over 400 yds with one shot. It didn't go more than 10 yds before it piled up. I definately believe that even nuisance critters should be dispatched quickly. A pass through shot I might add. As for being able to shoot that far accurately? Not sure if I can. But I definately can put their eye out at 200 yds or less with one hand tied behind my back. So with lots of practice and an understanding of it's trajectory and windage I feel I could do it. 6.5mm Grendel (19.5" barrel) 129 SST/IB 2500/1790 1548 1332 1140 971 +5.8 +6.6 0.0 -15.4 (-6.5 @ 350 yds) Last edited by rodwhaincamo; February 2, 2010 at 12:53 PM.

View Poll Results: Cost-efficient caliber of 350 yd hog AR
5.56 x 45mm	11	22.92%
6 x 45mm	1	2.08%
6.5mm Grendel	8	16.67%
6.8mm SPC	19	39.58%
7.62 x 39mm	9	18.75%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

February 1, 2010, 03:16 PM	#2
uncyboo Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: Shelby, MT Posts: 1,013	350 yds. on full grown hogs is kind of a stretch for any of them, isn't it?

February 1, 2010, 03:39 PM	#4
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	I'm stuck between the 6 x 45mm and 6.5mm Grendel. The 6mm would have the cheapest/easiest to find brass, has a flatter trajectory, but doesn't have a whole lot of umph out to 350 yds. The 6.5mm has the most power with the ability to use a larger selection of bullet weights. I read here someone who stated they made brass from 7.62 x 39mm. If that's so I'd say that beats the 6.8mm SPC. Not to mention they are very limited on hunting bullets, which don't have as good of a BC as the 6.5mm's.

February 1, 2010, 03:52 PM	#5
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	All the hogs I've taken have been between 75-100yds so an AR or SKS is my choice. I've used a .223 AR before but my favorite hog gun is my SKS "paratrooper". The 7.62x39 with a 154gr soft point works great for hog.

February 1, 2010, 03:57 PM	#6
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	For hog hunting I'd most likely hunt over fields and dirt roads. So the distances could get extreme. That's why I don't like the idea of the 5.56 or 7.62 for anything beyond 200 yds. I'd chose the 7.62mm were it primarily for stalking.

February 1, 2010, 04:36 PM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Personally, I'd rather have an .308 for hunting pigs. Of the calibers presented, I'd choose 7.62x39....but I've never heard of hunting pigs at 350 yards.

February 1, 2010, 04:51 PM	#8
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	Hogs can get really thick around here. It's possible in an open field to shoot that far. I think an AR with a good caliber for hunting style and proper bullet make an exellent rifle for 300 yd hog slaying. The lower recoil helps with next target acquisition vs the 308. There are plenty of farmers/ranchers that would allow you to hunt them on their property. Same with coyotes. I wouldn't necessarily hunt them from 350 yds, but I'd like to be able to shoot 'em from that far.

February 1, 2010, 05:08 PM	#9
Suwannee Tim Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 320	Are you kidding? Shooting hogs at 350 yards with an AR? This reminds me of the olden days when folks who had 30 carbines thought they were adequate for deer. The large calibers, 458 SOCOM and such would be entirely adequate but of the calibers you listed, I would be reluctant to stick the muzzle behind the hog's ear and pull the trigger. Well, that's a bit of an exageration, I might shoot a small hog with a 7.62X39. You want to shoot a hog at 350 yards and actually kill him? 30-06. Minimum. If you don't care whether you make a clean kill or not, and you can hit at that range, and most people can't, any of the calibers you list will make a nasty wound. Use some common sense. Sheesh! I see you are a Texican. Get a Texican gun. A BIG gun. Forget the mouse gun.

February 1, 2010, 05:15 PM	#10
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	Out to that distance I'd say that the 6.5mm Grendel is even with the 6.5 x 55mm with their older style bullets. On hogs that typically don't weigh much more than 200-250 lbs. The bullets are designed for medium game and there is enough momentum to produce DRT kills. I wouldn't say that's much of a stretch at all.

February 1, 2010, 05:20 PM	#12
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	Typically it seems AR's are built to have that kind of accuracy at that distance. 30 Carbines make poor choices because it begins with little energy and they use conventional bullets of ultra light weight. They aren't even in the same class.

February 1, 2010, 06:44 PM	#14
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I have a suppresed 458 socom that will roll hogs but it's not a 350yd rifle. Then again I don't' have a spotlight that good either...

February 1, 2010, 07:00 PM	#15
pinetree Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 626	I voted 223 without seeing the 350. Buy a 7mm-08.

February 1, 2010, 07:02 PM	#16
To3T@g Member Join Date: January 10, 2010 Location: Auburn Alabama Posts: 65	My dad just took his new AR hog hunting and it is a .450 thumper! stoped a 370lb hog like it was hit by lightning! it was DRT! I never knew they made an AR in a big bore 45cal but this gun is AWESOME and ive been trying to get him to let me buy it off him! he wont sell it! if yall havent seen one check em out! they are really called "the THUMPER"

February 1, 2010, 07:13 PM	#18
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	You need a "other" option. .308Win.

February 1, 2010, 07:15 PM	#19
dstyle47 Member Join Date: August 13, 2008 Posts: 61	Go big or go home! 50 beowulf!!

February 1, 2010, 11:40 PM	#20
pvt.Long Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 433	I would get the 7.62x51. insted of the 7.62x39 or 5.56 if I were you. ive got a few texan boars with my m14. I wouldn't rely want to take a 5.56 for the realy good sized ones that grow out in texas backwoods, you'll need a heavy bullet with a lot of punch as well as range. it does help to have a s&w .460 mag at your side just in case.

February 1, 2010, 11:49 PM	#21
Transbrake Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: Northern MN Posts: 28	243 wssm www.dtechsuperstore.com

February 2, 2010, 12:59 AM	#22
NWCP Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 1,903	The .308 really does work on hogs and has the reach you're looking for. If you can't afford it on an AR platform buy a decent bolt action.

February 2, 2010, 04:28 AM	#23
benroe Member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 52	I vote the .308 winchester for long range hog killing in an AR platform. I am still waiting for the 30-06/270 combo to come out for the AR.