Ruger American...308 or .30-06 for hogs?

[mach1.3]

I am looking for an inexpensive but not cheap bolt gun for hunting hogs. I decided I didn't want to use my Winchester M70 or Weatherbys since ill be stalking in heavy brush but with open areas where most of the shots will be taken. Anyone have the Ruger American in .308 or .30-06? Any thoughts or recommendations on this rifle?

[jmr40]

Either is more than enough. I'd use one of the guns I have. They were made to be hunted with, not looked at.

[RC20]

I would go with the 308 as you do not need more for hogs.

No experience with the RA but its a light gun and for hogs I would think a quick handling gun would be what is needed.

You will need to think carefully on the type of bullet for the use. A hog is not a moose and the penetration and expansion characteristics need to suit the animal.


Kind of a snarky comment I think though as the OP stated why he wanted the RA, he did not ask your opinion on how he deal with his guns

They were made to be hunted with, not looked at.

[hammie]

I agree with rc20. Ruger also offers the american in a compact version with an 18 inch barrel and chambered for .308 win.

You may also want to look at the savage model 11 hog hunter. It is offered with iron sights, a 20 inch threaded barrel, and chambered for .308.

[Doyle]

If you are looking for something inexpensive and will take a licking in heavy brush, why not look for a decent used rifle? For the task you are doing, most any deer caliber will work as will any brand. If you are patient, you can pick up a decent used rifle for $300 or so.

[AllenJ]

Doyle has an excellent point. A good used rifle is something you won't be to worried about in the heavy brush and is affordable. Something to think about.

[globemaster3]

From the threads we've seen on here, I think the RAR will work fine for your use.

As for caliber, coming from someone with quite a few hogs under his belt (but not as many as hogdogs), either will work fine. I grew up hunting hogs with a .308 and have used a 30-06 as well.

I also would not get too wrapped around the axel on bullet selection. For many years, all I used was 150 grain Remington Core Lokts, the bargain basement of bullets. I never had one get back up, and my largest was ~250 lbs. I've also shot them with Winchester Silvertip which is a polymer-tipped bullet. Good results. I'm certain anything you choose short of a varmint bullet, FMJ, or target bullet will work just fine.

[PawPaw]

The largest hog I've personally every shot, was taken at a range of about 15 yards with a .22LR. He looked up at me and I popped him between the eyes with a bolt-action .22. He folded up like a cheap pocket knife. Our biggest problem was dragging him out of the thicket. HE field dressed at over 350 lbs. He'd have probably gone 500 on the hoof, but our scale only went to 350

I'm not recommending a .22 for hog hunting, but the difference between .308 and the -06 really doesn't matter. Use what suits you best.

[globemaster3]

And I don't know what you are seeing where you are, but 30-06 is plentiful around here. .308, not so much... If you are going to hunt sooner rather than later, you might want to consider that. After the ammo panic, it would matter less.

[Boomer58cal]

30-06 has stayed on the shelves here for the most part. 308... just a back order sign.

For hogs in the brush...I take my 94 Win 30-30.

Boomer

[Capt Rick Hiott]

(I know you asked about the 308 or the 30-06) But Im with Boomer on this subject,,I have killed plenty in the bush with a 30-30. An old Marlin 30-30 is hard to beat!
You might want to think about a lever or semi auto. I like the idea of a quick second or third shot.

A wounded hog has been known to charge people.

[jersurf101]

I do think there is a slight advantage to the .308 with its shorter action. This at least helps with a follow up shot of you need one. A brush gun should be quick in all respects. That being said there is nothing wrong with a 30-06.

I agree with a lever gun but lever gun sights are terrible IMHO compared with a scout scope or open sights on a bolt action.

[steveNChunter]

If you do go with the Ruger American, I would personally prefer the .308 mainly because of the barrel length. A 22" barrel on a .30-06 is going to have a decent bit of muzzle blast, noise, and velocity loss. It will still be moving faster than the .308, but a .308 can get its full potential out of a 22" barrel, an '06 cant.

The compact version would be nice for the thick brush you mentioned, its also offered in 7mm-08, another good hog killin round.

[57K]

mach1.3, sounds like you're headed up my way to hunt. I've been looking into the American myself and there are some good threads about it here on the forum. The .308 is plenty of gun and there are guys around here using the SKS in 7.62 X 39mm. I'm a .308 fan and just helped my shooting partner develop a good handload for his Savage M11. I think I have myself pretty well talked into an American in 7mm-08 and a solidly built 140 gr. bullet should be plenty. I don't plan to use anything fancy, probably something on the order of the Hornady 139 gr. SST that uses the interlock design and has a high enough ballistic coefficient that it will probably see double duty for use at the range for targets.

West of here where my brother lives in Nolan Co. the latest craze is pig hunting from a helicopter with AR platform rifles. Sounds a bit ridiculous, but that's how out of control the wild pig population has gotten over there.

[GeauxTide]

As others have suggested short and light, consider a Remington Pump in 308. Lightning fast and very reasonable used. My personal choice is a Marlin 1894 in 44mag or an Win94 in 45Colt.

[mxsailor803]

I'm a .308 personally and nothing against the -06 as it too is a very proven round. If you are thinking cheap and not worried about beating up the rifle, have you given any thoughts on a Mosin Nagant 91/30 or M44 carbine? I wanted do some experimenting last year and took my 1943 91/30 on a hog hunt. Its a little long and would recommend a M44 for this reason but very capable round from the 7.62x54R. It's neck and neck with the .308win. Just trying to give you another option.

[hoghunter]

I currently hunt with a .308. it has never once failed me on hogs its a great round and very versatile. But its your choice.

[57K]

I should also point out that here in N. Central Texas (Brown Co.) or in Nolan county, nextdoor to Taylor Co. and Abilene. Hogs going 500 pounds on the hoof are not at all unusual. They present a particular hazard to motorists just as whitetail do here in Brown Co.

[Boomer58cal]

Yeah my Dad shot a 500 lb-ish pig with this win 94 in. 44 mag. It turned to charge and he put one between the eye's. Well the 240gn laser-cast swc didn't penetrate his skull, it did liquify his brain. Instant kill.

Boomer

[Huffmanite]

Between a 308 or a 30-06 for hog hunting, I'd go with a .308. But, as a couple of gents already mentioned....a 30-30 would be OK for hog hunting providing you are not taking shots beyond it capabilities of its effective range.

As to the Ruger American rifle, don't own one, but I've yet to see any owner of one post something negative about the rifle that would make me hesitate buying one and I do monitor more gun websites than just the firing line about the Ruger American rifles. Would of bought one already, if it was available in a cartridge I wanted or needed.....have enough nice shooting rifles in its offerings in cartridges.

However, I do own several Marlin X bolt rifles, in different cartridges, which you should find lower priced than the American.....leastways they are around where I live in Houston, Tx area. Nothing wrong with a Marlin X bolt and a possible candidate for buying.

[TnTnTn]

Performance is the same for all practical purposes. I would get the .308 because of the shorter action/oal.

[SteelChickenShooter]

You asked if anyone out here has a Ruger American in 30-06 and I do.
I replaced a Vanguard 30-06 with the Ruger and am well pleased. Operation, scope installation, and accuracy are all very good- no troubles and no complaints.

[Duzell]

-truthfully i just shot my friends 30 06 ruger american, the recoil is very strong in the light rifle, the 308 wouldn't be much better though so quick word of warning on that

-the rifle is good, one issue we had was the front swivel stud was bent slightly from the factory, some pliers can fix this

-ruger has modified the american to now have a typical rail system, weaver i believe, but the functionality and performance are unquestionable

- overall the difference in the 308 vs 3006 action is chambering
bolt pull back length and weight

PROS 308
-308 is a smaller package but not much less in distance and stopping power than the 3006
-you can carry twice the ammo as a 3006, in pouches , as the 308 is almost half the size
-the bolts action is shorter, meaning quick loading of the next shot.
-the ammo is lighter some gun will be lighter (by a bit)

PROS 3006
-the ammo is usually found in any firearms store or sporting store, very abundant
-travel velocity and distance is greater by a bit

overall id recommend the 308 round for hunting, same bullet as 3006, very close performance, and you will be able to carry twice that, so less chance of running low of ammo on a hunt, quicker feeds for followup shot


some things i would recommend on the rifle my buddy used and it seemed to work good

-bushnell dusk and dawn series, helps get better visibility even in low light the scope seemed to internally up illumination in low light, quick to zero, and relatively easy and lwo cost and handles the 3006 round

- low scope rings, and a cheek pad riser

-one thing i did notice was we had issues feeding a Remington soft point, the head tip were misshapen and seemed to catch a few times in the chamber, we had to pop in and back into mag a few times, happened i think 5 times in last shoot.


- lube up the bolt and it should be quick and easy to use

i hope i have helped and good hunting

quick pick of his and my rifle together at a recent shoot
PIC

[Duzell]

no not war, but it is another pro that i had to point out, as it does allow a person to carry twice the ammo.

i personally only carry a few boxes with me when i go shooting

[FairWarning]

Normally, it would be a slam dunk for .308, although in the era we seem to be living in now, .308 is nonexistent on the shelves, whereas .30-06 can still be found. So that must be considered. But in normal times, .308 is less expensive.