Top 5 Cartridges For Hog Hunting is based on our use of them in the field and we give you the reasons why we like them in the video above.
In the video above, we run down the pros and cons of our favorite five hog hunting cartridges based on ballistics and stopping power, availability, and what type of rifles are available for each of them. Starting with the 223 Remington we discuss bullet selection for hog hunting and how to be successful. We also look at the very popular 308 Winchester because of the stopping power and ammo available for it. Of course, we cover the 243 Winchester, our favorite for coyotes as well as hogs, and two new short cartridges that are becoming more popular the 6.5 Grendel and the 22 Nosler.
Hunting hogs can be a challenging but enjoyable experience. In order to be successful, it is important to have the right cartridge. In this article, I will be sharing their top five cartridges for hog hunting and explaining why they have become their favorites.
The first reason I have selected these five cartridges is that they can be found in any type of rifle, whether it be a bolt-action rifle or one of the new modular rifles. Additionally, three of the cartridges can fit in a magazine with a length of 2.26, which is the length of a 223 cartridge.
The first cartridge on the list is the 223 Remington. This cartridge is great for the first shot because it does not take too much lead and power to put the hog down on the first shot. However, if the hogs scatter, the author warns that it may be more difficult to bring them down with a 223. Nevertheless, there are loads and bullets available that make the 223 effective in bringing down hogs with body shots.
The next cartridge I like is the 308 Winchester. This cartridge is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the 223 Remington. The 308 Winchester shoots a 150-grain bullet and penetrates right through a 200-pound hog. With this cartridge, the author mentions that there is no need to worry about penetration, and there are many brands and types of ammunition available.
Watch the video above to learn more about all my favorite hog hunting cartridges.
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A hog hunting rifle needs to be of sufficient caliber to dispatch a large hog quickly and humanly. Hog hunters need rifles that have quick follow-up shots because most of the time, several hogs will be found at a time. Boars are often found alone, but most of the time when you encounter a sow, she will be traveling with other females and her own young pigs.
Why Hunt Feral Hogs
Feral hogs, also known as wild boars, are highly destructive invasive species that pose a significant threat to the environment, agriculture, and human communities. Feral hogs have spread rapidly and are now found in 39 states in the U.S. and in several provinces in Canada. The destructive impact of these hogs is widespread and far-reaching, and their control has become a major challenge for wildlife managers and landowners.
One of the main ways in which feral hogs cause damage is through their feeding habits. They are omnivores, meaning they feed on a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including crops, wild plants, insects, and small mammals. In agricultural areas, they can cause significant damage to crops, particularly in fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat. They root through the soil, destroying crops and leaving large holes in the ground, which can result in substantial financial losses for farmers. Their feeding also has a negative impact on native vegetation, including wetlands, forests, and prairies, by disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems and reducing the availability of food and habitat for native wildlife.
In addition to the direct damage caused by their feeding habits, feral hogs also spread diseases and parasites to other wildlife and domestic animals. They carry a variety of diseases, including swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, and E. coli, which can have serious consequences for other animals and even humans. For example, swine brucellosis can cause reproductive failure in cattle and other domestic animals, while pseudorabies can spread to other animals and result in significant economic losses.
Feral hogs also pose a significant threat to human safety, especially when they become habituated to human presence. They are large, strong animals with sharp tusks, and they can become aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered. This can result in dangerous encounters with people, particularly in areas where they have become acclimated to human activities. For example, they have been known to attack and cause injury to hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts, and their rooting behavior can create hazardous conditions on trails and other recreational areas.
The control of feral hog populations has become a major challenge for wildlife managers and landowners. Hunting is one of the most effective ways to control their populations and reduce the negative impacts they have on the environment and human communities. However, hunting alone is not sufficient to completely eliminate the problem, and a combination of control methods is often necessary. This can include trapping, fencing, and the use of wildlife damage management techniques, such as feeding stations and hunting programs.
In conclusion, the destructive impact of feral hogs is far-reaching and can cause significant harm to the environment, agriculture, and human communities. Their feeding habits, disease transmission, and aggressive behavior make them a major challenge for wildlife managers and landowners. Hunting is one of the most effective ways to control their populations, but a combination of control methods is often necessary to fully address the problem. It is important to continue monitoring the populations of feral hogs and implementing effective control measures to mitigate the damage they cause and protect the environment, agriculture, and human communities.
