Best Caliber For Hog Hunting: 11 Hog Hunting Caliber Rounds

Wild hogs are notoriously tough animals. Taking down a wild boar will require more than just your hunting skills. A fully grown wild pig can weigh as much as 300 pounds with tasks the size of a sickle. To guarantee a clean kill and avoid being lashed out at by an injured hog, you need to use the best caliber for hog hunting.There are many different calibers you can use to take down a wild hog. However, while stopping power is what you will be looking for, you also need to be reasonable. Here are the best hog hunting caliber rounds.

List Of 11 Best Caliber For Wild Hog Hunting

The 308 Winchester

This is a cartridge that needs no introduction. It offers the right balance of velocity and power to take down a wild hog dead in its tracks. With weights varying between 150 and 180 grains, it is an ideal option for tackling wild boar.The 168 grain 308 Winchester is one of the best calibers for wild hog hunting. It carries enough weight to penetrate a hog’s skin and destroy its vitals. This round works best when used with a short-action quick handling 308 rifle.

Recommended Rifle And Cartridge For Hog Hunting

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Bolt-Action Rifle

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Savage 110 Precision Bolt-Action Rifle

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.308 Winchester – 150 Grain

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Winchester Super-X Power .308

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The 180 grain 30-06 Springfield

The .30-’06 Springfield is a near-perfect cartridge that can do it all. It is capable of taking down most large-prey, and wild hogs are no exception. The 180 grain variant of this popular round is perfect for hunting wild boar.It has a higher Bullet Coefficient or BC, meaning it is suited for long-range shooting. Should the opportunity arise, it has enough power to penetrate a hog’s skin. Its heavy jacket and bonded core ensure that it has enough power to bring down a giant pig.

New! Tikka T3X Lite Stainless Steel Bolt-Action Rifle

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Savage 110 Precision Bolt-Action Rifle

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The Federal Fusion .35 Whelen 200-grain

Compared to other heavier calibers, the .35 caliber round has a slower velocity. However, it is still capable of taking down a wild hog. The 200 grain .35 caliber can deliver 3,400 ft.-lbs of energy, which is enough to penetrate a hog’s vital organs.When hunting a wild hog, all you need is a well-placed shot at its vitals. The 200 grain .35 caliber doesn’t require a heavy-caliber rifle.

The .270 Winchester

Another Winchester variant that is excellent at taking down wild hogs is the .270. It is one of the best calibers for hog hunting in Texas. When paired with a bolt-action rifle, this caliber packs quite a punch, enough to penetrate a wild hogs hid. It can be used on pigs of all sizes from small to large, fully grown feral hogs.

.45 ACP or a .375

While a rifle should be the primary weapon of choice for hog hunting, there are times when you will need to use a handgun. There are several handgun calibers you can use to stop a charging hog. But the best handgun caliber for hog hunting that comes to mind is the .375 and .40 ACP caliber rounds.These two rounds will get the job done mainly when aimed at the side of a hog. A hog’s head is tough and will require something with a little bit more punch.

The 7.62 x 39

If you are budget conscious, then the 7.62×39 caliber will be an ideal alternative. You can get a box of 124 grain 7.62×39 for about six dollars. The ability works particularly well when paired with a short barrel rifle, preferably a 10-inch barrel rifle.I rank it as the best caliber for hog hunting suppressed rifles. It performs really well from a distance of about 100 yards. And in some cases does a better job compared to the 300 blackout. It offers affordability and performance.

The 300 blackout

Speaking of the 300 blackout it is yet another caliber that is suited for hog hunting. The only downside with this caliber is that it’s a bit litter than some of the other entrants. Thus you will need a well-placed shot to take down a hog with this round.Nonetheless, it is possible. The Barnes 110 grain blacktip is a superb 300 blackout round. It has excellent penetration and expands to damaged tissue. So if you are looking for the right 300 blackouts for hogs, the Barnes 110 is one to consider.

The 8.6 Creedmoor

The 8.6 Creedmoor is in the same league as the 308 Winchester. The only difference is that the Creedmoor can be used with short barrel rifles. A barrel length of 12 or 14 inches will be ideal for firing the Creedmoor.It is thus preferred by hunters who have to hunt in thick bushes and require shorter rifles. It offers the same penetration power as the 308.

The 6.8 SPC

Another one that performs well out of short barrels is the 6.8 SPC. The 120 grain SST with 6.8 from Hornady is one of the best. It is a light bullet, but it offers quite a punch.

The .300 Savage

The 180 grain .300 Savage travels at speeds of up to 2500 FPS. Being the cartridge upon which the 308 Winchester was designed, it has quite the stopping power. It has been used to hunt deer and other large games. As such, it is also capable of taking down a fully grown hog. Ammunition is available, and many different rifles use this round. Also, it can easily be hand loaded.

The 303 H&H Magnum

Another big game caliber that has survived the test of time, the 303 H& H magnum is a cartridge that has been around longer than most. Used for big game hunting, it is still widely used. However, it is not as easy to find as others on the list.Additionally, it is a bit pricier than the likes of the .300 Winchester. Nevertheless, it has served its users well and has an illustrious history to prove it. Primarily used for big game hunting, it can also be used for wild hog hunting.

Conclusion

Wild hogs are tenacious and tough animals. To take down a pig, you will need to arm yourself with the right firearm. This includes having the right caliber capable of bringing down a boar.