My buddies at work convinced me to go with them this spring on a boar hunt and I was hoping to get some tips as what to expect and which weapon system would be most effective. I’m a competitive shooter though have never hunted. I was thinking about taking my 308 bolt gun, though wondered if my AR in 556 would be enough gun. Also, should I look into camo gear, scent blockers, calls, etc,? I have no hunting gear, just shooting supplies. Thanks all! I’m excited to do this and expand my horizons.

If it were me, I would use it as an excuse to buy one of these.

https://www.bushmaster.com/sho...20%22-Barrel/p/91702

Semiauto mag fed rifle for multiple shot purposes, because if you get the chance lay into those sumbiches!

I dropped 4 boars around 90-100# with a SCAR 16 10.5" rifle, so yeah 5.56 works fine on some of the smaller ones. 62gr OTMs.

Either gun is enough but if using the 556 I would ear hole them, not behind the shoulder. Because you have never hunted before I would recommend the 308 and a shoulder shot. Look up the kill zone online so you know where proper shot placement is. How are you going to be hunting them, spot and stalk? stand over a food source? With that info it will be easier to make other suggestions. In general, hogs do not have good eyesight and thus Camo isn’t real important. Their nose however is wonderful so you must pay attention to wind direction.

If they are big and you're not an experienced hunter I wouldn't use a 556.

.308WIN. When hunting more than enough is always better than barely enough or not really enough. Always aim to make a good clean kill.
Have fun, bet you will enjoy it.

I did it with a bow and had a blast. The absolute most fun hunting I ever had. A buddy of mine used a 44 mag for his.

Forgot to add, it is a stalk and shoot method, 200-300# boars.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
Forgot to add, it is a stalk and shoot method, 200-300# boars.

.308

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
Forgot to add, it is a stalk and shoot method, 200-300# boars.

Definitely bring the 308.

No need for camo or, all the other hunt gimmicks, these are smart, wiley beasts. Just bring some workwear-type pants, solid footwear, and the skills used to read terrain & wind..you know, solid stalking skills. If you're able to hunt at night (pigs are nocturnal) see if you can rent with either night-vision optic or, a thermal you can mount on your rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by RichN:
If it were me, I would use it as an excuse to buy one of these.

https://www.bushmaster.com/sho...20%22-Barrel/p/91702

I have that exact upper on a gun and it's a beast! I love the round, and even though it thumps pretty good the recoil isn't unmanageable. Should handle a hog pretty well.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:

quote:

Originally posted by RichN:
If it were me, I would use it as an excuse to buy one of these.

https://www.bushmaster.com/sho...20%22-Barrel/p/91702

I have that exact upper on a gun and it's a beast! I love the round, and even though it thumps pretty good the recoil isn't unmanageable. Should handle a hog pretty well.

I used it to take a deer in December. I found it downright docile compared to the 45-70 lever action I had been using.

Real men don't need no gun.

A sharpened popsicle stick is all you need.

DDM5

308 works. But I might also go old school and the Thutty-Thutty. Or 45-70.

For stalk & shoot with up to 300lbs I’d have to vote in the 308 ballpark. A scoped bolt would be fine. I may just set up my Browning BAR in 308 if I was going.

I’d use at least a mid-quality big game bullet.

As was stated above, study the anatomy and concentrate on shot placement. Wild boar are tough and get a bit irritated when shot. They have poor eyesight but great smell and decent hearing. Stay downwind, I tend to use scent removal products but you’ll never be able to remove all your scent.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
My buddies at work convinced me to go with them this spring on a boar hunt and I was hoping to get some tips as what to expect and which weapon system would be most effective. I’m a competitive shooter though have never hunted. I was thinking about taking my 308 bolt gun, though wondered if my AR in 556 would be enough gun. Also, should I look into camo gear, scent blockers, calls, etc,? I have no hunting gear, just shooting supplies. Thanks all! I’m excited to do this and expand my horizons.

Your 308 will be perfectly fine for boar hunting. I have taken a couple of them in Germany with my 308. Like most everything else, bullet placement is important!!!! Gut shoot one and it will run for miles.

As to the AR, or any 556, I would not recommend it for boar.

quote:

Originally posted by maximus_flavius:

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
Forgot to add, it is a stalk and shoot method, 200-300# boars.

.308

Definitely!!!

For Stalk and shoot you may want some Brush pants.When and where are you going? if the snakes are Going to active maybe some high boots or chaps?