Hog Hunting with .223/5.56

**WillBrink** · 02-09-16, 10:05

I see there's a deer hunting with with .223/5.56, but not a dedicated hog thread. Did I miss that?

Not much if a hunter, but always wanted to hog hunt with my AR, and recent move to FL makes that easy to accomplish. I'd be using a 6940.

I know .223 is very dependent on bullet selection and I know many who take out hogs with it using correctly selected ammo for hogs vs say m855, which will just poke small holes in them. It seems Federal Fusion has an excellent reputation for taking down deer (and hogs?), and of course .223 going to be more shot place dependent than others. Im told it's usually 100 yards or well under in most cases.

So far, I have not found Federal Fusion at various stores in the region I have stopped by. I could order online someplace. Other recommend .223 hunting loads people have had good success with hogs?

**mtdawg169** · 02-09-16, 10:11

The Fusion load works well. But any bonded or expanding solid copper load will get the job done. I used to shoot a lot of hogs on our place here in GA. But they seem to have moved on to greener pastures lately.

**Onyx Z** · 02-09-16, 10:45

77gr SMK handload @120yds to the ear drops them immediately.

**WillBrink** · 02-09-16, 10:53

Originally Posted by mtdawg169

The Fusion load works well. But any bonded or expanding solid copper load will get the job done. I used to shoot a lot of hogs on our place here in GA. But they seem to have moved on to greener pastures lately.

Brands, etc would be useful.

**MegademiC** · 02-09-16, 11:22

Skypup has a thread and last I read, the 70gr tsx looks like the ultimate hog round for 223.

That said, fusion should do well. I would suggest buying online, psa had it for $10/20rds. Every local shops that has it sells it for $24/20rds +, which is rediculous.

I did some research a few years ago and ended up buying a bunch of bvac 64 gr gold dot loads for a hog hunt I never went on.. yet.

Edit: skypup thread: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...SX-Performance

**WillBrink** · 02-09-16, 11:49

Originally Posted by MegademiC

Skypup has a thread and last I read, the 70gr tsx looks like the ultimate hog round for 223.

That said, fusion should do well. I would suggest buying online, psa had it for $10/20rds. Every local shops that has it sells it for $24/20rds +, which is rediculous.

I did some research a few years ago and ended up buying a bunch of bvac 64 gr gold dot loads for a hog hunt I never went on.. yet.

Edit: skypup thread: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...SX-Performance

Thanx. I ordered a few boxes of Fusion MSR.

**LDM** · 02-12-16, 16:05

With respect to all... might want to take into account size of hog you may encounter.
Fastest kill I ever had was a 22 magnum from a pistol at close range (7 yards +/-). Dogs had a wounded 75 pound feral pig backed up to a tree and it was a helluva fight going on. Only long arms at hand were shotguns with buckshot, so pistol was the solution. Shot was slightly behind ear; bang dead. But this was a pig, not a hog.
Not unusual for hogs to go over 200 pounds in some places. And a wounded hog is serious business.
Because I won't know the size I may encounter, I use a 308 with bonded rounds when I go in South Carolina.
Good hunting and good luck.

**BufordTJustice** · 02-12-16, 21:43

Originally Posted by MegademiC

Skypup has a thread and last I read, the 70gr tsx looks like the ultimate hog round for 223.

That said, fusion should do well. I would suggest buying online, psa had it for $10/20rds. Every local shops that has it sells it for $24/20rds +, which is rediculous.

I did some research a few years ago and ended up buying a bunch of bvac 64 gr gold dot loads for a hog hunt I never went on.. yet.

Edit: skypup thread: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...SX-Performance

I have a few hundred of those rounds laying around as well.