This is why serious hunter's need a chronograph to see what their actual velocity is and know the bullets BC.+1 For sticking with 5.56 and using a 64 grain soft point. 75 gr BTHP may also yield decent results.
If you were going to stay within 200 yard's, just use the 7.62x39.
I really appreciate @DadSmith posting the charts. To simplify what he showed...
At 300 yards.....
- 7.62x39 drops 2 ft, drifts 1 ft, hits @ 600 ft/lbs
- 300 BLK drops 3 ft, drifts 1 ft, hits @ 700 ft/lbs
-6.5 Grendel drops 1 ft, drifts 6 in, hits @1000 ft/lbs.
If nothing else it reminds me how efficient and badass the Grendel cartridge is.
What bullet do you use?While not allowed in Tenn apparently, here is the night setup for Hogs in Texas...
They don't know what hit them.
View attachment 261225
See above. 223 Rem Silvertip by Olin/Winchester. A 64 grain Polymer tip. At least now. I have used other things, one thing I remember 10 years ago was ZombieMax lolWhat bullet do you use?
Good lord that looks heavy.While not allowed in Tenn apparently, here is the night setup for Hogs in Texas...
They don't know what hit them.
View attachment 261225
Its a pig, not only the PVS-4, but the rifle is an HBAR with one of those 1 inch thick 20 inch barrels.Good lord that looks heavy.
Arent those too long for ARs? I dont remember where the cutoff is, but the largest projectiles typically have a OAL that is just a wee bit too long for an AR mag if I remember correctly from another discussion. (but fine for bolt .223s)+1 For sticking with 5.56 and using a 64 grain soft point. 75 gr BTHP may also yield decent results.
I'm thinking of one of my favorite bullets to hog hunt with. 75gr Speer Gold Dot.Did some research a while ago on using 223 for hogs. Of course it was met with lots of controversy. Of the people who were using 223, they had good success with these couple loads
Winchester Super X 223 Remington Ammo 64 Grain Winchester Power-Point
Winchester Super-X ammunition has developed a reputation as being hard hitting and reliable. This ammunition is loaded with Super-X Power-Points which...www.midwayusa.com
Seems that the bullet construction in these couple rounds perform better on medium game. Allowing for more angles and shot placements.
Thinner jacketed lighter weight varmint bullets like 50 and 55 grain ballistic tip seem to be much more sensitive to what they hit like a heavy shoulder bone. Likely resulting in under penetration.
This link is an absolute treasure trove of good data.
Just an excerpt from that link.
View attachment 261364
Gotcha. Bonus points for retro hunting!Its a pig, not only the PVS-4, but the rifle is an HBAR with one of those 1 inch thick 20 inch barrels.
But we sit in a blind watching a feeder. Makes for a stable platform, for the quick follow ups on the rest of the sounder that is hauling butt away after the first shot.
Nope not at all. I run Hornady 75gr BTHP in my 5.56 AR-15'sArent those too long for ARs? I dont remember where the cutoff is, but the largest projectiles typically have a OAL that is just a wee bit too long for an AR mag if I remember correctly from another discussion. (but fine for bolt .223s)
If your talking about an 5.56 carbine (16 inch) yeah, I could see that... I use a 20 inch AR and the extra oomph is noticeable.. I can usually get 2 or 3 out of a sounder before they clear the range of my 20 inch.5.56 is fine for the first hog that you shoot in the ear. Trying to shoot hogs 2, 3 and 4 while they scatter, not so fine.
Grendel (or 6.8) give you a lot of versatility. Ballistics are good, energy is good. I took a pronghorn at 284 yards with a 16” Grendel, and the same arrangement will kill hogs nicely.
We butcher our own, and examining the damage difference from 5.56 rounds vs Grendel rounds is impressive. No doubt either is fine for CNS, but anything in the vitals and it’s no comparison.
Failure to recover wounded animals quickly makes you willing to spend more on ammo.
There are some 77 grain projectiles that absolutely won't fit in an AR magazine, and even some bolt guns depending on the action length and the mag setup.Arent those too long for ARs? I dont remember where the cutoff is, but the largest projectiles typically have a OAL that is just a wee bit too long for an AR mag if I remember correctly from another discussion. (but fine for bolt .223s)
Yeah I am known for dragging out bog standard "standard issue" type rifles.Gotcha. Bonus points for retro hunting!
We do mostly stalking, including with thermal at night. I bought a “loaner” thermal scope instead of a spotter, so every extra ounce is definitely felt!
No they are designed to load in AR mags. You might be thinking of the 75 AMAX. That dart is too long for mag length. And of course anything heavier than the 77 SMK is gonna be too long for mag useArent those too long for ARs? I dont remember where the cutoff is, but the largest projectiles typically have a OAL that is just a wee bit too long for an AR mag if I remember correctly from another discussion. (but fine for bolt .223s)
I agree. I also chose Grendel as my hunting AR of choice. Ballistics are great. But right now it seems ammo is hard find, but seems 300BO is always in stock.7.62x39 will cover 300BLK territory. 350 Legend will get you a bit more energy but the ballistics aren’t impressive.
IMO it sounds like 6.5 Grendel or 6.8SPC fit the bill much better. I like Grendel for hogs. Have killed a slew of them with Hornady SST and Black.
IMO, I wouldn't trust a standard cup and core bullet for body shots on hogs much over 125 lbs. live weight. The Trophy Bonded Bear Claw should be fine and the Partition as well for .223/5.56 velocities. Based on what I've seen from the Fusion from larger calibers, I definitely wouldn't trust it. This is what I would use if I expected to shoot bigger hogs: https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/premium-centerfire-rifle/barnes-tsx/11-P223S.htmlDid some research a while ago on using 223 for hogs. Of course it was met with lots of controversy. Of the people who were using 223, they had good success with these couple loads
Winchester Super X 223 Remington Ammo 64 Grain Winchester Power-Point
Winchester Super-X ammunition has developed a reputation as being hard hitting and reliable. This ammunition is loaded with Super-X Power-Points which...www.midwayusa.com
Seems that the bullet construction in these couple rounds perform better on medium game. Allowing for more angles and shot placements.
Thinner jacketed lighter weight varmint bullets like 50 and 55 grain ballistic tip seem to be much more sensitive to what they hit like a heavy shoulder bone. Likely resulting in under penetration.
This link is an absolute treasure trove of good data.
Just an excerpt from that link.
View attachment 261364