Shooting hogs with 22wmr

[jsthntn247]

There is a piece of public land near me that is eat up with hogs. I saw 5x more hogs than deer this year. I've got 40gr cci hollow points and 40gr game points. Which do you think will be best. Side note: I understand that this is not the best weapon for the intended purpose but this and a 17 are the only ones that can be used on this particular management area, I didn't make the rules. All shots will be 50 yards or less on hogs 150lbs and less.

 

[Larryh128]

I wouldn't use the hollow points, but I would head shoot them. It will lay them out.

 

[Preacher]

They kill with a plain old 22 rim fire if you put it in the correct place, especially those with a flat point.

 

[Sniper338]

22wmr will drop hogs at 100 yards.. done it... head shot right under the ear

 

[akajun]

you dont want an expanding bullet, solid nose or pure lead. We kill hogs in a trap with a 22 pistol, lead bullets penetrate the skull. A friend shot one with a vmax 17, it knocked it stupid, but did not pentrate, finished it off with the pistol.'
This is from a distance of 10 yds or so.

 

[jsthntn247]

I'll probably start off trying the game points. I considered 40 grain fmj but figured they would be good for head shots only. I intend to take only head shots but figure a game point through the lungs on a smaller pig would do the trick also if need be.

 

['Freak]

Put one down and dissect the thing, looking for how best to route the dinky bullets.

 

[wvlongshot]

Use the fmj and head shoot em. It will do a great job, provided bullet placement is where it needs to be. Many beef can attest to that.

 

[jsthntn247]

40 grain game points worked well

 

[Outrider27]

Given that there are a few surprises in the anatomy of a hog, like very strong cartilage plates here and there, you need to go for penetration even if not going for a head shot, so while it would not be the first choice over an RN or FN if not going for the head, an FMJ is still an OK choice for if you have to take a shot other than than a head shot.

Given the odds with hogs and .22 mag cartridges, my vote would be FMJs and pass on any shot that isn't a head shot, 2nd choice RN/FN, and still pass on any shot that isn't a head shot. Further, Sniper38's advice on aiming point is excellent. I've had a .44 mag hard cast lead 240gr Keith type bullet that was a devastating hog killer ricochet off of a hog's eye socket and exit out the top of the eye socket. One angry pig, who went down like he was pole axed with the 2nd shot. As several have mentioned above, shot placement is critical, because there are some real tough surprises in a hogs anatomy if placement (including angle of placement, probably the problem with the shot that ended up in the eye socket on the moving hog) is much off spot on.

 

[jsthntn247]

The shot was about 50 yards and got a complete pass through with the game points. In the right ear and out the side of the head behind the ear on the left side. Couldn't ask for much better.