Home› Main Category› Hunting
Pig Hunt w/ the .308 Win Specialty Pistol
Took off yesterday evening to the field I shoot pigs for a rancher. Planned on getting there before dark on the off chance they might come out in daylight. Parked at the gate and walked across the field to the far back corner where they often enter the field from the adjoining property.
As I crossed the field, I noticed the neighbor, whose property the pigs come from, out target practicing with an AR on his makeshift range. So much for pigs coming out before dark. Changed direction from the corner I intended to sit at and headed to a high point in the ryegrass where I could watch the cut wheat, ryegrass, and stock tank.
That is the stock tank berm behind me.
Found a a bare spot in the grass and took a seat.
That big high line pole is on the neighbors property and the corner of the field where the pigs enter the cut wheat and where I can shoot them. Consequently, it's where my pig this evening would enter as well.
From this spot, I watched the neighbor zero his AR, watched the cutter ants harvest around me, listened to the Mosquitos buzz in my ear, and the sun set over the tank behind me.
Just before dark, the neighbor finished his range session and headed for the house. So, I got up, crossed the H-Brace in front of me, and headed out to sit in the cut wheat.
For reference, the pig I later shot was about halfway between me and the highline pole in front and to the left in the picture. He was also about halfway between the pole and the left edge of the pic at the shot.
As the sun sunk below the horizon, deer began to come out of the woods and feed in the fields.
In the twilight, the full moon began to rise into the sky and light up the field. The deer came closer as I watched them in the scope. A beautiful night.
Then, as I watched one young buck through the scope as he fed along the fence line bordering the cut wheat and the neighbors property, I noticed him look up and stare towards the tree line. Looking to my left, I saw a boar come under the fence corner at the highline pole and trot out into the cut wheat. In the short wheat stubble, I laid prone and tracked him on the bipod. Not an easy thing. I kept having to pick up the pistol, shift it right, and track him some more. I was hoping he'd stop before he got in line with the neighbors house. But, as he kept moving out into the field as though on a mission to get somewhere, I decided it was time to shoot before the house was in the back ground.
I repositioned the pistol one more time, picked him up in my sight picture, followed him briefly as he walked, and put a 168gr A-Max through his shoulder.
At the shot, flames shot out of the barrel (now visible in the dark as opposed to the daylight range trip). I lost sight of the boar in the recoil. Quickly, I regained my sight picture in time to see legs kicking up above the wheat stubble as he lay on the ground thrashing. In a few seconds, it was all over and he was still.
Scanning around in in case there were more, I only saw a few fleeing deer and others standing around wondering what had just happened. Picked up my gear and walked the 60 yards to the boar.
He wasn't a huge one. Maybe 150ish pounds. But, even at that, and with the close distance, the A-Max didn't exit the off side shield. It dumped all it had in him and dropped him on the spot. Lots of bone and gristle to penetrate.
The pistol worked like a champ. Steady as a rock with the bipod and rear bag. I'm really liking this rig. Gonna be fun times ahead.
As I crossed the field, I noticed the neighbor, whose property the pigs come from, out target practicing with an AR on his makeshift range. So much for pigs coming out before dark. Changed direction from the corner I intended to sit at and headed to a high point in the ryegrass where I could watch the cut wheat, ryegrass, and stock tank.
That is the stock tank berm behind me.
Found a a bare spot in the grass and took a seat.
That big high line pole is on the neighbors property and the corner of the field where the pigs enter the cut wheat and where I can shoot them. Consequently, it's where my pig this evening would enter as well.
From this spot, I watched the neighbor zero his AR, watched the cutter ants harvest around me, listened to the Mosquitos buzz in my ear, and the sun set over the tank behind me.
Just before dark, the neighbor finished his range session and headed for the house. So, I got up, crossed the H-Brace in front of me, and headed out to sit in the cut wheat.
For reference, the pig I later shot was about halfway between me and the highline pole in front and to the left in the picture. He was also about halfway between the pole and the left edge of the pic at the shot.
As the sun sunk below the horizon, deer began to come out of the woods and feed in the fields.
In the twilight, the full moon began to rise into the sky and light up the field. The deer came closer as I watched them in the scope. A beautiful night.
Then, as I watched one young buck through the scope as he fed along the fence line bordering the cut wheat and the neighbors property, I noticed him look up and stare towards the tree line. Looking to my left, I saw a boar come under the fence corner at the highline pole and trot out into the cut wheat. In the short wheat stubble, I laid prone and tracked him on the bipod. Not an easy thing. I kept having to pick up the pistol, shift it right, and track him some more. I was hoping he'd stop before he got in line with the neighbors house. But, as he kept moving out into the field as though on a mission to get somewhere, I decided it was time to shoot before the house was in the back ground.
I repositioned the pistol one more time, picked him up in my sight picture, followed him briefly as he walked, and put a 168gr A-Max through his shoulder.
At the shot, flames shot out of the barrel (now visible in the dark as opposed to the daylight range trip). I lost sight of the boar in the recoil. Quickly, I regained my sight picture in time to see legs kicking up above the wheat stubble as he lay on the ground thrashing. In a few seconds, it was all over and he was still.
Scanning around in in case there were more, I only saw a few fleeing deer and others standing around wondering what had just happened. Picked up my gear and walked the 60 yards to the boar.
He wasn't a huge one. Maybe 150ish pounds. But, even at that, and with the close distance, the A-Max didn't exit the off side shield. It dumped all it had in him and dropped him on the spot. Lots of bone and gristle to penetrate.
The pistol worked like a champ. Steady as a rock with the bipod and rear bag. I'm really liking this rig. Gonna be fun times ahead.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Replies
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
If it were a sow, yes. For a feral pig that is plenty big and old enough to have picked up a funk.
Great write up as usual sir.
Dad 5-31-13
Great story and pics... you make the hunt and posting all the info and pictures look so easy it is starting to be expected. Thanks again for posting it all up.
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
NRA Endowment Member
I've had several lodge in the off side shield with perfect expansion. Pigs are simply THINK critters! A bullet that will easilyexit a pig is often too hard for deer and such. At least................in my experience.
My penance for sucking so bad in highschool English.
Thanks.
What I live for.
Much grats. I try.
Define "swivel". Mine is the Harris version that tilts (swivels) left and right. It does not, however, pan left and right.
Just wondering if you could get a certain redneck pita to build you a swiveling/panning gun rest..............he has the tools and has made what appears to be a rifle rest. I am sure his creative talents are capable of building something that might work...........
This is what I typically use in the field with both rifle and pistol.
http://www.lonestarfieldproducts.com/spec-rest/
In the short (sitting) version. It's pretty darn nice. More stable for pistol than rifle even. But, it obviously ain't a lightweight. So, not great for stalking or long walks.
On the lighter side, I use a BOG Pod with PSR top. But, this particular Specialty Pistol is too long and heavy for that rest.
Nice write up and, as usual, great pictures!
Wow! Thanks!
:blushing:
We'd like to see that blushing face!!
I mentioned it was a 168gr A-Max bullet but I failed to relay that it's factory Hornady ammo. Sorry. And thanks!
How often do you keep the meat? I would think your freezer is never empty.
AKA: Former Founding Member
I keep or give away as much as I can. My chest and stand up freezer are full to the brim.
The rank boars, I leave.
Thanks.