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6 of One, Half Dozen Another! Pig Killing.
Farmer friend complained last week that the pigs were back at a couple of his fields
I was out of town last week at the peak of the full moon, but was able to go out last night. Knowing I'd need to take multiple shots on multiple targets, I decided to use my .243 "Medium" that was a low recoil and "quiet" capable platform. 105gr A-Max for bullets would do the job.
Left the house about 9 last night and drove to the first field. Pulling up to it with lights out, I looked across the field to a plethora of pigs!!!! Bands of sows with tiny piglets were scattered across the field. Then, I noticed a boar walking along about 100 yards out. Game on!
Turning and reaching for my rifle in the vehicle, I saw a truck approaching down the road. So, I waited to pull the gun out. Unfortunately, he must have mistaken me for a stranded motorists and, after passing me, did a U-Turn (lighting up the field with his headlights) and pulled up next to me. He asked if I was alright and I said yes, that I was trying to kill pigs. I thanked him for checking and he drove off.
Looking back out into the field, I saw that the roadside meeting had caused the pigs to move further out. So, I grabbed my stuff and took off after them. Walking along the cut wheat rows, I was able to get within about 100 yards to a band of 3 sows and piglets.
Sitting down, I propped the front of my rifle on a Bog Pod and the rear of the stock on my knee. I wanted to take two out of this band at least, and therefore, waited for two of them to get close together. Which they eventually did.
One sow stood facing me with another broadside next to her right. Aiming between the ears of the facing pig, I dropped her with a shot to the head. Working the bolt rapidly, I picked up the second sow as she bolted and shot her in the shoulder. Running about 30 yards, she fell over dead.
Head Shot Sow
Second Sow
Looking across the field, I saw dust clouds where the other pigs used to be. They had "hit the road". Ironically, all the deer stayed and were either still up and feeding or sitting and chewing their cud. They knew they are safe and the pigs knew they were in trouble. It doesn't take much disturbance anymore for them to beat feet.
I did notice one Lone Ranger. Now feeding on the far side of the field next to two resting bucks, was the boar I'd seen earlier. And the stalk was on. Due to the noise made walking perpendicular to the wheat rows, I made an "L" shaped stalk. Moving perpendicular to the rows until I was in the same row as the boar, I then turned towards him and closed the distance. Checking with the Terrapin Range Finder until I was about 100 yards from him, I finally sat down and used the same shooting position I'd used earlier. With the rifle rested on my Bog Pod and knee. He turned towards me and I put a 105gr A-Max just above and between his eyes and dropped him on the spot.
I moved up to him and saw that he was still twitching. So, I put a 40gr LRN in his ear with my Colt 1911 .22 lr pistol. I'd been wanting to try that anyway and see how loud it would be if needed to dispatch a still live pig. This had happened when hunting with Ernie. All I had then was a centerfire pistol or the rifle we'd initially shot the pig with. So, I dispatched it with the rifle at that time. Learning from that, I decided to try the .22 option. So, tonight it worked well and wasn't loud.
Finishing up and packing my gear, I heard pigs on the other property. Looking at the fence line, I saw one running up and down the fence. Being on the other side, I watched it run around until I heard something to my left. Looking that direction, I saw 4 sows and a young boar, each with a band of piglets in tow (except the boar), enter the field and start moving to my left.
I let them get comfortably out into the field where they couldn't easily escape..............and dropped the lead sow with a shot to the shoulder. Panning right as they ran back for the fence, I missed the young boar as he ran and dropped him with a follow up shot. Still panning right, I caught a second sow right before she got under the fence. The .243 and its lack of recoil allowed me to shoot and move. Engaging 3 targets with 4 shots as they moved across the field. I was kinda happy with that.
1st Sow
Young Boar
Last Sow at the fence.
Typical exit of the A-Max on the smaller pigs.
I still had the remaining sow with ALL the piglets now running around the field. Even stopping about 20 yards from me at one point. Then, two more pigs came into the field while I was taking pics, and a stray band of piglets from the first couple pigs I'd taken came back into the field. But, my blood lust has its limits and I let them all go.
Texted the the farmer that he had 6 less pigs and he was very grateful. i packed it up and headed home.
Still in love with the .243 Win and A-Max bullets.
I was out of town last week at the peak of the full moon, but was able to go out last night. Knowing I'd need to take multiple shots on multiple targets, I decided to use my .243 "Medium" that was a low recoil and "quiet" capable platform. 105gr A-Max for bullets would do the job.
Left the house about 9 last night and drove to the first field. Pulling up to it with lights out, I looked across the field to a plethora of pigs!!!! Bands of sows with tiny piglets were scattered across the field. Then, I noticed a boar walking along about 100 yards out. Game on!
Turning and reaching for my rifle in the vehicle, I saw a truck approaching down the road. So, I waited to pull the gun out. Unfortunately, he must have mistaken me for a stranded motorists and, after passing me, did a U-Turn (lighting up the field with his headlights) and pulled up next to me. He asked if I was alright and I said yes, that I was trying to kill pigs. I thanked him for checking and he drove off.
Looking back out into the field, I saw that the roadside meeting had caused the pigs to move further out. So, I grabbed my stuff and took off after them. Walking along the cut wheat rows, I was able to get within about 100 yards to a band of 3 sows and piglets.
Sitting down, I propped the front of my rifle on a Bog Pod and the rear of the stock on my knee. I wanted to take two out of this band at least, and therefore, waited for two of them to get close together. Which they eventually did.
One sow stood facing me with another broadside next to her right. Aiming between the ears of the facing pig, I dropped her with a shot to the head. Working the bolt rapidly, I picked up the second sow as she bolted and shot her in the shoulder. Running about 30 yards, she fell over dead.
Head Shot Sow
Second Sow
Looking across the field, I saw dust clouds where the other pigs used to be. They had "hit the road". Ironically, all the deer stayed and were either still up and feeding or sitting and chewing their cud. They knew they are safe and the pigs knew they were in trouble. It doesn't take much disturbance anymore for them to beat feet.
I did notice one Lone Ranger. Now feeding on the far side of the field next to two resting bucks, was the boar I'd seen earlier. And the stalk was on. Due to the noise made walking perpendicular to the wheat rows, I made an "L" shaped stalk. Moving perpendicular to the rows until I was in the same row as the boar, I then turned towards him and closed the distance. Checking with the Terrapin Range Finder until I was about 100 yards from him, I finally sat down and used the same shooting position I'd used earlier. With the rifle rested on my Bog Pod and knee. He turned towards me and I put a 105gr A-Max just above and between his eyes and dropped him on the spot.
I moved up to him and saw that he was still twitching. So, I put a 40gr LRN in his ear with my Colt 1911 .22 lr pistol. I'd been wanting to try that anyway and see how loud it would be if needed to dispatch a still live pig. This had happened when hunting with Ernie. All I had then was a centerfire pistol or the rifle we'd initially shot the pig with. So, I dispatched it with the rifle at that time. Learning from that, I decided to try the .22 option. So, tonight it worked well and wasn't loud.
Finishing up and packing my gear, I heard pigs on the other property. Looking at the fence line, I saw one running up and down the fence. Being on the other side, I watched it run around until I heard something to my left. Looking that direction, I saw 4 sows and a young boar, each with a band of piglets in tow (except the boar), enter the field and start moving to my left.
I let them get comfortably out into the field where they couldn't easily escape..............and dropped the lead sow with a shot to the shoulder. Panning right as they ran back for the fence, I missed the young boar as he ran and dropped him with a follow up shot. Still panning right, I caught a second sow right before she got under the fence. The .243 and its lack of recoil allowed me to shoot and move. Engaging 3 targets with 4 shots as they moved across the field. I was kinda happy with that.
1st Sow
Young Boar
Last Sow at the fence.
Typical exit of the A-Max on the smaller pigs.
I still had the remaining sow with ALL the piglets now running around the field. Even stopping about 20 yards from me at one point. Then, two more pigs came into the field while I was taking pics, and a stray band of piglets from the first couple pigs I'd taken came back into the field. But, my blood lust has its limits and I let them all go.
Texted the the farmer that he had 6 less pigs and he was very grateful. i packed it up and headed home.
Still in love with the .243 Win and A-Max bullets.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Replies
John 3: 1-21
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
Yeah, these were all eating size pigs. The sows were rather drawn up, though. With their spine and hip bones prominent from nursing all the piglets and probably from their shear numbers and competition. They weren't very fat and "meaty".
Add to that, my freezers being overflowing........I've nowhere to put them. With the temps being as they are now (90 degrees last night), you'd have to butcher and ice them almost immediately to save the meat.
A semi-auto is assuredly smoother in follow-up shots on moving targets. I could have used one, but just prefer a bolt gun and it's good practice for me.
I need to break my 6x45 AR back out, though. It would have worked exceptionally well last night.
I am glad for the writeup. I have not bloodied my .243s yet, but have no doubt about their effectiveness, largely because of your efforts. I have several hundred of the 105 A-maxes put away.
Thanks again Zee.
Do you just leave the pigs where they fall? Or, do they get buried?
PIGS: FROM A-MAX to ZEE. :up:
I think we may have discussed it before, but what's that bolt knob you're rolling with?
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
Not being a farmer or rancher, I love that pigs abound in these parts. They taste great, provide great hunting/training, and their numbers provide ample opportunity for both.
I have several of them and love them for their cost, ease of installation, and function. May not be the greatest looking, but beat many metal ones I've seen.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/charging-handle-parts/charging-handles/bolt-lift-for-remington-700-black-sku100013741-61085-126414.aspx
Leave them where they fall. At least in the cut field. In a planted field, I'll drag them to the edge if I can as to not destroy the crop.
Leaving them goes against what I really believe in (wasting a resource). But, my family is overflowing with meat, and I've seen the damage they are doing to this farmer's crop. Acres destroyed in a night. So, I can sometimes turn a blind eye to the waste of meat to preserve a farmers crop and livelihood.
But, I give them to whoever will take them, given the chance.
It's a fun time, that's for sure.
And you're not calling it a "cull" to justify poor shot placement. :tooth:
There are always other animals that will scavenge the carcass. Are there any hog predators that can deal with the little ones?
Coyotes and the elements are about it.
:agree:
Same as shooting a groundhog or prairie dog........
Even after reading pig in the title I stiil (for a second) thought this was a baboon...........
Yeah, she was a rather Different than normal looking pig in color and body.
This will answer a major question for me. When I build my next rifle, a 6mm Remington on a Yugo Acton, I'll give it at least a 1:9 twist. But first tell me what twist rate you have on that barrel. My old 6mm had the Remington Standard (After they learned their lesson with the .244 Remington's 1:12) 1:9. This would stabilize 105 grain bullets well. But I didn't know if you'd built it with a tighter twist than that. I'll probably go with the 1:9 anyway, but I'm just curious. I would hate to limit myself to 105 grain bullets and then find out they're making 110 grains that a 1:9 may not stabilize well.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
My barrel is a 1-8" twist and shoots the 105gr and 72gr bullets equally well.
This reminds me of a man I knew back in the day, who has since gone on to the other side. Back in the middle 60s he would walk up a creek, Coloma Creek, which is the head waters of Powderhorn Lake, and shoot hogs as they crossed the creek. One day he shot 7 hogs at one time with his trusty Pre War Model 70 in 30-06. Now that's a long walk, to a place you can't bring a vehicle. From the road to the point where he shot the pigs it's about 2 miles. He packed all of those hogs out of there. Took him all day. He said when he got all that meat put up in his several freezers he took a shower and stayed in bed for two days, his wife bringing him food to his bed.
Did you keep some of that sow and piglet meat?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Have you chronied the 105 out of that rifle?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
2,750 fps out of an 18" barrel.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
That's pretty good with that short of barrel. That makes me feel good about what I'm thinking about doing. I've already got two rifles in that class, but I miss my old 6mm. It was a deer slayer from hell with 100 grain bullets. I could kick my ass for letting that gun go in my divorce. But now I want to build one on a slightly longer action so I can seat bullets a bit farther out. Powder capacity did suffer a little. However, the Remington Short action is perfect for the .243.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
That argument has been resolved, go back in your corner, we'll pull your chain when we need you. Besides, this question had nothing to do with brand or style of bullet, it was merely about Bullet weight vs twist rate = Stabilization.
And about that other myth you're attempting to spread here, Buffy says it just ain't so.:spam:
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.