Pasture Gun?

[dlh]

The other day I cut some mesquite in a pasture where wild hogs are known to hang out. I was probably about 75 yards from my pickup.

Before I went out there I thought--which is the best gun to have in case I am charged by wild boars?

After some thought I carried the most reliable rifle I think I have--my WASR AK47 with 30 round magazine.

The good news is that I encountered no wild hogs.

What would you folks have carried in similar circumstances?

Oh, I forgot to mention that in my pocket was my Glock 26 with a Glock 17 mag popped in so I had some "extra protection" too.

[Tex1961]

I'd already be carrying my CZ in my holster, but I'd either throw in my 30cal carbine or my Ruger PC 9mm carbine in the truck....

[cyphertext]

A 30/30 lever gun is usually what I keep handy when filling feeders and stuff out on the lease.

[mrvmax]

A long gun will always be better than a handgun but they are not always practical to carry. I’ve been around feral hogs quite a bit and have never been charged, normally they will leave the area when they smell humans, especially where they have been hunted before. I have shot one with a 10mm and it didn’t kill it so shot placement is still key. Most long gun shots to the head will stop them but if they are charging I’d take a 12 gauge with 00 buck.

[Lynyrd]

A long gun will always be better than a handgun but they are not always practical to carry. I’ve been around feral hogs quite a bit and have never been charged, normally they will leave the area when they smell humans, especially where they have been hunted before. I have shot one with a 10mm and it didn’t kill it so shot placement is still key. Most long gun shots to the head will stop them but if they are charging I’d take a 12 gauge with 00 buck.

I kill about 75 hogs a year. I've only been charged one time by a boar, and that was when the .308 I put in his shoulder just made him mad. Shot placement is key but that day I had to hurry the shot I was a little off.

I always carry a large revolver when I'm out in the pasture because sometimes long guns just get in the way.

[howdy]

While driving my UTV at the farm I always have my Glock on my hip and my Kel Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm with a 30 round magazine. The sub 2000 is very lite and easy to throw around my neck with the strap. If I am going around the lake I will carry a 12 gauge too for the snakes.

[The Annoyed Man]

For me, it would probably be my Marlin .30-30, or maybe my M1 Carbine. I like ARs a lot and have several of them (or did, before my tragic boating accident), but for a simple pasture gun, something simple and light like a lever gun seems plenty sufficient.

[Syntyr]

The other day I cut some mesquite in a pasture where wild hogs are known to hang out. I was probably about 75 yards from my pickup.

Before I went out there I thought--which is the best gun to have in case I am charged by wild boars?

After some thought I carried the most reliable rifle I think I have--my WASR AK47 with 30 round magazine.

The good news is that I encountered no wild hogs.

What would you folks have carried in similar circumstances?

Oh, I forgot to mention that in my pocket was my Glock 26 with a Glock 17 mag popped in so I had some "extra protection" too.

You need an AR in 45-70 Automatic!!!

[cmgee67]

45-70

[dlh]

Regarding lever-guns...

When I was a kid we visited my uncle's ranch in Sutton County.

My dad borrowed my uncle's lever-action 30-30, put a few shells in it...then took out on foot to hunt some hogs.

Back then in Texas it was javelina hogs--not the wild boars we see today.

Anyway, after awhile when my dad did not come in my uncle went looking for him.

Found him up a tree,surrounded by hogs, and out of ammo--at least that is the story they told us.

As kids we were both terrified and impressed.

My dad always got a kick out of telling that story. Sadly, he passed away in 1988.

Will always wonder if he and my uncle made that story up or if it really happened.

[G.A. Heath]

45-70

Never seen a hog shrug that one off, and neither will the ahooter!

[The Annoyed Man]

Regarding lever-guns...

When I was a kid we visited my uncle's ranch in Sutton County.

My dad borrowed my uncle's lever-action 30-30, put a few shells in it...then took out on foot to hunt some hogs.

Back then in Texas it was javelina hogs--not the wild boars we see today.

Anyway, after awhile when my dad did not come in my uncle went looking for him.

Found him up a tree,surrounded by hogs, and out of ammo--at least that is the story they told us.

As kids we were both terrified and impressed.

My dad always got a kick out of telling that story. Sadly, he passed away in 1988.

Will always wonder if he and my uncle made that story up or if it really happened.

That’s fine....I have a SCAR Heavy too. Pretty sure THAT will get the job done.

[der Teufel]

I've been hunting hogs for over a dozen years now. The closest I've been to being 'charged by a boar' was when I happened to be standing in the path they desired for it's exit once the shooting started. That is, it wasn't after me but rather I was in the escape path. I should point out that this was at night so the hog didn't know I was there until I whacked him with my shooting stick, shortly thereafter he decided to utilize an alternate escape route.

When hunting hogs I always carry a pistol, but it's just a .22 for a finishing head shot if I find one that's still alive.

They tend to avoid human contact. I don't worry about being attacked. The real problem with hogs is usually getting close enough to shoot without being detected. Once they figure out that someone is there, they tend to vamoose in another direction.

[jb2012]

lol you don’t need “defense” from hogs. Your sidearm is just as good for 4 legged threats as the 2 legged.