AR Question...

[G.A. Heath]

We engage hogs out to about 100 yards on average, but my friends have killed them as far out as 250 yards. Shot placement is not anywhere as critical with the 6.8 as it is with a .223. We have emptied 30 round mags into sounders firing three or four shots to an animal when we encounter a large sounder resulting in about sixteen kills total. Our only encounter with a 6.8 was with a single hog and resulted in a single shot kill with a rifle that was not sighted in. That hog was probably in the 300lb range. We didn't get to weigh him as the farmer who's land we were on called us to the other side of the county for a large group we never saw. When we made it back to our kill he had already been eaten by its family and friends.

[flintknapper]

Two other questions... With the 6.8 SPC, is bullet placement on a hog as critical as it is with .223; and how is the commercial availability of ammunition?

Depends a lot on the hog and the terrain.

Smaller hogs can be dispatched quite easily, but the larger ones normally take more punishment.

“Shot Angle” is what dictates my shot “placement”. Secondary to that…is distance and terrain.

Where I live…hogs can run off into the most impenetrable mess of Green Briars, Black Berry, and Honey Locust you ever saw. Getting down on your hands and knees and following a wounded Boar hog through a tunnel in the briars quit being “my cup tea” sometime after my mid 30’s.

Any hogs we shoot….need to be DRT!

This hog if shot (where indicated) with any reasonable center-fire round will most likely drop in it’s tracks.



BUT….when angles change, those light fast moving bullets often don’t have what it takes to anchor the animal.

I am not saying they won’t “kill” but I can assure you this Boar (250lbs.+) is going to run if shot (where indicated by the yellow cross-hair) with any of the light weights.


A better shot IMO, (especially when using lighter bullets) is a high shoulder shot that breaks the spine (indicated in red).

In the photo above, I could actually slip a bullet in front of the shoulder and behind the jaw, but lets say the Boar is looking straight ahead. Most folks will go for the yellow shot (like on deer), hoping to drive the bullet to the off side shoulder.

That works fine, IF you have enough bullet weight, enough velocity and good bullet construction. A 5.56 or .223 ain’t gonna get it done! And personally, I’d take a pass with the 6.8 on this hog (for where I live).

The high shoulder shot (indicated in red) would work with the 6.8 (and similar rounds).

Older heavier boars actually have a shield of cartilage that covers their neck and shoulder area, this can cause problems for some fast stepping light bullets.

Hogs are not as “tough” as most folks think, they can be taken cleanly with good shot placement. The problem is: The average person does not understand Hog Anatomy. Many a hog has been shot in "the big middle", ran off and never been recovered. This leaves the shooter thinking "Man, those things are tough"!

They are NOT built like a deer! Hogs vitals are very much forward of that of a deer. Even in this chart…the vitals are not shown as far forward as they really are, and the heart lies extremely low in the chest (also inaccurate in the chart).



The key to quickly harvesting hogs is simple: ALWAYS shoot to the spine (between the jaw and just forward of the shoulder). This shot (assuming a reasonably powerful round)= DRT!

I know some folks are going to challenge these statements, (that’s o.k.). I am sure someone will point out that they have killed a hog with a .22 rimfire (so have I).

But… if you want to take hogs consistently (without doing the animal a disservice) then follow the advice above.

[CompVest]

Perhaps this thread should be moved over to the Hunting Topic?

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't mind. The thread started with a question I had about a problem with one of my AR15s, but it has "evolved" into a hog hunting thread. Whatever you think is appropriate is fine with me.

[flintknapper]

Where ever it is deemed most appropriate...suits me.

[CompVest]

It can stay here so long as it goes back on topic. I don't want to see any hunting photos. I am all for hunting so long as I don't need to see the photos or discriptions. I am a bleeding heart when it comes to that sort of thing.

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, the Big Brown Truck of Happiness just delivered my new A.R.M.S. #40L Stand Alone Flip Up Rear Sight this afternoon, and I installed it just a little bit ago. I think I like the open sights better than the ATN holosight I have mounted.

[flintknapper]

Well, the Big Brown Truck of Happiness just delivered my new A.R.M.S. #40L Stand Alone Flip Up Rear Sight this afternoon, and I installed it just a little bit ago. I think I like the open sights better than the ATN holosight I have mounted.

I like it!

You're way ahead of me you dirty dog.

My stripped lower won't even be in until this Friday. My brother has ordered a 6.8 upper and they said not to expect it for 8 weeks. Bummer.

[flintknapper]

It can stay here so long as it goes back on topic. I don't want to see any hunting photos. I am all for hunting so long as I don't need to see the photos or discriptions. I am a bleeding heart when it comes to that sort of thing.

You will note...I was careful NOT to include any harvest photos (outside of the hunting category of this forum).

However, if you will object...to simple discussions concerning shot placement (descriptions), then I hope your position will be applied equally across the board. That would certainly limit the scope of conversation concerning self defense on this forum, but I'm O.K. with that... if told to do so.

Perhaps it would be best to move this thread. I don't think most folks would be offended by the content...but at least in the hunting category...there is a forewarning.

My apologies...if I have I have written anything here... considered insensitive.

[The Annoyed Man]

Do any of you have experience with swapping out a front sight post for one with a tritium insert?

By the way, I like that 40L rear sight enough, I just may adopt the nickname "Peep sight."

"My name? Why, they caaawwl me "Peep Sight," little lady."

[flintknapper]

Do any of you have experience with swapping out a front sight post for one with a tritium insert?

By the way, I like that 40L rear sight enough, I just may adopt the nickname "Peep sight."

"My name? Why, they caaawwl me "Peep Sight," little lady."

Wouldn't that make you a "Peeping TAM".

[The Annoyed Man]

Do any of you have experience with swapping out a front sight post for one with a tritium insert?

By the way, I like that 40L rear sight enough, I just may adopt the nickname "Peep sight."

"My name? Why, they caaawwl me "Peep Sight," little lady."

Wouldn't that make you a "Peeping TAM".

Oh Lordy!