556 for hunting

[soldier07]

Anybody here ever hubt with the 556 for hogs? I know its a small caliber but I also know you cantv get ammo for it that will allow better penetration then the 223

[dlriggins]

I haven't had the opportunity to hunt hogs YET. I do know that you will want head shots only, penetration is great but expansion is slim that's why nobody uses it to hunt elephant and few use it for deer size animals. An injured boar is a dangerous animal and not worth getting hurt over. Then there is the matter of a humane kill.

[dbHunterNY]

don't have hogs here but i know of many who have with a 223. something like a Nosler Partition would work fine. I'd not try to make long range shots and keep it off the shoulder.

[toddpipkin]

Have killed MANY deer, hogs and coyotes with .223/5.56.

Ruger Mini-14 and AR.

Because it is so light, short and easy to handle, my Mini-14 is my go-to hog gun for close up encounters while still-hunting in the river swamps. Usually more than one hog, and usually get more than one. Of all shot with Winchester 64 grain, Power Point factory loads, only ONE has moved out of it's tracks, an that one went only about 10-12 yards. Unfortunately, it was into the middle of the thickest, nastiest briar patch in three counties! Took my Super Blackhawk into the thicket to get him, crawling on my belly like snake. Luckily, he was dead when I got there.

I don't bother trying head shots. That little 64 grain Power Point is TOUGH. Under 100 yards, behind the shoulder, just like a deer = DRT, and almost always have an exit wound. Never shot a hog or a deer with one farther than that, but several coyotes have felt it out to almost 200, with the same results - DRT .

[Adjam5]

Many of my Texas friends hunt hogs exclusively with the .223/5.56 round. With deadly results. It is cheap and readily availible...In Texas anyway. I have seen factory loads as high as a 75gr bullet in the Hornady TAP load. That caliber is fine with good accuracy.

[redkneck]

Just hit that sweet spot at the base of the ear and you'll be fine.

[wtnhunt]

Effective for yotes. All i have hunted with a .223. Supposed to be hogs making their way into some counties south of us, probably a matter of time til we see some here. Figure like yotes will kill every one I see with whatever i have in my hands at that time but probably would not hesitate to use the .223.