[TexasNative2000]

Thanks for the article.

I have a specific use question. We just moved out into the Hill Country of Texas and last week I noticed a family of wild hogs running along our north ridge. Not exactly the most friendly neighbors, you know.

What is the best weapon to have on hand should I run into one of these? I've gotten differing opinions and after reading your article, I would like to have yours.

[P8riot]

If they are the Texas wild hogs I’m thinking about you’ll need something pretty stout. They have a layer of gristle that covers their vitals, and I’ve found that nothing less than a .44MAG will penetrate sufficiently. I’d go for a nice lever action carbine in “at least” that caliber. A lever is light, and will give you quick follow-up shots while taming the recoil of the stouter rounds. While you’re at it get a good cookbook too. Wild hog is pretty good eating.

[tcostell]

Well a lot depends on range. Most shotguns aren't much use beyond 100 yards, and many fall short before that. You can get a rifled barrle 20 gauge and a sabot to extend the range, but you still won't have performance that outdoes a black powder rifle by much and then you have a real specialty gun that canbe reused for other things. IMHO that's not the best use of your limited gun buying budget.

I think if I had my choice of anything I'd probably go with a 30 caliber ranch rifle...probably a 7.62x39. It can still kill a hog ay 5yards but can also reach out a little further if they decide not to let you get so close.

I actually live in New Jersey where we aren't aloowed to hunt with a rifle. I've used a 12 gauge Benelli Montefeltro with a slug for Black Bear, but I also wished I had a rifle.

[Deaf Smith]

Go to the www.texasboars.com site and you'll find plenty of information for firearms & feral hogs.