In my last article, I discussed why I don't think it's necessary to use specialized hog hunting ammunition when pursuing wild boar. Here are a few alternative ammunition choices to use instead next time you're out in the woods after hogs.
Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive list. After all, hunters have been killing hogs for years with run-of-the-mill deer hunting ammunition, so there are literally dozens of different bullets out there that are capable of ethically killing a hog with proper shot placement.
It's not essential to use premium ammunition, but it can be really helpful, especially if you encounter a really big hog or if you're using a small caliber rifle. That being said, if you want to give yourself every advantage possible when hog hunting, then keep reading to learn some recommendations for good quality ammo for hog hunting.
Barnes TTSX
Available in multiple bullet weights in just about every caliber from .223 all the way up to .458, the Barnes TTSX has a reputation for good accuracy, high weight retention, reliable expansion and deep penetration. These attributes make it an excellent choice for hunting a wide variety of big game, including feral hogs.
The Barnes TTSX is also lead-free, which makes it ideal for hunters in states like California, who are not allowed to hunt big game with bullets containing lead.
Nosler Partition
It's not new or sexy, but the venerable Nosler Partition is still trucking along as one of the world's premier big-game hunting bullets because it works so well. It does not have a bonded core, and Partition bullets normally only retain approximately 60-80 percent of their weight, but these traits in and of themselves do not necessarily mean a bullet is "good" or "bad."
With two lead cores separated by a jacket shaped like the letter "H" (a "partition," if you will), the bullet is designed to rapidly expand up to a certain point, but still penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals of even the largest animals. Hunters quickly discovered how well the bullet works on big, tough animals, and it is still a great choice hunters chasing hogs.
So, if you're a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy, then by all means find a Nosler Partition load that shoots accurately in your chosen rifle and hit the woods.
Federal Fusion MSR
Do you like to hunt hogs with an AR-style rifle? Well, the Federal Fusion MSR line of ammunition is optimized for use in modern sporting rifles like the AR platform that have free floating firing pins and 16-to-20-inch barrels.
The Fusion MSR features a jacket that's molecularly fused to the bullet core in order to minimize the chances of the core separating from the jacket and to ensure reliable penetration. At the same time, it's designed to expand even at reduced velocities.
Available in .223 Remington, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, .300 Blackout and .308 Winchester, it's a pretty darn good bullet to use in your favorite MSR when hog hunting.
Keep in mind that that certain rifles will perform better with some bullets than with others. Before you take any new type of ammunition out on a hunt, make sure you test it out at the range first. If you can't find a particular load for a given type of bullet that works well in your rifle, consider moving onto a different bullet.
Like I said earlier, this is not an all-inclusive list, but each of these bullets is a proven performer on feral hogs. If you place your shots correctly, no hog will run far after taking a hit from one of them.
