CA's caliber recommendations for wild pig hunting

[86er]

CA has recommended some interesting calibers to guides and outfitters. There are a lot of levergun cartridges represented. I have no idea how they reached these conclusions or what their recommendations were based on.


California Recommendations for Using Various Calibers and Minimum Bullet Weights for Wild Pigs for Guides and Outfitters
Caliber Bullet Weight (grains) Recommended for Pigs under 90 lbs. Recommended for Pigs over 90 lbs.
RIFLES
All 22 calibers all no no
243 Winchester or 6mm Remington 100 yes no
25-20 Winchester 86 no no
25-35 Winchester 117 yes no
250 Savage 100 yes yes
257 Roberts +P 100 yes yes
25-06 Remington 120 yes yes
264 Winchester Magnum 140 yes yes
270 Winchester 130 yes yes
7x30 Waters 120 yes yes
7mm-08 140 yes yes
7x57 Mauser 145 yes yes
280 Remington 140 yes yes
284 Winchester 150 yes yes
7mm Remington Magnum 150 yes yes
30 M1 Carbine 110 no no
7.62x39mm Russian 123 yes no
30-30 Winchester 150 yes yes
300 Savage 150 yes yes
30-40 Krag 150 yes yes
307 Winchester 180 yes yes
308 Winchester 150 yes yes
30-06 Springfield 150 yes yes
300 Winchester Magnum 150 yes yes
300 H&H Magnum 180 yes yes
303 Savage 190 yes no
303 British 180 yes yes
32-20 Winchester 100 no no
32 Winchester Special 170 yes yes
8mm Mauser 170 yes yes
8mm Remington Magnum 185 yes yes
338 Winchester Magnum 200 yes yes
348 Winchester 200 yes yes
357 Magnum (rifle) 58 no no
35 Remington 200 yes yes
356 Winchester 200 yes yes
358 Winchester 200 yes yes
35 Whelan 200 yes yes
350 Remington Magnum 200 yes yes
375 Winchester 200 yes yes
375 H&H Magnum 200 yes yes
38-40 Winchester 180 no no
38-55 Winchester 255 yes no
416 Remington Magnum 300 yes yes
44-40 Winchester 200 no no
44 Remington Magnum (rifle) 240 yes yes
444 Marlin 240 yes yes
45-70 Government 300 yes yes
458 Winchester 500 yes yes

HANDGUNS
Caliber Bullet Weight (grains) Recommended for Pigs under 90 lbs. Recommended for Pigs over 90 lbs.
.22 to .41 (including .357 magnum) all no no
.44 Smith & Wesson 200 no no
.44-40 Winchester 200 no no
.44 Remington Magnum 240 yes no
.45 ACP 185 no no
.45 Colt 225 no no
.454 Casull 260 yes yes
.50 Action Express 325 yes yes
MUZZLELOADING RIFLES round ball/conical
Caliber Bullet Weight (grains) Recommended for Pigs under 90 lbs. Recommended for Pigs over 90 lbs.
36 caliber 65/128 no/no no/no
45 caliber 127/320 no/yes no/no
50 caliber 175/370 yes/yes no/yes
54 caliber 230/430 yes/yes yes/yes
58 caliber 270/555 yes/yes yes/yes
SHOTGUNS
Caliber Bullet Weight (grains) Recommended for Pigs under 90 lbs. Recommended for Pigs over 90 lbs.
.410 Gauge 88 no no
20 Gauge 328 yes no
16 Gauge 350 yes no
12 Gauge 438 yes yes
10 Gauge 766 yes yes

[2ndovc]

The .33 & .35 WCF weren't on the list. I guess I better bring back my dead boar.


jb

[JerryB]

What can I say, that California for ya, dumb as a box of rocks.

[Griff]

Their conclusions about the .357 Mag (rifle) & .45 Colt (handgun) are also interesting.

[Jayhawker]

Regardless of what they recommend, the 41 mag works just dandy for large or small.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Wow ... the 25-20, 32-20, 38-40, and 44-40 score a "no / no". Looks like they frown on the 1892 for hogs.

[crs]

They left out the .405 WCF and nixed the .223 - guess my butcher is turning two live 100+ pound pigs into chops and sausage.

If I remember correctly, the hog I killed a few years back with one shot from my .357 rifle weighed 200+ pounds.

More nonsense from unknowing bureaucrats. Or maybe they write for a gun magazine?

[J Miller]

86er,

Are these caliber-bullet weight yes/no's actually recommendations or are they law written into the hunt regulations?

And what would they do say if someone tried to use a .45 Colt with Ruger - T/C type loads? Those were not listed.

Just curious

Joe

[86er]

The CA Fish and Game came up with the recommendations. This is not a law, just a "guideline" for guides and outfitters to advise hunting clients. I couldn't find any rhyme or reason to their list. I wonder if this is post condor zones and that's why some calibers were left out - they assumed there was no non-toxic bullet available.

[bsaride]

357 rifle with 58 gr is no, I guess 158 would be ok.
150 gr 30-30 beats 303 savage 190 gr over 90 lbs.
45 cal muzzy? ya gotta be kidding

[CJM]

The 30-30 150 grain bullet a yes/yes, but the 303 Savage 190 grain bullet a yes/no?? And the 38-55 255 grain bullet also a yes/no? Same or bigger cartridge, bigger bullet, but only for smaller pigs seems a little backwards.

[Hobie]

I knew of a guy in King City who had a TC Seneca .45 cut down just for hog hunting. It was like shooting a .45-70-285 (IIRC, I think it was a conical he cast) cartridge rifle.

[TedH]

I couldn't understand that no on the 190 gr. 303 Savage.

[oklahoma red]

Good evening to ya all,
Not to worry, all the California pigs I've ever come across, including these two:

Can't Read!!

The pic below is me splainin' to these two that they're gonna be fine.
"The 357 rifle that shot ya ain't that bad!"

"The Warden says yur gonna pull thru!"



I guess these two are just as good at listenin' as they are at readin'.
They never did get up,

So I'm eatin' um.

Happy shootin',
OkR

[madman4570]

.357 ???-----------I think a 158 grainer @ 2200fps will do just fine out of a 20" gun!
Will do pigs or deer in woods ranges. Gotta love the .357

OR"

http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKC ... loBore.htm

[model55]

I've got to think that they are completely in the dark about some of the calibers on the list simply because they are rare in the field now days like the 303 savage,38-55........They had no problem with the 375 win either(?).Think they should refine the list.All the positive things I'm hearing about the copper bullets as far as penetration makes me think some of the calibers would rate higher as far as pig calibers go.357 magnum and the 41 should have made the grade.Who do they have doing the shooting......volunteers form a line.............

[Bogie35]

Good evening to ya all,
Not to worry, all the California pigs I've ever come across, including these two:

Can't Read!!

The pic below is me splainin' to these two that they're gonna be fine.
"The 357 rifle that shot ya ain't that bad!"

"The Warden says yur gonna pull thru!"

bogie

[vancelw]

The .33 & .35 WCF weren't on the list. I guess I better bring back my dead boar.


jb

Hope you know CPR

Or you could trade me your "illegitimate" rifles. I'm sure I could find something on the CA list to give you in trade for those!

Mighty fine rifles you have there. I am indeed jealous (I think I broke the 11th commandment)

[El Chivo]

I remember reading this, I had the impression they went with ft/lbs of energy, although any centerfire would be legal.

There's a lot of good stuff in those hunting guides, that's how I managed to gut a buck when suddenly presented with the problem.

[O.S.O.K.]

I agree with most of the list but about 1/4 of it is BS. IMHO. They don't list velociites either... The 38-55 255 isn't good for hogs over 90 pounds? Yeah right....

And I think that with the handguns, a good heavy bullet moving 900 fps+ PLACED WELL will do the job - 41 caliber and up. Though with hogs, they will probably run 100 yards or more...

I didn't see the 10mm Auto listed... along with a bunch of others.

[Mike D.]

You did read and comprehend that the list was compiled by "guides" and "outfitters", two terms that are very loosely used in the Golden State, and subject to interpretation. Pigs are not mythical creatures that only respond to the largest and fastest bullets, not are they particularly difficult to bring down. California has chosen to take the low road
where wild pigs are concerned and determined to milk the public to hunt what are essentially vermin. A single tag now costs $19.70, a ridiculous amount that should be paid to shooters who eliminate these destructive animals. I fail to understand CA's insistence that critters are "game animals" and are subject to state control of their taking by resident and non-resident hunters. What an unadulterated crock of cr*p!! The next thing you know they'll be wanting to charge five bucks for ground squirrel tags and 10 bucks to shoot jack rabbits. Is there a pig management program that need funding? HAIL NO! California's pi** poor "deer management program" is a perfect indicator of where this state's F&G funding, or lack thereof, is utilized. I say, roll 'em over and let the buzzards and condors eat 'em. More than likely, though, their own brethren will clean 'em up long before the winged garbage service arrives on scene.

I'll remove myself from the soap box for now. My feelings are at the boiling over stage, as it is.

[papabear]

well i have four gun's that fit the list
Ever time i think i have the money saved up to go to Texas for a hog hunt and visit with Joe &Rick and a few of the other guys some thing all ways happen and I'm staring over again. One day I'm just going to get into the tuck and drive there for a week of fun

[piller]

I can only say that shot placement seems to be more important from my limited experience. I took 4 total hits with a .44 Mag to do what 1 hit with a .223 did. Shot placement was the difference.

[O.S.O.K.]

I can only say that shot placement seems to be more important from my limited experience. I took 4 total hits with a .44 Mag to do what 1 hit with a .223 did. Shot placement was the difference.

Well, at least your hog went down! Mine was still running around with a bit of a limp until Will popped it the next day anyway. Still wanting to see any pics of that one.

Next time I get the idea to hangun hunt, I'm going to use my 7.5" Ruger - I find it very much easier to shoot well with... especially compared to a 4 3/4" gun...

[stew71]

As a California hunter, the last place I'd look to for hunting advice would the the Fish and Game Department. Many of the wardens and officials that I've met over the years aren't "gun-types" and wouldn't know a 45-70 from a 30-30. Many do hunt, but all they typically know is what they use themselves. There are always exceptions, of course.

Of course, the people that make up the F&G Commission are another matter. Of the 5 members, only 2 are hunters. The other 3 consist of a professional politician, an environmentalist, and a real estate businessman.

It also makes sense that some of the older obsolete calibers would be omitted since the people who make up the regs probably have never heard of most of them or are unfamiliar with them. No big deal. Use what yer comfortable with.

[m.wun]

The law here just says any centerfire with expanding style bullets(or approved no lead
in condor zone).I take it they are only recomending these on account of factory loads.
The ? I have been wondering is do they consider hardcast a "expanding" bullet.

[new pig hunter]

yes indeed, "we" like "them" to do our thinking for us, it makes life so much more simple. And after all, isn't the simple life what we really want ?? So much choice is s-o-o-o-o confusing.

[rimrock]

Everything in CA is pretend so just use pretend bullets, and the movie guys will make sure he falls! But, don't eat 'em--cuz they just PLASTIC!

[model55]

Wish I could pretend I wasn't here

[Mike Rintoul]

No 50 Alaskan? No 500 Linebaugh? My pig guns are not even recognized by California. Well, neither are my constitutional rights, but that's not to post here..... Who makes these lists?

[model55]

mike D, I have to agree with you on the tag issue and it has gotten worse used to be 5 tags under 20.00$ now one and just coin change left from that twenty meanwhile crops are destroyed and we may end up just where some other states are-over run by feral pigs. Last time I went looking I was told the Fresno area is getting to just that point.

[Tumbleweeds II]

They don't even mention the Ozarks Mountain Method, which involves a mule, dogs, and an Arkansas Toothpick.

Lead free, too.

[O.S.O.K.]

They don't even mention the Ozarks Mountain Method, which involves a mule, dogs, and an Arkansas Toothpick.

Lead free, too.

What's the mule for?

[Modoc ED]

I'm not sticking up for anybody -- especially the California Fish and Game folks BUT that list was the result of the information provided on the report card side of the hog tags that were sent in for killed hogs/pigs.

Here in CA we have to buy a "Big Game" tag in order to hunt hogs/pigs. There is a report card side of the tag that you have to send in to Fish and Game when you take a hog/pig. It used to be that one line of that tage required the caliber rifle you used to take your hog/pig and the weight of the hog/pig. I haven't used a tag in a couple/three years so don't know if that line is on the tags anymore or not.

Anyway, CA Fish and Game compiles lists using the information provided on the tags and one of those list is recommended caliber for various weight animals.

So, it may be possible than nobody has provided a report tag listing a .45-70 used to take a specific weight hog or other calibers not on the list too. Note, I said provided a report tag -- not that someone hasn't used a .45-70 to take a hog/pig and not reported it via a report tag.

CA Fish and Game even provides lists listing how many hogs/pigs were killed in each county etc. to incluse number of boars or sows, weights, etc..

There's a lot of funky, plain stupid, requirements, enforced here in CA but I've got to say the hunting here is very good and there is A LOT of public land to hunt on where you can be very successful if you're willing to put a little work into your hunt.

Even with the dumb, stupid, lead ban in some areas of CA the hunting in those areas is still good. You just have to use lead free ammo to hunt in those areas. It doesn't effect the amout or quality of game available there.

[n2t]

So much I have to do. First send back my live butchered 130lbs hog I took with the .243 as it obviously isn't dead enough, then send hornady my bullet pieces so they can fix the bullet failures I got. It's a rough life you know.

[El Chivo]

They don't even mention the Ozarks Mountain Method, which involves a mule, dogs, and an Arkansas Toothpick.

Lead free, too.

What's the mule for?

that's for after the hunt