By Sam Dawson
Wild Hog populations are exploding in the United States, and these massive destructive beasts are a big threat to humans.
With these animals destroying crops, and leaving humans maimed or worse after an attack, you don’t want to be unprepared for dealing with these dangerous mammals.
That’s why we’ve prepared a list of the top guns Southerners are already using to handle the “pig explosion” making its way north of the Mason Dixon line.
Wild Hogs are hardy animals with tough hides. They weigh upwards of 300 pounds and can close on you in a matter of seconds if they commit to a charge in thick brush.
That’s why it’s vital you know which guns will stop a hog dead in its tracks, and which will just make them mad.
Whether you’re looking to control populations, or just want to stay safe on your next outdoor adventure, our list has some selections that are perfect for you.
When selecting between these weapons, bear in mind where you are traveling. Urban terrain, the woods, and open fields will require different weapon load-outs and may involve different tactics. In short: don’t just pick blindly, use common sense!
Savage Model 110 .30-06 Springfield
A well-placed shot from most hunting rifles will do the job, but in a high-risk hog situation you don’t always have the time to line-up the perfect shot.
Incidentally, a lot of Southern deer hunters have come across and killed wild hogs with their own rifles, and have found success with a .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield.
And for the experienced shooters, this weapon could land a round through multiple hogs with one shot.
Glock 20 Gen4
Our list had to include at least one handgun, and the Glock 20 is the one for the job. In an emergency, a sidearm may be all you can access in time to react. Not to mention in some urban/suburban areas a concealed weapon may be all you can legally carry.
The Glock 20 has earned a spot on our list because it’s chambered in 10mm auto with 10 rounds packed in a standard magazine. Add this to Glock’s high quality and reliability, and you’re looking at a safe bet.
Being lightweight and portable, a handgun like this far extends the ability for you to pack out the ability to stop a hog short.
Marlin Guide Gun
Marlin’s 1895GBL is an excellent choice for hog hunting, and one of the more stylish picks to top it off.
The newest model holds 6-plus-1 rounds of .45-70 cartridge that fire from the fast-working lever and will certainly down some hogs.
At 7 pounds and just 37 inches long, this weapon can be packed just about anywhere. Because it is drilled and tapped to fit most sights, and available for just around $700, this weapon has earned its place near the top of our list.
Mossberg 500
It’s tough to top a good shotgun for hunting and hog hunting is not an exception to this rule. In thick terrain, or packed just in case the wildlife gets a little too close, the Mossberg 500 is an excellent choice to put down hogs who get a little too friendly.
The Mossberg 500 (you could also use a Remington 870) is a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun that can stop a hog fast. If you hit, the slug is an obvious choice, but 00 or 000 buckshot will still do the job.
At close range, even a 400-pound hog won’t go far after getting hit from a blast from the Mossberg.
Browning BAR ShortTrac Hog Stalker
There aren’t many weapons modified specifically for hog hunting, and fewer that are worth their salt, but the BAR ShortTrac Hog Stalker is one of them.
BAR stands for Browning Automatic Rifle, and the original design has seen service in WW1, WW2, Korea, and even Vietnam.
While this hog stalker isn’t fully-automatic, the sheer weight of the weapon makes walking fire or hip fire highly effective. The .308 rounds fired from a 10-round magazine feel more like firing an AR-15 due to the limited recoil.
If you can handle carrying some extra weight, this weapon is the best choice for a hog hunt.
What do you think?
Have we left any ideal hop-hunting guns off of our list?
Or do you think one of our selections is just plain wrong?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.