What Would You Take?

Derek8404

Derek8404

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Not sure what section would be best for this, but this seemed appropriate.

Im going on a Helicopter hog hunt in February and im trying to decided what would be the best gun to take. My brother went 2yrs ago and was shooting his AR10, and told me that the ones in his group using 5.56 were having to make multiple hits to put the pigs down. My options are

5.56 (11.5in or 16in)
6.5 Grendel 18in
300blk 9in
7.62x39 10.5

The best option would obviously be the Grendel but at 18in and with a can on it, that’s a little long to be using inside a small helo. Also ammo is a concern

The 300 in a 9in barrel shooting supers would be great and the option I would most likely go with if it weren’t for the cost of ammo. All I’m seeing is over $1 a round except for wolf steel and I’m not sure how effective that would be on the pigs…..

I’m considering the 10.5 PSA KS47 in 7.62, but the only issue I’m concerned about it reliability. I broke the extractor on it in less than 100 rounds and it’s currently at PSA awaiting repair. I think if I can get it working reliably and have a spare bolt on me that may be the way to go. 7.62 ammo is still fairly cheap and I can get some soft point or HP that should work fairly well on the pigs.

So considering all of the above and that I’ll prob need about 200 rounds to take, what would you choose?
 
Tailhunter said:
7.62 x 39 would make an excellent hog smacker.

Out of a helicopter, the delivery system seems almost as important as the caliber. Lots of ammo and quick follow up shots are key.
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That’s what I’m thinking as well. If I can get this thing working reliably in time that may be the way I go.
 
Tailhunter said:
ps … did you leave a zero off the amount of ammo you propose taking by accident?
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Might add a 100 or so, but my brother said he only went through about 150 rounds last time he did it.
 
I’d say 300 or x39 out of those. You’ll have more bullet choices in 300 than x39.

Gorilla Ammo has 20% off this weekend and they have some 300 that might work well for hogs.
 
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BigWaylon said:
You have a registered lower. Wanna borrow a 12” 6.8 upper?
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Currently no, although I’m going to form 1 a few of them soon. I appreciate it and if not for cost/availability I would have already built a 12in 6.8. It’s on the the list for sure if ammo ever comes down.
 
Derek8404 said:
Currently no, although I’m going to form 1 a few of them soon. I appreciate it and if not for cost/availability I would have already built a 12in 6.8. It’s on the the list for sure if ammo ever comes down.
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You could put it on a pistol lower. Just not sure I’d want to use the Beo without a stock. 🤣
 
BigWaylon said:
You could put it on a pistol lower. Just not sure I’d want to use the Beo without a stock. 🤣
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No, that wouldn’t be too pleasant I imagine. Also, ammo is quite pricy for that right now as well.
 
BigWaylon said:
You could put it on a pistol lower. Just not sure I’d want to use the Beo without a stock. 🤣
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Derek8404 said:
No, that wouldn’t be too pleasant I imagine. Also, ammo is quite pricy for that right now as well.
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Ive done it ;)

Its not comfortable! but it was exhilarating.


From your choices, the 6.5 grendel or the 7.62x39 would be my choices, in that order.... wouldn't even consider the 5.56mm's in this case.
sounds like you will have a good time though!
 
I think I’m leaning more towards the 7.62 as long as I can acquire a spare bold for it.
 
Why worry about follow ups?? They will just be leaving the hogs lay most likely so who cares if they are shot up. I say 5.56 and let her eat!!!

(Edit; meaning you are not cleaning the animal so multiple shots on same animal would not be an issue)
 
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Infamous1 said:
Why worry about follow ups?? They will just be leaving the hogs lay most likely so who cares if they are shot up. I say .556 and let her eat!!!
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He’s already been offered one 50 cal. 🤓😝
 
Infamous1 said:
Why worry about follow ups?? They will just be leaving the hogs lay most likely so who cares if they are shot up. I say .556 and let her eat!!!
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Because as surprising as it may be, I’m not an asshole. Hogs or not, I will always go for the most ethical kill. Not out to wound a bunch of animals from the air that will die “eventually”.
 
Derek8404 said:
Because as surprising as it may be, I’m not an asshole. Hogs or not, I will always go for the most ethical kill. Not out to wound a bunch of animals from the air that will die “eventually”.
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I think .556 would be an ethical kill. 5.56, probably not. 🤓
 
Derek8404 said:
Because as surprising as it may be, I’m not an asshole. Hogs or not, I will always go for the most ethical kill. Not out to wound a bunch of animals from the air that will die “eventually”.
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I did not say don't kill them I just said multiple shots on same animal.
 
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Just seeing this. That looks like it would be fun.

You now have the perfect opportunity to buy an AR-10. It's the humane thing to do...and you get another gun.
 
papa_smurf said:
Can you take 2? I'd try the 6.5G, and have the .300blk in case the 6.5 proved too cumbersome.
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Yeah I could take a lower and both uppers . That’s definitely an option I’m considering. It’s just ammo for both of those is ridiculous.
 
Geezer said:
Just seeing this. That looks like it would be fun.

You now have the perfect opportunity to buy an AR-10. It's the humane thing to do...and you get another gun.
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An AR10 is definitely on the list but I don’t know if I have enough time build one like I’d like right now. I’m getting ready to move and trying to do 1000 different things.
 
I vote 7.62x39 if your gun is up and running reliably by then. The cartridge is great for short barrels and still packs quite a punch out of a 10.5".

Not quite apples to apples, but a good friend of mine has a family ranch in Texas. His idea of a fun time is zipping around the property on an ATV with a cooler of Shiners and a paratrooper SKS, scaring up and shooting feral hogs. x39 makes quick work of them.
 
Have gun-will travel said:
Shooting from an unstable platform and at distances that you are not sure of Creates problems.Also the trajectory of the bullet is different from hights as opposed to shooting from the ground. Read up on this.
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From what my brother was telling me, the pilot gets you pretty low and it’s very stable. He split a hogs with a .308 and actually had blood splash onto the windshield.
 
I have to go with the 300blkout, loaded with 125 or pistol 150 grain. Short range (under 100) in a ar platform would be a delight to shot and reloading would be a breeze.
 
So I have made the decision to take the KS47. I now have about 300 rounds through it with no issues and acquired a spare bolt/firing pin to keep in the grip as a backup. The only thing I need to do now is change out the rear plate for one that has a QD mount in it so I can use a single point sling.
 
Infamous1 said:
Why worry about follow ups?? They will just be leaving the hogs lay most likely so who cares if they are shot up. I say 5.56 and let her eat!!!

(Edit; meaning you are not cleaning the animal so multiple shots on same animal would not be an issue)
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I hate that, what a waste of good meat.
 
A friend of mine in Germany knows a hunter that is the go to guy for tracking down wounded hogs in his area. He uses a Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62x39 that he swears to. I sent him a couple of mags some years ago since they are cheap in the US (mass market) and expensive in Germany (boutique market).
 
I guess that None of the Above is not a choice here.

Seriously, if I was spending the bucks to do a door gunner on the piggies, I'd have a bigger gun with a large cap magazine if a belt fed wasn't available. Of your list-

5.56 (11.5in or 16in)- 11.5in- just say no 16in- maybe, but use the heaviest bullets you can handload
6.5 Grendel 18in- Maybe with the heaviest bullets you can get
300blk 9in- NO. There is no load in the 300blk world that exceeds a bog stock 7.62x39, and yours is handicapped by a 9in pipe
7.62x39 10.5- NO. It's a short barrel.

Really, I'd go with 308 at minimum in the 30cal arena. Of your list, the 6.5 is the only one I'd even entertain the thought of taking.
 
I’d go with the 6.5. I recall reading testing done with 5.56, .308 & 6.5G whilst shooting tracers from a helo. The 6.5 shot much straighter through the rotor wash due to the much higher BC.
 
Got everything set up for the hunt. I’m definitely going with the KS47 now that I’m feeling pretty confident in the bolt and have a back up in the grip it decides to fail on me. Topped off the “pistol” with one of the new Holosun AEMS optics.
6AE80E7B-7499-40BF-8B18-A52668CBFDE4.jpeg
 
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