Sight Gauge

Is A 20 Gauge Shotgun loaded with #2 Buckshot Enough for Wild Pig?

I'm going out for a California hog hunting trip in a few weeks and I have a friend who wants to come with me. Unfortunately I only have one big bore rifle. But, I do have a 20 gauge shotgun and I just bought some Federal Vital-Shok #2 Buck. I think it will be enough, am I correct? If it is enough, within what range can one reasonably expect to take down a piggy? 50 yards? I also have some Winchester Rifled Slugs, which I'm sure would work like a charm, but my shotgun does not have proper sights for slugs yet. I have no experience hunting big game with a shotgun, so clue me in, so I can clue him in.

Public Comments

1. I would use 20 gauge slugs. They will lay him down fast.
2. I wouldn't try and take a hog with even 00buck shot. These critters are amazingly tough. They are not Wilber in the barn yard. At 50yds you should be able to hit a paper plate with a slug even with just your front bead. Practice a little and see. With a slug you can bring a hog down with a good hit. Happy hunting!
3. #00 buck shot is better max effective range on hogs is only about 30 yaeds you might consider slugs
4. It will take a pig down at closer range, not 50 yards. That would not be a humane shot to take (50 yds with #2). I would use slugs. If not slugs then 0 Buck, 00 Buck, or 000 Buck with a full or modified choke. Your true range would be 40-45 yards max. Yes, you could kill something further than that but you pattern will be spreading out quite a bit the further you go out of this range. This is just general info, and you should pattern the shotgun with the loads to verify...who knows you may find that you can get more out of it.
5. I would recommend a 12 gauge although a 20 gauge would do the job. That size shot is fine but I would guess no more than 50 yards with a 20 gauge.
6. something to think about, before LOANING a gun. If someone gets injured by a gun that YOU, loaned out, YOU, can be held liable for the injuries too.
7. Go with the slugs,they are tough. I would pay for the sight installation if I was him.He needs to practice before you go...
8. Go with the slugs, and keep within 50 yards - the buckshot should only be used as a last-ditch stopper, even then I'd prefer a side-by-side to let loose both barrels as simultaneously as possible. To the best of my knowledge, 20ga. buckshot is only commercially loaded with the #2 buck, so the references to the larger sizes put you in 12ga. territory. So fill up with slugs, and keep a pocketful of buck just in case.
9. NO. I assume 3 rounds. Slug,slug, 00 buck.....so when you miss twice you still have the 00 to save your butt.
10. 50 yards is to far using buckshot in a 20 ga,its to far using a 12 ga in my opinion.You shoot your pig first then let your friend shoot one after, both of you using the rifle.
11. Pigs inside 30 yards, sure. Shoats or adult hogs, no. Go with the slugs even with the bead only. If you shoot a pig, though, it's nice to have the slugs in case the sow decides to be protective, or be near a tree you can climb!
12. Buckshot - no. You won't get the penetration to stop a hog. Try slugs, check for choke-compatible ones.
13. to tell you the trueth it depends how far you are from the pig.
14. For 20 gage slug sight- there was a quick fit deer sight available to strap on barrel- was like a metal strap with bent up pistol back and front blade sights. What kind of 20 Gage? Some Mossberg receivers have holes tapped and drilled for scope mount, some Stevens/Savages have grooved top that roughly lines with front beads for a 25 to 50 yard slug shot or 25 yard buckshot. Slugs fired from improved or modified choke barrels still good for 30-50 yards- some Wisconsin hunters use their bird guns with slugs on deer- collect enough venison to be worth while. H&R single shots often had notch in receiver at just back of barrel that roughly lined up front bead of barrel to center. Try a couple slugs at 25 yard target and see wher they go if your shotgun has any rear sight type- notch, groove, vent rib with center bead, - might be almost center on hits.
15. a full grown boar hog will just absorb #2 buck. most likely even 00 buck most large hogs have about 3 inchs of fat under the skin. check your shotgun some of the newer ones have screws on top of the action that fill holes for red dot type sight rail. if not many gun smiths can mount a rail for a red dot type sight.