Author Topic: Opinions about a rifle for lawn/porch hunting (Read 1675 times)

shoot'n hogs · « **on:** August 04, 2004, 05:49:56 AM »

I live on the outskirts of a rural town. However, I do have neighbors to the south of me. I have an open pasture to the north of me which coyotes and other preditors frequent (maybe ever the occasional small hog). What I want is a quiet centerfire rifle to take them out with. I don't want to disturb my neighbors during the day and at night with the report of gun fire. I do reload, but I don't want to load down a particular cartrige just to make less noise. I haven't shot any centerfire lower than a 243 which is too loud. I do have a 17hmr, but I am looking for a centerfire. I was thinking about a 22-250 or a 223. Any opinions would help. Thanks

fuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2004, 06:58:28 AM »

Your a lucky man. Have a place like that. 22/250 about as loud as ur 243 You mite want to go with 22 hornet or 218 bee may be quititer

shoot'n hogs · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2004, 07:06:42 AM »

Thats what I was afraid about with the 22-250. I have been wanting one for about a year now. I thought for sure this would give me the reason. I am worried that the 22 hornet and 218 bee might be a little small for the hogs. Who still makes the 218 bee?

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2004, 07:55:51 AM »

There is really not enough difference in the noise level of any of them to include the Hornet and Bee for the neighbors to know the difference when you shoot. If they are inside with the AC on in summer or heat in winter with windows closed chances are they'll hardly notice as long as you're 200-400 yards away from their house and especially if you're aiming away from them.

GB

flintlock · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2004, 07:58:38 AM »

What range are we talking?

I have a buddy that uses a .22 mag...for similar situation...(deer in his soybeans)...he uses solids...claims they run about 50-60 yds with a double lung shot....But we are talking 75 yards...it is a little light for the hogs...but should work in the coyotes....
How about the new .204 Ruger??? How loud is that cartridge??? How about bullet selection for??? If you can put a bullet in the ear of a smaller hog...should do the trick...The .204 is fast enough to extend your range to 250-300yds...flintlock

shoot'n hogs · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2004, 09:37:54 AM »

range could be up to 150 yrds. I don't now anything about the 204, but maybe thats the way to go.

shoot'n hogs · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2004, 09:39:59 AM »

Really, all I want is the quietest centerfire that is still capable to take down a small hog (about 150lbs).

Zachary · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2004, 09:49:20 AM »

If you consider a 150 pound hog small, then what do you consider a big one?

Personally, I would never shoot a hog with a .22 LR or Mag. I know many people that shoot hogs with a .223 and do so with clean kills, but they shoot them right behind the ear. I've never done it, because hogs always seem to be moving constantly and thus don't always allow for a clean shot.

Still, if you are firm on the use of a small, relatively quiet centerfire, which, as Graybeard said is not going to be as quiet as you would think or even want, I would say the .223 since it has less powder than the .22-250, yet can bring down hogs as long as the shots are close and precise.

Zachary

shoot'n hogs · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:06:44 AM »

Thanks guys for all the info and help. The dang hogs have been coming into my yard lately because of the nearby rice field. They seem to love to go into the garden and eat my sweet corn and squash.

shoot'n hogs · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:08:56 AM »

Would there be any difference between the 223wssm and the 223 rem. noise wise. I sure there is some difference.

DeerMeadowFarm · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:33:09 AM »

Not an expert here by any means, but I do have a .22 Hornet that I use for woodchucks on our farm. I have a neighbor who is around 100 yards away and they dont hear me shoot (their dogs do though!). However, I am thinking the Hornet is a bit light for a 150 pound hog Also, mine is not scoped (peep sights) but I am confident out to 100 yards with it; 150 would be pushing it IMHO.

Zachary · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:37:37 AM »

I've never shot a .223 WSSM, but plain logic tells me that since it has more powder, it should be louder.

On a related note, I don't think that the .223WSSM will be around for years to come. As such, the old .223 standby is your best choice.

Zachary

Carl l. · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2004, 01:54:44 PM »

I would go talk with the neighbor's and see what their thought's was. They might not care what you use. Carl L.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2004, 02:01:08 PM »

I would use the 243 with a relatively hard bullet such as a Nosler partition and shoot the hogs. To keep it quiet just place the rest such that the muzzle is 3-4 or more feet inside the open window. Shooting thru an open window with the muzzle inside will use the room as a silencer. The blast will be released into the volume of the room and the noise escaping will be greatly reduced..not eliminated but greatly reduced.. It goes without saying of course that ear protection will be worn by the shooter>> and anyone else in the room,,House?? Also a note. As a kid on the farm we butchered hogs each year. I became the designated shooter, don't ask why, but we always used the 22 long rifle caliber.. Up to 50 yards or so a 22 LR solid point will kill any hog that ever walked. In use the best angle is straight in the face. Draw an imaginary 'X' by imagining a line from the ear hole on one side to the eye on the other side. The aiming point is the intersection of the lines or the center of the 'X'. The hogs we killed this way were from 225 to perhaps 300 pounds normally although one time we helped a neighbor butcher a boar. He must have weighed close to 600-700 pounds. A single 22 LR in the 'spot' and a knife to the throat was all that were required. The sticking was done to get as much blood as possible out of the animal.. If a shot must be taken from the side remember the 'X' , the brain is small and easy to reach from the front, harder to get at from the side but do-able. Behind the ear or into the base of the ear works if the angle is quite a bit on a downward slant. Straight on and the center of the 'X' is the best. The brain is about the size of an orange, slightly flattened. hit it and the animal will go done immediately.. I wouldn't try it beyond about 50 yards though..

Catfish · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2004, 02:58:51 PM »

If you reload your own ammo it doesn`t make alot of difference, but if you don`t I would recomand the .223. It is the easiest round around to find alot of good cheap ammo for.

Bubba Jack · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2004, 04:09:12 PM »

22-250 with 55 grain partitions....................killing machine!

Rogue Ram · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2004, 05:31:53 PM »

If your State allows silencers, and you can afford the ATF tax stamp, stick a can on a .223 go to town on them if the law allows. Lots of fun.......

RR

Robert · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2004, 06:23:41 PM »

I would go to a larger caliber...Heavy bullet..with lighter loads. I like my 357 Max. Little holes are worthless.

Mauser · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2004, 01:12:41 AM »

I believe Ruger makes a 218 Bee in their #1 standard. The rifle would come with a 26" barrel so the velocity would be better than normal with this cartridge. I've never heard one fired, but I understand that it is light in the report department. Long term, you're probably going to have to be a reloader with this round, however.

jgalar · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2004, 04:55:06 AM »

The 22 hornet for varmints and load some cast lead rounds in your larger calibers for the occasional hog. If you're shooting from your backyard it shouldn't be a problem using two different guns. you could actually do both with the cast bullet loads, but then you don't have an excuse to buy another rifle.

Graybeard · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2004, 11:59:05 AM »

If wildcats are a viable option for you why not contact our Sponsor SSK Industries and discuss a .300 Whisper. It can be silenced if that's legal for you or even if not it is a really quite round when used with the heavy bullets it is designed to use.

GB

Big Paulie · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2004, 12:37:52 PM »

Okay, a new direction here:

1. Based on what you have said, you need a minimum of the .223 Remington. BUT: the .223 is loud, and I mean dang loud.

2. My thought? Get a lever action or single shot rifle, in .357 magnum, put a scope on it, and use the 180 grain factory loads. Sight it in for 150 yards. It should do fine on hogs out to that distance, but no further. Also, it is much quieter than the .223 and it won't travel a mile before it hits the ground..

3. If you aren't confident with the .357 mag, then do the same in a .44 mag. It will still be quieter than the .223. (It gives a nice round boom, instead of that ear-splitting high-grade sound-breaking crack!) Also, you can shoot the .44 special in it for closer shots, which is even quieter.

4. Good lever actions and single shots are very accurate in these two pistol calibers.

Just another option to think about.

Big Paulie

oso45-70 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 05, 2004, 05:20:15 PM »

shoot'n hogs
I don't see how you could go wrong with a 222 rem. I have used them in consentrated areas and the report of this caliber is very quite. And with a good scope you can stick it behind threir ear and they go to sleep real easy.
Have shot many with mine and have never lost one yet....Joe.....

sgtt · « **Reply #23 on:** August 05, 2004, 07:38:12 PM »

Is this legal in Texas?

Ron T. · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2004, 12:36:18 AM »

The loud "CRACK" that a high-powered rifle makes is due to the bullet breaking the SOUND BARRIER... and you can't muffle that with a "silencer" because the bullet continued to break the sound barrier well beyond the rifle's muzzle.

In my opinion, there is NO "silent" or quiet center-fire rifle... even the little .222 or .223 makes a LOT of noise! And the .204 uses a .222 magnum cartridge case and probably makes about as much noise.

The idea of using a pistol cartridge in a rifle might work, but if the bullet breaks the sound barrier (about 1250 fps at the muzzle), you're gonna get that familiar "crack" associated with center-fire rifle cartridges.

As previously suggested, it would be a REAL good idea to go talk to your neighbor and let them know what you're shooting at and the direction in which you're shooting. You might be able to calm your neighbor's fears about hearing a .223, .22/250 or even a .243 being fired at hogs. If so, then your "problem" ceases to exist.

One thing is for sure if you're trying to kill hogs @ 150 yards, you're going to need a properly-constructed bullet, NOT a varmint bullet... a fact that gives the .243 a definite "edge" for the hogs.

Noise-wise, there's very little if ANY difference in noise level of the .22/250 and .243 Winchester. The .22/250 uses the .300 Savage cartridge case (same as the .250/3000 case) while the .243 uses a .308 Winchester case, a case which was originally ALSO designed FROM the .300 Savage case. Therefore, the case capacity of either cartridge case is very similar.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Graybeard · « **Reply #25 on:** August 06, 2004, 10:42:46 AM »

Quote

In my opinion, there is NO "silent" or quiet center-fire rifle... even the little .222 or .223 makes a LOT of noise! And the .204 uses a .222 magnum cartridge case and probably makes about as much noise.

Oh but there are. The SSK Whisper line of cartridges are set up to be just that. Whisper quiet. They all use extra heavy bullets in fast twist barrels to stay subsonic to prevent the sonic boom and all can be set up with sileners to eliminate the sound at firing if you so desire. Contact SSK if this is on interest to you.

GB

tuck2 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 08, 2004, 03:31:34 AM »

Take a look at the 221 Rem. Fireball rifle. 50 Gr. bullet at 3000 FPS. Should do the job on hogs out to 75 Yds. and yots to 300 Yds.

The Shrink · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2004, 01:44:06 AM »

Shoot'n

Definitely talk to your neighbor, if you haven't already. I live in the largest city in Virginia, in the suburbs, on about a 1/4 acre lot, and a couple of years ago my neighbor butchered five deer in his back yard. Not one of the neighbors complained, and I at least offered to help! Unfortunately, he's moving.

Talk to them, let them know what you're doing and why, and maybe you can help solve a similar problem for them.

Wayne the Shrink

There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

Zachary · « **Reply #28 on:** August 09, 2004, 04:34:46 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Quote
In my opinion, there is NO "silent" or quiet center-fire rifle... even the little .222 or .223 makes a LOT of noise! And the .204 uses a .222 magnum cartridge case and probably makes about as much noise.

Oh but there are. The SSK Whisper line of cartridges are set up to be just that. Whisper quiet. They all use extra heavy bullets in fast twist barrels to stay subsonic to prevent the sonic boom and all can be set up with sileners to eliminate the sound at firing if you so desire. Contact SSK if this is on interest to you.

GB

A Whisper quiet .30 caliber? That sounds pretty cool. Kinda sounds like a really big pellet gun on steroids

Zachary

THE#1hunter · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2004, 07:27:16 AM »

Quote from: oso45-70

shoot'n hogs
I don't see how you could go wrong with a 222 rem. I have used them in consentrated areas and the report of this caliber is very quite. And with a good scope you can stick it behind threir ear and they go to sleep real easy.
Have shot many with mine and have never lost one yet....Joe.....

I agree, the .222Rem is not a loud caliber and with the right scope...its a fine shooter, I have one and I use it for coyotes, drops 'em dead :grin: