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LSUTiger wrote: ↑Thu Jul 14, 2022 7:49 am I am trying to find out what is the minimum caliber and firearm type (pistol/rifle/barrel length) and ammunition type that is effective for dispatching feral hogs?

I know the usual suspects with the usual caveats are probably:

.22 LR/16" Rifle-shot placement
.22 WMR/16" Rifle-shot placement
.223/5.56/16" Rifle-potential overpenetration

My situation is that I am trying to shoot them at a range of 25 yds or less, 50 would be maximum but not likely. I am worried about overpenetration due to neighbors on adjacent property. They aren't in immediate line of fire but I just want to keep things on my side of the fence line. I am not concerned with immediate kills as long as they die eventually would prefer if they run off and die elsewhere.

Are .22 LR or .22 WMR out of a 6" Pistol effective at 25yds?

I underlined what I have, just wondering if there is something else I need to get to fit this sweet spot of 25yds effectiveness with no overpenetration.

Any suggestions?

The issue I can see with this choice is that only a head shot is going to possibly do the trick. If you miss, the 22 LR or WMR is going to travel a very long distance. As much as a mile or more. The other issue is that I am not sure it is legal to hunt any animal with a 22 caliber round. Maybe I am wrong since hogs aren't really considered a game animal? I dunno but I would recommend something with more "oompfa" out of a hand gun. A .38 or even a .40 caliber might work better out of handguns. Aim for that 10-12 inch kill area just behind the shoulder. Now in a rifle caliber, a 223 with a hollow or soft point is not likely to "over penetrate" and travel any appreciable distance. A full metal jacket might but not a soft point or hollow point. If you have a serious hog problem, there are folks that have trapping operations and can catch most of the heard in one sitting. Then they can "knock them in the head" with a 22 while they are in trap.