Help with thermal scope and suppressor (and pigs)

[Franco]

I am looking for an effective rifle, scope, suppressor combo to deal with some wild pigs which are making their from my neighbor's property onto mine. I've ordered a steel "drop trap", but in the mean time, I'd like to try shooting some at night.

Here's a list of some of the basic calibers I own, but I'm never opposed to buying another rifle.

22, 22 mag, 22 Hornet, 22-250, 220 Swift, 224 Valkyrie, 270, 6.5 Creedmore, 300 Win Mag, 300 Wthrby, 30-06, 300PRC

Which of these, if any, would be suitable for night vision (thermal), suppressor, and range. Is 500 - 600 yds unreasonable for thermal?

I was considering my Heym 300 Win Mag HPPR (High-Performance Precision Rifle) synthetic stock, straight-pull action.

All advice and suggestions appreciated.

 

[WAB]

You’re shooting close at night, no need for a long range rifle, but pigs are in Sounders so fast follow-up is a must. My pig rig is a [emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]].[emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]] Grendel in an AR-[emoji637][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]] platform, pulsar trail thermal, SilencerCo Omega suppressor. We shoot off Bog Pods. Don’t shoot off a tripod you are locked into. You may need to pull the rifle off quickly during follow-up. Carry a .[emoji638][emoji638] pistol for the coup de grace.

 

[Bandera]

Yup AR platform night hog shooting is up close.
400 yards is an identify what it is distance with thermal.

Of your calibers the 224 Valkyrie or the 6.5 would work. The 224 with a 90 grain bullet.
A hogs lungs are behind the shoulders. Shot it like you would a white tail and you have a gut shot critter.

I use an AR I built in 6.8 SPC.
ATN Thor LT 5-10.
Either the Hybrid 46 or the Rebel Silencers 30 cal.
Also use a trigger stick tripod.

My buddy just finished his 8.6 Blackout in an AR10, he will run a Hybrid 46M with a Pulsar thermal scope.

We also carry a Pulsar hand held scanner.

Thermal it pretty much comes down to ATN or Pulsar, at least with guys I hunt with.

 

[slam8031]

I have a 300 ham’r with a Rix thermal with an AAC suppressor in an AR platform. I also have a 556 with ATN with silencerco SpecWar. The 556 is an sig patrol rifle that’s on the heavy side and I use the bog pod with that one.

 

[Franco]

Thanks guys. I have to confess, I am not at all familiar with AR's - but as stated, have no problem buying what I need. I will check out AR's.

 

[skydiver386]

I have the same issue on my Florida property and was ready to ask the same questions. The property is a mix of planted loblolly pine, cypress swamp, scrub oak and grass. No shot over 150 yards even from an elevated tower blind. Tried trapping them with no luck, so night hunting with suppressor and nv or thermals is the next step. I have a Savage 110 Tactical .308 that will be the base rifle. Looking at the Sandman s suppressor or possibly the new Savage 30s. I have some older Starlight gear, but upgrading to a thermal would be nice if I could find a quality clip on that attached to my standard Leupold scope.

Here's the Christmas present my Reconx cell cam sent to my phone.

 

[samson7x]

Of those choices I’d opt for the 22-250 or 6.5creed if you prefer body shots. I try to anchor them with neck shots mostly. Once they run, all bets are off though. 500-600 would be a very long shot with thermal. The majority of my shots are within 100. You get what you pay for with thermal. With 640 units you will be able to ID targets further out. Bolt guns are fine, I use a 22-250 in bolt and a 6.8spc AR depending on where I’m going and the mood I’m in.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I am looking for an effective rifle, scope, suppressor combo to deal with some wild pigs which are making their from my neighbor's property onto mine. I've ordered a steel "drop trap", but in the mean time, I'd like to try shooting some at night.

Here's a list of some of the basic calibers I own, but I'm never opposed to buying another rifle.

22, 22 mag, 22 Hornet, 22-250, 220 Swift, 224 Valkyrie, 270, 6.5 Creedmore, 300 Win Mag, 300 Wthrby, 30-06, 300PRC

Which of these, if any, would be suitable for night vision (thermal), suppressor, and range. Is 500 - 600 yds unreasonable for thermal?

I was considering my Heym 300 Win Mag HPPR (High-Performance Precision Rifle) synthetic stock, straight-pull action.

All advice and suggestions appreciated.

If you need any help getting rid of them, I’m happy to bring a group down with equipment

 

[Red Leg]

Pulsar pretty much sets the standard in the industry with respect to thermals - performance and price. I use an ATN and it has been very dependable. I can easily tell what type of animal I am seeing at 300 yards, but would never take a shot at that distance. At night, using the wind, I have never had an issue getting within about fifty yards. I use a suppressed AR based 5.56 and 70 gr bullets. It is fine for head and base of the neck shots, but a .30 would be a better option at running animals when a sounder explodes. I have one of the relatively new Ruger AR's in .308 which will likely get a thermal soon.

 

[skydiver386]

I've shot several hogs, all head shots. Just like squirrels, there's a lot of head movement to deal with. Is there a reason for a body shot v head shot on hogs? What is the preferred shot if they are calm and relaxed at the feeder?

 

[samson7x]

I've shot several hogs, all head shots. Just like squirrels, there's a lot of head movement to deal with. Is there a reason for a body shot v head shot on hogs? What is the preferred shot if they are calm and relaxed at the feeder?

I always try for a neck shot. I euro mount the ones with big tusks so I shy away from head shots on the big ones. Their vitals are more forward like African game so behind shoulder is not ideal. Basically straight up the front leg, lower third works well if you have a body shot.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Been doing thermal pig hunting for over 15 years. A good AR15 platform rifle. We still use mostly 223/5.56. Cheaper to shoot and we go thru several mags a night. Use the heavier 68-75 grain hollow points. We are not concerned with picking them up and or processing. Hunting fresh planted crops for farmers. For thermals. Pulsar or IRay. IRay is coming on strong in the market with excellent scopes. I prefer The Bolt series in IRay.

 

[AimSmall]

Essential to identify thermal targets correctly - really don't want to shoot the dog or break any game laws. Buy a good quality thermal with a fast processor and high quality display.

If the rifle-mounted thermal is used to locate targets, remember you are pointing a live rifle.

I agree with the AR platform and definitely recommend bigger than 223 (6.5, 6.8, 300bo, 308, creedmoor) with quality bullets.

Titanium suppressors help keep rifle weight down. Shorter barrels can help, too.

Even subsonic/suppressed, pigs will scatter at the sound of a bullet impacting their cousin. Make the first shot count!

Have fun!

 

[wesheltonj]

What you need is a Gatling Gun with a hand crank. Otherwise, I would suggest an semi-auto platform where you can have a large capacity magazine, a can, and in a caliber that will provide enough recoil using subsonic ammo to cycle the bolt. As for optics, if money is not a problem night vision over thermal. Please kill every last one you see, thank you.

 

[Franco]

What you need is a Gatling Gun with a hand crank. Otherwise, I would suggest an semi-auto platform where you can have a large capacity magazine, a can, and in a caliber that will provide enough recoil using subsonic ammo to cycle the bolt. As for optics, if money is not a problem night vision over thermal. Please kill every last one you see, thank you.

Funny you should mention Gatling - I have 2 Thompsons and an AM-180, I just figured they were more suitable for shooting the ones I catch in the trap. If you're not familiar with the AM-180, check it out on YouTube. ROF of 20 RPS or more, depending on ammo. Pain in the ass to load the drums - but it sure is fun to shoot.

My buddy has a carriage mounted Gatling in 9MM.

I have a FLIR system in my race jeep; it's pretty cool, I have a screen mounted on the dash and can actually drive with it. It can see through dust or smoke, as well as track.

 

[Franco]

Been doing thermal pig hunting for over 15 years. A good AR15 platform rifle. We still use mostly 223/5.56. Cheaper to shoot and we go thru several mags a night. Use the heavier 68-75 grain hollow points. We are not concerned with picking them up and or processing. Hunting fresh planted crops for farmers. For thermals. Pulsar or IRay. IRay is coming on strong in the market with excellent scopes. I prefer The Bolt series in IRay.

Thanks Mark,

I know absolutely zero about ARs. Never even considered one until I moved to Texas. My hunting to date has been with either bolt or double rifles.