Hard Cast HP .30-30 Bullet on a Big Barrow

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  • Last Post 06 April 2026
Wilderness posted this 11 December 2025

At the risk of boring readers with another hog story, this can be the third of the trilogy – mature boar, big sow, big barrow.

This story is instructive on two points, poor shot placement resulting in a 180 meter run after the shot, and affirmation of the capacity of these hard HP cast bullets to penetrate.

Despite having cameras out, this was the first time I had seen this pig. He arrived early in the evening with a group of 10 more normal sized pigs. Or perhaps they were small and made him look big. In any case, he was the obvious candidate for the first shot with the NV.

The equipment was the Savage 99 .30-30 with Leupold 2-7 scope on 2X, with Oneleaf NV100 device on the back. Ammo was 175 gn cast HP about 16 BHN (#U321297HP sized down from .322” to .312"), 33 gns LeveRevolution, muzzle velocity 2200 fps. The shot was at 45 meters.

I made two mistakes with the shot. I let my aim drift back a little from where I wanted it, a common mistake when shooting pigs, and I failed to allow for him being angled towards me. The result was an entry behind the shoulder (NV image) and an exit towards the diaphragm (daytime image). I should have placed the shot to break the near side shoulder joint.

After shooting some pigs with shoulder shots and not having anything exit, I was beginning to think I needed a slightly harder bullet. This shot however set my mind at ease by penetrating and exiting.

This pig measured 66” snout to butt of tail and had a tape measure weight of 300 pounds (136 kg). My biggest ever pig was a couple of years ago. That one went 71”, and I now regret not measuring him properly for a weight assessment.

This fellow has what looks like a good set of tusks – barrows often have the best tusks.

 

 

 

Edit April 2026:

And here are the tusks, recovered this week.

Right tusk is pretty good - 10 1/2" around the curve and 2 3/8" grind. Circumference measurements, below the grind and at base, are 2 3/8" and 2 9/16"

Left tusk is a bit scrappy. There's some rot or breakage at the tip of the grind and overall the tusk is not as well developed. Measurements are 9 1/8" (which is still a pretty good length), 2 1/8", 2 3/16" and 2 1/2".

 

You are only as good as your library.

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Aaron posted this 12 December 2025

Definitely got some penetration!

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Eutectic posted this 12 December 2025

Not boring at all. It is nice to see some hunting results with cast bullets. 

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muley posted this 12 December 2025

agree, not boring. keep the pictures and info coming.

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Wm Cook posted this 12 December 2025

Great story!

I’m curious as to who, why and how anyone castrates wild hogs. Well I know the how when it comes to de-nutting, but it’s a circus doing that even in an actual hog pen on a farm.

It’s accomplished with a razor blade & a splash of motor oil. But that was a scheduled event with all of them about 35lbs or so.

Can’t imagine how it’s done in the wild. Love the stories. Bill C.

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Wilderness posted this 12 December 2025

Hello Bill - yes, it's all about catching them again later to eat and not having to suffer boar taint. There's a subset of doggers who catch for home consumption.

I can't say that I'm into wild pork myself, knowing what these things eat, and the biological hazards. Nor have I participated in the conversion of boars to barrows, though I would imagine the boars would offer some resistance. Their adrenaline levels would be sky high after already having been caught by the dogs.

You are only as good as your library.

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Boschloper posted this 13 December 2025

Bill:

 I always enjoy your posts.  Sometimes I have questions. Like why don’t you buy a new bullet mold that fits your barrel. Or who owns the land that you are hunting on?  You seem to have unlimited access, but someone else does as well, as they are castrating and releasing the same hogs you are shooting. 

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Wayne

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Wilderness posted this 13 December 2025

Thanks Wayne

This #U321297HP bullet mould was eminently successful in .32 Special, in the sense that it shot well, but especially in the sense that it was good for killing things at about 2200 fps. I discovered by accident that I could size it down for .30-30 and get even better groups. I have also used #311291HP, #311407HP and #311041 but none were as accurate as what I am using, and the hollow points were not as effective either.

As regards access I have it to myself, but pigs, especially boars, can travel a long way to a bait, and cross a lot of properties getting there. Then in the wet season they move again, off the low country and into the hills, and may not go back to the same places next year.

You are only as good as your library.

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beemer posted this 13 December 2025

We don't have any wild hogs in our area, we have deer and according to the deer hunters black bear are moving in. I don't hunt anymore but I am still interested in your results, far from boring. Hands on experience is priceless, mistakes and successes and I read everything you write.

I am also very interested in the 30-30 Win.

Thanks,

Dave

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Aaron posted this 05 April 2026

I thought this image may be helpful for members who haven't hunted these rascals. Everything is way up front and behind bone armor!

When I hunted boar during our annual Handgun Hunters International (HHI)  Hog hunts, I used a Freedom Arms 454 Casull shooting a 340gr SSK hard cast bullet. It could drill one of these critters side to side, front to rear, or rear to front. They need LOT'S of killing power with bone breaking force as well.

 

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Wilderness posted this 05 April 2026

Good stuff Aaron. Pigs are definitely different. On that presentation I'd be trying to put it between the front legs about half way up (the Finn Aagard shot), or even level with the front leg. That would gets lots of blood and a bit of bone, and leave some room for aiming error.

The shape of a pig is deceptive also, almost an optical illusion. A supposed "shoulder" shot can so often end up in the ribs, as for the barrow in the story, so I have to make a conscious attempt to keep the aim forward.

You are only as good as your library.

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trapdoor4570 posted this 06 April 2026

When i was taught years ago.  if, a big IF, it is standing still try to clean the ear wax out.  he was meat hunting not rack hunter. The man that taught me would either carry 30-30 or a 22 Hornet said the 22 hornet always brought them down were they stood with that shot.  But then there were a lot of corn-fed Pa. deer back in the '50 & '60s.  Not like our Fl deer, they are just an overgrown collie.  Should be the same with a hog.

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Wilderness posted this 06 April 2026

TD - absolutely correct provided you get the hit.

The issue with pigs is that their heads are forever moving, so plenty of scope for a miscue. Come to think of it, the rest of the pig is usually moving as well, but normally not up and down.

You are only as good as your library.

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trapdoor4570 posted this 06 April 2026

depending on the backdrop and backstop.  i imagine 220 grains of 30 caliber hard lead @ 2000 fps wouldn't matter what it hit it would just keep on punching at least for the next half mile.  And the same for 500 grains of 45 caliber hard lead.

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