Custom pig rifle

[HARPERC]

I've loaded 180 Accubonds in 338 RUM to reduce recoil. Depends on the size hog your planning but works well on Antelope, and other light skinned game. As you move up in caliber recoil will also. The 35 Whelens, and 9.3's will all perform well enough. The 338 Winchester is the most obvious choice, factory ammo readily available. Hornady Superperformance 225 comes in an Interbond. 338 RCM is out there, as well as other short magnums.
How much weight does your Pre-64 have to lose to get the weight you want? Have you considered other stocks, optics, etc to get where you want to be?

[Porker]

If you can tame your 338RUM with downloads, i suppose the 338WM would be even easier. Remember, i'm looking at a left hand bolt action this time around. The pre-64 is RH bolt, stock standard. Was considering a lighter 270, as I possibly shoot that cal best of all my rifles. Mostly Springbuck in the Kalahari. What recoil can I expect from a 210g in 338WM loaded to 2700 fps?

Hog size would be the average Queensland hog, weight about 100kg. Extreme examples up to 160kg apparently. What is your view on the 260 Rem. or 6.5x55 swede on hogs that size?

[HARPERC]

I did miss the left handed part. What total weight are you prepared to live with?

[Centxshooter]

Been using a 20" heavy barrel savage action with 308. Shooting 165 SST's with 44gr varget and have made several 2 for 1 shots on hogs here in TX. I put a illuminated Weaver on it and use solar lights for night time hunting in the hotter months. Works great!

[texas]

Not to sure as to the recoil on the 35 Sambar but the 9.3x62 isn't bad at all. Not sure what you can find in a left hand bolt though.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Ok with added info consider 338 federal or 338 wsm

[walkinhorseman]

I just read through this thread and quickly questioned why people are thinking about downloading 338 magnums when the 338 Federal is the commercially available. I built a 338 Federal rifle on a Sako Medium action, in a McMillian Sako Cassic Stock, with a 21" stainless sporter barrel that weighs 8 pounds scoped. The rifle literally handles and points like a shotgun with a 2.5x8 Leupold or an Aimpoint on top. The most accurate ammo that I have shot so far is the Federal 185 Barnes TSX. I havn't beat it yet with any handloads that I have tried. I guarantee minute of pig accuracy at your 250 yard distance.

I have done some pig hunting over dogs where the shooting goes from 15 feet to 100 yards. Based on what I have seen from the Barnes TSX's that I've recovered and weighed from my sandpile backstop, I think this is the perfect pig rifle/caliber/bullet combo. I'd change out between the Aimpoint and low powered optics, depending on the hunting conditions.

I don't see the merit in downloading a rifle weighing 1 to 2 pounds heavier when you can have a much quicker handling medium action rifle. Pigs are quick on their feet and your rifle needs to be too. That is if you are on the ground with them.