First, let me say that I have taught Hunter Education and shot placement on many animals. I have studied African Game shot placement with rifle as well. Wild boar seem to have their heart a bit lower and the shoulder/leg bone is a bit more forward than deer do. If you shoot just above the forward leg, you will have a heart shot but it is important to give yourself some additional room that will always kill your animal. Many experts agree to target the heart/lung area which is larger than just the heart. Further, that you want to damage both shoulders in the process if possible so that your boar has zero chance at a charge from a big ornery boar.

The lower picture shows a high heart/low lung hit in yellow. This is ideal. To do damage to both shoulders you need a bullet that can penetrate. Yes you can kill with smaller bores but if really close, it is comforting to have a big bullet.

See https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Wild+Boar+Kill+Shots

Research in shooting “very large” Russian Boar is that a large caliber slug from a shotgun like a 12 guage or a 30 or 40 caliber such as the 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win Mag,  444 Marlin or 45/70 or a .375  does the trick and provides for the phrase used so often by Robert Ruark – USE ENOUGH GUN!  In addition it is wise to carry a big bore side arm if possible.  I am opting for my Ruger M77 African

with the .375 Ruger and 260 grain Nosler AccuBonds if I decide on a giant Russian Boar. On left. The AccuBond is a bonded lead bullet to the copper and will not come apart. Right is a monolithic solid used for Cape Buffalo and Elephant as a back up shot.

I have seen these boar fall dead in video and in others charge the hunter while wounded. Years ago my African PH said quite simply, “it is the dead ones that will kill you.”  Your guard is down and in close proximity there is no time to react. Give your boar some respect and a little time to die.

Head Shots and Neck Shots drop them fast if you can get your boar to stand still.

My Outfitter is a chef and likes head shots so it does not ruin meat and suggests that the 375 for a head shot is not necessary so will take my Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor too as it is akin to the .270 Winchester and quite capable. Lots of lesser Wild Boar are killed with .243 Winchester but a giant bruiser Russian boar up close, well…you better be a good shot.

Bow and Arrow

Heart Lung shots with bow or crossbow are quite common and are big medicine on Russian Boar. My Outfitter has a crossbow that I will try out while there.  I may even take my own Bow on this trip.  Who knows!

All in all should make for some adrenaline moments to remember.

Good Hunting!

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