Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Javelina & the 243?

I'm sorry I missed this until now... apologies. To answer your question, the shot was at 60 yards on a 45 pound sow standing nearly broadside (slightly quartering towards). The bullet went in through the upper bone of the foreleg (shattering it at that point), through the heart, and stopped against the hide between two ribs on the far side. Some meat lost from that shoulder but not much. Remaining weight of the bullet was 26 grains, if memory serves. She fell over at the shot, stood back up only to fall right back down, and was dead before I reached her.

Thanks, guys, for the comments on bullet weights for the 243. Got the tag for this year's season and getting some loads worked up now.

Thanksfor the reply, Karamoja. I am going to Africa in May and was considering whether to use my .204 with that bullet for some of the little critters, or buy a sporterweight .223. "Needing" a new rifle won out!

Are Javalina good to eat?

I've killed only two of these desert pigs. Used a 22 MAG and aimed for the chest. The animals went right down and stayed down.

Sherwood

Yes.

Lots of people will tell you otherwise but my guess is they're doing it wrong. Prep is key -- use the knife to get started then peel the hide off rather than trying to skin it with a knife. That avoids ruptering the scent glands on the lower back. Clean all loose hair off the meat as you go -- they rub that scent over each other so the hair is pretty pungent.

Like most game meat, it is very low fat so characterized as dry. In spite of the fact that javelina look a little like a pig, the meat is not at all like pork. It's a dark red meat. I separate the large muscles into roasts. Pressure cooking or slow cooking methods work best. The trimmings get ground together with pork shoulder and turned into sausage. I like all of it with a bit of a spicy seasoning but that's my taste.

Yep, whatever is most accurate in your .243.
Mine likes Federal Blue Box. A lot!

We have a limit of 2 on Javelina in Goliad Co., TX.

stumpy

Good to eat? They are a peccary. I wouldn't eat one!!

Hornady 87 gr BTHP would be my choice