12 Best Rigs For Hunting Wild Pigs

Bergara’s own Rick Taylor brought home the bacon in Tennessee with his B-14 HMR, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. (Bergara/)

You might have heard that we have a major feral hog problem here in Texas. Overall damage is estimated at more than $400 million per year and our estimated 3 million hogs, according to some reports, make up as much as 50 percent of the nation’s feral hog population. We hate the problems swine create, but sure love hunting them—and we do it all day, all night, all year long. Of course, we also don’t go half-cocked and under-gunned. Check out this short list of pig rigs well worth your field time.

Remington 700 ADL Synthetic .308 Winchester

This Remington 700 .308 Winchester was modified to be a nightmare for pigs and delivers sub 1/2-MOA grouping at 1,000 yards. (Kevin Reese/)

For more than 57 years, the Remington 700 has been a staple for American hunters and continues in popularity in every corner of the globe. Back then it was billed as the strongest bolt-action on the market and it’s still the premier action platform for a variety of precision match-grade rifles chambered in an array of calibers; of course, it’s hard to argue against the simplicity of the exceedingly popular Remington 700 ADL, and with a synthetic stock, it’s perfect for gritty hog-hunting, bolt-gun action.

The Remington 700 ADL Synthetic ranks among the company’s more affordable options, making this pig rig even more appealing for those looking for the perfect upgradeable system. Remington’s Model 700 ADL Synthetic features a sleek, textured, synthetic, matte-black stock; matte-blue, carbon-steel, 24-inch, threaded barrel with 1:10 twist; matte-black, drilled and tapped Remington 700 action with integral extractor; curved, single-stage trigger and two-position safety.

The Remington 700, especially in short-action calibers like .308, are not only great for hog hunting, the action itself makes it the perfect pig rig option for drop-in chassis and other top-shelf customizations. What does that mean? Put simply, a Remington 700 can easily become the bolt-action pig rig of your dreams; in fact, the heart of the famed Remington 700 is the most widely used action in match-grade, long-range, precision rifle builds. I personally have built four long-range match-style rifles on McRees Precision chassis with Remington 700 actions, and yes, I have hunted hogs with them, too.

Caliber: .308 WinchesterAction: Bolt ActionBarrel: 24 in., 1:10 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: FixedWeight: 7.25 lbs.Length: 43.625 in.MSRP: $541

Radical Firearms FR16 6.5 Grendel

Radical Firearms FR16 6.5 Grendel (Radical Firearms/)

Based here in my home state of Texas, Radical Firearms has amassed a respectable reputation for producing high-quality, reliable AR platform gas guns at cost-conscious price points and, when last I checked, they had donated over 600 Blue Line systems to law enforcement officers. Among their offerings, and perched among my favorite Radical systems, their FR16, chambered in 6.5 Grendel, is quite a pig rig.

The Radical Firearms FR16 6.5 Grendel features a 5/8-24 threaded, 16-inch, stainless steel barrel with 1:9 twist; matching stainless steel Pepper Pot muzzle brake; Mission First Tactical Minimalist Stock and 15-in. thin-profile handguard. Additional Mil-Std components include a carbine style buffer system, stock tube, charging handle, and two-stage trigger. When it comes to 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC II pig rigs one common concern is magazine capacity; after all, nobody wants to run out of ammo just seconds into engaging a sounder of 50 pigs—been there done that. The FR16 includes a 15-round magazine.

Caliber: 6.5 GrendelAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 16 in., 1:9 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 6.5 lbs.Length: 34.5 in. (Stock collapsed)MSRP: $849.95

Read Next: How to Hunt Wild Pigs at Night

CBC Industries AR-10 6.5 Creedmoor

CBC Industries AR-10 6.5 Creedmoor. (CBC Industries/)

With years of match-grade barrel manufacturing under its belt, CBC Firearms focuses AR-15 and AR-10 production on high-quality parts and affordable pricing; in fact, the CBC AR-10 6.5 Creedmoor comes in at $1,099—a solid value for a pig rig with a lifetime warranty, but there’s more. As long as I’ve been aware of this rifle, it has been listed on the company’s website for $989. As a result, I suspect the MSRP has been reduced. You should have no problem acquiring this pig rig for under a grand.

The short list of CBC AR-10 6.5 Creedmoor features are a 20-inch stainless steel CBC barrel with 1:8 twist; forged upper and lower receivers; M4 feed ramps; case-hardened, Mil-Spec, 8620 steel bolt carrier group with steel-nitride coating; CBC Gen II 15-inch M-LOK Handguard; Ergo Grip; CBC Afterburner compensator, Mil-Spec buffer system, and an adjustable stock. Honestly, what’s not to love about a rifle that will make bacon at 50 yards and ring steel well beyond a 1,000?

**Caliber: 6.5 CreedmoorAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 20 in., 1:8 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 9.5 lbs.Length: 37 in. (Stock collapsed)MSRP: $1,099

Bergara B-14 HMR 6.5 Creedmoor

Bergara B-14 HMR chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor (Bergara/)

The Bergara B-14 HMR comes in a variety of calibers but for me, I prefer the diversity of the 6.5 Creedmoor for up-close to long-range shooting and hog hunting. And, I’m not alone. The 6.5 Creedmoor’s rise in popularity was impressive enough that we’re still talking about the cartridge’s multipurpose benefits years later. Of course, Bergara’s barrels are equally impressive, world-class by most accounts and while the 6.5 Creedmoor is a respectable choice for hog hunting, it also delivers MOA, often ½-MOA at 1,000 yards in the hands of seasoned marksmen. Hogs are in trouble near or far.

Bergara barrel and precision shootability aside, what makes the B-14 HMR a great pig rig option can be found in its components. The B-14 HMR features a free-floating, 22 inch, 4240 CrMo barrel with 1:8 twist, No. 6 barrel taper and 5/8-24 thread pitch; two-lug B-14 action; textured composite stock with integrated mini-chassis; fixed stock with adjustable comb height and length-of-pull; curved, match-grade Bergara trigger; knurled bolt knob and integral QD flush cup sling mounts.

Caliber: 6.5 CreedmoorAction: Bolt ActionBarrel: 22 in., 1:8 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 9.25 lbs.Length: 42 in.MSRP: $1,150

BowTech Realm SR-6

Day breaks with the author and the double he took using his Bow Tech Realm. (Kevin Reese/)

When it comes to archery pig rigs, comfort and purpose are where it’s at. Whereas your current deer setup is likely just fine for hunting hogs, you might want to consider a few customizations for hunting at night (where legal) and for dealing with tough pig skin.

As a useful archery pig rig example, my current setup includes the BowTech Realm SR-6, Spot Hogg Hogg Father sight, Specialty Archery Products hooded peep sight with verifier lens, QAD Ultra Rest MXT arrow rest with containment bar, Firefield Hog Laser Designator and Illuminator, Clean Shot Nock Out lighted nocks, Carbon Express Maxima Red 350 arrows, and 100-grain Zeus broadheads.

Max IBO Speed: 352 FpsDraw Length: 25.5-30 in.Draw Weight: 50, 60, 70 lbs.Brace Height: 6 in.Weight: 4.3 lbs.Axle-to-Axle: 32 in.MSRP: $1,199

CMMG Resolute 300 350 Legend

CMMG Resolute 300 AR-15 chambered in 350 Legend. (CMMG/)

Touted as the “world’s fastest straight-wall cartridge,” Winchester’s 350 Legend is growing in pig rig popularity and CMMG has been there from the beginning. In fact, giving credit where it’s due, CMMG was the first to offer a 350 Legend Rig, the Resolute. While I can certainly attest to the cartridge’s bacon-making capability, the most popular pig rig attributes for spot-and-stalk hunting are weight and reliability. CMMG’s assures Resolute 300 reliability with performance components and comes in at an overall weight of just 6.5 pounds.

The Resolute 300 features forged, Cerakote-finished, 7075-T6 M4 aluminum upper and lower receivers; M-Lok handguard; Geissele Automatics SSA 2-Stage trigger; ambidextrous sling/receiver plate, charging handle, and selector switch; CMMG SV muzzle brake; CMMG RipStock minimalist-style stock; medium-taper, 4140 CM, 16.1-inch barrel with 1:16 twist, and salt bath nitride (SBN) finish.

Caliber: 350 LegendAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 16.1 in., 1:16 twist, ½-28 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 6.3 lbs.Length: 32.7 in. (stock collapsed)MSRP: $1,549

Ravin R20

Ravin R20 Crossbow. (Ravin Crossbows/)

As a diehard bowhunter, I stumbled on the Ravin R20 quite accidentally. I was afforded the opportunity to test the Ravin R20 on a hog hunt and learned the benefits of crossbow hunting almost immediately. The R20’s lightweight, compact design, blistering arrow speed, and 12-pound cocking system were amazingly comfortable. The Ravin R20 includes a picatinny rail, perfect for mounting virtually any optic, including a thermal imaging riflescope (my field-test combination) and weighs just 7.1 pounds. The 13-inch powerstroke and arrow velocity up to 430 fps provide up to 164 ft.-lbs. of kinetic energy, as well as deep penetrating momentum. The Ravin R20 features a 6-inch axle-to-axle dimension when cocked and 10.5-inches uncocked.

Velocity: 430 FpsPower Stroke: 13 in.Draw Force: 12 lbs.Stock: FixedWeight: 7.1 lbs.Length: 34.5 in.Axle-to-Axle: 10.5-in. (uncocked), 6-in. (cocked)MSRP: $2,099

WMD Guns Big Beast 6.5 Creedmoor

WMD Guns Big Beast AR-10 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. (WMD/)

Where weight isn’t as much as a concern but the slime and grime we often encounter while hog hunting is, WMD Guns’ Big Beast 6.5 Creedmoor as good of a pig rig as there is. The Big Beast is essentially completely coated in NiB-X nickel-boron. Even through more than a year of my hardcore abuse, it still looks brand new—there isn’t a scratch on it. While the Big Beast 6.5 Creedmoor is available in 20-inch and 22-inch models, the 20-inch weighs in at 9.1 lbs. The 22-inch is a tad heavier. Accuracy is incredible. While WMD Guns suggests MOA accuracy at 200 yards, I’ve repeatedly achieved that at 1,000 yards using Hornady 147-grain ELD-Match ammo.

Big Beast features include 7075 billet NiB-X coated receivers, NiB-X keymod handguard, NiB-X 416 stainless steel match-grade barrel, NiB-X PWS muzzle brake, Luth-AR MBA-1 precision rifle stock, Hiperfire Hipertouch 24-E adjustable trigger, Ergo grip, and adjustable gas block.

Caliber: 6.5 CreedmoorAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 20 in., 1:8 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: FixedWeight: 9.1 (20-in. model)Length: 39.5 in.MSRP: $2,199

Brenton Ranger Carbon Hunter 6.5 Grendel

Josh Claflin in an aerial piggy pursuit with Brenton USA’s Ranger Carbon Hunter, chambered in 6.5 Grendel. (Josh Claflin/)

Brenton’s Ranger Carbon Hunter isn’t just billed as a hunting rifle, it most certainly is one and as such, quite a respectable pig rig. Where cartridges matter, the 6.5 Grendel is well-known and respected, and a top choice for AR-15 style rifle systems. Like the 6.8 SPC, the Grendel delivers serious energy and great ballistic performance from right in front of you to confident longer range shots.

The gas-operated (direct impingement) Ranger Carbon Hunter features a NiB-coated bolt carrier group, oversized controls, adjustable match-grade trigger, threaded match-grade barrel, Magpul MOE fixed stock, RealFeel carbon-fiber-reinforced handguard, and MarbleKote camo finish. Front to back, the Ranger Carbon Hunter employs quality parts designed for long-term hog hunting reliability and the overall weight, at 7.4 pounds., makes it a pretty comfortable carry on long stalks.

Caliber: 6.5 GrendelAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 22 in., 1:8 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: FixedWeight: 7.4 lbs.

Length: 40.25 in.

MSRP: $2,308

2A Armament XLR-18 .308 Winchester

The author took this 308-lb. spotted boar with a 2A Armament XLR-18, coincidentally chambered in .308 Winchester, and capped with a SilencerCo Chimera 300 Suppressor. For safety reasons, suppressors are increasingly popular among hog hunters. (Kevin Reese/)

At 6.75 pounds, 2A Armament’s XLR-18 .308 is certainly the lightest AR-10 platform rifle I’ve used for pork chop patrols and the system’s reliability has proven itself time after time in scores of crop fields. The time and design effort poured into the XLR-18’s Xanthos billet upper and lower receivers and handguard set are glaringly evident. Wherever possible, these key components have been machined to reduce weight—they even scalloped the full-length picatinny rail and trigger guard.

The 2A Armament XLR-18 production pig rig also includes a CMC match-grade trigger, 18-inch lightweight-contour (pencil) barrel, skeletonized titanium controls and take-down/pivot pins, Mission First Tactical Minimalist Stock and titanium muzzle brake.

Caliber: .308 WinchesterAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 18 in., 1:10 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 6.75 lbs.Length: 35 in. (stock collapsed)MSRP: $2,659

Read Next: The Hog Dogs of Alabama

LWRCI Six8-A5 Razorback II 6.8 SPC II

LWRCI Six8 A-5 Razorback II chambered in 6.8 SPC II. (LWRCI/)

In the gritty nighttime world of hog hunting, two factors matter most, weight and reliability, and at just 6.5 lbs., LWRCI’s Six8-A5 Razorback II is both ready for all-night dirt work and an easy tote on long treks across our Texas crop fields. Whether you run suppressed or not, the Razorback II’s proprietary short-stroke piston system and two-position gas regulator delivers seriously reliable cycling.

The Razorback II also boasts LWRCI’s proprietary receiver set; threaded, 16-inches, Nicorr-treated, cold-hammer forged, spiral-fluted barrel with 1:10 twist; enhanced ambidextrous controls and more. Of course, the Razorback’s big brother, LWRCI’s REPR MKII .308 is also sure to pile up the pork chops.

Caliber: 6.8 SPC IIAction: Piston GasBarrel: 16.1 in., 1:10 twist, 5/8-24 thread pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 6.7 lbs.Length: 32 in. (stock collapsed)MSRP: $2,804

Phoenix Weaponry Christine Rimless .45-70 Auto

Phoenix Weaponry’s Aaron Cayce takes a Texas pigs with Christine, a rimless .45-70 auto AR-10 platform rifle. (Aaron Cayce/)

Phoenix Weaponry’s Christine is, hands-down, a seriously jaw-dropping pig rig. When the AR segment of our industry stagnated for a bit it was innovation from the likes of Phoenix Weaponry and a handful of others, I believe, that put ARs on the rise again—a bit like a phoenix, actually.

Christine, an AR-10 platform pig rig chambered in Phoenix Weaponry’s rimless .45-70 auto, was literally years in the making and the final result delivers over 4,000 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Phoenix Weaponry’s Christine is available with precision-machined 7075-T7 billet receivers in Cerakote or a premium wood finish and can be completely customized. Other features include an 18-inch chromoly barrel, ultra-low-profile gas block, 6061-T6 handguard, Magpul ACS stock and MOE grip, standard steel or Phoenix Weaponry enhanced trigger, and Phoenix Weaponry 4130 chromoly chevron-style muzzle brake. Even better, while Christine is quite a nightmare for pigs, at 8.5 pounds., it’s not that much of a nightmare to carry.

Caliber: Rimless .45-70 AutoAction: Direct Impingement GasBarrel: 18 in., 1:14 twist, 49/64-24 pitchStock: AdjustableWeight: 8.5 lbs.Length: 39 in. (stock collapsed)MSRP: $4,800
The Pig Rig attached to this plate is real and on the hunt for Texas hogs at Three Curl Outfitters, in Waxahachie, Texas. Modified on- and off-road pig rig vehicles are popular for scouting, hunting and game recovery on expansive tracts of ranch and farm land. (Kevin Reese/)