Hog Hunt with 35 Rem Marlin 336

[86er]

Ricky and I went to our property for some hog hunting this afternoon. At 8:40 PM right before it got dark about 25 hogs came in at 100 yards. It was a little tough to see through the old Weaver K4 with German size 4 post and crosshair. I put the tip of the post on what was the biggest hog to the right of the bunch and squeezed. "Whack" was distinctly heard letting us know one would be down. Hogs scattered everywhere. A few more ran past at 50 yards and I picked one out and led it with the scope. "Bang"-"Squeal, Squeal, Squeal". I saw the shot hit just a hair behind the ribcage but it was a hard quartering away shot. Unfortunately, Ricky didn't have a shot due to brush, positioning and other factors. When we approached the first hog I noticed the bullet just about coming through the skin on the off side. I told Ricky "no way did this bullet not exit, there must be more to this story". Upon close inspection, we found a second blood trail leading from the first. Indeed I had hit two hogs with one shot. The trail went into a thicket and I followed. It was now dark. As I held the flashlight I could see a hog. It got up and kind of staggered behind a tree and then came towards me. It looked like it was in slow motion. I drew my handgun and fired when it was at my boot-tips. We found out it was in slow motion after all. I had shot it through the hips with the rifle. Why it scampered towards me instead of away from me when I put the light on it I don't know. We then went to the place the running hog was shot. We quickly found a blood trail and several pieces of lung tissue. We ran out of flashlight power and just couldn't see enought to warrant following it in the thick brush. We're going to go first thing in the morning to recover it. The 200 grain Remington Core-Lokt loaded to 2070 fps (book) mushroomed and held together. Between the two hogs it penetrated about 14 to 15 inches through them at 100 yards. I weighed it when I got home and it weighs 159.7 grains. So far the 35 Rem is doing exactly what I wanted. Shots into/though the shoulder are anchoring the hogs. Soft tissue/"bad" shots are leaving enough blood on both sides to follow and recover the animal. The follow up shots were quick and the scope lasted just long enough to keep me in the game until the last second of light. Hopefully tomorrow I can report on the bullet performance on the third hog.

[Warhawk]

Outstanding! Glad to see that you're putting the Marlin to good use.

[missionary5155]

Outstanding... the old sarge used to say !
Now you need to try casting some of your own and Bashing those piggies with low cost ammo.. more fun for the buck.

[dr walker]

Nice going.
Great information you are sharing with us. Keep up the good work.

[Tycer]

I do love the 35s.

And I remain green with envy at your experiences and abilities. Thanks for posting.

[Bullard4075]

Just why I bought a 35 Remington. Now to part something besides cellulose.

[TedH]

Those two should be some good eating.

[jlchucker]

See? With a 35 you really didn't need costly gummytip bullets after all. The Corelocts have been doing just fine for a long time. Now, like Missionary5155 says, you need to try some flatnose cast bullets. For starters, get an RCBS 200gr flatnose Gascheck mold and a pile of old wheelweights. For sure, you won't be undergunned.

[madman4570]

Awesome report Joe!
Cant wait to hear more stuff on it from you.
That .35 Rem, once your start using one they somehow just seem to get a fellow addicted to that cartridge?
I mean your gun is fast/light/reasonable to shoot/and puts stuff down with a big hole in em.(whats not to like)
Good for you friend! Your a heck of a good hunter!

[TedH]

Joe, I'd be happy to send you some of my cast bullets to try out on a hog. They are from Ranch Dog's TLC359-190-RF. I haven't had a chance to try them out on a critter yet.

[papabear]

Nice shooting Joe

[Dave]

That was some fast action and some good shooting. Looks like you have a new favorite rifle.

[stretch]

Good Shootin'!

Exactly what the 35 Remington and the Marlin 336 were made for....

- Stretch

[jd45]

Joe, congrats on the .35 & the hogs! I have two .35s, both with pistol-grip buttstocks. Didn't like em before, but have gotten used to them now. BTW, GREAT pics! jd45

[Streetstar]

Did you get #3 out of the woods yet ?


Off topic, but what the heck do you guys do with all your surplus meat -- as much as you post your experiemnces on here, it seems like you could keep a soup kitchen stocked for a couple of months

I am just about out of venison from last season and am looking forward to putting a bit more meat in the freezer this year , but a hog would be a nice supplement to the deer steaks.

[FWiedner]

It may or may not be strange, but those little feral pigs in that size range give up the best pork chops. they're about bite-sized and very tasty.

Just sayin'...

[crs]

Way to go guys. Sorry I had to miss out, but Troupe's birthday party extravaganza ran over and I was too pooped to pop primers.

[O.S.O.K.]

Good shootin Joe. The 35 will do the trick every time. Hard to beat it. And you show once again why a scope comes in handy... that would have been very hard to accomplish without beging able to see your sights.

[1886]

Joe, a straight grip 336 in .35 Rem. Where did you find buried treasure? Great find, 1886.

[RIHMFIRE]

perfect size meat hogs.....enjoy the BBQ!

[2ndovc]

Gee Joe is that almost a smile in those photos?

I'm hoping that you guys are going to do another hog hunt in Feb.(January/March/Whatever).
Was thinking since last trip was Winchesters next year would be Marlins(including my .35R).

jb

[piller]

Dead pig going toward the light. What is the mystery there? Sounds like the .35 Rem is worth looking into.

[FWiedner]

Dead pig going toward the light. What is the mystery there?

The same thought flashed through my mind...