Best Hog Hunting Guns in 2025: Top Rifles for Wild Boars
Discover the best guns for hog hunting in 2025. From Ruger American Ranch to Savage Impulse Hog Hunter, explore the best rifles for boar hunting and traditional pig hunting setups. Wild hogs are among the most destructive invasive species in North America, tearing up farmland, destroying habitats, and reproducing at rapid rates. For hunters, this means two things: hog hunting is not only an exciting challenge but also a necessary part of wildlife management. However, choosing the right firearm is critical. Hogs are tough, resilient animals with thick hides, layers of fat, and a stubborn will to survive. That’s why selecting the best hog hunting gun a rifle capable of delivering power, precision, and reliable follow-up shots is essential.
This article explores the top-rated rifles for boar hunting in 2025. We will cover budget-friendly options, mid-priced performers, lightweight stalking rifles, lever-action classics, semi-autos, and modern bolt-actions ensuring every hunter can find the best gun for hog hunting to match their style, terrain, and budget. Whether you’re new to pig hunting or an experienced outdoorsman, this guide will help you choose the right firearm for the job.
Ruger American Ranch Rifle Gen II
When it comes to affordability without sacrificing performance, the Ruger American Ranch Rifle Gen II earns its reputation as one of the best hog hunting guns for new hunters and seasoned outdoorsmen alike. This rifle is compact, lightweight, and offered in multiple calibers suitable for hog and pig hunting, such as .300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .350 Legend.
Hunters appreciate the threaded barrel, which allows the addition of a suppressor or muzzle brake ideal for reducing recoil and noise when stalking wary hogs. Its smooth bolt action and reliable magazine system make it easy to use in fast-paced hunting scenarios.
Best For: Beginner hunters, budget-conscious shooters, or anyone needing a reliable backup rifle for hog hunting.
Weatherby Vanguard
If you’re looking for a rifle that balances cost with top-tier performance, the Weatherby Vanguard is one of the most consistent choices. Known for its sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, this rifle delivers confidence when taking longer shots across open fields or clearings.
Chambered in popular hunting calibers like .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield, the Vanguard provides excellent stopping power against hogs of all sizes. Its synthetic stock and weather-resistant finish make it versatile in a variety of conditions from humid Southern swamps to dry Texas plains.
Best For: Hunters seeking affordable precision and reliability in mixed hunting environments.
Christensen Ridgeline FFT
For hunters who prefer stalking hogs through thick brush or rugged terrain, weight and maneuverability matter just as much as raw power. That’s where the Christensen Ridgeline FFT excels. Built with a carbon-fiber stock and barrel wrap, this rifle is significantly lighter than traditional bolt-actions, making it a top choice for hunters who cover long distances on foot.
Its design reduces fatigue during all-day hunts, while its precision engineering ensures accuracy even in low-light or quick-shooting scenarios. The Christensen Ridgeline FFT has become a favorite for hunters who value stealth, speed, and mobility when pursuing hogs in dense cover.
Best For: Stalking hogs in thick brush, backcountry pig hunting, and hunters who prioritize lightweight gear.
Best Traditional Hog Rifles
Lever-action rifles remain a staple for many hog hunters, especially in thick brush where shots are often taken at close range. Quick cycling and compact design make them ideal for fast-moving targets. For those who prefer heritage firearms, lever guns are considered among the best traditional hog rifles because they combine nostalgia with proven field performance.
Marlin 336 Classic – Known as a traditional brush gun, chambered in .30-30 Winchester, it delivers reliable knockdown power at short distances.
Marlin 1895 – Built for larger hogs and dense cover, this rifle fires heavy-hitting cartridges like .45-70 Government. Its stainless-steel finish and shorter barrel make it extremely durable and maneuverable.
Henry Long Ranger – This lever-action rifle extends effective range with chamberings like .308 Winchester, giving hunters the reach of a bolt-action with the handling of a lever gun.
Best For: Traditionalists, brush-country hunters, and those who want a classic rifle for boar hunting that also works for close-range pig hunting.
Semi-Automatic Speed: AR Platforms for Hog Hunting
Semi-automatic rifles have gained enormous popularity among hog hunters because they allow for fast follow-up shots, especially when facing multiple hogs in one group. With feral hog populations often appearing in sounders, the ability to fire multiple rounds quickly is a huge advantage.
Ruger SFAR (AR-10 Platform) – Lightweight for an AR-10, chambered in .308 Winchester, it combines semi-auto speed with hard-hitting performance.
AR-15 in .450 Bushmaster (BOAR) – Designed specifically for hog hunting, this rifle offers massive stopping power with quick follow-up capability. The .450 Bushmaster round is highly effective at dropping hogs in their tracks.
Best For: Hunters managing large hog populations or dealing with fast-moving sounders where quick follow-up shots are essential.
Modern Bolt-Actions: Power and Precision
Bolt-action rifles remain the backbone of hog hunting for their durability, accuracy, and caliber variety. Modern designs now offer faster cycling and improved ergonomics, giving hunters more versatility than ever.
Savage Arms Impulse Hog Hunter – A unique straight-pull bolt-action rifle chambered in .400 Legend. Its fast cycling and heavy-hitting cartridge make it one of the most innovative rifles for hog hunting in 2025.
Savage 110 Hog Hunter – Chambered in powerful calibers such as .338 Winchester Magnum, this rifle offers long-range precision and devastating terminal performance. Its AccuTrigger system provides customizable trigger pull, enhancing accuracy in the field.
Best For: Hunters needing long-range firepower, or those targeting exceptionally large hogs where maximum penetration and stopping power are required.
Browning X-Bolt Speed
The Browning X-Bolt Speed is one of the most versatile bolt-actions available. Known for its accuracy, lightweight build, and chambering in multiple hunting calibers, it has become a go-to rifle for hunters targeting hogs, deer, and other big game.
Its Cerakote finish and composite stock make it weather-resistant and durable, while its short bolt throw allows for faster follow-up shots. For hunters who want one rifle that can handle multiple species, the Browning X-Bolt Speed is among the top contenders.
Best For: Hunters who want a single rifle capable of tackling hogs, deer, and other big game in diverse environments.
Why These Rifles Are the Best Guns for Hog Hunting
Each rifle on this list has been selected because it offers specific advantages in hog hunting scenarios:
Versatility – From lightweight stalkers like the Christensen Ridgeline FFT to heavy-hitting bolt-actions like the Savage 110 Hog Hunter, these rifles cover every hunting environment.
Stopping Power – Hogs are resilient, and rifles chambered in calibers like .308 Winchester, .450 Bushmaster, and .338 Win Mag ensure penetration and reliable knockdown power.
Modern Features – Many of the top picks feature threaded barrels for suppressors, improved triggers for accuracy, carbon-fiber stocks for reduced weight, and fast cycling actions for rapid follow-up shots.
Whether you prefer the tradition of a lever-action, the precision of a bolt-action, or the speed of a semi-auto, each option here qualifies as one of the best rifles for boar hunting and best guns for pig hunting in 2025.
Final Verdict
The challenge of wild hog hunting requires more than just skill it requires the right firearm. From budget-friendly rifles like the Ruger American Ranch to powerhouse bolt-actions like the Savage 110 Hog Hunter, today’s hunters have an impressive selection of options.
Whether you need a rifle for boar hunting in dense brush, a precision bolt-action for open fields, or a semi-auto for managing multiple hogs, this list highlights the best hog hunting guns, best traditional hog rifles, and modern options for pig hunting in 2025. Each rifle offers a unique advantage, ensuring there is a perfect match for every hunter’s needs.