Which caliber for me?

Renico

Well-Known Member
Hello.

At the moment im hunting with my first rifle, which is a 243W.

I would like to have a more all-araound caliber, so I can hunt Wildboar, stags etc.

I would say that 80% of my hunting wil be on roedeer in Europe. The last 20% will be wildboar, stags and other european game.

What would you think about using a 308W to all that i just wrote? I have thought about a 9,3x62 but i think it would be a bad choice as i said 80% of my hunting will be for roedeer.

Thanks.

And by the way, the rifle im looking at could be a Howa.
 
From the calibers available in Howa (and taking into account the "military" caliber restrictions), I'd say go for the 270Win. Just choose the ammo carefully (also) for larger game.
 
Hello.

At the moment im hunting with my first rifle, which is a 243W.

I would like to have a more all-araound caliber, so I can hunt Wildboar, stags etc.

I would say that 80% of my hunting wil be on roedeer in Europe. The last 20% will be wildboar, stags and other european game.

What would you think about using a 308W to all that i just wrote? I have thought about a 9,3x62 but i think it would be a bad choice as i said 80% of my hunting will be for roedeer.

Thanks.

And by the way, the rifle im looking at could be a Howa.

6.5x55 is what I use for all my stalking now does everything I need it to.....
 
This has been done before many times, 6.5x55, 7mm of any description (almost) 270 or the 308 or 3006 would be fine. If you are going to France then avoid military cals like 308, 3006 and 7x57. I don't think a 9.3 would be ideal at all, more of a specialised boar/moose rifle but not an all rounder. Providing you are not going to France a 308 would be the obvious choice but otherwise a 270 7mm RM or 7x64 would fit the bill nicely
 
Hello.

At the moment im hunting with my first rifle, which is a 243W.

I would like to have a more all-araound caliber, so I can hunt Wildboar, stags etc.

I would say that 80% of my hunting wil be on roedeer in Europe. The last 20% will be wildboar, stags and other european game.

What would you think about using a 308W to all that i just wrote? I have thought about a 9,3x62 but i think it would be a bad choice as i said 80% of my hunting will be for roedeer.

Thanks.

And by the way, the rifle im looking at could be a Howa.

If you want it for Europe i.e. France you need a non-military calibre. Hopefully the attached will help resolve that http://passionlachasse.free.fr/dossier/munitions.pdf

The 7x64 or 338 Federal might be an idea but possibly a bit much for Roe unless you are going to re-load and then if you are going to re-load you might as well look at the 7mm-08 and re-load a 154gr (minimum for Boar in France) bullet. All the above will do what you want, there are lots more as I'm sure will be pointed out but that's where I'd start (well I have already!).
 
I have no plans for going to France. Most attractive countries to hunt in for hunters here in Denmark is Sweden, Scotland, Poland and maybe England I think.

I guess most of my hunting besides Denmark will be en Sweden and Scotland. And Poland. 3 places where 308 is very used and popular.
 
The 308 win would be a good choice. It has ample energy for all the game you've mentioned, its available everywhere and it doesn't have excessive recoil. I've seen a lot of moose, elk and some large black bear taken cleanly with 308's. As others have pointed out, there are quite a few calibers that would work well, but if you do buy a 308, I dont think you'd be disappointed.

AB
 
30-06 got to be favourite,extremely versatile if you load your own,nothing wrong with .308 but 30-06 just that bit better especially when you get up to heavier bullets that you may want for the boar,performs equally well on roe and will cause less damage than your .243.
 
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I cannot fathom the obsession on this site with the bloody French restrictions.

To the OP a 30/06 is the obvious answer. Many other calibres will do very well, but 30/06 would be my first choice, the 9.3x62 is a great choice if you will mostly attend driven hunts.

I don't believe anyone recommending a 6.5x55 for driven hunting when the guy already has a 243...
 
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