Driven Boar Calibre

[Rodgekeeper]

Going driven Boar shooting in Croatia later in the year. Need to purchase a rifle. Only got 22.250 and 243 at moment.Lowest permitted calibre is 270 but probably plumbing for something bigger 308 or 30.06 what do people use and why? Also will a straight pull be a big advantage?

 

[jb1]

Either 30 of your choice,
I've used 30.06 the time's i have been, it doesn't have much advantage over the 308 until you go around 160 grain and above then the velocity advantage at driven Boar range wont make much difference. I bought Browning Maral in 9.3 x 62 for driven Boar but unfortunately didint get chance to use it due to C19 and the lock down.

 

[bullet chucker]

Any of those bigger cals will do the job. You will need to get some experience with them as the recoil with heavy bullets will make you sit up' compared with 22.250 and 243 you've been used to?

BC.

 

[Morkai]

Lever action 45-70, because why not.
Plenty of energy, quick rechambering.

 

[viking90]

12 gauge semi auto with slug if they're legal? I would of suggested a self loading rifle but it appears their laws are as bad as ours

 

[ColinJ]

Any calibre will do if you put it in the right place. I have shot driven boar with 6.5x55, 308, 9.3x62 and 9.3x74. Opinions are like a*seholes, everybody’s got one. Use a rifle you are comfortable with and can reload quickly!

 

[stubear]

.30-06 or .300 win mag

Or if you fancy something a bit different a .45-70 Underlever

 

[Fabnosh]

Anything 30 cal or above…..that you’re comfortable taking a moving target with. I’ve shot driven boar for 20 years with a 9.3x74r double and, like subpar, I’m growing more inclined to head towards the under lever.

FN

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

A straight pull 30 cal is ideal.

Don’t overlook a nice little low power scope.

 

[Border]

I would stick with 308W or 30-06 purely for the fact that both are more than up to the job and are both readily available in gunshops worldwide and have cheapish ammo so you can practice enough….

 

[reiver]

I would stick with 308W or 30-06 purely for the fact that both are more than up to the job and are both readily available in gunshops worldwide and have cheapish ammo so you can practice enough….

I have used 9.3mm and slugs and also my .444 marlin but I normally just use my 30-06 on driven boar . Bigger Heavy bullets work best in most scenarios . The main thing is to practice and practice shooting free hand standing up along with shooting a few rapid reloads etc . And if possible at a moving target. Sticks are generally a waste of time as which ever way you are sitting the pigs will come from another direction. You generally don’t have a lot of time to be messing with sticks . Think of it as more like shooting big rabbits bolting with your rifle .

 

[TonyC]

I'm a firm believer in bigger is better, I wouldn't drop below 180 grain bullet which may rule out .308. I use 30-06 and 9.3 on the principal that as the target is moving an accurate kill shot is difficult and there will be a time when you misplace a bullet and the bigger hole anywhere on the target is best to stop the boar.

 

[HonestJohn]

well if the kiwi's use .222 for big red stags, surely a .243 should be more than sufficient for a wee piggy

 

[finnbear270]

well if the kiwi's use .222 for big red stags, surely a .243 should be more than sufficient for a wee piggy

Completely different ball game.

 

[Jagare]

I use 165grn Norma Oryx or 150grn fox classic hunter in the .308. In the 8x57 jrs its 180 grn Lapua Naturalis or 180grn fox classic hunter.

 

[Tinki]

I use a 30-06 bolt action with a red dot and a muzzle break . RWS 165 DK does the work nicely .

Bolt action vs straight pull depends on how comfortable you are . I am pretty fast with both but more comfortable with my bolt action .

If you are buying a brand new gun make sure you get enough range time with it to be comfortable.

Happy hunting .

 

[reiver]

well if the kiwi's use .222 for big red stags, surely a .243 should be more than sufficient for a wee piggy

243 doesn’t not create enough blood channel/ damage in wild boar to stop them when there running unless it’s a very lucky shot ?
The wound channel will often clog up if not enough damage is done . You might kill the pig but it will most likely keep running and possibly die a long way from where it was shot . Anything below 7mm is generally not legal in anycase on the continent for driven boar . It’s a long way to go and find out you’re not allowed to hunt due to having the wrong equipment?

 

[Loler UK]

Croatia used to be 7mm minimum, I'd check there's nothing being lost in translation.
Plenty of calibres do the business but those that shoot driven boar regular on the continent tent to choose short barrelled rifles so the larger the bore the better.
I've shot driven boar with a 7mm RM with a 28" barrel and didn't find it too cumbersome.
7mm RM will take the largest of plains game with reasonably low recoil with 150-175gr bonded bullets and gives me a flat shooting 100gr varmint load / UK deer load but at 3850fps the trauma is significant.
A 14-17" 308 will give you a nice short, light rifle and cheap ammo / reloading costs but velocity will be limited a bit by barrel length.
A muzzle break (or mod in countries which permit it) is a must

 

[gixer1]

Are 6.5 chamberings used on continental boar now in some countries? Wondered with the growing popularity in f they had been used more often now. I can see a 140gr 6.5 bullet doing a good job on a boar….although I’d still take the 06 over it.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

well if the kiwi's use .222 for big red stags, surely a .243 should be more than sufficient for a wee piggy

A wee piggy yes but driven boar countries normally have a minimum calibre of usually 6.5mm plus 2000 Joules.