6.5*55 or 308

If you only ever intend to shoot one boar, which I think is what you said in the first post, get what you want for the rest and go for a nice powerful "estate rifle" for the boar.

David.
 
He said they are on his bucket list, not sure he said how many. I’d get the 6.5 and borrow an estate rifle for pigs or just be very careful with your placement. I dropped a 165kg boar with mine with a single shot using a Federal 140grn but I am well aware there was no room for error.
 
Relying on using an estate rifle will be very limiting. Most places I've been don't have the option, and if they do, goodness knows what you'll get. There will of course be some companies who will offer the loan of a good rifle/scope, but you are highly unlikely to be given the opportunity to shoot before the first hunt.

Occasionally you find someone using a 7mm RM in Europe, but the vast majority use 30-06, 300wm, or 9.3x62. Based on the OP's question, the 308 would do the job.
 
Thanks for all input gents I only want to shoot one boar in this country as my aim is to shoot all 6 species and a boar.my main quarry will be red,fallow and roe.i am applying for joint access to my dads 6.5 and a 308 of my own I think .I like the idea of reloading and you guys have given me good input that the 308 is more versatile many thanks Dan.
 
Thanks for all input gents I only want to shoot one boar in this country as my aim is to shoot all 6 species and a boar.my main quarry will be red,fallow and roe.i am applying for joint access to my dads 6.5 and a 308 of my own I think .I like the idea of reloading and you guys have given me good input that the 308 is more versatile many thanks Dan.

Good combination
 
I use a 7x64 never shot a boar tho

i think if you are only shooting Scottish reds etc as your general main deer species I’d go 308 or 30-06 for a little extra longer flat Shooting I think you’d be limiting yourself with 6.5 on energy and the distance you can shoot as most factory loads are a little weak
 
I'd agree with the 308 or 30-06 advice based on what you want it for. Both are versatile and a wide range of ammo available (if loading your own) Even better if you also are granted access to your Dad's 6.5, which keeps your options open.
 
I am going to apply for joint 6.5 with my dad,and a 30-06 for myself. Thanks for all the advice but looking into the comments I always liked the 30-06 as I want to home load I’m going for 30-06:) thanks again chaps.Dan
 
Thanks for all input gents I only want to shoot one boar in this country as my aim is to shoot all 6 species and a boar.my main quarry will be red,fallow and roe.i am applying for joint access to my dads 6.5 and a 308 of my own I think .I like the idea of reloading and you guys have given me good input that the 308 is more versatile many thanks Dan.

That's a sensible & cost effective way to do it, unless of course you like shiny new toys & then the idea is to find "good reason" for as many rifles as possible. :D

(I've just applied for a variation to cover .375 calibre & suppressor for next year's SA trip, with AOLQ specified of course...).
 
If you reload go with the 6.5. Factory rounds are often woefully underpowered in this calibre. If not get the 308, most manufacturers make decent factory ammo, which will be plentiful, cheap and plenty of performance.
 
What Claret said.

I never realised so many had shot boar to be able to give such advice. I haven't but my Swedish friends are happy to use 6.5 with moose bullets. Elmer Fudd on here is happy with 243....
 
I'm afraid in the final adjudication it seems likely that all persons answering in terms of chamberings other than 6.5x55 and .308 will be severely marked down for not having read/understood the question.

However, those inventing new chamberings (e.g. .275 British) will get some credit for initiative.

:)

Not a new Calibre !! .275 by Rigby regularly used by Bell and Corbett. The "British" being to indicate that was what the 7 x 57 was called in this island.
 
I think you would get problems asking for anything less than .270 if you just mentioned the possibility of boar in an application to Dorset Police. Might take a few extra months for the issue to be sorted/explained. The OP is talking about a first application!!


Nope no problem at all. Rifle for deer as justification for ownership and Bore covered under any other quarry which is ALL they put on certs these days

Pete has shot dozens of boar with his 243, but due to comments like yours, he was concerned so had it specified on his cert he could do so with a 243. On his last renewal (2017) the condition was removed and he complained, only to be told boar just fall under any other legal quarry and as its perfectly legal to shoot a boar with a 243, that's job done.

Note: trying to sort out hunting in Turkey at the moment, and they use 6.5 55 for everything up to and including Ibex
 
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Imo
Any of the 6.5's ..
6.5x55, 260rem, 6.5x47 & 6.5 Creedmoor

If you have joint access, they will ill do all you want and more & without the recoil of a 308
honestly I've never wondered why the world clung onto 308 when the 6.5 is just BETTER !

As I say & others have, the 6.5 has a better range of bullets, that offer better SD & BC than any of the 308
They are very easy to sorce consumables, reload, less recoil to shoot, and slightly lighter to carry a box of,
flatter & less parabolic & more efficient to 1000 yards - should you so wish.

infact, even the SOCOM snipers are now moving away from 308 to 6.5 creedmoor & it looks like the rest of the US military will be goin the same way

i quite happily load 100gr & 120gr ( even some 140gr ) and have never once felt like it wasn't going to do its job - quite the opposite, it's boringly accurate!
 
Try using Boar as reason to own a .243.

There’s just no need to use Boar as a reason to own a .243 to own one.
And, as far as I’m aware, there is no legal minimum calibre for boar, like there is for deer.
Ken.
 
Imo
Any of the 6.5's ..
6.5x55, 260rem, 6.5x47 & 6.5 Creedmoor

If you have joint access, they will ill do all you want and more & without the recoil of a 308
honestly I've never wondered why the world clung onto 308 when the 6.5 is just BETTER !

As I say & others have, the 6.5 has a better range of bullets, that offer better SD & BC than any of the 308
They are very easy to sorce consumables, reload, less recoil to shoot, and slightly lighter to carry a box of,
flatter & less parabolic & more efficient to 1000 yards - should you so wish.

infact, even the SOCOM snipers are now moving away from 308 to 6.5 creedmoor & it looks like the rest of the US military will be goin the same way

i quite happily load 100gr & 120gr ( even some 140gr ) and have never once felt like it wasn't going to do its job - quite the opposite, it's boringly accurate!

Using two equally accurate rifles, one in 308 and one in 6.5, you’d be at a disadvantage with the 6.5 if score shooting.
Ken.
 
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