Boar Calibres

[Patrick A]

I suppose this does illustrate well Franz-Albrecht Oettingen-Spielberg shoots.

Personally I like a bit more bullet weight so even tough I have used a .308 with 180grns I now tend to stick to either my 9.3x62 or 9.3x74r and as has been said you don't really notice the recoil when they are running towards/past you! On a range is an altogether different situation so the felt recoil seems a lot worse. I have met a chap you used a double .375 H&H and had all his ammo in a belt for a .410 shotgun!!

I would love to try my .416 Rigby on pigs but I do have issues with expanding ammunition which is an altogether different discussion....

 

[stuartp]

Anyway why go with the very minimum caliber for boar when the continental foresters/keepers would prefer you to use enough gun as they say

Because if possible, people want to use what they already have, not buy a rifle/scope/mounts etc for might be one off trip for a few days.

As for wounding/runners, on the dozen or so trips I have been on I have seen one a shot with a .375 looked as if it hadn't been hit at all, and had to be followed up with a .308 that stopped it dead in it's tracks. The same with 300wm which was finished off by the next gun, and another 300wm that was never found by beaters or dogs. Of course that can happen with any calibre, but it illustrates the fact bigger isn't always better.

As Jagare says, placement is everything.

 

[Dorsettaff]

Have used both .30-06 and 9.3 x 62 on driven boar. Bullet weight and placement is everything. Was stood next to a chap with a 7mm Rem Mag which was, how shall we say, not as "effective" as the heavy & slow!

180 Partitions in the .30-06 and 232/285 Oryx in the 9.3 x 62.....No complaints here!

 

[ejg]

Judging from the few driven boar hunts I've been on, I would like 308 upwards.
I would not have much faith in 243/6.5x55 if a piggy comes in my direction after seeing some Sika hinds run good 200m after getting perfect heart lung shots with either.
Off a high seat behind the ear a 223 would be enough.
edi

 

[V.I]

We advise 30-06 upwards.

Many people who shoot driven use 9.3x74, 8x68s, .300 etc.

If someone asked can they bring a .243 we would unfortunately say no..

 

[Spotterdog]

To some extent, I do agree with line of thinking of one rifle for everything, being familiar with what you use does have some benefits.
However, in my limited boar experience I have had problems with lighter calibres.
I use 6.5x57 very successfully from Muntjac to big Fallow Bucks. I have taken two decent sized Boar with this, but the last one convinced me that a bit more gun would be of benefit.
What I thought was a secure broadside shot, dropping the Boar straight down, turned into a marginally misplaced shot that saw the Boar jump up, turn 180 and RUN !
Through luck more than judgement, I got another shot into the running boar and put it back down. Having lost all confidence in my killing power, and not wanting to track a wounded Boar through the woods, there was no way I was letting that Boar get back up. With continued twitching, it had another two shots on the floor.
The first shot left an entry and exit the size of my little finger at best, but the hole through the muscle of the neck was big enough to put my fist through. I had missed the spine by quarter of an inch.
After this I invested in an 8X68s barrel for my MO3. Boar now go down and stay down, confidence in a clean kill is back and meat damage minimal. The 8X68s packs a solid dependable punch, I'd certainly never use my reliable deer rifle on a Boar again.
You have a duty to your target to secure a clean death, lighter rifles can do it, they can also get you into trouble. Buy some security, buy a calibre for the job in hand.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

Spotterdog - I have shot only one boar (70kg ish) with an 8x68s and it too as you note went down and stayed down. As for 6.5 cal cartridges the RWS catalogue has 6.5x68s down as suitable for boar.

As for Franz-Albrecht the latest Wild Boar Fever has him whacking boar with a 7x64 Merkel and he says he also has two more in 9.3x62 and .300 Win Mag using RWS ammo.

 

[finnbear270]

Spotterdog - I have shot only one boar (70kg ish) with an 8x68s and it too as you note went down and stayed down. As for 6.5 cal cartridges the RWS catalogue has 6.5x68s down as suitable for boar.

As for Franz-Albrecht the latest Wild Boar Fever has him whacking boar with a 7x64 Merkel and he says he also has two more in 9.3x62 and .300 Win Mag using RWS ammo.

He probably has no impediment as to what he WANTS, rather than NEEDS, unlike us mere mortals!

 

[Spotterdog]

Spotterdog - I have shot only one boar (70kg ish) with an 8x68s and it too as you note went down and stayed down. As for 6.5 cal cartridges the RWS catalogue has 6.5x68s down as suitable for boar.

As for Franz-Albrecht the latest Wild Boar Fever has him whacking boar with a 7x64 Merkel and he says he also has two more in 9.3x62 and .300 Win Mag using RWS ammo.

Vigilaire, 6.5X68s that's some pretty spectacular tool in it's own right!

 

[Southern]

If the boar are large - 150 to 200+ KG - then I want at least a .308 Win with 180-gr bullets.

There is all kinds of boar hunting. They may be relaxed and eating, or all amped up on adrenaline. You may be in a high seat, or on the ground, and up close. If you are chasing them with dogs, a .357 revolver may be necessary to step in and avoid hitting a dog. But you can chase a 150-lb pig into a thicket and crawl in there to find a 400-lb boar backed up by dogs. They can be dangerous.

Just like deer, there are more than one hunting method and many situations. Many cartridges and rifles will work for most of them, but some are obviously optimum for one situation, and a different rifle for another situation.

If I am hunting in steep and wooded mountains where I may encounter a black bear or large boar, I am going to have a light rifle, like my Steyr Mannlicher stutzen in .270 Win or Tikka T3 in 7mm-08. If it is more open area and boar are most likely, I am going to a .30-06, 7x64 or 8x57mm with iron sights and a scope in QD mounts. If it is definitely boar, in big woods of the swamps, where the shots are under 120 yards and they may be moving or charging, I will take my .444 Marlin with open sights ( though I am not setting it up to accept a 1.5-6x42mm with 4A reticle ).

 

[Sivell]

Spotterdog

I also am firmly in the 8x68s fan club, having cleanly killed many wild boar on driven shoots it is a real performer. I use a Steyr Mannlicher. It is in my experience about having the right tool for the job.

Regards

JS

 

[User00025]

Only ever shot 3 but had no complaints from them, 7 x 57 150 grain round nose.

 

[Lasarotta Hunting]

anything over 6.5 mm is legal limit with 160 grains min for bullets for wild boar .270 and bigger rifles are welcome ... bigger better since you need solid impact if you have and old and very strong animal in front of you. Boar has tick skin and layer of tick fat between muscles and skin that stop from bleeding on small calibre especially on shoulder impact. This is right when we talk about bigger animals where it is best to aim for head shot or spine if it is possible while for boar up to 30 kg any calibre will be critical even on stomach area that is most common on driven days check this video also check ammunition attachment on this link Lasarotta Ltd. - Wild Boar in Croatia

 

[A Guy Out West]

.338/06 or a .35 Whelen!

 

[EMcC]

I used a 7x57r 150gn bullet in Germany for many years but I must admit the bottom barrel was 12guage with a brenneke slug just in case.
Also when I passed my German hunting test I was authorised to buy a pistol which I was expected to carry when hunting.
I was told it was for my protection against any wounded animal that may decide to attack me, the theory being that any rabid animal will attack humans and certain areas of Germany had incidents of Rabies, it would also be used against a wounded animal attacking me.
So in the case of anybody being 'undergunned' there was always a back up just in case.
When I came back to England I obtained a .308 and used 150 or 180gn bullets for driven boar and managed quite well for several years.
At present I use a 30-06 with a choice of 180 or 220gn bullets and all seem to do the job.
Most of the larger calibres I have seen being used tend to be doubles so only gives the user two quick shots so a large bullet may be necessary but with the 'other' calibres being used, tend to be bolt action so if the first shot isn't placed well then there is always the opportunity for, normally at least, another three or four rapid shots.

 

[Pine Marten]

I used a 5x57r 150gn bullet in Germany for many years but I must admit the bottom barrel was 12guage with a brenneke slug just in case.

Presumably you meant 7x57R? I also use a 150gr bullet in my 7x57R and suspected it could be a decent boar round if necessary...

 

[Wills]

The last boar I shot was in Croatia last year running full tilt out of some willow. Took it clean off its feet at 60 yards with my .270, using 150gn Winchester power point.

 

[greenhillstairs]

Flying out to Poland tonight on an invite off a good Pal of whom I've "Hunted" Boar with now for many Years. Wont be taking My own Rifle, too much hassle for a few days hunting! My Pal swears by his 7x57, he as taken more Boar with it then I've had "Hot Dinner's". Personally always been happy with the .308 and 150gr Fed Vital-Shok, though I have to admit they rarely run very far when he "Swings" the old 7x57 !

 

[EMcC]

Presumably you meant 7x57R? I also use a 150gr bullet in my 7x57R and suspected it could be a decent boar round if necessary...

Yes you are quite correct, that is what I should have written.
I have now corrected it, sorry for any misunderstanding by any of the others.
Mind you, I did see a German friend of mine shoot a 60kg boar from a high seat over a feeding station with a .222 using 55gn soft point at about 25 yards !!
He had the option of a larger calibre barrel above the .222 but decided the .222 was quite capable and quieter, it dropped on the spot.

 

[Southern]

The last boar I shot was in Croatia last year running full tilt out of some willow. Took it clean off its feet at 60 yards with my .270, using 150gn Winchester power point.

I am a big fan of the .270 Win with a 150-gr bullet for big game, especially the RN inside 200 yards. The 150-gr BTSP bullets have high BCs and deliver a lot of energy at long range.

I have seen large boar killed with a brain shot from an AR-15, and many unsuspecting boars killed cleanly with 7x57, 7mm-08 and .30-30. But like a bear or big cat, when a big boar is full of fury, I want heavier bullets, like the .358 Win, .30-06 180-gr, or my .444. I won't make fun of anyone who uses some flavor of 9.3mm or .375 H&H on a 200 Kg boar.

Probably one of the best boar rifles is the rare Winchester Model 71 in .348 Win. It was made for big game in the big woods, and is such a pleasure to have in the hands.