Boar Calibres

[greenhillstairs]

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.

9.3 very popular with some of the older generation of continental hunters, and for good reason, when they are hit they certainly stay hit !

 

[BOARGURU]

If you are talking about "traditional" European shooting (driven that is) 308 is standard calibre in most Eastern European Country's ,use 180's and you wont go far wrong. We have guys using 300 win mag,308,30.06 ,and of course the "KING OF CALIBRES" for driven Boar the 9.3x74R ,.375 does also join us with some regularity.

If its Stalking Boar a well placed shot of other calibres will also obviously do the job(at home) but abroad they prefer one of the above.

 

[Lasarotta Hunting]

If you are talking about "traditional" European shooting (driven that is) 308 is standard calibre in most Eastern European Country's ,use 180's and you wont go far wrong. We have guys using 300 win mag,308,30.06 ,and of course the "KING OF CALIBRES" for driven Boar the 9.3x74R ,.375 does also join us with some regularity.

If its Stalking Boar a well placed shot of other calibres will also obviously do the job(at home) but abroad they prefer one of the above.

308 is standard calibre in most Eastern European Country's ????


Maybe 8x57 if you talk about standard calibre for driven boar hunting in Eastern Europe , did not see many locals from Lithuania to Macedonia with 308

 

[EMcC]

308 is standard calibre in most Eastern European Country's ???? Maybe 8x57 if you talk about standard calibre for driven boar hunting in Eastern Europe , did not see many locals from Lithuania to Macedonia with 308

You can add a few more countries to that as well, it is definitely the 7x or 8x that is most common.

Mind you, I can only base my findings on driven boar hunting since 1965 and that is Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Lithuania and France and since 2000 more than one trip per season, November December and January.

 

[levigsp]

I have to agree with BoarGuru when it come to eastern Europe.
I have shot in Poland, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania etc. and I've seen a lot of 308s used on driven and static hunts and the 7&8 mm come next.
My 375HH is often met with serious questions and looks as its so unusual.

 

[Penyard]

Whilst I have never been to the continent to shoot driven boar, I have shot plenty in the UK including some driven by a maize harvester. I have used 7-08, .308, .30-06 and .338 Federal with good success providing I do my bit.

I don't think the .338 Federal is ever going to get much traction in the UK or Europe which is a shame as I consider it to be superb for pigs and reckon a .338 Federal in a straight pull rifle loaded with 210gr or 225gr Partitions would be a fantastic driven pig rig.

If Blaser are reading this, I would buy an R8 Professional in .338 Federal tomorrow and reckon this could be a real hit if rifles and suitable factory ammo loaded were available and promoted for the job.

My current .338 Federal platform is a Sako 75 which I had re-barrelled with a 22" Walther sporter weight barrel with a rather bulky moderator and used with a dedicated NV unit. Load is 225gr Partitions and they are nothing short of superb on pigs out to 100m which is as far as you ever need to shoot with UK pigs stalked at night. Admittedly my animals don't know what's coming so are not full of adrenalin like driven boar on the continent but the bullet performance gives me every confidence that they would be just fine for driven pigs, too.

Anybody else out there using .338 Federal on boar? If so, would love to hear your opinions on the calibre.

ATB

Penyard

 

[TDGC]

I have a .308 which I use for Boar here in the UK and Europe. I find it more than adequate for taking down most Boar whether stalked or driven. I tend to use Lapua SP 180gr ammunition.

 

[donny]

There's a lot to be said for 30.06 - very versatile and doesn't leave you wanting IMO although I know of a couple of guys considering .375H&H at the moment although they need definite Boar permission to satisfy the Beak (Wiltshire) - no such issues with 30.06

i have a .375 in wiltshire no problem

 

[donny]

i also have and love my .338 lap mag

 

[ileso]

I use a .270Win w\ Norma 156gr
or 12 ga smoothbore SxS with either DDupleks Hexolit or Sauvestre BFS (the latter is very accurate out to 100m)

 

[1mill]

I'm trying to get .375 h&h on my ticket for wild Boar in the U.K. I've been told by FAO I will not get this caliber for hunting in the uk and I will only get it for hunting abroad .

 

[victory01]

I borrowed an estate rifle that was 7x6.5. It was my first experience of this caliber having only ever used 30 06 and 22/250 for pigs but it work very well.
My only issue was with the rifle which was a brack barrel Blaser only allowing for one shot every 20 seconds or so. I was lucky enough that this wasn't a problem on this trip but I think that matters more for me then the size of the round.

 

[Boarboy]

I was in a gun shop in Berlin recently. I looked down the rack at all the calibres, and would have said the majority were 8 x 57 and 30-06. Interesting.

 

[Orion]

I'm trying to get .375 h&h on my ticket for wild Boar in the U.K. I've been told by FAO I will not get this caliber for hunting in the uk and I will only get it for hunting abroad .

Was it inferred that you wouldn't get the .375 for use in the UK period, or would it be dependent on first getting it for use abroad as your primary 'good reason' with the UK use then being permitted?

If it's the former, then there a number of sections in the HO Guidance that state UK use may be allowed. PM me with an external email address if you want details.

 

[mackenzie]

Here is a pic from last week in Croatia i was using my 308 WITH 170Grain .

 

[Border]

Cracking pig, congratulations!

 

[Sanglier 857]

I guess it's just all about personal preference, I sided with an 8x57jrs Express because it was legal all across Europe, but since a change in laws I mainly use 30-06, probably a bigger calibre would have more stopping power, but if you shoot driven game as I do, when it can be Red, Sika, Moufflon, Boar and sometimes Roe, I prefer these calibres, but that's my personal preference, even a 9.3 or 300 win won't stop a boar in the wrong place, many French hunters have turned to 30-06 since the law changes.

 

[mackenzie]

I'm thinking of going either 30R or 9.3 x62 .

 

[mackenzie]

Cracking pig, congratulations!

Thanks Border.

 

[Boarboy]

I guess it's just all about personal preference, I sided with an 8x57jrs Express because it was legal all across Europe, but since a change in laws I mainly use 30-06, probably a bigger calibre would have more stopping power, but if you shoot driven game as I do, when it can be Red, Sika, Moufflon, Boar and sometimes Roe, I prefer these calibres, but that's my personal preference, even a 9.3 or 300 win won't stop a boar in the wrong place, many French hunters have turned to 30-06 since the law changes.

Yes interesting sanglier 857, my friend uses a 9.3 X 74 and said just that. A bAdly shot pig will still run. Choose what your comfortable with.