Deer/Boar/Bear/Plains game calibre

[cockerdog]

I'm looking to put a new calibre on my license shortly and am after one weapon which will cover large game in Europe/Africa and North America.
I have been swaying towards a 30-06 or 300 win magnum.
The only problem with the 30-06 is that it can't be used in certain countries otherwise that would be my choice.
Prehaps you folks have a better idea for an all round calibre which won't cause too many problems getting past the flo( I have a .270 already). I already have hunting land in Canada for large game, so hopefully that will satisfy them plus the usual land for Red and Roe over here.
So to sum it up, a calibre which will handle driven Boar, 300 yrd Chamois, Black bear and Africas antelopes.

Cockerdog

 

[Muir]

What is the problem with the 30-06 that the 300WM resolves??~Muir

 

[cockerdog]

I guess you answered what I was thinking.

 

[swampy]

30-06 magic

The only problem with .30-06 is it's use in some european countries that don't like military calibres. France being the one i know of. The 30-06 is a great round and will fit the bill for all you have asked.

swampy

proud 30-06 owner

 

[Muir]

Huh! Remind me to stay out of France! Mexico is the same way, actually, but they ban 308 and .223 because their military uses it. If France really wanted to get technical... the 300 WM is / was a military round for the US Army in their match rifles. ~Muir

 

[deerwarden]

The French have never forgiven us for Agincort, even though we bailed them out in two world wars. Air France damaged my and my mates gun cases last year, damageing my Leupold MX III, my mates binos and both cases. It took 5 months of hard work to get compo, also forgot Cressey and Poiter, good old Henry 8th, some African countries will also not allow military calibres, the list is long including my favorite the 7x57, also the 6.5 swede, many hunting calibres have been developed from military rounds, they work, theres lots of surplus rifles, what danger do we pose as visiting hunters. I' msure there's another thread on this in the site. Lots of imfo in this forum love it. deewarden

 

[8x57]

Have a look at 9.3x62.

 

[Jagare]

+1 for the 9.3x62 . It may not be a 300mtr Chamois round though.

 

[Muir]

In the States, 9.3x62 (or 9.3x57) ammo is almost unobtainable over the counter. Stick with the 300 Win Mag. Easily found in most places. ~Muir

 

[stag1933]

.300 Win. Mag. [180gr Nosler Partition.]
I used it on my second trip to Africa, bowled big beasties like Kudu and Red Hartebeast over like rabbits and did not half-kill me like the 8X68S I used on a previous trip.

HWH.

 

[AdamS]

How about 7 X 64 brenneke, hard hitting and flat shooting a lot more flexible than a .270. Available in all European rifles and ammo not too hard to obtain. Also easy enough to get on FAC.

 

[viking]

Go with .375 H&H a proper calibre.

 

[viking]

Go with .375 H&H a proper calibre.

 

[enfieldspares]

What is the problem with the 30-06 that the 300WM resolves?

The bigger part of the problem is that in countries where it is prohbited as "a military calibre" you will not be able to buy cartridges for it either. Or, more importantly, if taking the car to most of Europe be able to pass through Calais!

Popular calibres in France for which cartridges are widely available are 270 Winchester, 7 x 64, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum and (almost unknown in UK) 280 Remington.


The best choice is that which gives you the widest range of bullet weight and which is the most widely available AND LEGAL.

270 Winchester - Is found everywhere. In France you can get all weights including usually a choice of three in 150 grain bullet easily off the shelf. Is legal where any calibre of 6.5mm or above is legal. Is not legal where a 7mm minimum is specified. And that where a minimum 10 GRAMS bullet weight is required you will need to use SAKO 155 grain or Swift or Nosler 160 grain bullets in your 270.

7x64 - Probably the widest selection of bullet weights from 140 grains to 175 grains. So will do everything roe to boar. But may be hard to get outside of Europe.

7mm Remington Magnum - If you can get it the Remington Reduced Recoil Load with a 140 grain bullet gives superb versatility to this cartridge. Otherwise you will pay a recoil penalty! And reduced magazine capacity.

300 Winchester Magnum - Is widey popular in France (again is often used in self-loading rifles) but suffers from recoil, reduced magazine capacity AND poor lower weight bullet choice if wanted to be used with factory ammunition in UK or in a bolt action rifle.

280 Remington - Widely available in France (because THEY use it in self-loading rifles) in weights of 140, 150, 165 grain). Virtually impossible to find in UK if you forget your cartridges.

Others? 7mm-08 is worth examining. I don't like it but it is a "legal" 308W/7.62 NATO where such are not allowed. For that reason again popular and very available in France but in Germany?

My advice? Ironically would be to get a second 270 with a long 24" barrel (if yours isn't) and try some 140 grain loads. Handloaders can even get 160 grain Swift A-Frame which really looks like a superb boar cartridge.

The 270 might not be "glamourous" and isn't as potentially as flexible as the 280 Remington (or 7mm Remington Magnum) at the top end bullet weights but it is available everywhere. Especially useful if it is easier just to travel with you rifle and no cartridges and buy your ammunition at the destination.

 

[bambislayer]

What about 300wsm

Any one else got one, I've only shot red deer with mine.

 

[cockerdog]

Thanks for the advise, lots of good info especially from enfield spares.
I think that I will give myself two options the .270 which I have already and I have gone for a 30.06 on my renewal which will give me enough options for the overseas game in my price range.

 

[Muir]

It's relatively hard to find ammo for the 300WSM even here in the States. The 30-06 however, can be had anywhere including many rural gasoline (petrol) stations. Good choice.~Muir