The Three-Calibre British Hunter – What would you choose?

[scrumbag]

I would say:

.22lr
.223 Rem
.30-'06

If you assume you have a .22lr outside that

.223 Rem
7x64 - will do Longer Ranger very well
Then 375 H&H as certainly not too much for boar and also DG if needed

Scrummy

 

[provarmint]

.22lr, 6Br,. 308 win.
When funds allow another. 30cal but in magnum.

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

the 3 i have is .22lr .22 hornet and .243 which will cover me for everything barr boar but as the post is asking for 3 centre fires i would go with .22 hornet .243 .30-06 but to be honest i dont think theres a desperate need for 3 centre fires but each to there own

 

[Boarboy]

I've got .222 for fox in "sensitive" areas, small holdings, around livestock e.t.c
.243
6.5 x 55
.308

id still like to simplify things a bit and loose one. Will need something with a "3"in it for boar or larger, so that leaves messing about with the others! Any suggestions!?

 

[Woodsmoke]

.22lr, 22-250 and .270 in my stable. Covers me for everything from rabbit to boar in the UK

 

[norcan]

222 - 50 grain - 6x42 Leupold
308 - 150 grain - 4x33 Leupold
9,3x62 - 250 grain - 2,5x20 Leupold

All in Tikka T3
McMillan Sako Hunter stock
20" barrels, with suppresor
Tikka Ringmount

 

[Sidewinder]

Thanks for the help!

 

[Malxwal]

.22LR, 6.5X47L, .308W, but have access to 17HMR and .243.

 

[enfieldspares]

I think (as an American you'll understand what I mean) a "lower 48" rifle (as you would call it) will answer ALL your needs in UK and in your query for further afield except those that a rimfire of some sort and a centrefire .22" (or a .243") would be chosen because it is more economical.

 

[JabaliHunter]

.20 VarTarg - fox and crows
6.5x47 Lapua - deer and fox
.30-06 (maybe AI) - deer, boar and plains game

 

[Hunt-Inter]

.222
.25-06 or 7x64
8x68s

 

[welshwarrior]

22LR a cabinet is empty without one.
243 foxing etc back up deer rifle
308 win or my 308 Norma Mag can down load to top end 308win but push up to magnum long range if needed outside Britain

 

[stubear]

I'd probably go .243 as this covers fox and small deer, .308 as it covers everything and then probably .300WM for plains game and boar.

All have reasonably good to excellent ammo availability in the shops, a good range of grain weights available to you and combined you have the ability to go from 50gr to 250gr (ish) weight wise. There are also plentiful reloading supplies and masses of info out there on all three calibers.

You also could probably get the .300WM conditioned for deer and AOLQ in the UK as well.

Not necessarily "sexy" choices, but there's a reason they are so popular

If I had to pick just one of them though - .308 any day.

 

[bobjs]

The-Three-Calibre-British-Hunter,

well,if it's for the uk as in you post title?

this is where i am,

17'hmr for small game and corvids

20 tac fox and small vermin etc.

6mm br fox and any deer that i may choose to shoot if i ever go back to stalking.

i really can't see why anything bigger than a 308 is needed in the UK, it IMO : is just willie wagging.

bob.

 

[John Gryphon]

.22LR
.12G
7mm RM
Covers every species in the UK comfortably.

 

[Greener Jim]

I have just done the same thing but slightly different and with my own personal bias

22lr- rabbits. Got to love subsonic and a moderator

357 Magnum carbine (would be SBR in your homeland)- rabbits and fox. 357 normally but with the option of 38 special subsonic with moddy for close and quiet fox

338-06 (Currently 308 and45-120 but both going)- everything from muntjac to eland and giraffe

I really wanted one big game rifle for everything and 338-06 should do me fine.

 

[straightpull6547]

Ive got

.223 for nv
.243 for lamping
6.5x47 for stalking
300 wm for long range deer

if i was to stop using nv the .223 would go.

pretty much do anything with those 3

 

[VIGILAIRE]

For use in this country I could get away with -

.22LR

.223

.30-06

 

[levigsp]

Hiya,
I am rethinking my UK rifle battery, and as an American I am confused. If you had 3 centrefire slots on your FAC and wanted to comfortably hunt everything in the UK from fox to red, with the option of being able to hunt boar and plains (but not dangerous) game abroad, what three would you choose?

1) Small Game/Varmint Calibre – (eg .204, .223, 22-250). I am thinking .223 as I can shoot a munti while hunting fox.

2) Medium Game – (.243, 6.5x55, 6.5-284 etc.). I am thinking of sticking with my 6.5-284 just because I have and love it.

3) Boar / Larger Game – (300 or 338 Mags, 9.3x62). This is where I am having the problem. I have a slot for a .340 Weatherby but it’s restricted to use abroad. Any suggestions?


Sorry I am taking up airtime, but I have some free time as Christmas approaches, and please no calibre food fights! I really am looking for advice.


-Z

I would stick with the three I use the most, .243, 7x64mm, .375.

 

[Taff]

In the UK .22 lr , 270 and 3030 for hunting in woodland.