what caliber etc

[EMcC]

Over the years I have used a 7x57r a .308 and a 30-06.
I did very well with the .308 for many years using Sierra round nose 180gr bullets and now use a 30-06 with a choice of 180 or 220gr.
I think when the 220gr are all gone I'll settle for the 30-06 with 180gr soft round nose bullets.
As has been said previously, the sighting system you use is probably just as important as the calibre because whatever calibre you use the most important thing is to hit the pig in the right place.
If you don't shoot many pigs but want to look macho you could settle for a 9.3
Oh, and don't forget the bandolier across the chest and big knife at the hip

 

[Orion]

If you don't shoot many pigs but want to look macho you could settle for a 9.3

Well, as it's not unknown to fireform 9.3x62 from 30-06 brass I guess you could still pretend to be mild-mannered Clark Kent whilst really being a Man of Steel. (Might cause a problem at the airport though if they are really anal about headstamps?).

Oh, and don't forget the bandolier across the chest and big knife at the hip

And the underpants worn over the trousers.

 

[jthyttin]

I don't ow anything just like this, but here we go:

If semiauto is not an option, bolt action rifle with smooth action, straight stock and 24" medium weight barrel (I guess moderators are also not an option).

If using ear defenders all the time, 7mm Rem Mag loaded hot, otherwise 308 loaded with fast powder and medium velocity. Both with 140-150gr premium bullets (or 160-165gr if mandated by legislation).

European "big name" 1-4x or 1-6x scope that fits the gun, pleases the eye, offers real 1x and has bright center dot illumination. Retro-fit a zoom lever.

Trajectory would be non-issue for the longest of shots, and also enough magnification to take them (these would not be at running game). Recoil would enable fast follow-up, and the terminal performance would be adequate.

 

[EMcC]

And the underpants worn over the trousers.

Ah yes, I almost forgot that and the wide, loudly patterned trouser braces too

 

[Trufflehunting]

IMPORTANT is the mag capacity
Mine is only 4 shot and was wanting a larger capacity on occasions !!
30-06 180 grain lepuld scope 1.5 x 4 mag with eliminated dot worked well
It will make pheasant shooting very tame when you experience driven boar
There is no guarantee they will come past you unfortunately
When folks round you are shooting it is very exiting / frustrating
Good Luck

 

[Conor1]

I'm not too sure that using a .270 or other 'fast' cartridge would totally allow you to do away with giving the target a decent lead - even Franz Albrecht talks about giving the boar up to 2 metres lead in one of the WBF/SVF videos mentioned above. Plus you'd hopefully be an excellent practiced shot to use the lighter weight bullets on driven game as there is less of a margin for error - and how many of us can claim that accolade?

Due to circumstances beyond my control I took my trusty old .308 on a recent boar trip and it performed well in the limited shooting I had with 170gr FP Hornady Interlock handloads. That's not to say that I won't feel more comfortable with the 9.3x62 when it arrives.

Agree totally with Lateral about the choice of scope being a very important factor, and if at all possible to try looking through a few suitable ones before buying. I also have the Swarovski Z6i 1-6x24, which has a class leading FOV, and I find the CDI reticle is excellent for driven shooting as it focuses the eye on the POA while at the same time maintaining the relationship with the intended POI. (Despite me missing a big boar running at full speed straight across me at circa 100m - well at least I could observe the bullet strike just behind him! ).

From the limited experience I've had with red dot and holographic reflex type sights I'd also agree with Conor1 that the Z6i possibly has the edge at low magnification - plus it can be cranked up for 'normal' shooting, (albeit limited by light gathering ability), so is overall the more versatile unit.

Regarding the Swaro`s FOV, that is why I went for it. I shoot about 14-15 driven days a year and FOV is everything in my opinion. On shorter drives, I will use a shotgun with open sights as it`s safer.

As for barrel length, shorter is better as it is easier to swing, again, in my opinion!

 

[Matt234]

9.3x74R open but red dot if you must.

338 Federal plenty of stopping power with less recoil ideal for up to 100 meters.

 

[reiver]

338 Federal plenty of stopping power with less recoil ideal for up to 100 meters.

Funny I have never felt the recoil of my 9,3x74r when shooting at boar the same goes for my ·444m
Even whe firering the full 6 shots from the mag .
Must be more of a man that I though I was

Bob

 

[levigsp]

Thanks all, over the years I have used a lot of different calibers from .17 to .700ex and 4bore parradox.
However due to various things I wanted something kind to me and looking at your replies and comments from my eastern european friends, I have decided wright or wrong on a ba .308.
Now the next question, which one? which are the lightest or heaviest, most reliable, cost effective, short or long barrel etc.

 

[NigelM]

Just got a Howa 1500 in .308 sporter, chopped it to 16 inches and put a Bushnell 1-6.5 Elite 6500 daylight illuminated scope on it. Planning on loading it up with 160 grain partitions for Boar. Might even put a B&C Weatherby style stock on it. Should have it all down to 6lbs. Just about man enough for Boar and it will be a nice little woodland rifle for deer.

 

[jthyttin]

Just got a Howa 1500 in .308 sporter, ... Might even put a B&C Weatherby style stock on it. Should have it all down to 6lbs.

I don't believe you get 6lbs even w/o optics and ammo. Howa just isn't the lightest action model.

Barreled action weights 5.15lbs, I calculated you save something in the neighbourhood of .35lbs by chopping the barrel. So 4.8lbs for the barreled action.

B&C stocks are 2lbs or more. So 6.5-7lbs for bare gun (allowing some error for my barrel weight calculation). And don't forget you need mounts before you can add optics.

 

[NigelM]

I don't believe you get 6lbs even w/o optics and ammo. Howa just isn't the lightest action model.

Barreled action weights 5.15lbs, I calculated you save something in the neighbourhood of .35lbs by chopping the barrel. So 4.8lbs for the barreled action.


B&C stocks are 2lbs or more. So 6.5-7lbs for bare gun (allowing some error for my barrel weight calculation). And don't forget you need mounts before you can add optics.

Should be able to put it all on the scales next week so will find out. Whatever it weighs it will be a lot less than my other rifles which are all over 10 lbs. A positive joy to carry and a great off hand package for Boar.

 

[Hales Smut]

Browning BAR in 30-06

 

[Heppy123]

Shot placement is paramount. I shot mine at about 60 yard with .243, dropped like a stone.

 

[8x57]

Tell us more Heppy, like where this was shot and the conditions on your certificate etc.

Just a heads up but also you might like to tell us a bit more about yourself by posting an introduction. Admin tend to get slightly narked with people jumping straight in and posting without first posting the required intro.

 

[Heppy123]

Oh sorry about that. Where about do I do this?

I live ice in the Scottish Borders with a Scottish certificate, which allows me to shoot anything which is classes as " lawful quarry" relating to the calibre.
I shot it just outside of Gloucester in February at a friends shoot.

 

[Boarboy]

Oh sorry about that. Where about do I do this?

I live ice in the Scottish Borders with a Scottish certificate, which allows me to shoot anything which is classes as " lawful quarry" relating to the calibre.
I shot it just outside of Gloucester in February at a friends shoot.

Lawful quarry relating to the calibre. I thought in the UK the minimum "recommended" calibre was the .270? And as such the quarry and relationship should follow this? I could be wrong.

No doubt your .243 has killed a boar very well but the original OP was for driven boar in which case I'd be going as big as possible. Boar are often A) running, so shot placement isn't always spot on and B) pumped with adrenalin. I use a .308, as do quite a few but would really like a 9.3 x 62!