There is no legal minimum calibre for boar in the UK.Can someone inform me of the legal calibre requirement for wild boar in the UK and recommended calibres please.
Many thanks.
270 is the recommended minimum.
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
If you have the standard the rifles on this certificate shall be used for (good reason) and any other quarry or AOLQ. Then technically speaking they are leaving the choice to you.
However as stated .270Win is recommended minimum. I have a 30-06 on my ticket as I intend to use it abroad, and there’s a .30 cal minimum (with energy levels too in some countries) in many countries.
So the question I would ask is why do you ask? Because you have been offered/need to shoot some here from a high seat for example or because you fancy a trip to Croatia for example? The answer is probably different depending on the circumstances.
However as stated .270Win is recommended minimum. I have a 30-06 on my ticket as I intend to use it abroad, and there’s a .30 cal minimum (with energy levels too in some countries) in many countries.
So the question I would ask is why do you ask? Because you have been offered/need to shoot some here from a high seat for example or because you fancy a trip to Croatia for example? The answer is probably different depending on the circumstances.
Dorsettaff
Well-Known Member
Recommendation..... 9.3 x 62 (or 74)......go BIG or go home
Then your into the postcode lottery that is firearms certification.
Dorsettaff
Well-Known Member
Very true! We are somewhat "enlightened" in Dorset these days. They have changed the wording in the Home Office Guidance. It used to be that 9.3 and .375 could be used for AOLQ once good reason has been established. This has been somewhat obfuscated by the rewording of Section 12.9 and 12.17.
Establishing "good reason" is simply demonstrating that you have booked a trip to shoot boar/plains game or dangerous game within UK (PG & DG excepted) or abroad.
338-06
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Bit girlie really….
| performance 338-06 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
180 fox copper 3020
200 interlock 2900
225 nos part 2727
250 Sierras. 2622
I'll give you a good start.
200 interlock 2900
225 nos part 2727
250 Sierras. 2622
I'll give you a good start.
9.3 is my choice - when i get the opportunity
.375 would be mine but have to settle with 7mm.
It's worked fine so far.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Despite what most people believe boar are not bullet proof. Any deer legal calibre with sensible bullet choice is more than suitable for non driven boar. I think the nonsense about needing a cannon comes from driven shoots where shot placement is often off.
That's why I had my 338-06 built for, driven shooting Boar.
The official recommendation is as given above in the earlier replies.
Having shot wildboar both in UK and Europe, although I am sure there will be more than a few on here who have shot more, I would offer the following advice:- in many European countries the minimum recommended is 7mm although again in relatively few countries is there a legal minimum. That is common sense. As @Jelen points out a minimum ME may be more sensible. Being purely pragmatic I would ask how comfortable you are with perceived recoil? If you are tolerant then by all means "go big". If less so, or because you want to use a very lightweight rifle (like some of the break action single shot rifles), then perceived recoil becomes an issue. In which case I would personally recommend something more like 7x57 or 7mm-08 or similar. If you want a magnum calibre then any of the 7mm magnums are good (the Rem mag probably enjoys the least perceived recoil in that calibre than the other 7mm Magnums) or a 7x64 which has almost identical ME.
The two largest boar I ever shot were in UK, escapees from a farm and were shot with a 7x57. Both were comfortably over 200kg eviscerated. I would recommend bullets weighing more than 160 grains as in medium calibre rifles they are more likely to have the construction and sectional density to achieve desirable penetration; 175-200 grains is generally better.
Like @Foxyboy43's video I have shot very large feral pigs in the Australian bush with a .22lr held in one hand whilst riding a motorbike whilst alongside them and shooting directly downwards between the shoulder blades. Penetration is an issue though! Humanity dictates we should aim for a quick death (or at least reduction of consciousness) and larger calibres generally achieve this.
Personally I now use a 7mm Rem Mag because with a 175gr bullet it works effectively. I have used .22lr, 6.5x55 and 6.5x57, 7x57 and 7mm Rem Mag - all killed but some quicker than others.
Having shot wildboar both in UK and Europe, although I am sure there will be more than a few on here who have shot more, I would offer the following advice:- in many European countries the minimum recommended is 7mm although again in relatively few countries is there a legal minimum. That is common sense. As @Jelen points out a minimum ME may be more sensible. Being purely pragmatic I would ask how comfortable you are with perceived recoil? If you are tolerant then by all means "go big". If less so, or because you want to use a very lightweight rifle (like some of the break action single shot rifles), then perceived recoil becomes an issue. In which case I would personally recommend something more like 7x57 or 7mm-08 or similar. If you want a magnum calibre then any of the 7mm magnums are good (the Rem mag probably enjoys the least perceived recoil in that calibre than the other 7mm Magnums) or a 7x64 which has almost identical ME.
The two largest boar I ever shot were in UK, escapees from a farm and were shot with a 7x57. Both were comfortably over 200kg eviscerated. I would recommend bullets weighing more than 160 grains as in medium calibre rifles they are more likely to have the construction and sectional density to achieve desirable penetration; 175-200 grains is generally better.
Like @Foxyboy43's video I have shot very large feral pigs in the Australian bush with a .22lr held in one hand whilst riding a motorbike whilst alongside them and shooting directly downwards between the shoulder blades. Penetration is an issue though! Humanity dictates we should aim for a quick death (or at least reduction of consciousness) and larger calibres generally achieve this.
Personally I now use a 7mm Rem Mag because with a 175gr bullet it works effectively. I have used .22lr, 6.5x55 and 6.5x57, 7x57 and 7mm Rem Mag - all killed but some quicker than others.
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