suggest a calibre for Wild Boar?
- Thread starter TimC
- Start date
Tim,
Never hunted boar, but wondering why the 150's in 303 rather than something heavier like 174's, 180's, or even 220's if you can find any...is it to do with availability and restrictive regulations? Top choice from my own selection for such a hunt...should I ever be fortunate, would likely be a .358 W in 99 Savage throwing 250 grainers of some sort.
Never hunted boar, but wondering why the 150's in 303 rather than something heavier like 174's, 180's, or even 220's if you can find any...is it to do with availability and restrictive regulations? Top choice from my own selection for such a hunt...should I ever be fortunate, would likely be a .358 W in 99 Savage throwing 250 grainers of some sort.
No real restrictions, I have 200 grain .311 bullets for reloading, African Grand Slams. I was saving them for a rainy day. I am keen however to let the clients use their own rifles as long as I can make recommendations. I have thought about a .405 Winchester or at least .44 mag lever action. Its not range thats important as this particular wood is pretty dense with small clearings.
TimC said:
TimC... 40 years ago I lived on the central coast of Calif...That is one area where alot of pig hunters (call them boar hunters if you will
) go to hunt pigs...If I lived there again I would use either a .243,.257 or .260 with Barnes or Noslers bullets ...If I was in the brushy hilly areas where shots would be under 75 yards I would use a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag. loaded with 180gr WFN hard cast boolits...and I would not be afraid of the piggy... Of course we are talking about wimpy Calif. piggys here not the tough monsters that live in the deep dark swamps of S.E. US or the deep dark forest of Europe...again The hunter is the issue not the cal. or rifle...
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At the moment Kiwi who worked last night should have caught the train from London by now. if he doesnt get here in time then I am not getting out of bed early when I can do the surveying later in the week. I am up early to take a client out for Fallow Bucks on Wednesday. I'll take the camera. I took a new client out to the "Boar" wood yesterday for an afternoon look around and a dusk stalk. We walked through the woods and sorted out boundaries etc. I put some salz paste on a tree and Holz tar paste on a nother. This is in a clearing where I have seen slots before. I put some old apples down and a pound or so of monkey nuts. Some of the tracks through the woods are made by badgers, the others by deer. I saw a boar track last year and hopefully the paste should attract them and they will take the apples and nuts. This was in a clean area but with all the heavy rain it means that the mud will show prints better.
I'll update everyone later!
As I cleaned my cz carbine last night I noticed the stock has split at the wrist so until that is replaced I'll be using my .303 as a client back up!
I'll update everyone later!
As I cleaned my cz carbine last night I noticed the stock has split at the wrist so until that is replaced I'll be using my .303 as a client back up!
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
From the lateral threads and posts answering your original question, there are guys who have hunted boars and lots who haven't. I'm in the latter group, so my answer is only a suggestion.
A 12ga shotgun with slugs shouldn't be a problem in UK. Nor should a full-bore hunting rifle like a stalker would use on Red Deer. A military based cartridge, like the .303, 7.62, 30-06 or 8mm Mauser should be easy to find and feed. After that the exotic European guns seem like a good idea, followed distantly by the North American cartridges.
I think solid round nose bullets will give you penetration and energy dissipation to knock down the beastie.
From you Flash Earth map (great site, thanks for the link), you have multiple tiny woods and fields, with a scattering of isolated farms and hamlets. It would be very uncivilized to let a wounded animal escape to terrorize the citizenry. Your feet are probably nailed to the particular plots where you have permission, and won't be allowed to pursue and dispatch wounded animal. For that reason, I think your justification should be 'bring enough gun'. If the local cops limit your muzzle energy and terminal velocity, it might be worthwhile to point out that they will have to respond with a state of emergency and mobilize their armed squads (with peashooter guns too). (Refer back to your comment about arguing with know-it-all policemen.) Doing it right the first time makes more sense.
A 12ga shotgun with slugs shouldn't be a problem in UK. Nor should a full-bore hunting rifle like a stalker would use on Red Deer. A military based cartridge, like the .303, 7.62, 30-06 or 8mm Mauser should be easy to find and feed. After that the exotic European guns seem like a good idea, followed distantly by the North American cartridges.
I think solid round nose bullets will give you penetration and energy dissipation to knock down the beastie.
From you Flash Earth map (great site, thanks for the link), you have multiple tiny woods and fields, with a scattering of isolated farms and hamlets. It would be very uncivilized to let a wounded animal escape to terrorize the citizenry. Your feet are probably nailed to the particular plots where you have permission, and won't be allowed to pursue and dispatch wounded animal. For that reason, I think your justification should be 'bring enough gun'. If the local cops limit your muzzle energy and terminal velocity, it might be worthwhile to point out that they will have to respond with a state of emergency and mobilize their armed squads (with peashooter guns too). (Refer back to your comment about arguing with know-it-all policemen.) Doing it right the first time makes more sense.
This is really the job I wanted if I couldnt get the farm in Canada, just need to pick up some part time work to tide me over untill the bookings roll in. I have another client to take to a new wood on Wednesday. kiwi woke up late after night shift so didnt make it down, I'll get in to the Boar wood and finish the survey and risk assessments for the insurers on thursday and tie that in with a visit to another wood a bit further north the same day!Gibbs505 said:Sounds like you have a going concern there Tim!!
Great job!!
That gives me friday to write up reports before heading to Bisley for a club shoot, curry and overnight stay!
RAZVAN, I worked with a couple of very nice Romanian people last year, really into good food and very polite people. As another johnny foreigner here let me welcome you to the forum!
In the UK we tend only to hunt pest species at night with lamps and rifles. We can however hunt deer all year round just not all deer.
In the UK we tend only to hunt pest species at night with lamps and rifles. We can however hunt deer all year round just not all deer.
