steve_b_wales Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 (edited) I have a .243 rifle which has been used for foxing. I now have land for deer and am in the process of having deer added to my certificate. ALthough the 243 is suitable for deer, in about 6 months time I want to apply for a bigger caliber. This would be used for deer, but would also be used for wild boar and possibly some game if I go to Africa next year ( warthog, blesbuck gazelle) I have been advised to purchase a .308 for these tasks, but have been told by others that it's not a very good flat shooter. I don't think a 6.5 x 55 would be allowed in Africa for warthog? What would be the best 'all rounder' I could use. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Steve Edited June 8, 2008 by steve_b_wales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 6.5x55 or a .30-06. My bet would be the 6.5 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 I have a .243 rifle which has been used for foxing. I now have land for deer and am in the process of having deer added to my certificate. ALthough the 243 is suitable for deer, in about 6 months time I want to apply for a bigger calibre. This would be used for deer, but would also be used for wild boar and possibly some game if I go to Africa next year ( warthog, blesbuck gazelle)I have been advised to purchase a .308 for these tasks, but have been told by others that it's not a very good flat shooter. I don't think a 6.5 x 55 would be allowed in Africa? What would be the best 'all rounder' I could use. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Steve Whoever advised you to get a 308 was spot on, it's the all round calibre, does it all, ammo available everywhere, with the largest range of bullets of any calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 If your going to France or Spain to shoot Boar, they won't allow to take a 'military calibre' such as a .308 and I think a 30.06 either. If the Boar is over here or in another country get the .308 as Bob said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 How about a .270? Very flat-shooting, plenty of punch, and it's not a military calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 If your going to France or Spain to shoot Boar, they won't allow to take a 'military calibre' such as a .308 and I think a 30.06 either. If the Boar is over here or in another country get the .308 as Bob said. Yep, well done that's true, I overlooked that point, Belgium was the same at one time, no idea if they still are, it's well worth checking on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 7x57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palombier Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 Steve My recommendation would be a 7x57 Swedish Mauser also known as the .275 Rigby using 175 grain bullets, which have a very high sectional density. I have used one in Africa and can testify that it does the job superbly. The 30-06 is another good recommendation as most of the PH's in SA use them. Regards P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 Isn't it noted somewhere that .270 is the minimum recommended calibre for Boar? I'm sure a 6.5x55 (.264) would do the job, but it depends how fussy your firearms dept are. I'd say if you're going abroad to shoot bigger stuff then get something with a bit more weight behind it. Are you keeping the .243 or doing a one for one? It's said that .30-06 or .375H&H are very popular for safari work, and importantly, easy to find ammo for abroad. If it was me and I was keeping the .243 I'd go for the .375H&H (it's inside the guidelines for Deer here, so should be ok for Boar). If you're selling up the .243, go .30-06 as they can be made to hit just a little harder than a .308 but would not totally destroy a smaller Deer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popgun Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 Go For a.270 very flat saw one stop a buffalo at 600 yards in the USA stone dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 (edited) My thanks to everyone who has commented on my question. I think I'm going to narrow my choice down to either a .270 or a 7.57 (.275 Rigby) I have checked out some info on the .275 and it looks promising. I will look up some info on the .270 later. I intend keeping my .243 and hopefully will be shooting Boar in Europe but not in France/Spain. Also, I intend to homeload the new caliber, as I do with my 22/250 and 243. Any other suggestions or comments if they have used these calibers would be welcomed. Thanks Steve Edited June 8, 2008 by steve_b_wales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethevanman Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 30-06 would be the best all round it will do all deer over here and will tackle the african plains game i.e. gazzelle ect...but for something like water buffalo you want something with a bit more knock down power. I have seen photos of new to the flock with shot warthogs with the 6.5x55, but for wild bore i would use something with more punch than a 6.5x55. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 7x57 seems like a good choice to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart92 Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 a 243 is big enought for worthog ive shot them with .22 magnum stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAULT Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 saw some leaflets in usk minimum calibre 311 or above for shooting in africa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Someone I know is using a .243 for boar over here. Stopped a 215lb boar in it's tracks. I think shot placement is the important thing. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 as is a good dollup of luck IF I ever got a bigger calibre (unlikely) it would be 7mm08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 as is a good dollup of luck IF I ever got a bigger calibre (unlikely) it would be 7mm08 yep or a 25-06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 It's a good round too, but that would be a smaller calibre for me . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart92 Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 saw some leaflets in usk minimum calibre 311 or above for shooting in africa thats for tourists that want to shoot big 5 .223 will be good for plains game i lived in zimbabwe my grandad owned a farm/hunting range the biggest cal was a .500 nitro to big for deer here lol .308 is best for here and there stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopy bunny blaster Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 a 243 is big enought for worthog ive shot them with .22 magnum stuart 22 magnum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart92 Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 a 243 is big enought for worthog ive shot them with .22 magnum stuart 22 magnum? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_WMR think u call them hornets? stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 a 243 is big enought for worthog ive shot them with .22 magnum stuart 22 magnum? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_WMR think u call them hornets? stuart no mate the hornet is the center fire one this is a .22 winchester magnum was it a head shot or body shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyCM Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 I have a 7mm-08 on order (1-2 months to go) and have no idea on African adventures (yet) but got it for larger deer. I did a lot of research and it was a 7x57 or 7mm-08 for me - can't see much difference between them. I have gone for a 1 in 9 twist, 24 inch barrel for 140g bullets in the 2,700-2,900 fps range. I hope it works ok, on boar too. Cheers AndyCM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart92 Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 a 243 is big enought for worthog ive shot them with .22 magnum stuart 22 magnum? :( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_WMR think u call them hornets? stuart no mate the hornet is the center fire one this is a .22 winchester magnum was it a head shot or body shot? in the heart droped on the spot with iron sites lol stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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