Some wisdom needed on what rifle choice to make

Cintax said:
If you are occasionally hunting in Ontario then 243 is your only choice.
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Doesn't Ontario say most places require slugs, and the ones that allow rifle it has to be .270 or smaller???

So dumb. One province says .223 is too small, one says .308 is too big..... Uuuggghhh
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
Doesn't Ontario say most places require slugs, and the ones that allow rifle it has to be .270 or smaller???

So dumb. One province says .223 is too small, one says .308 is too big..... Uuuggghhh
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This is true for deer, but that depends on where you live. Pretty much anywhere south of the Severn is shotguns and muzzle loader controlled hunts.
 
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Trimmer 905 said:
That's not correct. Where are you guys getting this stuff?
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He listed 22-250, 223 Remington and 243 Winchester. Maybe I am wrong, but I thought you weren't allowed 22 calibre projectiles for deer in Ontario. A review of the summary indicates you are right since it only states 'centre fire' for deer and the only times calibre appears in the entire summary is referring to .275 in Southern Ontario.
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
Doesn't Ontario say most places require slugs, and the ones that allow rifle it has to be .270 or smaller???

So dumb. One province says .223 is too small, one says .308 is too big..... Uuuggghhh
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No,most places don't require slugs. The Fish&Wildlife Conservation Act requires some southern Ontario Regional Municipalities to be "shotguns only" during the two week Deer season. Small game calibers are retsricted to .275 or less. These are sections of the province which are the most heavily populated. They're very clearly stated in the Ontario hunting regulation summary. Outside those areas,there's no restrictions. AFAIK,unless specific legislation has recently been applied, .22 is not illegal,but,most strongly not recommended.
 
Yes, the "little chunk" of South Western Ontario (from Windsor/Sarnia) up to around Toronto have the caliber restriction on small game (while the area included has a LARGE population, in total land area it's "TINY" compared to the overall size of Ontario).

The rest of the province is chopped up into rifle/shotgun or shotgun deer areas (shotgun only in/around populated areas or farming areas with lots of livestock) with bows and muzzle loaders thrown in, in most areas.

In my piece of Eastern Ontario I can use ANY caliber of Centerfire, ANY caliber of muzzle loader, A 20 thru 10 gauge shotgun with Buck (larger than number 1 buck) or ANY shotgun if using a slug/sabot or ANY kind of bow including crossbow to hunt deer depending on the open season.

That doesn't mean I would hunt with a 17 Hornet or a 25 caliber black powder gun to hunt deer with, but it is "legal".

That's why some "homework" is involved by the potential hunter. Read the regs for where ever you intend on hunting and don't buy a rifle if it's a shotgun only area, or don't buy a 243 if the province you intend to hunt has a minimum caliber restriction.

But just tossing a question on an open forum is probably not the best source for that information unless you provide all the details as to what you intend to hunt and "exactly where" (as in WMU 64B in Ontario which happens to be a bow/shotgun/muzzle loader only deer WMU - but Centerfire is OK for Black Bears)
 
I would have to recommend the weatherby vanguard series 2 in 223 and 243. I have both and for and affordable rifle they're hard to beat. I bought the ugly blaze in 223 last year for $399,today I had it at the range and shot a 3 shot group of federal red box 55 get fmj boat tail sub moa at 200 yds .It measures .926. I also picked up a 243 in kryptek for$ 525 .The 243 is going to be my new deer rifle, I hope it shoots like the 223. BTW if you're athe shot placement the 223 will drop a deer in its tracks. I neck shot a decent 4 point WT last fall with my 223 vanguard and it went straight down at 80 yds. I think Cabelas still has some blaze vanguards for 499.
 
I have a .223 and a .243. I only use the .223 when I am pretty sure I am not going to shoot coyotes at over 250yds or so and just wouldn't use it for deer at all. The .243 is my go to general purpose gun when I might shoot at 'yotes or deer and my only choice when I want to snipe at 'yotes at long range. I vote .243.
 
Yotarunner said:
As someone who has hunted the island before. If you reload a 22-250 or 223 would be great for deer but if you shoot factory i would go with 243. Most factory offerings for 223 and 22-250 are varmint bullets and are hit an miss on deer sized targets. I agree with the others and say a tikka is ideal. If your looking for a used gun go to granlund firearms in campbell river. Carl has good deals and you often get cougar hunting stories and conspiracy theorys free of charge!
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Lived on Vancouver Island for 24 years. We've shot everything from black bear, mule deer, harbor seals, and sea lions with a mini 14. None of them lived after the first shot. Too many people highly under estimate the .223. Though I agree the .243 is better for if you actually want some range but out to 100 meters but the .223 does the job. If people think bow hunting is ethical then they should damn well think the .223 is ethical too. Some of these guys think hunting with a 32-20 is ethical yet it doesn't have half the punch a .223 does.
 
Wow, thanks for the responses everyone, certainly is helpful with everyone's experience/knowledge. As far the corridor for hunting deer with a shotgun/muzzle loaders in Ontario (specifically the Windsor/Sarnia area) that is where we hunt for Yote and the .275 rule is in effect and no deer may be taken with a rifle there is my understanding (been a while since I read the regulations). Unfortunately I sold my .270 before I got to take Coyote with it (moved for work) but I was told the new owner did just fine with it. But I would not be hunting deer there with the .243 because of the restrictions (I have an 870 for that), that is for other areas of the province which we are planning.

I really like the .223 round and luckily have gotten to shoot a lot of it in recent years (punching paper and am alright at 200m without a scope) but I lack experience in the other calibre's and their versatility.

I have looked at several of the models mentioned and have never gotten a good fit with the Remington 700's, I don't know why but other rifles feel better. However when I was buying my first rifle (Marlin XL7) I did try out a Weatherby Vanguard and while I liked its features it rattled a lot which put me off it at the time (I shall have to see if this has changed).

My budget is preferably under $1000 but I am also not after a brand new firearm.

Thanks again for all responses, I am getting a lot of good information and really needing to think about what I need
 
The CZ is almost bang on $1000. You can get them with iron sites. Its actually probably easier to get them with iron site than without them. Could use it as an iron site rifle until you can afford to put some nice glass on it. That's what I did. Got a CZ 550 and hunted with it for a year with iron sites before I could afford a scope.
 
If .243 was legal for coyote in NL, there would be a rifle in that chambering in my safe. No deer here and it is not quite enough for moose.
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
Lived on Vancouver Island for 24 years. We've shot everything from black bear, mule deer, harbor seals, and sea lions with a mini 14. None of them lived after the first shot. Too many people highly under estimate the .223. Though I agree the .243 is better for if you actually want some range but out to 100 meters but the .223 does the job. If people think bow hunting is ethical then they should damn well think the .223 is ethical too. Some of these guys think hunting with a 32-20 is ethical yet it doesn't have half the punch a .223 does.
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You don't understand the dynamics of the lethality of archery equipment... a better lethality comparison can be made between proper hunting archery gear and a .338 WM... not a .223.
 
Sasquatcherous said:
Hello all, I am currently looking to get a rifle in one of three calibre's - .22-250, .223 or .243 as a primary Coyote gun but might take the occasional deer. It must also have a detachable box magazine (I know it is a potential to lose it but I have never misplaced a mag and I don't intend to start now). I am open to most rifle brands (not Mossberg) and I will be looking on the EE forum when I have some more solid opinions from you fine folks here. Thanks for reading and if I need to clarify pleas tell me and I will do so.
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You really need to hold the rifle in your hands and see which one feels best to you, don't buy a rifle without holding it first! If you handle one at the gun shop then you can look for one on the EE that's used, but don't buy a rifle you've never held. That being said, if you're not wanting to severely limit your range to 100 yards or less, with the right ammo and a perfect shot, on deer, you'd be well advised to go with the .243. With 100 grain hunting bullets you can reach out to 200 yards or a bit over with the .243. The .22 calibres are marginal for deer hunting, but fine for pests.
 
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