Hunting?

Xero

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Location
Calgary, AB
Hey, I'm a avid hunter, but really don't like the "looks" of most guns available to Canadians to hunt with... I'm looking for a good "looking" rifle that has the power to backup it's looks, I really like the Tavor and the SL8's but both fire .223 caliber ammunition. I hunt Deer/Elk/Moose, mainly big game, and a .223 just won't cut it for me. Hell I'm not even sure if it's legal to use a .223 for hunting here in Alberta.

So, does anyone have any suggestions on a rifle that has both looks and power thats legal for hunting in Alberta? I'm not really particular on action types, hopefully I can find something thats semi-auto, but I'm happy with a good old bolt action.

Thanks in Advance :).
 
Well...if you want a "black" looking rifle, perhaps a SAGE equipped M14 in 7.62 might be the way to go, or an M14 with a USGI fiberglass stock. You might also consider an SKS or 858 with a "black" aftermarket stock.
 
I really like the Tavor and the SL8's but both fire .223 caliber ammunition. I hunt Deer/Elk/Moose, mainly big game, and a .223 just won't cut it for me.

There's a 6.8 SPC version of the H&K SL8 available in Germany. It's a conversion done by a gunsmith called Dirk Klopsch. Unfortunately I can't tell you if anybody exported one to Canada yet.

Chris
 
M1 Garand. The 30-06 is a great North America hunting cailber.

I love mine!

m1garand.jpg
 
Sorry, I should have clarified. I'm looking for a "black" looking rifle.

The M14 with OD or black fiberglass is nice, I didn't even know about the Sage chassis! That almost voids the other choices I was looking at ;) (Doesn't the pistol grip on it make it illegal to hunt with though)?. How about the M14 Socom variant? Is it legal, or is the barrel to short or something?

Thanks for the replys guys!
 
Hope and pray for an unrestricted LWRC SABR. Barring that, pimp a M14 (Check out the Troy stock over in the battle rifles forum if you want the black look).

You can hunt with an unrestricted VZ58 as pointed out already.

A pistol grip doesn't mean squat for hunting.
 
Originally posted by cancer

I just hunted this season with an M14. They're not light.

I am another guy who hunts with an M-305, and agrees they are not light.

What's worse is that the more cool/black looking stuff you add to them, they get heavier, and less suitable for hunting. I mean you can drop a grand on a JAE stock, and all of a sudden your m305 looks perfect for fighting aliens, but it's heavier to drag around the bush.

And your regular hunting buddies will make fun of you for being a moose ninja.

The one tacticool accessory that I do like for hunting with the m305 is a Spectre 3 point sling, a priceless accessory that helps with the weight a great deal.

Anyways, if the m305 (plus upgrades) is your choice for a tacticool moose gun, good luck.
 
I'm not worried about weight, I'll be using a 3 point sling or a simple shoulder sling. I'll most probably get an M14 with the OD of black body (or the Socom version if it's legal) first, then if it performs I'll think about buying a Sage setup. Unless I can find something else that has "the look", as well as performance. I've heard that they're very good rifles, so I'll think about an M14.

Are there any other 7.62 rifles worth noting?
 
Well, I'm currently using a Remington Model 788 .308 Win. Bolt Action rifle, so the M14 would be a closer match then the 30-06 (not that I have anything against the M1 Garand or 30-06 rifles ;)). I've fired M1 Garand's before, I prefer the M14's 7.62/.308 Win. though.
 
You'd really have a hard time going wrong with the M14 I think. I love it as well as the Garand and I hunt with both, but if you want more of a "black" look then honestly that's not the Garand. Tons of accesories for the M14 and it is more scope friendly (not that either of them are particularly scope friendly anyways, but the M14 is better). If you've already got expencience with a .308 then that's another nod for the M14 as well. Remember to stick to 168's or lighter for ammo, and no "hot" handloads. 168 gr Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips, or 150 grain Winchester Supreme XP3 (CP3?), or 150 grain Winchester Supreme failsafes are all deadly factory loads good in the M14.
 
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We currently use Hornady ammunition for our .308, it's the ".308 30 CAL 168 GR A-MAX" on this page:
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=ffd8e51c7827b4eed2fb35a333f4eafb

Not sure how that would fair in an M14.

Probably just about perfect. The ballistic tip type of bullets are reccomended as they don't have any exposed lead to potentially foul the action. If you are used to those, you probably can't go wrong sticking with them as long as you don't try to overload your handloads and stick with powders that don't creat too much pressure.
 
Probably just about perfect. The ballistic tip type of bullets are recommended as they don't have any exposed lead to potentially foul the action. If you are used to those, you probably can't go wrong sticking with them as long as you don't try to overload your handloads and stick with powders that don't create too much pressure.
Thank you very much, just what I wanted to hear. Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming that the Norinco reproduction would be my best bet if I'm looking to buy new?

Also, I know that Marstar can get them, but would local retailers be able to import the Norinco reproductions? I prefer to buy firearms in person rather then over the internet.

Nope. In Alberta the minimum caliber for hunting big game is .23. Rules out the .22-250, .204, .223 etc.
As I suspected, thank you!
 
Define "looks good"

Ditto. It's hard to get a better looking gun than an engraved, finely checkered highly polished and blued bolt gun sitting in a deeply figured walnut stock. Plastic and 'black' guns just look crass to me, and certainly don't convey craftsmanship or sport to me.
 
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