first hunting rifle?
- Thread starter Skeebap
- Start date
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
First question to ask is: are you new to rifle shooting?
If the answer is yes, then the first step is to learn the fundamentals. The best way to do that is with some flavor of bolt action .22lr and watching a lot of YouTube videos to learn what you need to know. Practice, a lot. It transfers over really well with centerfires. Tikka (T1x) and CZ (457) make really good rifles in this category.
Once that's accomplished, the hunt for a decent centerfire rifle begins. I'm biased towards Tikka's. I've owned about a dozen of them now in all kinds off different models.
Unlike some of the above posters, I believe the .223 Remington cartridge to be totally adequate for deer. And Tikka T3x' come with a 1 in 8 twist rate. Which means it will stabilize heavy for caliber bullets. Which would be better suited for ungulates, rather than lighter bullets designed for a slower twist rate.
All that being said, I agree with some of the posters above who've stated you should likely have two centerfire rifles for hunting.
With the .223, you'd get more trigger time for a better price. And just like the .22lr, more practice equates to being a better rifleman. But, depending on where you live and the hunting opportunities afforded to you, the ultimate choice of what you may have to use may not be up to you. Check your hunting regulations for the province/WMU you would like to hunt in. Canada is a diverse nation and hunting regulations reflect that.
If you have free reign to choose what you'd like, I'd add a T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor to my stable and be happy for anything up to, and including, the biggest of bull moose.
This endeavor you're getting into isn't going to be light on the pocket book. The quest to become a proficient rifleman will take a lot of time and set you back a lot of money. But if it's a skill that you'd like to learn, it'll be worth it in the end.
If the answer is yes, then the first step is to learn the fundamentals. The best way to do that is with some flavor of bolt action .22lr and watching a lot of YouTube videos to learn what you need to know. Practice, a lot. It transfers over really well with centerfires. Tikka (T1x) and CZ (457) make really good rifles in this category.
Once that's accomplished, the hunt for a decent centerfire rifle begins. I'm biased towards Tikka's. I've owned about a dozen of them now in all kinds off different models.
Unlike some of the above posters, I believe the .223 Remington cartridge to be totally adequate for deer. And Tikka T3x' come with a 1 in 8 twist rate. Which means it will stabilize heavy for caliber bullets. Which would be better suited for ungulates, rather than lighter bullets designed for a slower twist rate.
All that being said, I agree with some of the posters above who've stated you should likely have two centerfire rifles for hunting.
With the .223, you'd get more trigger time for a better price. And just like the .22lr, more practice equates to being a better rifleman. But, depending on where you live and the hunting opportunities afforded to you, the ultimate choice of what you may have to use may not be up to you. Check your hunting regulations for the province/WMU you would like to hunt in. Canada is a diverse nation and hunting regulations reflect that.
If you have free reign to choose what you'd like, I'd add a T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor to my stable and be happy for anything up to, and including, the biggest of bull moose.
This endeavor you're getting into isn't going to be light on the pocket book. The quest to become a proficient rifleman will take a lot of time and set you back a lot of money. But if it's a skill that you'd like to learn, it'll be worth it in the end.
Weatherby vanguard in a 6.5 creed or something light recoiling and on the heavier end of modern hunting rifles. Stainless is a nice thing to have.
Unless you plan on backpacking I would not go with something lightweight and heavy recoiling like a tikka in 3006. Just no need for that with deer and you won’t enjoy shooting it as much.
Unless you plan on backpacking I would not go with something lightweight and heavy recoiling like a tikka in 3006. Just no need for that with deer and you won’t enjoy shooting it as much.
- Location
- Delta B.C.
270 win. very capable... Lot's of inexpensive choices. Cheers
7X57.....
Purchase a good quality bolt action rifle: Winchester Model 70, Sako (older vintages), BRNO, CZ etc.
Cartridge of choice would be 30-06 Springfield or 270 Winchester. If you are recoil sensitive, the 308 Winchester, 7mm-08 or even the t$w$a$t-knot 6.5 Creedmoor.
Cartridge of choice would be 30-06 Springfield or 270 Winchester. If you are recoil sensitive, the 308 Winchester, 7mm-08 or even the t$w$a$t-knot 6.5 Creedmoor.
Rather than cheaping out and buying a "budget" rifle from a store, have a look at intersurplus at the top of the page. Lots of inexpensive, good solid hunting rifles at far cheaper prices. Also, when it comes to optics, look to the EE and pick up a high quality used scope over a similar priced lower quality new one.
Also, if you intend to shoot thousands of rounds, you might as well just accept the fact that you will end up reloading, so keep an eye open for good deals on reloading equipment.
Also, if you intend to shoot thousands of rounds, you might as well just accept the fact that you will end up reloading, so keep an eye open for good deals on reloading equipment.
You havent mentioned your budget, or location, or status in life. If you're a young fella, living in the "big smoke", one of your first priorities is to find a place to shoot (ie range). Without access to practice regularly, your firearms are gonna be safe queens, and you're unlikely to develop any proficiency in either rifle or shotgun shooting.
You mention your intent to hunt with your rifle, up to deer. This is harder than you think, and not easily pursued by novices without support from experienced hunters, and a realistic place to hunt. BTW - 223 is sub-optimal for deer, and may not be legal in your province.
To put things in perspective, most of the older folks in this forum started out shooting a 22 Cooey, and hunting any rodent that moved, or any rogue pop can that dared present itself. Then a single shot shotgun, for birds and rabbits, and finally a Lee Enfield rifle to hunt deer. We had to learn to walk before we could run...
You mention your intent to hunt with your rifle, up to deer. This is harder than you think, and not easily pursued by novices without support from experienced hunters, and a realistic place to hunt. BTW - 223 is sub-optimal for deer, and may not be legal in your province.
To put things in perspective, most of the older folks in this forum started out shooting a 22 Cooey, and hunting any rodent that moved, or any rogue pop can that dared present itself. Then a single shot shotgun, for birds and rabbits, and finally a Lee Enfield rifle to hunt deer. We had to learn to walk before we could run...
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Don’t forget to check for municipal bylaws in the areas you expect to hunt when considering calibre selection.
Our farm is in Caledon, ON (less than a hour from Toronto) and there’s a calibre restriction bylaw in place limiting anything larger than 0.275 calibre. Thankfully 10 minutes north those restrictions aren’t in place.
Still picked up a Tikka T3X in .223 as my first hunting rifle, has been plenty for coyotes and I’m sure would service up to deer with the correct load and from a reasonable distance.
Quick google turned up this: https://www.milton.ca/en/town-hall/...rms-discharge-by-law-consolidated_FINAL-s.pdf
