New Hunter Need Rifle Help

Euro

Euro

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Hi,

Im going to start hunting this year and I still cant make up my mind on what rifle to get. From the caliber, to the barrel size, to what brand.

I am a big fan of Remington, and am looking at the 700SPS Tactical in 308.

Now in Ontario I read that you can't use anything bigger then .275 to hunt. Is there anyway around that? If not, what caliber do you recommend.

I am looking to mainly hunt deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game.



Thanks
 
I don't care for Remingtons much myself, but the 700 is a sound design and an industry benchmark for a reason. You probably won't go wrong with that, but for that variety of animals you will probably want more than one gun sooner or later. You should check your provincial regulations to be sure, but I think the under .275cal restriction you are thinking of applies to some areas of the province, not all. The .308 will be good for deer and larger game and will certainly kill smaller animals. You might want to go with something smaller for the coyotes and small game later, e.g. a .223, but not the other way around.

If you are going to hunt the areas with the <.275 calibre restriction you could look at the .270 the .243, and 6.5x55mm.
 
I been looking at 22-250, would you recommend that as a deer round? I know its a bit on the lighter side but its got some good speed behind it.

Ya I just read that it applies to my area around SW Ontario, should have read further.

Thanks
 
Euro said:
Hi,

Im going to start hunting this year and I still cant make up my mind on what rifle to get. From the caliber, to the barrel size, to what brand.

I am a big fan of Remington, and am looking at the 700SPS Tactical in 308.

Now in Ontario I read that you can't use anything bigger then .275 to hunt. Is there anyway around that? If not, what caliber do you recommend.

I am looking to mainly hunt deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game.


Thanks
Click to expand...


Consider a .25-06
 
Euro said:
Hi,

Im going to start hunting this year and I still cant make up my mind on what rifle to get. From the caliber, to the barrel size, to what brand.

I am a big fan of Remington, and am looking at the 700SPS Tactical in 308.

Now in Ontario I read that you can't use anything bigger then .275 to hunt. Is there anyway around that? If not, what caliber do you recommend.

I am looking to mainly hunt deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Only part of Ontario has calibre restrictions, and its only for small game. Check your hunting regs for municipalities.

For the animals on your list, I would buy a .243, .25-06 or .260. You don't need a .308 for anything on there, especially a heavy barrel Tactical. Look at the SPS SS instead...
 
remington 700 in 7mm mag is my fav. get a 22-250 for smaller game. put a 12ga in you're safe and you'll never NEED to buy another gun for hunting.
in N.B. we can hunt deer with any centre fire but can't carry anything larger then .22 calibre for varmint season.
 
.260 or or .270 or other in the 6.5 X 47/55 area.

Even if you decide to go out on a moose hunt any of those will do.You can load for heavy game or varmint with the selection of bullets avialable.

just make sure the rifle fits you comfortably.
 
Euro, considering it is your first hunting rifle and the game you have mentioned, have a look at the 270 WCF. There is other calibers but ammo is not as available at some stores and usually more costly. If you are looking at deer as the biggest quarry you could also look at the 243. I would also suggest a 22 rimfire in the same style of rifle that you are considering.
Just my thoughts.
257 Roberts
 
I think you need to read the regs some more. A lot of areas in southern Ont are shotgun, muzzle loader, or bow for deer. If you want to use your centerfire rifle, it may mean driving several hours north - for example, north of Peterborough. To avoid getting shot by "highwaymen", most deer hunters belong to camps. If you belong to a camp, the typical rifle is not a bolt action - its a pump, lever, or semi.
 
Euro said:
Hi,

Im going to start hunting this year and I still cant make up my mind on what rifle to get. From the caliber, to the barrel size, to what brand.

I am a big fan of Remington, and am looking at the 700SPS Tactical in 308.

Now in Ontario I read that you can't use anything bigger then .275 to hunt. Is there anyway around that? If not, what caliber do you recommend.

I am looking to mainly hunt deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not fond of the recent Remington products. I've found and seen too many rough fit and finished guns. Such as 700 SPS, 11-87 Sportsman, and 870 Express that have chamber burrs and rough cycling. I tried a Tikka T3 once and it was smooth cycling. Bolt actions are common for hunting. Have you considered other actions? What kind of hunting will you be doing? Pushing through bushes or taking shots in open cut areas? Lever, pump, and semi-autos will give you a quicker follow up shot.

The heavy barrel will add weight if you're carrying. If you're road hunting it won't matter as much. Also consider a detachable magazine if you want to go road hunting. You'll be able to load up quicker after you disembark.

Euro said:
I been looking at 22-250, would you recommend that as a deer round? I know its a bit on the lighter side but its got some good speed behind it.

Ya I just read that it applies to my area around SW Ontario, should have read further.

Thanks
Click to expand...

A .22 might be legal for big game where you are, but consider if you might want to hunt in other provinces where it may not be legal. The 6.5x55 and .270 Win are looking like good caliber choices for you.
 
As a first hunting rifle for the game you mentioned in Southern Ont, I'd recommend either a 243 or 270 in that order. Plenty of choices in rifles, plenty of cheap ammo available everywhere and in a variety of bullet sizes. Get lots of shooting in with it so you can figure out what you like in a rifle and what you don't. Once you start reloading, then look in to less common chamberings.

Your caliber restriction is only for small game per the MNR Hunting Regs. You should also consider the limited/no rifle seasons for deer in a large number of WMUs which means you'll need a shotgun. An 870 is a good choice. While you're at it, you'll need a .22LR for general light-duty varminting and small game hunting. Then you'll need.....:D
 
As a starting calibre (i had the same "problem" years ago) I went with a .243 Win. & swiched to 6mm Rem., about as all around for varmints to deer as you can get, especially if you start reloading. Not much recoil either, which the first time around you should consider - you may not like it much. Your choice of rifle isn't bad, never liked Rems. either till I bought one in .220 Swift - good value for the money. FWIW --- John303.
 
Euro said:
I been looking at 22-250, would you recommend that as a deer round? I know its a bit on the lighter side but its got some good speed behind it.

...

Thanks
Click to expand...

No, I wouldn't reccommend it. It is used for deer where regulations allow it (I don't know about Ontario but a lot of jurisdictions don't allow the .22 centrefires for big game.) Some .22-250 ammo is built with big game bullets but it is primarily seen as a varmint round so most factory ammo comes with bullets that are not suitable for big game. I wouldn't want to start out with my only gun having that limitation.

But if the regs there allow it and you really want to, go ahead. I'm sure lots of people wouldn't reccommend some of the guns I choose to use.
 
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Like cosmic said, the areas that have the 270 cal restriction only allow shotgun, muzzleloader or bow hunting for deer. With that said, anything from a 243 to a 6.5x55 will give you more than enough power for deer and you can use them for yotes in southern ontario. The smaller calibre cartridges are also easier on the shoulder and much more fun to shoot at the range. For hunting purposes I would avoid the sps tactical. It has a heavy barrel and a heavy hogue stock. This all adds up to being a B&*CH to carry around in the woods. A normal SPS with a 24" tube will be fine
 
Euro, If your shopping for your first rifle take some friendly advice and stay away from all magnum calibers.- They will cause you to flinch and that will be tough to fix later. Someone mentioned a 25-06 and that's a great do-all caliber thats good for everything including moose in Ontario. The cal restriction is only in certain counties and the 25-06 fits nicely. I would recomend a Weatherby Vanguard or a Savage 110 over a Rem700 just because they are better value. A less expensive option would be a Stevens 200 (which is a Savage action anyway). :cheers:
 
as far as i know a 270 will not fall under the .275 class. 270 is a .277. a 243 in just about anything would be good. most guns built these days will outshoot the shooter for the first 800rds roughly. so pick what feels good and basicilly as a rough rule of thumb price is related to quaility. savage does make a very nice rifle but the price has been climbing and run around the cost of a 700 rem. i like the savage for the floating head and slick feed. rem might be more user freindly on feed but i have never used either as factory .. ty
 
a 270 win is allowed, they classify it by the nominal calibre. The 270 win is a good choice but it kicks a lot for yote shooting and target shooting and will ruin pelts
 
.243, 260, 270. find a good gun store that will let you play with every make. See what feels best never mind the caliber. Fit and feel!! Buy the one that feels the best. Try the youth rifles & the Compacts. One will reach out and grab you.
 
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