Ontario geographic caliber limitations

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jabol

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.4%
153   1   0
I am curious to know if 270 Winchester ammo is legal in the geographic regions listed below, as per the Hunting Regulations in Ontario. Technically, the bullet diameter of 270 Win caliber is .277 so seem like over the limit thus illegal. Would I get in trouble with game wardends if I had a rifle in 270Win in those areas?
What if I was hunting big game? The note below seems to be talking about small game hunting.

According to the hunting regs:

"A person hunting small game may not carry or use a rifle of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle, except a muzzle-loading gun, in the geograhic areas of Brant, Chatham-Kent, Durham, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Northumberland, Oxford, Peel, Perth, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington or York"
 
The regs talk about small game hunting because there is no rifle season for deer in those areas, only shotgun, muzzleloader or archery only. So sure, can use a .270 for small game, but not large because there is no rifle season for big game. Have to be careful if you are small game hunting during deer season if you are out with the .270 as they'd want you to prove you are really hunting for small game.
 
well, i don't plan to hunt big game in those areas (especially not moose), just trying to understand the regs, but 270 Win has a bullet diameter of .277 therefore if small game hunting (say a coyote) with a .270 Win rifle and running into a game warden that knows the technical details of bullet dimensions, he might argue that I am over the caliber limit and get me in trouble. My question really is whether the regulation applies to caliber per se or bullet diameter....but best would be to call MNR and find that our from first hand source.
 
Jabol, Bullet diameter & caliber are two different measurements! Caliber is the # stamped on the firearm's barrel. .270 caliber is less than the max. stated .275 caliber stated in the regs. You are fine with the .270.
 
mossyhorns said:
Are you sure about that? All of mine are .277
Click to expand...

So on the ammo you buy it says .277 on your gun it is stamped .277 caliber?

I am not debating bullet dia but the caliber that is stated in hunting reg and what OP has on his gun.

To OP do not take anything you read on internet for a fact. Call MNR and ask them of not sure even better send an email and have
something in writing if anybody ever comes back at you.
 
Jabol said:
well, i don't plan to hunt big game in those areas (especially not moose), just trying to understand the regs, but 270 Win has a bullet diameter of .277 therefore if small game hunting (say a coyote) with a .270 Win rifle and running into a game warden that knows the technical details of bullet dimensions, he might argue that I am over the caliber limit and get me in trouble. My question really is whether the regulation applies to caliber per se or bullet diameter....but best would be to call MNR and find that our from first hand source.
Click to expand...

I understand your concern. MNR has an office in Guelp and if you send them an email they should be able to answer you easy enough and you will have something in writing if you ever get harassed by game warded.
 
If you are that concerned, use a 22, 24, 25, or 26 calibre rifle. I hunt in some of those areas and the 27 calibre is good to use. And I have talked to the MNR and all is good.
 
email sounds like a good idea. will do both, call and email, see if they are consistent. I know that whatever appears on internet I should take with a large chunk of salt but i am curious about experiences and opinions. I just want to limit myself to just one rifle to do it all, or most of it: moose trip, deer and some varmints in southern parts and i want it to be a gun pretty much legal in all these regions so I am leaning toward 270 Win. I am much more a rimfire guy and i don't hunt as often (as I would like) so several hunting calibers for me is a bit of a waste. 6.5 swede is also an option but i don't reload and 270 is more plentiful and cheaper and can accomplish similar jobs, if not better (I know, it is debatable but that's a topic for another thread).
 
Jabol said:
email sounds like a good idea. will do both, call and email, see if they are consistent. I know that whatever appears on internet I should take with a large chunk of salt but i am curious about experiences and opinions. I just want to limit myself to just one rifle to do it all, or most of it: moose trip, deer and some varmints in southern parts and i want it to be a gun pretty much legal in all these regions so I am leaning toward 270 Win. I am much more a rimfire guy and i don't hunt as often (as I would like) so several hunting calibers for me is a bit of a waste. 6.5 swede is also an option but i don't reload and 270 is more plentiful and cheaper and can accomplish similar jobs, if not better (I know, it is debatable but that's a topic for another thread).
Click to expand...

:) I do not think any of us hunt as much as we would like. :)

Also many of us have tried same as you getting one rifle for do it all BUT that failed. Now have a separate gun for everything I do, well have back ups for some things as well.

Happy hunting :)

O yeah 270 is a good caliber.
 
Can someone post a pic of the stamp on their 270 Winchester that shows the bore diameter? There's a difference between the name of the cartridge and the bore diameter.

270 Win = .277 bore diameter

On one half of the argument, the cartridge is legal, on the other half, it is not. Talk about confusing.
 
gps said:
On one half of the argument, the cartridge is legal, on the other half, it is not. Talk about confusing.
Click to expand...

this is the whole point, not that I am worried to much but if I run into a game warden that knows the specs of bullet diameter, his interpretation may be different than some else's understanding and slap me with a hefty fine and if I don't like it, I can fight it in court. Anyway, an email and a phone call will follow on Monday and we'll see what the MNR office says.
 
gps said:
Can someone post a pic of the stamp on their 270 Winchester that shows the bore diameter? There's a difference between the name of the cartridge and the bore diameter.

270 Win = .277 bore diameter

On one half of the argument, the cartridge is legal, on the other half, it is not. Talk about confusing.
Click to expand...

wrong.
.270 = bore diameter
.277 = grove diameter
 
Caliber and bullet diameter are not equal. It's a. 277 diameter bullet but land to land measurements are less then. 275

Much like a 308 is a 30 Cal
4570 shoots a 458 but it's a 45 Cal

270 marked guns are legal for small game in southern Ontario. If you choose to use one plz choose bullets wisely. A heavily constructed bullet for moose will ricochets much more then a light constructed varmint bullet. Know your backstop
 
tjsudbury said:
wrong.
.270 = bore diameter
.277 = grove diameter
Click to expand...

Off topic, but what does that make a .308 win. The bore or grove diameter.
This rule needs to be reviewed in my opinion. I can understand the thought process as the law is in place because the area is highly populated and they don't want stray bullets entering nearby cities. What gets me is that someone can take out their 270 WSM and blow a hole through a coyote yet my .30-30 is banned. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
 
ff33 said:
Off topic, but what does that make a .308 win. The bore or grove diameter.
This rule needs to be reviewed in my opinion. I can understand the thought process as the law is in place because the area is highly populated and they don't want stray bullets entering nearby cities. What gets me is that someone can take out their 270 WSM and blow a hole through a coyote yet my .30-30 is banned. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Click to expand...

308 Win is a 30 caliber, as is a 30-06, 300 min mag, 300sav etc. etc.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom