1st Deer rifle / 1st hunt

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McDo

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I am looking to purchase my 1st hunting rifle. I take the hunter's education course in September and would like to deer hunt this fall. $$$ is a consideration for me as I'm on a limited budget.
Also if you live in Southern Ontario and hunt I'd like to pick your brain(s) if possible. I don't know where to hunt; I don't know who to hunt with, basically I'm a 50 year old hunting virgin so please be gentle!
 
Others may disagree. But in my opinion, one of the best bargains out there for the first time hunter, is a quality Savage bolt action rifle. Savage, though modestly priced are well built, accurate and reliable firearms. Regardless of firearm choice, for all around hunting in Southern Ontario, I'd also go with a rifle chambered for the classic and always versatile .270 Winchester. This caliber cartridge is suitable for most game from varmints to moose, and legal to shoot, anywhere in Ontario. Factory ammo is usually reasonably priced, and available most everywhere. Plus, it is an easy cartridge to reload for, if you are so inclined. Anyway, shop around. Handle as many firearms as you can. Talk to people who hunt and get some of their feedback. Research the various calibers to see which one might work best for your needs. Then, pick the combination that suits you best.
Likely one of the best ways to find hunting spots is to simply knock on doors. You'll get a lot of turn downs, but might get a good hunting spot too, if you are persistent. Also, check out local county or provincial wildlife areas near you. These often turn up some good spots. You are likely taking your hunter education course at a local gun club. If so.....while there, try to get to know as many of the members as you can. Very often they can lead you toward some great hunting opportunities. They may even invite you to join them on one of their hunts. Sometimes it takes a bit of leg work, but can often result in success. Good luck.
 
I've haven't gotten into big game hunting myself but I'll add that all my friends and co-workers who do hunt yearly are very found of their .270's
 
dgradinaru said:
Tradex Canada in Ontario have excellent rifles made by Husqvarna in 30-06, which would be an excellent choice for about 350-400$.
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I think there are some caliber restrictions in effect in some areas of southern Ontario..? Which might mean 30-06 isn't allowed? Probably need to get that clarified before he selects a rifle. Maybe not an issue where OP will hunt, I don't know.
 
A bunch of southern Ontario has a .275 nominal caliber restriction (for small game only maybe? Can't reminder exactly).

While being a 277 caliber bullet the 270 is nominally a 270, which is below the 275 restriction, making it the perfect choice for a first - and possibly only - hunting rifle.
 
Alex McK is right on the target. Savage is a good rifle at a good price and .270 Win is a nice calibre to start with given that it also allows for varmint hunting in Southern Ontario.

As far as where to go, that's always a tough one to answer for a rifle hunter. Looking in areas where there are large tracts of Crown land is the "surest" way to have access but likely a long drive.
 
Suther said:
A bunch of southern Ontario has a .275 nominal caliber restriction (for small game only maybe? Can't reminder exactly).

While being a 277 caliber bullet the 270 is nominally a 270, which is below the 275 restriction, making it the perfect choice for a first - and possibly only - hunting rifle.
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Well I'm in southern Ontario as well. Niagara region. We can only hunt small game with a rifle under the caliber of .275. So for deer we can only use shotgun, or bow.
 
.270, 30-06 or .308. Take your pick. They are all excellent calibre's. The .270 for flatter trajectory or the 30-06 for more variety of factory ammo.
 
most big woods deer hunter that o know all use the Remington pumps and autos in 308 30 06 and 270 ,these make fast action deer rifles ,if you are going to hunt deer at home you will need a shotgun made to shot slugs and enter a draw to be able to hunt deer ,,Dutch
 
Get good bolt action in .270 Win for So-Ont... rather than go the "cheap/new" route, I would recommend that you go the "quality/used" route... a Rem 700, Win 70, Ruger 77, or Browning A-Bolt... I am partial to Ruger's but any of them will serve you well... I guess a Savage will too, but that would be my last choice of those I mentioned.
 
Thank you every one for responding. Truthfully I'm not sure if I'll hunt Southern Ontario or go North with a rifle. Being completely new to hunting. I'm getting a late start at this. When I was younger I had no interest then 15 years ago I injured my back. Now I'm finally able and willing. If anyone out there has hunted Southeastern Ontario (I live in Welland) I'd appreciate any info you could give.
To answer another question; I will hunt as often as I can. My schedule is flexible so I can go whenever a chance arises. I think my biggest problem is no-one I know shoots let alone hunts. I hope I meet fellow hunters from the area at the Hunters ed course. Unfortunately it's being run at a holiday inn and not a club but that was the only one available.
I accidentally posted this thread in two different areas so I apologize if it has inconvienienced anyone I'm still getting used to this.
 
Been deer hunting for 35 years...., a 308 is a really good choice (the best one for me), 30-30 is also a very good choice.

No need for a 30-06 or 300win, or if you want go that route, take look on a 7mm rem magnum, better choice.

Forget pump action.

Bolt action : one bullet , one kill.
 
Well, I guess I'll step a little outside the box here, and recommend that your first gun be a shotgun. More specifically, a combo 12g that comes with both a rifled and smooth bore barrel. (Don't be intimidated, the barrels swap out in less than 30 seconds). If $$$ is a big factor, and you don't yet know what your hunting future will look like, why not buy one gun that can do it all, then look at getting more specific rifles etc. as you settle into the sport.

As mentioned above, hunting deer down here restricts you to either a shot gun or a muzzle loader (or bow). Saboted bullets out of a rifled barrel will have it performing just good as most common hunting rifles. Perfect for deer, coyotes, or if you go north, moose and bear as well at proper distances. Regular slugs are great too, and if you get a 3" gun you can run some pretty Howitzeresque lead down range.

With the smooth bore you're good to go for ducks, geese, turkey, rabbits, and other small game. Not to mention shooting clays.

Get a low powered scope to mount to the rifled barrel, and you've got the Swiss Army knife of hunting all tucked into one gun.


That's my $0.02.
 
There probably isnt a rifle season for deer anywhere near you in Southern ON. Best check that before you buy a rifle for deer hunting. Generally, if you live south of Barrie there are no rifle seasons for deer.

If thats the case you need a shotgun. Look into one of the many combos out their. A modern shotgun with a rifled barrel is still a very useful gun in Northern ON where you could use a rifle anyway. Its range is almost 200m. Then you can swap barrels for small game. Very versatile for a first gun.
 
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McDo said:
I am looking to purchase my 1st hunting rifle. I take the hunter's education course in September and would like to deer hunt this fall. $$$ is a consideration for me as I'm on a limited budget.
Also if you live in Southern Ontario and hunt I'd like to pick your brain(s) if possible. I don't know where to hunt; I don't know who to hunt with, basically I'm a 50 year old hunting virgin so please be gentle!
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McDo where about are you in southern Ontario? Lots of opportunities but would help to know appx were ur located to offer good advise.
 
As far as I know it is not only rare in Southern Ontario, but even Easter Ontario (around Ottawa / Kingston) for the most part you are only allowed to hunt Deer with a shotgun.

I would be surprised if the WMU you are located in Southern Ontario would allow anything besides a shotgun. Shotguns are awesome anyway.
 
Lots of good deer hunting around Welland. Maybe need to go talk to Lou @ Erie tracker & see if he knows anyone who is looking for people for the controlled hunt this fall. Sometimes hunt groups may need more people to hunt & dog the bush. Better hurry you're running out of time to apply for the controlled hunt. Shotgun only.
For best gun, it's personal preference. The best gun is a gun you are comfortable shooting. Depending on your shooting ability you may want a rifle that allows quick follow up shots. Bolt guns are strong & accurate action that do not easily allow for quick follow up shots like a lever or pump. Caliber depends on the shots you are anticipating you are going to take. Many calibers will do the job but distance, recoil, shell cost, availability,& other factors come into play.
Make an educated purchase & it will outlast you & provide years of enjoyment.
 
Like lots of others said, avoid cheaper quality and get a good quality used bolt. 270 is a great first rifle and can do triple duty...deer, moose, varmint. But for a first rifle I would always suggest a good bolt 22...or a Ruger 10/22 since most folks end up with one sooner or later anyways.
 
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