Best rifle and caliber for large varmits to medium sized game?

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I think I might be starting to become a gun nut!!

I am considering purchasing my first center fire rifle and am considering something in .243 or .270. I won't need any more rifle than that as I'm in SW Ontario and am unlikely to bag anything bigger than deer (so no suggestions for a 30-06 please lol).

I have herd a lot of good reviews of the Savage line of products but am also thinking of a Browning a-bolt, or Tikka as well. Definitly not looking to spend more than $700 for the rifle.

Does anyone have any comments on these rifles or my selection of caliber?

Thanks
 
Wait an extra month and save enough money to buy a good rifle, and spend a few extra bucks. And don't write off the Tikkas. They're good stuff!
 
Preacher said:
Wait an extra month and save enough money to buy a good rifle, and spend a few extra bucks.
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You can get a perfectly good rifle for less than $700.

Since you aren't going to go hunting for anything larger than a deer, I would suggest a .243. It's used for everything from varmints to deer, and target shooting out to 1000+m. Ammo is affordable and common, and recoil isn't much of an issue.

Something to keep in mind since you're in SW Ontario. There are many areas that limit you .243 or smaller...like Amherstburg(just noticed you were in Windsor). It may never be a problem for you, but by going with a .243 at least you know you can hunt anywhere.
 
A good centrefire starter is an SKS 7.62 x 39mm. Both rifle and ammo are very cheap and easy to obtain. This was my first centrefire and I still use it every time I go out.
 
6.5x55mm if you reload. I picked up my military sporter for somewhere near $150, I use it for groudhogs on occasion.
 
Yuri Orlov said:
You can get a perfectly good rifle for less than $700.
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Okay, and that comes with mounts and a scope?? I'll send you the money for a 6.5X55 in a Tikka T3 SS with a VX-II in 3-9X40 if you can do it ALL IN for $700 and I'll add a little stipend for the great deal you got me so you can take your wife out to dinner at McDonalds. :bangHead: :D
 
If I were looking for a new dual purpose cartridge?
I have been reading as much as I can about the 25WSSM and It is starting to look pretty good. (Big Red should be happy).
I also think the 260 Remington would be a good round.
But I would have to say that as a reloader I will stick with the,
257 Roberts
 
243 is a great multi purpose round. especially if you handload. i shoot 87 v-max for varmint and target and 95 sst for deer.

don't discredit the 30-06's performance on gophers. 50 cal muzzleloader works on'em too.

forget the mist, just vaporise them.
 
frankcastle said:
A good centrefire starter is an SKS 7.62 x 39mm. Both rifle and ammo are very cheap and easy to obtain. This was my first centrefire and I still use it every time I go out.
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:runaway: SKS is not a varmit rifle. varmit rifles are accurate :rolleyes:

SKShunting.JPG
 
todbartell said:
7.62x39 is probably over the Ontario caliber limit, no?
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Yes. in most townships in Southern Ontario it is over the .275 cal restriction,as is anything in .284,which eliminates the 7mm08.

So now you have
243,6mmRem,25/06Rem,260 Rem,6.5x55,264Winmag,270,270WSM and I'm sure I've missed several others under the .275 bore size.(25wssm and all those newer ones)

I would go with a good ole 270Win myself in any of the rifles mentioned.
You may decide to go moose shooting in the future!:)
 
First rifle, you're almost guaranteed to get rid of it--no matter what it is. Spend as little as possible, and beg/borrow range time with other makes, models, and calibers. It's the only way you'll find out what really fits you, what you prefer for stock design and material, and so on.

If you have $700 to spend? Stevens 200 in .243, with Leupold rings and mount, and a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40.

Stevens: $350
Rings and mount and pro mounting: $100
Bushnell: $250
=$700, plus tax

You'll be able to shoot ground hogs to coyotes to deer, no problem. And the crappy tupperware stock won't be an issue, since the .243 has very little recoil.
 
A savage or Stevens in a 243 if more deer then varmint. If it makes it to Canada, a fast twist 22/250 would also work if more varmint then deer.

There are lot of controlled expansion bullets in the 22cal that are more then adequate for whacking Bambi.
Jerry
 
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