Best Value Hunting Bolt Gun in Canada for a Newbie?

[SilicaDust]

First off hi guys, very glad to be a part of this forum. This is my first post so hooray! However if this is the wrong forum to post this in, please let me know so I can direct my question to the right place on the website.

I am currently in the process of getting my PAL. I want to have a clear idea of what rifle I plan on purchasing before I get the license so that everything can go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

I have been looking at Mosin-Nagant 91/30s at the recommendation of an American friend of mine. Based on my research this seems like a fantastic choice, it is durable with loose tolerances and ammo is pretty cheap. And most of that ammo is corrosive which will force me to get in the habit of cleaning my rifle That said, I cannot for the life of me find one for sale in Canada under $500, while they go for $100-150 a pop south of the border.

I would love to hear your folks' opinion on this being a good starter rifle for someone who wants to hunt large game (whitetail deer for now), if there is a better choice to make considering Canadian availability, etc.

Thanks for your time, I super appreciate any info you can throw my way

-Max B.

 

[Barnes_270]

I would recommend an older bolt action like a Husqvarna, Parker Hale, or similar, in something like 308 or 30-06. They come up on the EE (the buy/sell part of the forum) frequently enough that you could probably get one for $400 or so.

There's also a thread called "pulling together all the 'what should my first hunting rifle be' advice" or something like that. Let me see if I can find it for you.

I'd even take a decent Lee Enfield sporter with a scope mount on it (303 British) hunting before I went for a Mosin. But that's just me.

 

[Barnes_270]

Here's the definitive thread on the subject.

 

[SilicaDust]

Thank you sir! Much appreciated. I will be delving into the depths of that thread then

 

[emerson]

Weatherby Vanguard is the cheapest good one.