bringing together all the 'what should my first hunting rifle be' thread advice
- Thread starter Ruffed Grouse
- Start date
All I can say is WOW! and Thank you. You have really helped put things in perspective for and Old return to the sport noobie! This is info that will not grow old. Rifle and scope have been chosen, now all I need is to find out where that Buck is hiding. lol
The OP has done an excellent job of providing advice. One small area for correction is the statement: "A note for new Southern Ontario hunters. Keep in mind that the gun seasons for deer in much of Southern Ontario are shotgun/muzzleloader only (if you have not done your hunter ed course yet, you'll find out all about this soon). Also, shooting any small game and predators in many municipalities is limited to rifles nominally of .275 or less. There is some confusion about whether or not the .270 is allowed or not. The letter of the law is 'nominally', and it is indeed smaller than .275 in name, and so is allowed. For the metric calibers, 6.5mm is OK, 7mm is not."
The statement is incorrect. The Ontario Hunting Regulations make NO mention of the word 'nominally' and the use of the phrase 'letter of the law' is incorrect IMO. The Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary 2016 state: "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 geographic areas of Brant,....." etc etc.
The reason that a rifle, marked as being of .270W calibre, is acceptable in the identified areas is because the term 'calibre' may correctly refer to EITHER one of the two following measurements - in a rifled barrel the distance measured between opposing lands (aka bore diameter) or grooves; groove measurements are common in cartridge designations originating in the United States, while land measurements are more common elsewhere. A rifle chambered for the 'calibre' known as .270W has a groove diameter of .277 BUT the bore diameter is .270 and thus it is legitimately a rifle of calibre .270 AND not "of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle".
The statement is incorrect. The Ontario Hunting Regulations make NO mention of the word 'nominally' and the use of the phrase 'letter of the law' is incorrect IMO. The Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary 2016 state: "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 geographic areas of Brant,....." etc etc.
The reason that a rifle, marked as being of .270W calibre, is acceptable in the identified areas is because the term 'calibre' may correctly refer to EITHER one of the two following measurements - in a rifled barrel the distance measured between opposing lands (aka bore diameter) or grooves; groove measurements are common in cartridge designations originating in the United States, while land measurements are more common elsewhere. A rifle chambered for the 'calibre' known as .270W has a groove diameter of .277 BUT the bore diameter is .270 and thus it is legitimately a rifle of calibre .270 AND not "of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle".
maple leaf
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Great stuff right here, even 8 years later
Man, I wish I read this before I purchased my first rifle! I think I ended up ok, but I am obsessed with getting a nice surplus Enfield or Mauser, and also have my eye on a Savage 99 300...
The information here is in-line with what I have been researching online about different hunting rifles and cartridges, fantastic job and great value.
Thank you!
The information here is in-line with what I have been researching online about different hunting rifles and cartridges, fantastic job and great value.
Thank you!
Thanks for brief scope run down in here. I was leaning towards something low power as I am in thick brush country and the shop guy was pushing a 3x9x. I was thinking a 1 -3 or 2-4x.
Also what are people’s view on the tikka t3x for a first rifle. I’ll have a search as I am sure it has been discussed before but any new info appreciated as I hear it got some upgrades with the x.
Also what are people’s view on the tikka t3x for a first rifle. I’ll have a search as I am sure it has been discussed before but any new info appreciated as I hear it got some upgrades with the x.
Went hunting for first time this year. Took along my 308 BLR. Iron sights
Didn't have the opportunity to take any legal game. Thinking about getting experience with hunting coyotes - and thinking about using my Chiappa Alaskan in 44 mag (cheap to reload - another first for me)
Didn't have the opportunity to take any legal game. Thinking about getting experience with hunting coyotes - and thinking about using my Chiappa Alaskan in 44 mag (cheap to reload - another first for me)
