Choosing the right gun help needed

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bigd74

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So I'm looking for a hunting gun. I can only afford to buy one right now. I want to hunt deer, elk, possibly black bear.

What do you all recommend and why?
Yes I know it would be ideal to hav different guns for each but it's not in the finances at this time.
 
What's your budget? Where in bc are you going to be hunting, will you be dealing with coastal bears? Without anymore info I am going to recommend a tikka t3 ss lite in 30-06. Very versatile round in a dependable rifle.
 
I'm in the lower mainland, hunting will probably be region 2,3,4,5,8.

Budget is undecided as of yet
 
Your budget will pretty well determine the gun your getting if I could recommend one thing is get the best glass your can afford. My first gun I cheaper out on a scope and once I bought higher end glass I regret ever cheating out on it. As for a calibre can't go wrong with the 30-06 or even a 300 mag. My newest is a 300 win mag be enough for anything you mentioned.
 
As mentioned, not enough info regarding your budget. On the EE, I see good serviceable Lee Enfields with glass for $250. to $450. If you have a bigger budget, you could look at something scoped and ready to go for almost any price range over $500. Your call, but you can't go wrong with .303, .30-06, or .308. If you have the ammo budget and don't reload (and I'm assuming you don't) you can look at .300 win mag or some of the other calibres. I would personally stay away from any of the newer Ultramag or shortmag calibres. I haven't owned any as I'm well set for all my hunting needs, but good dedicated knowledgeable shooter friends of mine have owned them and sold them as quickly as possible. The list of complaints I've heard are: unpleasant to shoot, expensive ammo, real barrel-burners, and no serious improvement over older available magnum calibres. As I said, your call.
 
What is your shooting experience? If you're a novice rifleman, a light weight .30/06 might be too much of a good thing, but if you're an old hand, there is no disadvantage to hunting with a big case .375. Its long been my opinion that general purpose big game cartridges begin with the 6.5X55, and while this frequently annoys the quarter bore enthusiasts, as yet there are no 130 gr .257 game bullets, but a 140 gr 6.5 will do most things you ask of it, and heavier bullets can be acquired. Any cartridge that produces more horsepower than the 6.5s, will produce the desirable terminal performance needed to anchor a game animal, if the recoil and blast doesn't interfere with the hunter's marksmanship.
 
So many possibilities it's not even funny. If you're looking for cheap quality get a weatherby vanguard or ruger American. I would suggest 270 win, it will put down anything you want. Some folks will probably get their panties in a bunch over me saying that lol.
 
30-06 is a great all round rifle for your first rifle, it was my first rifle many moons ago so I am biased (still hunt with it every year), but lots of factory bullet weights to choose from and it will take down everything you are looking to hunt in your list with any bullet weight 168 to 180, if you get into anything bigger you can move up on bullet weight.
 
bigd74 said:
I'm in the lower mainland, hunting will probably be region 2,3,4,5,8.

Budget is undecided as of yet
Click to expand...

Same here... I got Tikka T3 in 308. No regrets... You can take just about anything and it's much better on your shoulder vs. 30-06. (keep away from grizzlies thought).
The only drawback - spare mags are crazy expensive :-(

Cheers,
GN
 
I hunt the same areas as you, and my two rifles are a savage Axis in 270 and a Lee Enfield in 303. Can't beat these for the price, but if you've got more to spend then look at the Weatherby vanguard 2 or tikka t3. I wouldn't recommend a super light rifle unless you've been shooting for a while, recoil will beat you up and you'll probably develop a flinch which is bad for accuracy.
 
so many options. would need more details, what kind of distances will you be hunting at? thick bush will recommend iron sights, lang range would suggest a rifle that you can mount a scope.
what kind of budget are you considering?
new or used?
site sponsor trade ex have a really good selection of well priced hunting firearms, check it out here;
https://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95

another consideration is ammo availability and cost, will you be purchasing ammo or reloading?
 
bigd74 said:
So I'm looking for a hunting gun. I can only afford to buy one right now. I want to hunt deer, elk, possibly black bear.

What do you all recommend and why?
Yes I know it would be ideal to hav different guns for each but it's not in the finances at this time.
Click to expand...

Anything in .270Win or 30-06 sprg will do everything you need it to do on your list. Ammo for them has varied bullet weights and types for anything you need and always available. I'm partial to everything built by Ruger.
 
Problem is I don't have many more details as this will be first hunting gun and first year to hunt. Just got my license.

Would love to be under $700 if possible with a scope.
Lofty dreams?
 
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