Good Hunt'n Rifle?

Filip

Filip

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S.Ontairo
To start, I'm going to say I have never been hunting in my life. Me and my bro want to get our license this spring and go in the fall. That being said I would like ask what rifle people would suggest for whitetail? I like the semi auto action, but bolt guns under $800 are cool too. Thanks. :dancingbanana:

...also, what is the smallest round that you can hunt deer w/ in Ontario?
 
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Hi, Bolts action will always be more reliable than the semi if you're not a gunsmitting pro! For the smallest caliber probably it is 243. If I have an advice for you, buy something that can be "universal" like 30-06, 270, 308 or 7mm mag and you will have something for every hunt!
 
David L said:
Hi, Bolts action will always be more reliable than the semi if you're not a gunsmitting pro! For the smallest caliber probably it is 243. If I have an advice for you, buy something that can be "universal" like 30-06, 270, 308 or 7mm mag and you will have something for every hunt!
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David, the only thing "Universal" in southern Ont of the list you provided is a 270 Win...

FIlip, where abouts in S ont are you?

If you want something that will knock down deer moose, bear, and be legal to hunt varmints with in S Ont, my suggestion would be the 270 win, and but a half decent shotgun... There was one Remington 7400 for sale on here for a reasonable price.

But the best advise i can give you is this.
If your new to the whole scene, keep it simple. If you think your going to be hunting more in the southern WMU's, I'd suggest a good shotgun first, and maybe a 243. For the majority of your big game in southern ONt, its shotgun season, so a good switch barrel pump/semi shotgun might be a better purchase. And a lightweight semi/boltgun in a vary managable cal will help you to hone your shooting skills. If you choose to go on a moose/bear hunt, a rifle 12 guage would work great. for bear/deer, the 243 would work well too, but its not a stopper, than neither is the 270.
But for target shooting, groundhogs, or varmints in general, a 243 is great, and its light recoil will help you to develop your shooting without the recoil of a 270 all the time...
If I were in your shoes again, a good shotgun would be plan A, but a close plan B would be a 243, or 270...
 
I think the 270 Win. is the perfect deer rifle. Take a look at the Tikka T-3 line... some guys like them, some guys don't, but they shoot very good.
 
If you are looking to buy one gun to hunt in southern Ontario I would pick up a Remington 870 combo. You can pick one up for a little over $500. It can be used to hunt just about anything in Ontario. You have the rifled barrel for large game. Smooth bore for just about everything else. Parts and accessories are cheep and easy to get. Its easy to take apart and clean. It may not be the nicest gun on the market but its been around for a long time and is proven to work. The 870 will give you one gun to do just about everything to start out with. Once you have been hunting for a while I'm sure you will pick up a number of other firearms that are more specific to their use.
Just my $0.02
 
Beautiful province from my limited experience there. (Kenora and Toronto). I dont understand the .270 restriction, and the reason for it.:confused:

You should know by now not to take everything I say seriously. LOL
 
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go to a gun shop and handle different type of guns. Cartridges between 243 Win & 30-06 will be what you'll need for deer hunting.
 
The best gun is the one that fits.

Ditto on the regulation restrictions for cartridge. Your universal choice may be two guns - a centrefire and a shotgun.

My .02 cents is a Savage Combo gun which comes as a bolt action rifle with a synthetic stock, rings, bases, scope and a sling. The .300 Win Mags are very good guns, but probably more cartridge than you are allowed.
 
Grab a .270


you can take it WT hunting and bear hunting, even moose. It's basically a knecked down 30-06 catridge.

I would recommend a stevens 200 for your first rifle. Its cheap, reliable, very popular. After that move up until you find a brand that you like most.

Also, take a look at some sporterized enfields. I started off shooting .308, and I dont think it was too much gun for me.

Heck, those people who say the .270 has recoil... wussies! That thing has no recoil what soever, heck, I dont even think it recoils into my shoulder at all.

My 270 is loud though, I'll give it that.
 
Keep in mind that some areas of S. Ont are limited to .243...might not be a concern for deer and other large game, but if you want to be able to go target/varmint shooting anywhere in Ont without limitations, I'd stick with a .243.
 
Go with the 700 SPS and fix it up as you go and funds allow. This .270 now wears a Bansner High Tech.

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like it was mentioned look at a decent sported enfield that way if you dont liek hunting your only out $100-150, and ammo is everywhere
 
Go to the local Rod and Gun club, talk with the members, discuss your interests and objectives, and then settle on some old sage who will take you out and show you what he has . . . just don't buy anything from him!
I think I recently saw a Savage combo for $500.00. 270, 280, 30-06, 308, 7mm08 are all pretty good starting points. 243 Winchester is a nice little rifle and will give you lots of opportunity to work on groundhogs prior to hunting season.
Unfortunately, old sages will see a greenhorn a mile away; I think they are able to smell them out as well. Buy new! Once you are satisfied with your knowledge of firearms and have the cash you can gamble on used guns. Just like going to Lost Wages . . . don't take any more money that you can afford to lose!
 
horseman2 said:
Unfortunately, old sages will see a greenhorn a mile away; I think they are able to smell them out as well. Buy new! Once you are satisfied with your knowledge of firearms and have the cash you can gamble on used guns.
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Ive seen this a few times before! the old farts like to tell new guys : this is a fine rifle". but in actuality its a POS. They've had it since the beginning of time, and it looks like crap. " Ive taken many animals with this one.... but let me show you this other one here...."
they string the new guys along and sell off their old crap so they have more money for reloading somponents or whatever....
Dont get suckered into buying anything used frm some guy at the range.
Of course he will be a "nice guy" because he wants you to buy this old POS that is taking up space in his gun room!
 
First of all, thank you everyone for all the great info. As far as shooting goes I'm not quite new to it...ex military (militia anyway), even was on the rifle team for a couple of years - just never been hunting. Currently I have a Norc M14 that I plan on use'n this season, but as mentioned wanted some advise for something for my brother. I think that after reading this thread I will suggest he gets something cheaper like the SKS. It's close to the Enfield in price, only it's new and it's a semi. I know both of these rifles will be a no go for the smaller critters, but I'm really only interested in bigger game b/c I want the meat. Once again thanks everyone! :dancingbanana:
 
Norc M14.... SKS....:slap:
Definitely neither of the above would be my first choice as a deer rifle. They don't actually even make the list.:puke:
Sorry Flip just the way I feel...;)
 
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