Help a new hunter!

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alex909

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I was wondering if I could get any help. I have been target shooting for a few years and just this past weekend was initiated to hunting and i loved it.
I have a few rifles but none are adequate for hunting as I have a Vz-58, M1 Carbine, Mossberg 500 18.5" bbl and a Savage 17HMR (well all except this last one..(. I am currently looking for a hunting arm to use on Deer, Fox, Coytote...(whatever else there is in the woods..) in thick-ish woods of Quebec and I have no clue where to start.
I was looking at a 45-70 marlin guide gun and a ruger 44 mag. Deerfield carb. I just thought they looked cool... Can anyone suggest a good choice that does'nt break the bank too bad? I have a slight leaning for semi-auto/lever as they are cooler range toys. I reload so cartridges can be slightly uncommon as long as components are available.... HELP!
 
Can anyone suggest a good choice that does'nt break the bank too bad?
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My personal biases and being that you're considering a lever would be to look in to 30-30 lever action rifles by Marlin or Winchester. Many many people have learned to hunt this way and if the bush is thick as you say you're not at a disatvantage. Cheap to buy and very easy to load for. Factory ammo is pretty cheap too :)
 
Its too nice to be used in the brush!! What about the 45=70 loading? i've always been intrigued by it. Would it be too heavy a cartridge? What about 44 mag? for some reason the 30-30 doesnt do it for me :(
 
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What would be the upper limit as to what a 44 mag could take?
Also, about the marlin guide in 45-70, what sort of range would that have on deer?
There are just so many choices, if in my place should i go for a lever or semi auto should i go for a bolt gun?? Dang i need help!
 
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The .44 Mag. is good on all game, with proper loads it will work on Moose as well, a hard cast 290 or 325gr. WFN GC will turn things in your favour, but the .44 is a gun for under 100 yds. on big game. The 45/70, if loaded heavy can be used to past 200 yds.(preferrably scoped), I prefer one without the scope and concentrate on closer shots with heavy loads, a 480 gr. WFN GC, hard cast, travelling at 1800fps. gives one confidence in close encounters. Some very heavy duty bullets avail. from M.T.Chambers for the .44,.45,.50 cals.
 
help a new hunter

Whats wrong with a .308, or a 30-06. Whats up with all the big stuff anyways. 30cal is favored by almost everyone that hunts any of the big 4. A buddy of mine took his 45/70 to Africa for the big stuff. Kicks him around a lot. Probably 60-70% of deer kills in North Am were taken with a 30-30. 308 running light would be good varminter too. I went 30-06 cause it is still the most versatile cartridge out there but my opinion.
 
6.5 * 55

Hello there. I would suggest that you try out the 6.5 *55 Swedish Mauser. I have a Tikka M695 rifle so chambered and it just plain works time and time again. Accurate and flat shooting for pretty much any hunting application. 60,000 Scandinavian Elk (moose) are taken with this round with 156 grain slugs in Sweden every year. With 140 softpoints and moderate loads it is pure poison on thin skinned game. Regards
 
dave_t73 said:
What's wrong with using your M1?
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On popcans, maybe :)

Why not buy yourself a Model Seven in .308? Short, accurate, easy carry, lots of power for longer shots, lots of components or ammo any where. Load up for moose, down for deer.



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whoooaaa partner.
gone from wall smashing 40's to a .243?
Take the good advise somebody gave you and get a .30 cal. If it is actual hunting you want to do. From the critters you described .40 cals are to much and not enough. .243 is getting better but you went to far small. (some will argue)
If you are just getting into hunting do the animals right and learn to hunt. That involves using a proper weapon.They are more than just moving paper targets.
Don't take offense to my post, any weapon can kill, but only time spent can make you a proficient hunter. Being a good shot is only a small part of being a good hunter.

my hard earned 2 cents
 
If you like the Model 7, you may want to consider the 260 Rem also. It is meets all the velocities of the 6.5x55 in factory ammo, and it comes in a short action. I have both a 260 Rem (target), and a 6.5x55 (military/hunting), and I enjoy them both. That being said, my deer rifle is a Ruger M77 MKII in 30-06.
 
Get a good .30 bolt gun that is light enough you can carry all day, a model 7 in .308 would be fine, and start spending some time devouring every article on hunting guns and hunting you can get your hands on.

In addition to CGN, always the first stop, try this website, there are probably articles related to each cartridge and gun you are thinking about and some good advice on allround good choices for hunting:

w ww.chuckhawks.com/index2d.rifles.htm
 
a .30 cal varient will do you nicely in any north american game hunting situation. if you want to get a decent accurate gun on a budget dont overlook the savage or stevens brand under $400 and will shoot 1moa or better out of the box *as long as you do your part*. the stevens is a nice light bolt action and available in several chamberings 25-06 REM, 270 WIN,
30-06 SPFLD, 7MM REM MAG, 300 WIN MAG, 223 REM, 22-250 REM, 243 WIN, 7MM-08 REM, 308 WIN. as long as you dont mind smoothing out the moulding lines /seams on the synthetic stock *all it takes is a good sharpo razor blade* it will do you well and leave some extra $$ for optics
 
alex909 said:
I was wondering if I could get any help. I have been target shooting for a few years and just this past weekend was initiated to hunting and i loved it.
I have a few rifles but none are adequate for hunting as I have a Vz-58, M1 Carbine, Mossberg 500 18.5" bbl and a Savage 17HMR (well all except this last one..(. I am currently looking for a hunting arm to use on Deer, Fox, Coytote...(whatever else there is in the woods..) in thick-ish woods of Quebec and I have no clue where to start.
I was looking at a 45-70 marlin guide gun and a ruger 44 mag. Deerfield carb. I just thought they looked cool... Can anyone suggest a good choice that does'nt break the bank too bad? I have a slight leaning for semi-auto/lever as they are cooler range toys. I reload so cartridges can be slightly uncommon as long as components are available.... HELP!
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I can't speak to either file, but there's no reason you couldn't use your Mossberg for grouse and rabbit.

As a noob hunter myself, I have to say that I'm enjoying small game hunting more than deer at the moment. This may all change if I ever manage to bag a deer, but right now I'm enjoying ninjing around in the woods with a shotgun much more than simply sitting on my butt in a stand waiting for a buck to wander by.
 
I have a question about the model 7 vs the 700 in another thread if anyone could help me out as to the differences between the two models
 
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