If you were buying your first hunting rifle.....
- Thread starter Bksrt8
- Start date
A basic bolt action 30.06 from Ruger or Savage will do everything you want for pretty reasonable money. Exactly what I used for 20 years and my father used for 40+ years taking many moose and deer in NW Ontario.
Last edited:
A Winchester M70 FWT in 308 or even better - 30-06, and you'd be all set for any big game anywhere on the continent. Perfect Moose Gun for Timmins area. Add a VX3 and you're set for life.
If you want iron sights, the best vintage Husqvarna 30-06 1600/1640 you can find, and you'll have $1000 left for scope and ammo. This rifle will very likely last you the rest of your life too.
If you want iron sights, the best vintage Husqvarna 30-06 1600/1640 you can find, and you'll have $1000 left for scope and ammo. This rifle will very likely last you the rest of your life too.
Finding a rifle that fits you and that you can shoot well is far more important than the cartridge it fires. Go to a few shops and shoulder as many hunting rifles as you can. Get something that is quick to shoulder and feels good in the hand. It’s hard to describe but you’ll know it when you find the right rifle.
I love everything about Ruger 77’s, Browning bolt rifles, and Bergaras, but I’ve never found any that feel right to me. On the other hand, Weatherby Mk V’s and Kimbers fit me like a glove.
Once you find a rifle that fits, then look at cartridge selection. If moose is something you may hunt, then you’ll probably want something in the 270 win to 30/06 range. If recoil isn’t a factor for you, then the 7mm or 30 magnums might be ideal.
I love everything about Ruger 77’s, Browning bolt rifles, and Bergaras, but I’ve never found any that feel right to me. On the other hand, Weatherby Mk V’s and Kimbers fit me like a glove.
Once you find a rifle that fits, then look at cartridge selection. If moose is something you may hunt, then you’ll probably want something in the 270 win to 30/06 range. If recoil isn’t a factor for you, then the 7mm or 30 magnums might be ideal.
For your first hunting rifle in my opinion the easy button would be a tikka t3x in 6.5 creed or 7mm-08, the actions on tikkas are smooth and I haven't saw one that won't shoot.
I'd pick the 6.5 creed or 7mm-08 over the ones you have listed because of recoil and the fact that they will do what you're wanting them to do. Magnums are great and I do own a few of them, but you will find yourself appreciating the lower recoil of those 2 rounds especially at the bench.
308 and 30-06 are great, but I've personally witnessed more than one person who've developed a flinch with both calibers especially in light weight rifles. My kids all started with a 7mm-08 and they've shot everything from coyotes to moose without a problem.
Good luck in your search and once you find something practice, practice, practice
I'd pick the 6.5 creed or 7mm-08 over the ones you have listed because of recoil and the fact that they will do what you're wanting them to do. Magnums are great and I do own a few of them, but you will find yourself appreciating the lower recoil of those 2 rounds especially at the bench.
308 and 30-06 are great, but I've personally witnessed more than one person who've developed a flinch with both calibers especially in light weight rifles. My kids all started with a 7mm-08 and they've shot everything from coyotes to moose without a problem.
Good luck in your search and once you find something practice, practice, practice
I'd rather have a rifle in a moderate weight for less recoil. For moose the 270 (277) is more bullet then one might think it would be. It's flat shooting, hits plenty hard, and reaches out - with not bad recoil. After that the 308 or 30-06 would be next. For whitetail deer the 243 is plenty.
If I were starting over from scratch with a mind to hunt deer and moose I would probably pick an all-weather bolt action in .30-06. Which model depends on individual preferences.
To me, a sporter contour 22-24" barrel with a composite stock (not plastic) with a metal floorplate would just about do it. No brakes, no carbon-wrapped barrels, no mag systems (maybe flush-fitting proprietary systems like Sako or Browning or Tikka, but only with a spare), no rails to get hung up on, just keep it simple and go hunt.
To me, a sporter contour 22-24" barrel with a composite stock (not plastic) with a metal floorplate would just about do it. No brakes, no carbon-wrapped barrels, no mag systems (maybe flush-fitting proprietary systems like Sako or Browning or Tikka, but only with a spare), no rails to get hung up on, just keep it simple and go hunt.
Brassman66
CGN frequent flyer
For your type of expected hunting a 308 or odd6 would be hard to beat. A quality Bolt Action well locked after in good used condition would probably be my first choice.
Cheers
Cheers
cptseawolf
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have many rifles and pistols etc.
But was looking for a new rifle heading into my first Saskatchewan deer season this year. Picked a savage 110 in .308 due to plentiful ammo no matter where you are.
And then dropped my first deer. I'm happy with my choice
But was looking for a new rifle heading into my first Saskatchewan deer season this year. Picked a savage 110 in .308 due to plentiful ammo no matter where you are.
And then dropped my first deer. I'm happy with my choice
OP, whatever you choose make sure to start with a large size fire arm cabinet/safe because chances are you WILL NOT stop with just one or two fire arms 
30-06 would be my first choice as it will cover just about all animals in Canada, ammo is generally available in all shapes and sizes in the most remote places, and it has proven to be an excellent caliber for hunting in North America and beyond.
Go to a shooting range and ask other shooters to let you try their rifles(most will gladly help you).
Good luck and have fun
30-06 would be my first choice as it will cover just about all animals in Canada, ammo is generally available in all shapes and sizes in the most remote places, and it has proven to be an excellent caliber for hunting in North America and beyond.
Go to a shooting range and ask other shooters to let you try their rifles(most will gladly help you).
Good luck and have fun
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Tikka t3 30-06 stainless. Enough for moose, ear, deer. Decent 3-9 for optic. If it's not for you, easy sell for 80%+ what you paid.
I'll second this. Handle as many brands as you can. I will add that the right scope is equally important.
Many have recommended going to a gun store and shouldering a few brands and see what you like. That's good. You do not need a magnum to hunt deer. Anything between 6.5 and 0.308 caliber is appropriate. This includes 6.5CM and 6.5x55, 270 win, 308 and 30-06. If you know hunters who own such cartridges you can kindly ask to shoot them and see what you like and/or tolerate. Again, you don't need magnum calibers for deer, more recoil, meat destruction and shorter barrel life.
Last edited:
I think 308 would be my first choice, 6.5 creed would me second… that is for availability!
Personally I could go 8x57, easy on the shoulder, you can load heavy bullets or lighter(170), my old sporterized mauser 98 is super accurate(moa or better) and it did awesome on this year moose!
Personally I could go 8x57, easy on the shoulder, you can load heavy bullets or lighter(170), my old sporterized mauser 98 is super accurate(moa or better) and it did awesome on this year moose!
I keep seeing M14 rifles (.308/7,62x51) being used by hunters on these Alaska the next generation and especially on life below zero. Cariboo, bears, moose, the rifle is showing up on many of these hunts. In fact in a recent episode last week or week before they took a big alaskan bull with the M14 and he dropped like a stone on the second shot after the first shot missed.
Point is..... .308 as a caliber choice is a pretty solid choice for a do all rifle with good bullet selection. Usually always some on the shelf at the gun shops too.
Point is..... .308 as a caliber choice is a pretty solid choice for a do all rifle with good bullet selection. Usually always some on the shelf at the gun shops too.
for what its worth, these days its hard to beat the 308 or 3006 for ammo selection off the shelf. you could try differnt flavours for deers and a different one for moose an elks etc- all on the same gun.
thats without reloading-- which shooting often an hunting lends itself to gettin into reloading but not needed with good common calibres.
the 308 is a little easier on the shoulder typically-
Long before CGN was the wonderful place that it is I started out with a Winchester 94-A/E, bought it from Dave @ Reliable Gun & Tackle on Fraser Street in Vancouver.
Second Rifle was a Remington 700 in .270 win.
There are countless reasons to buy what I bought and there will be countless reasons why I was off target in my aspirations .
Buy what you like and fits you and your pocket book.
Tight Groups and Good Hunting.
Rob
