Must Have rifles/ Shotgun
- Thread starter lonewolf22
- Start date
Not sure if there is such a thing as a "must have". Where do you live ? What kind of terrain will you be hunting ? We can probably point you in some general directions but there are so many different hunting terrains and hunting styles (spot & stalk vs. long range etc, never mind gun preferences (stainless/blued, wood/synthetic, heavy bbl vs lightweight).
bluemike807
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
Remington 870 Express Magnum (2-3/4 & 3" shells). Depending on the ammunition used, has applications for every game animal in North America, and its a solid, time-tested design to boot.
I would have to agree. A good .22 in an action type that you like, a good pump shotgun that can be modified to suit the situation and a good .30 cal hunting rifle. After that you should buy a handgun - not that you need one, but every shooter should own at least one restricted gun just because the lieberals hate that. If you have any money left over, buy a CZ 858 because they are cheap to shoot and left wing lackies hate the looks of 'em.
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
12 gauge is a must, as is .22.
I love my .243 as a deer rifle and it destroys coyotes.
Look at what you intend to hunt or types of shooting that appeal and buy accordingly. I like to have a gun suited to every eventuality!
I love my .243 as a deer rifle and it destroys coyotes.
Look at what you intend to hunt or types of shooting that appeal and buy accordingly. I like to have a gun suited to every eventuality!
richarde270
Member
- Location
- Orangeville,Ontario
870/308
Have to agree with every comment made about a 12 gauge pump.I like the Remington 870 combo if you could never afford another gun you would be fine with this gun.They are bullet proof.I am in southern Ontario and with an 870 I could hunt any and all game within 1000 kms of my door.I would start with this one.Browning BPS with the tang safety and bottom eject is perfect for south paws aswell as rightys but the slug barrels can break the bank.
Play with some friends guns to get a feel for what you like if you have an oppertunity to do so.
Have to agree with every comment made about a 12 gauge pump.I like the Remington 870 combo if you could never afford another gun you would be fine with this gun.They are bullet proof.I am in southern Ontario and with an 870 I could hunt any and all game within 1000 kms of my door.I would start with this one.Browning BPS with the tang safety and bottom eject is perfect for south paws aswell as rightys but the slug barrels can break the bank.
Play with some friends guns to get a feel for what you like if you have an oppertunity to do so.
Yes. You definitely must have rifles and shotguns.
Hey - half the fun is the fact that there's so many different great choices out there to choose from
A good 22lr, a good shotgun and a good centerfire is the standard gear, but WHICH ones are really a matter of personal choice. As far as the centerfire rifle goes - what are you thinking of hunting?
I really only use my 12ga for waterfowl.
You can hunt anything on the continent with a 45-70 if you do your part as a shooter and learn well the trajectory. You can load #6 shot in a 45-90 cartridge, neck it down a touch so it fits the throat and hunt upland game birds and small game effectively using a 45-70 rifle. 243 is also a very versatile cartridge - an excellent choice for a hunter looking for one rifle to do everything. That said, old timers hunted brown bear with the 30-30, but I think balls were bigger back then.
First though, every hunter should own a .22 long rifle.
Lots of hunters these days are concerned with what rifle is appropriate for what game but in reality, I think a rifle you shoot well (fits well, comes up to your eye comfortably) is what's important. You should learn how to find the vitals of anything you hunt, learn the terrain and know where your firearm's POI is at any range you expect to hunt at. Action choice is not very imporant. You really only should need one shot. If you don't believe me, spend some more time at the range ;-) I never had anything except a single shot rifle until I turned 26 and it never hindered me in the slightest. A single shot rifle will teach you to wait for the shot.
If your hunting for pelts, than a 22-250 or .243 is a very good choice. The wide variety of commercially available ammunition makes either good for anything from rabbits up to deer as far as not destroying your hides.
You can hunt anything on the continent with a 45-70 if you do your part as a shooter and learn well the trajectory. You can load #6 shot in a 45-90 cartridge, neck it down a touch so it fits the throat and hunt upland game birds and small game effectively using a 45-70 rifle. 243 is also a very versatile cartridge - an excellent choice for a hunter looking for one rifle to do everything. That said, old timers hunted brown bear with the 30-30, but I think balls were bigger back then.
First though, every hunter should own a .22 long rifle.
Lots of hunters these days are concerned with what rifle is appropriate for what game but in reality, I think a rifle you shoot well (fits well, comes up to your eye comfortably) is what's important. You should learn how to find the vitals of anything you hunt, learn the terrain and know where your firearm's POI is at any range you expect to hunt at. Action choice is not very imporant. You really only should need one shot. If you don't believe me, spend some more time at the range ;-) I never had anything except a single shot rifle until I turned 26 and it never hindered me in the slightest. A single shot rifle will teach you to wait for the shot.
If your hunting for pelts, than a 22-250 or .243 is a very good choice. The wide variety of commercially available ammunition makes either good for anything from rabbits up to deer as far as not destroying your hides.
IMHO a 12ga single shot. Or if you have a little style, a 16 ga single shot. That is all. Everything can be shot with a 12 ga, and for all intents and purposes the 16 will do the same things with just a little more style.
Before you attack that is not all I have, but it is on what I consider the must have list.
Before you attack that is not all I have, but it is on what I consider the must have list.
1. 12 gauge Remington 870 pump (supermag if you want) Waterfowl,turkey, deer if you have to use a shotgun, and will work for Moose with limited range.
2. .308/30-06/.300winmag Centerfire rifle for Moose, or Deer if you can use one.
3. .22lr best would be a Ruger 10/22 used for Rabbit, grouse, practise and fun.
4. Whatever you want for maybe high volume shooting for practise and fun like a SKS (this one is optional, and not required because 3 guns is perfect)
2. .308/30-06/.300winmag Centerfire rifle for Moose, or Deer if you can use one.
3. .22lr best would be a Ruger 10/22 used for Rabbit, grouse, practise and fun.
4. Whatever you want for maybe high volume shooting for practise and fun like a SKS (this one is optional, and not required because 3 guns is perfect)
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
You are going to need a decent quality shotgun, 12 ga is probably your best all around choice for gauge due to availability of a wealth of differing loads for various game. A 12 gauge with the right load will kill anything on this continent. If you are going to be shooting beyond 100 yards at big game then you will need a centre-fire rifle from say .270 cal and up.Choice of firearm typ is up to each individual but just remember this if it made in China or Russia, it's probably best left on the shelf. Go for something you can get parts/service for if it ever becomes necessary like Remington, Browning,Winchester, Ruger, Savage etc. The best choices are the ones where if you picture yourself going on a trip and forgetting something like a clip or ammo, can I walk into a general or hardware store in the middle of nowhere and get the ammo I need or possibly a clip etc. There is always someone somewhere in small towns on these trips that carries 12ga., 270, 308 or 30-06 ammo. And in the larger towns Cdn tire will almost always have you covered. That to me was some of the best advice ever offered me and it has gone a long way.
