Need Some Help...

S

slater552

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Kingston, On Area
I new to this site, and hunting as well. I'm looking for an all around deer gun, and was told to look here but I don't know where to look.

I've had lots of advice but think I've decided on something like a....

-Remington Model 7600 Pump Rifle
-Marlin Model 336C .30-30 Lever Action Rifle
-Browning BLR takedown
- OR and old Remington 760 Pump

I don't like the Bolts or the Semi's.

Any advice on where to find a good used Rifle that won't break the bank.
 
I'd suggest looking in the Equipment Exchange right on this site. You have to go to your "user cp", "group membership", then join the EE group. I'd recommend something other than the 30-30 though, its more of a short range deer gun( I wouldn't shoot past 150yds with it) than an all around deer gun.
 
For someone who doesn't want to use a bolt action or semi-auto, whatever your reasons are, that list is good. Unless you know you are only going to hunt at short-range, Ormachek's comment on the .30-30 should move that Marlin to the bottom of your list. The BLR can be found in more versatile calibres, e.g. .308, so you don't have to rule out lever actions, and the Remington 76* series of pump actions are certainly accurate enough hunting guns and more reliable than their semi-auto models. People who are familiar with them say they can work the action for a follow up shot as fast as they could get a semi-auto back on target from the recoil.

Get in to the EE and get shopping.
 
Welcome to the site. One question first, are you new to shooting as well, or only hunting? If you are new to it all, try to get out to your local range and see if you can try out a few types of actions and rifles to see what you are comfortable with. If oyu are certain of your list, then go to a gun shop or two and handle a few of them to see how they fit you. As mentioned, shopping in the EE is often a better option than a shop and you can find some decent deals. Do your research on the models you are looking for, know your prices and enjoy.

Mark
 
Make sure you try each one on for fit. I own a .30-06 Rem 76 sportsman (plain version of the 7600-no checkering,no engraving.) Anyhow, it is not a comfortable gun for me to shoot as my natural support hand position places it on the magazine, not on wood. And I found it to be a bit clanky loud when cycled in the woods. Made me want to walk with one in the chamber which I don't do. Just saying, I liked the fit of my Marlin 30as and sold it to buy a gun which I traded for a Marlin 444. Just make sure the gun is comfortable to shoot. My 76 is a great shooter though, just as accurate as any of my rifles at the range.
 
No one here can give you a responsible answer, as we don't know where you are/what type of hunting you are doing.

For instance, here in the thick Boreal of Ontario, my advice would be to look at an iron sighted Marlin 1894 in .44 mag, or in the 336 in 32 winchester, etc.

However: If you are a muley hunter out west, a 44 or 32 are going to be useless....there I would suggest a scoped Browning in 7/08 or .308

Can you give more info?

WW
 
I've shot .223 Semi's and Remington 870 and that's about it.
I'm fairly comfortable with the 870 that's what steered me to the 7600. I've been warned to stay away from a Semi as a new shooter, and I've handled a friends BLR takedown and was pretty comfortable working the action, allot more so than any Bolt I've tried.

As for hunting probably will be mostly in the bush, maybe in a stand, southern Ontario.
 
My personal choice of the ones you have listed, would be either the BLR in 308/7-08 the 7600 in 308,270,30-06, or my newest edition to my safe 7600 in 35 Whelen. Both guns are accurate and dependable but with you being familiar with the 870 the switch to the 7600 might be more natural. All the suggestions given are excellent ones, but go to a gun shop and handle the ones you like and see what is the best fit for you. Good Luck.
 
As for hunting probably will be mostly in the bush, maybe in a stand, southern Ontario.
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Check and see if there are any caliber restrictions in your hunting area? Some places in Southern Ontario do not allow 30 caliber, (I think)?

I started with a 760 pump myself, but soon got a yearning for a bolt gun, a lever gun, and a semi auto gun. I have some of each now, but usually choose a bolt gun for hunting game.
 
slater552 said:
I've shot .223 Semi's and Remington 870 and that's about it.
I'm fairly comfortable with the 870 that's what steered me to the 7600. I've been warned to stay away from a Semi as a new shooter, and I've handled a friends BLR takedown and was pretty comfortable working the action, allot more so than any Bolt I've tried.

As for hunting probably will be mostly in the bush, maybe in a stand, southern Ontario.
Click to expand...

Check your calibre restrictions for the area you plan to hunt. I'm fairly sure that you cannot hunt with a 30 calibre south of Perry Sound area. Others nore in the know can tell you for sure. Hunting in southern ontario is out with a 30-30, unless you go to a black powder rifle or shotgun. Smaller than .30 cal is ok. Can only hunt with .30 and above in central to Northern Ont.
Saying that a .270, .260, .243, .223 would be ok for use in Southern Ont. Never could figure that out though. I think they are more powerful than the .30-.30. Not sure I would want to use the .223 on a deer though.
 
Elliott,
Maybe you already knew, but the calibre restriction that takes in part of Southern Ontario is for SMALL GAME hunting. In those places where it is in effect, one cannot use a centrefire rifle to hunt deer; blackpowder, shotgun or archery only.

I wouldn't take the .30-30 off the list. It's a good 200-yard deer gun, especially with Leverevolution ammo. I've had two 336 rifles, and both would shoot 1.5 MOA easily. Put on a 1 to 4X scope and you're in business. The other choices are also good.

I used iron sights for years, but once I tried a low-power scope I really liked it. They line up as fast or faster than irons, even a peep, and they are easier to shoot well with.
 
I live in southern Ontario as well. First thing you'll need to check is if you are going to be hunting in areas that have a rifle season for deer. In my municipality it is shotgun, muzzle loader and bow only (which is ridiculous, because I can use my .270 for coyotes in the same area!). Southern Ontario has a lot of hard and softwood bush, but there is lots of oppurtunities for long shots across farm fields, ravines etc.. If you are dead set against bolt actions than you will have fewer commercial options. If you're going to be sticking to just hunting whitetails is S.Ont., than I would go with something in the .270, 7mm category, with a good quality scope in the 2x7- 3x9 range. It would be a shame to have to pass up a big bodied, 10 pointer who's sneaking along a fence row at 300 yrds, because you've limited yourself to a 30-30.
 
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