New Hunter Need Rifle Help

Euro said:
I read that all centerfire can be used on deer in Ontario.
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Yes, but not in all areas. Get a copy of the Ont. hunting regulations and read it thoroughly.

Find out what "WMU" you will be doing most of your deer hunting in. You might be in a "shotgun/ muzzleloader" only area.

For small game (coyote/ fox) you have to check the reg's again...certain counties in Southern Ont. do not allow centerfire rifles >.275.
Then there might even be Township exclusions which you have to be aware of.

If this is your 1st gun...don't overlook the versatility of a shotgun...it will do it all. Range may be limited, but it has the power to harvest anything in Ontario.

If you can use a rifle in your area, for deer...a .243 would do fine. ;)
 
I hunt deer with my 22-250, haven't had a deer go farther then 3 feet after I hit it, and it was straight down.

But I don't think that would be a caliber I'd recommend to anyone, if its what you want the use it, but it isn't versatile.

I would probably say a .270wsm, .270win, or a .25-06, it will do everything you need until you decide to go bigger or(and) smaller.
 
The 270Win is very popular in Ontario for a reason. It will do everything you want it to do and more. Works great on deer and moose. Ammo is every where, cheap and lots of variety. Unless you are a handloader, keep it simple.

Check out the Marlin XL7 in 270Win. They offer lots for a very reasonable price and pretty much any one who owns one reports great accuracy. They almost never come here on the EE, which tells me that whoever owns one, likes its. There have been more than a few threads here on CGN extolling the virtues of this rifle. You wont be disappointed.

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finstr said:
Euro, If your shopping for your first rifle take some friendly advice and stay away from all magnum calibers.- They will cause you to flinch and that will be tough to fix later. Someone mentioned a 25-06 and that's a great do-all caliber thats good for everything including moose in Ontario. The cal restriction is only in certain counties and the 25-06 fits nicely. I would recomend a Weatherby Vanguard or a Savage 110 over a Rem700 just because they are better value. A less expensive option would be a Stevens 200 (which is a Savage action anyway). :cheers:
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Or a 257 weatherby MAGNUM :D
 
I have been looking at different weapons. What are your thought on the Savage Edge (or axis? Guess it has a new name)


Thanks
 
SuperCub said:
The 270Win is very popular in Ontario for a reason. It will do everything you want it to do and more. Works great on deer and moose. Ammo is every where, cheap and lots of variety. Unless you are a handloader, keep it simple.

Check out the Marlin XL7 in 270Win. They offer lots for a very reasonable price and pretty much any one who owns one reports great accuracy. They almost never come here on the EE, which tells me that whoever owns one, likes its. There have been more than a few threads here on CGN extolling the virtues of this rifle. You wont be disappointed.

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Nice group SuperCub. I notice the photo is marked 30/06 with 180gr Hornady SP. :confused: Is that a typo or the wrong photo?
 
I live in Ontario and use a .308 for deer :eek:

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Only part of Ontario has a calibre restriction. The southern part (generally). Here is the required info

The holder of a small game licence may not use a rifle of
greater calibre than .275, except a flintlock or percussion
cap muzzle-loading gun, for hunting small game in
the counties of Brant, Elgin, Essex, Huron, Lambton,
Middlesex, Northumberland, Oxford, Perth and
Wellington and the regional municipalities of Chatham/
Kent, Durham, the former regional municipalities of
Haldimand-Norfolk and Hamilton-Wentworth, Halton,
Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York and the City of Toronto.

Concerning deer hunting, some of the southern units do not have a rifle season.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@fw/documents/document/239849.pdf

pg 7 of that link has the table with the required info. Without looking at a map, I'd hazard a guess that if you lived south of a line from barrie to ottawa you will not be in a WMU with a rifle season. Now if you can visualize Ontario, you will see that is a relatively small portion of the province. I live in Muskoka and can use whichever size firearm I want.
 
The SPS Tactical you have selected is intended to shoot people, not deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game. I would suggest a Savage in a 260 Remington given your identified game.
 
Ron AKA said:
The SPS Tactical you have selected is intended to shoot people, not deer, yokes, wolves, and some small game. I would suggest a Savage in a 260 Remington given your identified game.
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:facepalm:

Do you think the same thing about ARs?

And why would would you suggest something like the 260 remington as a first gun? I doubt hes a reloader, so he should definitely be looking at something with better ammo availability and selection.
 
Personally, with "deer and down" on the menu I'd reach for a .243 in a Savage or Marlin. It'll easily drop deer and smaller game and should be at least reasonably accurate.
 
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