New to hunting

Mindstar

Mindstar

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Hi everyone...

Yes, this is another what rifle should I consider thread. I get that these can be tiring to long time experienced members, but I really appreciate any help.

Both my wife and I will be hunting next year, she for deer, me for moose and deer. Eventually, I'd like to take a black bear as well. This isn't a 'one rifle to rule them all' post; I've been into enough hobbies to realize you can never have just one of anything awesome. What it is, though is a where should we start to maximize options...

So, me: deer, moose, and maybe a bear. I'm right handed but shoot left, so I'm thinking a semi-auto...where we're hunting will be pretty brush dense; the guys at the camp say the average shot is between 50-75yards (most guys have limited to no optics mounted) It's rolling terrain in Ontario, no mountains or anything...I'm youngish and reasonably fit (6", 225lbs) so weight isn't a huge issue.

My wife is small, but strong though she does have some back issues. Recoil might be an issue, she'd be hunting in the same area as I am. She is right handed and shoots right (lucky) and doesn't really have a preference for a specific action yet. She'd likely begin with deer, maybe bigger game eventually.


So my initial thoughts we're a Bar 30-06 for me and a smaller calibre for her (.243?)...but a buddy was recently trying to convince me that we needed a .300 win mag for me and a 30-06 for her...thoughts? I'm looking for calibre and rifle recommendations...

Cheers.
 
Your caliber selections for both cases are excellent in my opinion..... If you shoot left you may have trouble finding a left handed BAR though.... For both cases I would suggest a nice bolt action like a ruger M77... available in left hand for you and available in compact form for your wife...... Both will be rifles you will want to keep forever....
 
There are many options that will work, first off don't listian to your buddy, you don't need a magnum anything, and 3006 is likely more than most beginning shooters can handle well, esp if they are slightly built.
For your self, a non magnum bar, single shot, ie ruger #1, or lever action or perhaps a pump action, .270, 7mm mag. 3030, 308 3006 class. as was said above be care full if you get a semi that you arn't ejecting across your face, personally I am quite fond of the ruger single shot.
You should try and handle a left handed bolt action this might work well for you too.
Your wife is small you say, so I would look at a bolt action in a smaller cal, .243, 260, 257 robberts, 2506, 6.5x55, 708, 7x57. In something like a model seven or browning micro, I had a small girlfriend, many years ago and she struggled with the weight and size of my .270. Another option might be a lever 3030,
By the sound most shots wont be too far, so no need for any heavy hard kicking magnum rifles. Bullet placement and the correct pojectial for the task are far more important that either speed or power.
I used to be a deer culler/ meat hunter, in New Zealand, my rifle of choice then was a .222, never lost an deer, shot hundreds, but passed up lots,
 
depending where you are hunting in Ontario for deer their is a caliber restriction if memory serves me right nothing larger than 275 caliber south of 89 HWY check regs to be sure I have 2 bar's 270 and 300wm if I was to buy another gun would be a bolt
 
evansd said:
depending where you are hunting in Ontario for deer their is a caliber restriction if memory serves me right nothing larger than 275 caliber south of 89 HWY check regs to be sure I have 2 bar's 270 and 300wm if I was to buy another gun would be a bolt
Click to expand...

That restriction is only for a few counties and applies only to using a rifle to hunt small game.....
 
I would say 30-06 for you and 7-08, 260, 243 for her.
30-06 will cleanly kill a moose with power to spare. If you want a semi auto, Browning is the way to go and they are available in left hand. If not get yourself a good left hand bolt action like a Browning X-Bolt.
I think a Browning X-Bolt Micro in 7-08 would be the gun for her. The reason I would pick the 7-08 is if she wanted to hunt moose in the future the 7-08 will have a little edge over the 260 and 243 with not much more recoil.

Sorry for sounding like a Browning rep, lol, but I have a cabinet full of Brownings and I love them all.
 
For her, you might want to consider a light but capable round like the 30-30 with leverevolution ammo. A Marlin 336 is a good choice and can easily be scoped, if desired.

Provided the action is a decent and smooth one, most women can cycle it without difficulty. I would recommend an older one from the 1970s or earlier. It will be cheaper, smoother and easier to cycle than one that isn't broken in yet.
 
You have had some good advice (less the magnum idea). It might be a good idea to try out some of the mentioned calibers and actions before you buy to see what fits the both of you.
 
Shooting left and right handed sounds like you might enjoy a BLR, excellent rifle for the range you are specifying, .308 or .30-06 would be plenty. Choose the right cartridge for the game you are after, thin skinned for deer and bear, thick skinned for moose.

.243 or 7MM-08 for the lady. Would be wise to get some range time with various calibers before you decide on caliber. Some shooting clubs offer demos at times. A friend with an "arsenal" of rifles would be handy too :) shoot what you are comfortable with - recoil wise. Usually don't notice the recoil in a hunting situations, but firing 30 or 40 rounds at the range can take its toll with a heavy caliber.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm going to see if I can figure out a way to shoot some different rifles and see what feels best. Leaning towards the 30-06 for me; she wants to shoot everything and see how they feel :)
 
southernman said:
There are many options that will work, first off don't listian to your buddy, you don't need a magnum anything, and 3006 is likely more than most beginning shooters can handle well, esp if they are slightly built.
For your self, a non magnum bar, single shot, ie ruger #1, or lever action or perhaps a pump action, .270, 7mm mag. 3030, 308 3006 class. as was said above be care full if you get a semi that you arn't ejecting across your face, personally I am quite fond of the ruger single shot.
You should try and handle a left handed bolt action this might work well for you too.
Your wife is small you say, so I would look at a bolt action in a smaller cal, .243, 260, 257 robberts, 2506, 6.5x55, 708, 7x57. In something like a model seven or browning micro, I had a small girlfriend, many years ago and she struggled with the weight and size of my .270. Another option might be a lever 3030,
By the sound most shots wont be too far, so no need for any heavy hard kicking magnum rifles. Bullet placement and the correct pojectial for the task are far more important that either speed or power.
I used to be a deer culler/ meat hunter, in New Zealand, my rifle of choice then was a .222, never lost an deer, shot hundreds, but passed up lots,
Click to expand...

^^^ this

...best friend hunted elk with a rancher and his wife for 20 years ...she used a weatherby vanguard in .243 win and barnes bullets ...picked her shots ...never lost an animal

Mindstar said:
Thanks everyone. I'm going to see if I can figure out a way to shoot some different rifles and see what feels best. Leaning towards the 30-06 for me; she wants to shoot everything and see how they feel :)
Click to expand...

..sound wisdom

(...my daughter shoots a .308 ...i hand load for her ...120 grain ...it was just the gun that came along at the right time and right price ...she says if she gets more used to it i can always increase bullet size)
 
For the wife I would consider the Savage Lady hunter or Browning Micro Midas. in 308 or 7mm-08. The most important factor for her will be that the rifle fits and the LOP is correct. I got a youth Axis for my wife in 7mm-08 and mounted a scope with long eye relief. It fits her well and she shoots is quite well. If you purchase a 308 you can always purchase low recoil ammo or get a buddy to hand load.
 
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