What firearm to buy/possess

[GameTaker]

Ok, so here goes. Not sure if this is the correct forum for asking this, but I'm sure I'll be told either way. So I was debating either going with a .300 WSM or a 30.06 for moose/deer. I live in Northern Ontario and want an all-purpose rifle. My second question is, I hunt deer from a treestand and don't really want to haul a heavy, scoped rifle into the bush and up a tree. I was also thinking of buying a 30.30 for the stand, in addition to either 300 WSM or 30.06. I mean really, a long shot from a treestand is pretty much unheard of, right? What would be considered a longshot out of a stand? 50 yards? Oh yeah, and I've been applying for a moose tag here for 17 years and still no luck! One day I will get a bull tag and I want to be prepared with the right package. Thanks!

 

[blargon]

.30-06 will serve you well, and a normal sporter weight isn't too heavy for a treestand.

 

[GameTaker]

I was thinking more along the lines where a 3-9 scope may not pick up a whitetail as it would be too close to view through the scope.

 

[JamesM]

Not if you leave the scope set on 3, I haven't had any issue yet.

 

[rookie wildcat]

Well, as of this past Monday, a long shot from my tree stand is 359yds with my .30-06. Just to the buck. He went another 20yds or so before piling up with no lungs.
Wife in same stand thinks 150yds is long. But she took her buck easily at that distance with a .243, he barely went 20yds with no lungs, no shoulders, pouring blood like a river.
Determine your range of view. Any rifle today can shoot to 300yds. If you have restricted view, take an appropriate rifle. If I knew, absolutely, positively that my longest shot in a given situation would be less than 200yds, and I was going for whitetail, then I would use my Rem 799 in X39mm, with a 150gn .311 Pro Huhunter loaded in it. If I think they are going to walk out in front of me, ALWAYS less than 50yds, then I use a 12ga. But if I have to make a shot out to 200 on a moose, then the .303. Anything over that calls for, in my case, a .308 or .30-06 with an appropriate bullet.

 

[Bigjake1907]

30-06 will serve all your needs, you can get a lighter grain bullet for white tail up to a larger grain bullet for bull moose. Also ammo is alot cheaper and easier to find in your neck of the woods then it would be to find 300 WSM.

 

[JamesM]

Not that you shouldn't also add the .30-30 to your options, I have a '06 and a .32 special and carry both depending on my mood more then anything. What ever your decision get what you want not what we internet experts insist you should have. You'll live happier and longer that way.

 

[david doyle]

I mean really, a long shot from a treestand is pretty much unheard of, right?

You can see alot further from a tree then you can on the ground. Tree stand gives you a rest and a stable position as well.

 

[dutchhunter]

i like the 270 for an alround gun you can get shells for yotes deer mosses and bear .DUTCH

 

[dannymat]

I'd only go with a .270 if you were stuck hunting in southern ontario, up north where you are I'd go with a .308, nothing wrong with the 30'06, I like like the .308 more

 

[Zner]

.30-06 is a great option. Personally I really like shooting my .303 P14 enfield

 

[Eagleye]

Buy an '06, and get it set up properly. It will do anything you need for the situations you describe. Eagleye.

 

[muckwa]

I'd only go with a .270 if you were stuck hunting in southern ontario, up north where you are I'd go with a .308, nothing wrong with the 30'06, I like like the .308 more

nothing wrong with the 270 up north. took many deer bear moose and elk with it just a well placed shot thats all.

 

[Dench]

how about 7mm

 

[KDX]

30-06 unless you are recoil shy.

 

[Ruffed Grouse]

There are places where a common moose strategy is to have stands in a bay on a shore line, for the very purpose of seeing a long way. But what really matters is where you want to put your stand. If you know some tight travel spots, maybe leading in and out of really dense bedding areas, it is quite possible that your typical deer stand setup will be a short range deal.

Also, if you are thinking that your stand setups will be short range, does that mean that they will be dark areas like hemlocks maybe? If so, you might really appreciate a good quality low power scope, even at pretty close ranges.

RG

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[pharaoh2]

A .30-06 in a bolt action rifle can be bought in many different weights from ultra-lite to target style rifles. Lighter rifles kick more. Find one you feel comfortable with weight wise and try it out but don't forget about the weight of the scope. A 3-9 will work fine unless the deer is up the tree next to you in the other seat. I use them and leave them at 5 power most of the time. You can still see enough high or low to let it do it's job well. Now the question is, what you wanna buy?