What guns should I get?

Brushy

Brushy

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Hi!
I just got my FAC. Now I need some guns.

I need something to defend myself against grizzlies.
I need something to hunt game birds with.
I need something to hunt larger game with.

Don't get too carried away, I'm a girl, so I don't really want something that's going to leave me sitting on the ground after I shoot it !! ;)

Thanks everyone!
 
Buy lots! Lot's & lot's & lot's! Shotguns, rifles and handguns. You'll need at least a .22, couple shotguns and several big game rifles in different action types and a couple pistols for $hits & giggles. Just buy lot's as there's no such thing as too many...KF
 
Hi Brushy, welcome to the site. How much shooting experience do you have? Do you reload? I would suggest a Browning BLR in .358 Win or .308 Win for the big game. They are handy, well built and can effectively dispatch large critters. If you handload, or are open to trying it, then I'd take the .358 Win, if not, the .308 can be loaded up with good premium factory ammo. Either of these will kill a grizzly, so long as you do your part. A nice .22 will also help improve your skills by providing cheap practice. Perhaps a Browning BL22 so that you get used to cycling a lever action. This would also be suitable for small game and grouse. Finally a shotgun would round out your firearms needs. A Remington 870 can be had for reasonable money and as money permits you can get fairly inexpensive extra barrels. This way you can put a longer barrel on for ducks and geese, and something more handy for wing shooting grouse. There are also short tactical and slug barrels available.

One thing that you should do is go and shoulder some firearms and see if they fit you well. Save some of your budget for a good scope on your big game rifle, and for a good set of binoculars.
 
To be honest, I have zero shooting experience.

I need a gun to defend myself against grizzlies because I do field work right next to a denning site. That's why I got my FAC in the first place. But now I'm really pumped about learning how, and shooting, and hunting...

Sorry if my ignorance is irritating.. just trying to learn!! :)

When you write things like, Rem 870, what gauge do you mean? Am I supposed to know this?

thanks guys :):)
 
If you work near a den site a can of bear spray may be the best choice (along with common sense and caution). We have had many "bear defence" threads on this forum, and they generally end up silly, cynical, funny, stupid and so on.
For the shotgun, a 12 guage is what most people will suggest. There is cheap, light ammo to practice with, and heavy hitting slugs on the other end of the scale.
I think the BL22 and a BLR would serve you well. Since you are inexperiend and do not reload, a .308 would serve you well. Practice as often as you can with them. You can buy a brick (500 rounds) of .22LR for about $15 + tax, and a box of .308 Win can be had for under $20. Weaver makes a good fixed 4x scope called the K4. It would work well on the BLR.
 
Now you need to get your CORE completed so you can get a hunting license, Brushy. For some hands on, join your local Rod & Gun club. You'll find many folks willing to mentor a budding hunting & shooting enthusiast. And check out huntshoot.com also. Lot's of us looneys over there, too...KF
 
I'm going to do my CORE asap.

Joining the Rod & Gun club is a great idea, thanks !!

I was told that a .270 would be a good gun for me, because it's small, but offers more power than others. True?
 
A .270 isn't really small. It's a .30-06 case necked down to accept .277" diameter projectiles. It could very well be a good starting cartridge if the chosen rifle fits you well. Perhaps a 7mm-08 in a short action, lighter weight rifle may be more comfortable to you. Like I mentioned, the fellow hunters & shooters at your local gun club can really assist you...KF
 
BC Bigbore said:
Now Christian, quit touting the merits of the .308Win. We all know that Brushy needs a .338 Magnum minimum as anything smaller is for experts only (wink)...KF
Click to expand...

Listen here...I would NEVER recommend the .338 WM, as it would be completely irresponsible of me. Everyone knows that it is nothing more than a .375 H&H wannabe!:p

The .270 is also a good choice, but I'd still go with the .308 Win. The killing power between the two is very similar. The .308 can be had in a smaller, lighter package and the game won't know the difference. There is also cheaper (not by much) .308 ammo available. For hunting, a 165gr or 180gr Partition will do just fine on everything including Elk and Moose.
 
For defence you won't shoot far. Inside of 20 paces, a 12 ga shotgun (pump action or double barrel) with 20-26" short barrel and 00 buckshot is probably the best bear gun & load. At twice that distance, buckshot is almost useless! The 12ga with open choke and 1 oz or 7/8 oz target loads of #7 1/2 shot is great for forest grouse, and you could even use that short barrel with steel shot for ducks in a pinch.
I agree with the .308 as a great all-around rifle caliber for smaller / new shooters. Both my sons shoot 7mm-08 in remington bolt actions, they are very happy with them too. check out the "youth" models - they fit smaller framed shooters better. What ever you do don't try to strech yourself to fit a gun that is too big for you, and practice a lot on targets. A .22 is great for learning all the fundamentals of rifle shooting, especially if you get one similar to your big game rifle.
 
As usual, you are right on the money about the .308 Win, Mr. 1899. Except, of course, your predolection for advising anyone in the use of the antiquated .375 Holland & Holland when vastly superior cartridges of .338" bore are available (wink)...KF
 
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Welcome to the board Brushy.

For what you've mentioned, specifically grizzly defence while working, many, many here will suggest what's already been mentioned: a Remington 870 Express, which is a 12 guage shotgun. It is an easy to use, reasonably light and super reliable firearm. Express just refers to the less expensive model of 870, vs. some of the fancier ones.

For bear defence, you should carry this loaded with slugs.

Being a shotgun, you can also hunt all manner of birds with it, as well as big game, although in most cases a proper rifle will be more versatile for the latter.

As far as the rifle goes, there are good package deals out there by makers like Savage and others, HOWEVER...

There are lots of good deals to be had for both arms, right here on CGN in the Exchange forums.

As for caliber, 270 is very popular, but this topic will bring about thirty seven million opinions out as to what is best.

I'll put my 2 cents in and recommend 30/06.

Whatever you decide, you'll find that shooting is lots of fun, and lots of practice is what you need for the guns you choose to serve you well.

Best of luck, and good shooting!
 
Welcome Brushy!:)
First one I would urge you to buy is a Rem 870 express with two barrels,1 20 inch with rifle sights for bears the other a 28 in for your game birds.12 guage is reasonably cheap to shoot allowing lots of practice.
Next, for big game try some different actions out, see what you like,most will go for a bolt but a Browning BLR lever is good too.
For calibre, I think you are on the right track with the 270 and cartidges of that power level.If you are not an overly tall woman you may want to look at a Remington model 7 in 7-08 or .308.
Hope this helps some.
 
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Hi again Brushy,

After reading true north's post just now, he makes a good point about having 2 barrels for the shotgun... simply because a shorter barrel is much handier to carry while working in the bush.

Also, don't let a lot of recoil talk scare you off.

See if you can get out shooting with someone to try a few if possible. It'll give you a real idea of what you like.

I'm sure there are some CGN members in PG who would get you out... it's kind of a mission around here to get new shooters out and shooting with the right advice to start out with...
 
BC Bigbore said:
Except, of course, your predilection for advising anyone in the use of the antiquated .375 Holland & Holland when vastly superior cartridges of .338" bore are available (wink)...KF
Click to expand...

LOL...you are actually right. The Holland & Holland is an old fart. Best that everyone sends me their .375's and I will make sure they have a happy retirement.:D

I was just on federal's web site and they have a high energy .308 Win load. It spits out a 180gr Partition at a claimed 2740fps. I haven't bought factory ammo in a long time, so I wasn't aware that these loads were available. That load would be suitable for just about anything at any sane range.
 
a 12ga pump action shotgun of your choice. this will cover game birds, and if bought as a package with a slugbarrel, you bear thumper as well (Take a hard look at the Rem 870 combos)

a Bolt action, scoped rifle in 7mm-08 or .308win is MORE then enough for bear, moose, deer, etc. will be cheap to shoot and easy on your shoulder.

welcome to the wonderful world of firearms (and empty bank accounts :( )
 
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