Whats the biggest caliber legal for small game in Ontario?

jdemora

jdemora

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I am trying to understand some of these smaller calibers and am confused. I want a small game rifle that is legal for everything in Ontario . Is a 22-250 legal? is it smaller than a 223 or 243? Are they legal? I know it has to be no bigger than the .275 but I am not sure how the size is gauged. I know for certain that th 22 is legal but how do they all compare ? sorry for my ignorance. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
If you are small game hunting in a WMU that has an open big game rifle/shotgun season then you can only use a rifle chambered for the 22 long rifle cartridge, 22 long, or 22 short. If you only have a small game licence. After big game seasons close you can use whatever you want.

Caliber is the diameter of the bullet. So in certain counties you would have to use something smaller than a .275". The largest common caliber below .275" that is available is .264" so a rifle chambered to 6.5x55mm, 260 Remington etc, you would be legal everywhere in Ontario for hunting smallgame as long as big game seasons weren't open. It's confusing and doesn't make any logical sence but there it is.

Here's what I would recommend if you are only going to hunt small game. Use a shotgun loaded with something smaller than #2 lead shot or a rifle chambered for 22LR during the fall when most big game seasons are open. After big game seasons close (usally all are closed by mid Dec) use something like a .223, 22-250, or 243 for coyotes, fox's and woodchucks.

I hope this helps. ZM
 
Actually, the regs state "275 CALIBER", which is not the same as bullet diameter. A 270 CALIBER bullet measures 0.277" in diameter (25cal= 0.257"dia, 30cal=0.308"dia, etc). In those counties that have the caliber restrictions everything up to and including a 270 is legal for small game.
 
Working Man

The regs state .275, notice the decimal in front. Therefore a 270 Win cartridge has a bullet that is bigger than 0.275" so it would be illegal to use in those counties with caliber restrictions.

That is why I said something in 0.264" is the largest common caliber that could be used.

So a 6.5BR, 6.5x50mm, 6.5 Carcano, 260 Remington, 6.5x55, 6.5-06, 6.5-284, 264 Winchester Magnum, or a 6.5 Remington Magnum which are all the same caliber but different cartridges could all be used for small game hunting in those restricted area's.

You would be breaking the law if you used a 270 Winchester.

ZM
 
Guys, there has been a lot of debate back and forth about if .270 is legal or not. My undertanding is that the while the groove diameter is .277, the bore diameter is small enough to stay legal.

Is anyone aware of a successful conviction of someone using a .270???
 
19 years ago when I worked at a Kitchener Ontario gunshop, the MNR stated to us that calibre meant rifle "bore" diameter. Everthing up to 270 Winchester/Weatherby was/is allowed in southern Ontario for small game under normal hunting, not including other in-season game. No 7mm's were/are allowed. Why they can't just stat that in the regulations is beyond me.:confused:
 
ZM your misunderstanding the reg because your thinking that bullet diameter = caliber and that is not true. As 600Rem Guy stated, caliber is the diameter of the bore measured from land to land, bullet diameter is the same (or at least close) to the bore diameter measured groove to groove. That is why I capitalized the word caliber in my first post, to bring your attention to the difference. The 270win (and 270wsm and 270 Weatherby) get their name because they use 270 caliber bullets.
 
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Your right about the definition of caliber. However I bet different CO's interpret this law diferently. It is pretty confusing. I really don't get this law in the first place. Why can I shoot woodchucks with my 243 but not my 30-30?
 
I was told once that the reason for the calibre limit in southern Ontario was because when the 2nd world war ended alot of the 30 calibre rifles were brought back and may be used for hunting in a highly populated area of southern Ontario?????? This was before my time.
 
tracker said:
I was told once that the reason for the calibre limit in southern Ontario was because when the 2nd world war ended alot of the 30 calibre rifles were brought back and may be used for hunting in a highly populated area of southern Ontario?????? This was before my time.
Click to expand...

Yes tracker, you're close. It was set well below 30 cal to keep hardpoint military bullets from passing thru groundhogs then thru cows, barns, lite tractor metal and the like.
 
In Ontario in the southern counties where .275 is the limit for small game... the legal definition is defined by a measurment in the bore from land to land... ...not groove to groove and the bullet has nothing to do with it! This is why the .270 has always been legal in these areas and there is no controversy or need to fear a charge by any CO or LEO... except on the internet among the Experts :rolleyes:
 
x-3 I called the local Kingston office today and they informed me that the 270 was perfectly legal for small game hunting !!!!!!! Thanks guys I think I have my sights set on a new 270 to double as a varmint and deer gun ! SWEET !!!!!
 
I'm a big fan of the 110 grain V-Max in the .270 with 4350 or RL19. Very good load for coyotes providing you are not picky about how the hide looks afteward.:D
 
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