Firearms recommedations...

[slyman]

I finally got my PAL and now I'm looking to buy firearms for hunting. I was thinking of a .410 shotgun for upland birds and a .243 rifle for game. Anyone have any comments or suggestions on good models of these calibers.
I'm told a .243 is good for anything up to small deer and I won't be chasing anything bigger. Has anyone here used a .243 for hunting? Savage sells a package with the rifle and a scope that looks like a good value.
All comments or suggestions welcomed.

[overthetop]

Unless you are very slight I personally would not recomend any shotgun but a .12 ga. It's the most common and ammo is plentiful and cheap with lots of choices. If you are a new hunter and shooter I would get your shotgun and put a few boxes of ammo through it so you are comfortable shooting it. Go buy a hand clay target thrower($6 or so) and some clay targets. This will help accuracy and not flinching.

As far as the 243, there is no arguing it is big enough to kill any game animal in north america with proper shot placement. The question is, do you want to walk around in bear country after you kill a deer, 20 min before dark, so by the time you gut it and pack it out it's 2 hours after dark, and now you are carrying meat and covered in blood? In the dark with a 243? I personally would reccomend a 30.06.

Lots of people hunt with these guns but in my personal opinion, bigger is better. More ethical too because you are going to have an easier kill. I myself have a WSM and a .12 ga chambered in 3 1/2 inch as my primary hunting weapons. I use an SKS for varmints and rabbits, or sometimes a .22 for grouse and rabbits.

[headdamage]

12ga would be a good choice for birds.

For four legged game I'd go bigger.... 6.5mm (260rem, 6.5x55, etc...), 7m (7mm-08, 280rem, etc...), 30cal (308win, 30-06, 300win, etc...). I use 6.5x55, 7.62x39, 308win, and 338win depending on what I'm hunting. When I suspect I could have bear trouble or I'm hunting moose I use the 338win.

[barracuda]

I would not even bother with a 410 . They are expensive to feed and you will lose alot of game or oppertunities , Invest your money in a 12 bore . They are cheap to feed (you can buy a brick at wally world for 20 bucks ) and cheap to buy . The recoil can is not bad at all and anyone that says that you destroy the animal with a 12 bore does not spend enough time with one.

what are you looking for in terms of game and rifle requirments. a 243 will take a deer and is very good for varmints. Once you start to look at animals that can absorb alot of lead you might want to go to a bigger diameter bullet.
you might want to look at the stevens rifles also (basically)a no frills savage . they shoot well and good value for the money (I have one in 223 that prints tight groups with almost any ammo)

some savage links
http://www.savagearms.com/
http://www.savageshooters.net/index.html
http://www.varminthunters.com/tech/savage110trigger.html


Here are a few links for suppliers

http://www.leverarms.com/
http://www.reliablegun.com/
http://www.italiansportinggoods.com/index.html



http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/main
http://www.sirmailorder.ca/index.php?PHPSESSID=923eb0354a0f4c510ba65d93aa481c 2b
http://www.russellsports.com/
http://www.marstar.ca/

[slyman]

I have shot a grouse with a 12 ga and there wasn't much left of it to cook!

I agree with your "bigger is better" theory but for the hunting I'm going to be doing (mostly small game, rabbits etc.) I was thinking a smaller caliber gun would be better. I'm not planning on doing any deer hunting in the near future and when I do I am able to borrow a larger caliber rifle.

[barracuda]

I have shot a grouse with a 12 ga and there wasn't much left of it to cook!

.

you dont have to hit it dead on and up close (which is when most people experiance the evaporating bird trick) A 12 bore is superior for wing shooting and long distance fly away . My wife shoots twelve bore (she is only 108 lbs) and it is her preferred shotgun bore. You can also get reduced load 12 bore rounds , It is more versatile and it can be tailord to your needs.

as for your rifle choice, I personally really like the 243 If you want to hunt varmint and deer you cant go wrong with the 243 .

[slyman]

Thanks for the links, Barracuda. Lots of great info!

Perhaps a 12ga is a better choice for game birds. I must admit the grouse was only 20 feet away when I blasted it, but I'm new to firearms (bowhunter) and the adrenaline got to me :redneck

[overthetop]

At 20 feet with a 12 it sounds like it has a tight choke if it blew it apart, you should be able to take just the head off. Or get a different choke.

[slyman]

Don't know, dude, not my gun.
I just pointed it and slapped the trigger, just like it says in the firearms manual.
And then, BOOM, feathers everywhere :cwm24:

[overthetop]

I have a remington automaster 870 with a camo kit. 3 shot semi auto, chambered for 2 3/4 inch. It's pretty old but shoots very well. I think I picked it up for $175 from a gun shop. Little recoil, it's my kid's gun now, I have a new mossberg 3 1/2 inch. Look for something like that for your first one.

[barracuda]

we have all been there :p


I have been hearing for decades how people always say that they only take the heads off of the grouse they shoot, but unless you have a rimfire and it is motionless i say it is mostly braggart BS . (yes you can top one with the shotgun but it has to be sitting still and you have to be sure of your choke & Pattern)

Duck hunters have never tried to just take off heads and they dont destroy the birds , (when was the last time you heard one say just take the head off ) a few pellets #6 pellets through the animal normally does the trick. (#6 works well for bunnies and birds)

[overthetop]

we have all been there :p


I have been hearing for decades how people always say that they only take the heads off of the grouse they shoot, but unless you have a rimfire and it is motionless i say it is mostly braggart BS . (yes you can top one with the shotgun but it has to be sitting still and you have to be sure of your choke & Pattern)

Duck hunters have never tried to just take off heads and they dont destroy the birds , (when was the last time you heard one say just take the head off ) a few pellets #6 pellets through the animal normally does the trick. (#6 works well for bunnies and birds)

Ducks fly. Grouse will sit there 6 feet away and look at you. Anyone who has spent any time with a 12 can take the head off with a full choke.

[barracuda]

Ducks fly. Grouse will sit there 6 feet away and look at you. Anyone who has spent any time with a 12 can take the head off with a full choke.


grouse do actually fly you know :laugh

later in ther season after all the trusting & careless ones have been removed they can even be down right skittish , I normally hunt over a spanial and flush them & rabbits also . I prefer modified choke for nearly all my upland hunting and an Improved Modified if it is real open .

[slyman]

I have a friend who has a Remington 870. Seems to be a popular shotgun and there are usually one or two on consignment at Wanstalls or Smoking Gun FX. I'll check it out. Thanks, overthetop.

[toynado]

Pump 12 and a 7mm or 30.06 and your set for pretty much anything

[overthetop]

[QUOTE=barracuda;671953]grouse do actually fly you know :laugh

later in ther season after all the trusting & careless ones have been removed they can even be down right skittish [QUOTE]

You do see lots that don't sit there too. Lots are pretty freakin stupid.

[westcoaster]

Don't know, dude, not my gun.
I just pointed it and slapped the trigger, just like it says in the firearms manual!
And then, BOOM, feathers everywhere :cwm24:


I laughed at this.

I shoot the grouse with a .22. No, I don't get as many as I would if I was blasting them with a 12ga but also, I'm not picking shot out of my meat.

Line up just behind the neck and across the top of the back. This leaves the breast meat intact.

The two rifles I mostly hunt with are 7mm rem mag and a .22 The 7mm is a little big for deer. It has no problem killing them but when you get to the animal and examine the entrance and exit on a small dear and don't notice a difference in size it is time to move to something a little smaller.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS_DM.asp
I am looking at this rifle in .243 as a deer gun

.243 ammo is plentiful and cheap. You will need to check on ammo availability and cost for whatever gun you decide to go with.

[overthetop]

It has no problem killing them but when you get to the animal and examine the entrance and exit on a small dear and don't notice a difference in size it is time to move to something a little smaller.


Huh?

[Kellykins]

or Smoking Gun FX.

That the one on Westwood? I tried looking for that place a few times, and maybe I need to switch to GPS, b/c I couldn't find it... He's in that strip with Beachcomber Hottub, right? Supposed to be the best gunsmith around.

[slyman]

That's the place.
They can be difficult to find. The store isn't well signed and doesn't announce its presence. The door is often locked and the staff buzz you in after they eyeball you up.

[Busheater]

.243 is a very fast, very accurate rifle, however any small change in conditions, ie warm air, wind, leave of a tree, can serious effect its trajectory. I only use mine for sheep hunting. Long range open shots....but if you are careful it can be very effective.

[foxtail-offroad]

I like shooting my 270 I've taken moose and deer with it and it's only taken one shot each time. Took a deer this year at almost 300yrds. The moose was a couple years ago 150yrds 1 shot. It's fast and accurate and has enough thud to be confident you'll put the animal down.

I also use a .410 for grouse and wouldn't go to anything else, I can take the head at up to 50yrds. I haven't had to pick any shot out of my meat yet and I usually get about 10 - 20 birds a season. now if you're going for duck or geese go 12 guage.

[overthetop]

I can take the head at up to 50yrds.

Hmmm....maybe you do not have an accurate image of 50 yards in your head. It's not happening with a 12 guage. Kill it, yes. Head off? Maybe to 25 yards at the most...Shots too spread out. I might believe 50 feet....if you were a really good shot......but that's even a stretch.

[foxtail-offroad]

I said .410 and thats with lead shot. and 50 yrds is max.

[overthetop]

Am I mistaken or is a 12 guage not bigger?

[slyman]

Yup...

[Coyote]

not a fan of the 410, prefer the 12, you can always use a light load in the 12.
For a light rifle my first choice would be a 7mm08 or possibly a 7.62x39 russian
If you look at the sir catalogue you will find a mossberg rifle for under $300
http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=429022&cat_id=10&subcat_id=30&PHPSESSID=a7117fdae97afc802336a1b41cc3deca
http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=429020&cat_id=10&subcat_id=30&PHPSESSID=a7117fdae97afc802336a1b41cc3deca
http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prodlist.php?category_id=10&subcat_id=30&PHPSESSID=a7117fdae97afc802336a1b41cc3deca

[Lone Ranger]

.243 is a very fast, very accurate rifle, however any small change in conditions, ie warm air, wind, leave of a tree, can serious effect its trajectory. I only use mine for sheep hunting. Long range open shots....but if you are careful it can be very effective.

I agree. The biggest advantage I can see with a .243 is that most of them are fairly compact (almost .22 size) and lightweight, which is good when hiking. I also prefer .22s when hunting grouse, you can pick them out of trees easier if they spook and fly (yes they do fly, but usually not for long distances). A 12 ga shouldn't destroy the bird. I have shot a couple point blank with mine (modified choke) and there were a few pellets but not many. The only one I ever had with a lot of pellets in it kept running. It took 3 shots to put it down (by the time I shot it once it wasn't fair to let it go) and it was a mess...

I would second the idea of a .30-06. Very common and a ton of ammo choices, plus depending on what grain of bullet you use you can set it up for most anything. They're probably one of the most versitile hunting rifles you could ever own IMO. My dad owns a BRNO .30-06 and its a beautiful gun, the nicest one we own but I do find that after a half dozen rounds or so if bruises my shoulder pretty good. My .303 Brit's a fair amount gentler and it'd take a deer just as easily at 200 yrds. It all boils down to a matter of personal preference and what works for YOU. LR

[foxtail-offroad]

Am I mistaken or is a 12 guage not bigger?

Thats why I prefer the .410 the spread of shot is way smaller with the same amount of punch behind it so you dont end up picking shot out of your meat. when you aim for the head you hit the head.

[slyman]

Some excellent points have been made so far, and I thank you all for your input.

I am still leaning towards the .243 because of the light weight, availability of different types of ammo, and power, but I would like to throw another option out here:
What do you all think of a .410/.22 over-under as an upland game bird rifle? That way one gets the best of both worlds: a .410 for birds and a .22 for small game.

Also...would a .30-06 be to much rifle for smaller game such as rabbits, or even grouse?

[barracuda]

Thats why I prefer the .410 the spread of shot is way smaller with the same amount of punch behind it so you dont end up picking shot out of your meat. when you aim for the head you hit the head.

thats not really how it works . think of shot pattern density ,choke,velocity etc there is tons of great information out there it just has to be read and utilized.

[barracuda]

Some excellent points have been made so far, and I thank you all for your input.

I am still leaning towards the .243 because of the light weight, availability of different types of ammo, and power, but I would like to throw another option out here:
What do you all think of a .410/.22 over-under as an upland game bird rifle? That way one gets the best of both worlds: a .410 for birds and a .22 for small game.

Also...would a .30-06 be to much rifle for smaller game such as rabbits, or even grouse?

I think you would be really happy with a 243. they buck wind well specially with heavier bullets and are a great varmint/deer rifle .

for small game a shotgun or a rimfire . a high velocity centerfire can really mess up small game and turn it into a jelly bag

here is some ballistics info
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/
http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/rifle.aspx

[foxtail-offroad]

thats not really how it works . think of shot pattern density ,choke,velocity etc there is tons of great information out there it just has to be read and utilized.

I know how it works. I'm just saying at 50 yrds with a 12 guage you pick a lot of shot out of whatever you are shooting. with the .410 I can hit the head without peppering the bird. I've used shotguns since I was about 5 years old so I know how they work. I have several shotguns and i prefer the .410 from first hand knowledge. you can use a 12 guage i'll stick with my .410 for grouse.

[tacodriver]

I finally got my PAL and now I'm looking to buy firearms for hunting. I was thinking of a .410 shotgun for upland birds and a .243 rifle for game. Anyone have any comments or suggestions on good models of these calibers.
I'm told a .243 is good for anything up to small deer and I won't be chasing anything bigger. Has anyone here used a .243 for hunting? Savage sells a package with the rifle and a scope that looks like a good value.
All comments or suggestions welcomed.

I was in the same boat as you about 10 years ago when looking for my first gun. I settled on a 30.06 as as it is good for med to large game, and there is a ton of ammo choices...I was told if you forgot your ammo, the local sell everything will have 2 boxes of ammo...303 brit. and 30.06. The 243. is a great gun, but if you are buyimg just one gun, I would reccomend the 30.06 as it would be far more versitile. Who knows, you may get a moose draw one day.

As for a bird/rabbit gun, just get a 12 gauge...with a little practice, you will only get a few pellets in the body on standing birds....and if shooting on the fly, the 12 gauge is the way to go...also good for shooting clays. Just my 2 cents...

Good luck.

[liv4campin]

The .243 is an excellant bullet, very fast & flat but not alot of punch for bigger game but also depends on how close you are. As for the game birds the .410 is perfect, you can buy #8 bird shot up to a slug. I used a 12 gauge & found that it worked well but messy as grouse are generally quite close when shooting (not that bright). Good luck.

[slyman]

Thanks for your input, tacodriver and liv4campin...
I spent some time talking to Chris at Italian Sporting Goods last week. He agreed that the .243 was a good choice for a small game/varmint gun. That caliber doesn't seem to be very common though. There aren't too many used .243 rifles out there. He suggested a .308 caliber. A bigger bullet for sure and more punch for deer but still a good varmint rifle. More common than a .243 too. If I find a good used rifle in that caliber I may pick it up.
I am still stuck on the .410 shotgun although there are HUNDREDS of 12 gauge shotguns for sale out there! 870's and Mossburgs and even a few old Simpson Sears models! Cheap too.
I don't plan on duck hunting: too cold and wet for my liking. A couple of grouse stealthily stalked and skillfully head-shot with a .410 is more my style. :D

[tacodriver]

Thanks for your input, tacodriver and liv4campin...
I spent some time talking to Chris at Italian Sporting Goods last week. He agreed that the .243 was a good choice for a small game/varmint gun. That caliber doesn't seem to be very common though. There aren't too many used .243 rifles out there. He suggested a .308 caliber. A bigger bullet for sure and more punch for deer but still a good varmint rifle. More common than a .243 too. If I find a good used rifle in that caliber I may pick it up.
I am still stuck on the .410 shotgun although there are HUNDREDS of 12 gauge shotguns for sale out there! 870's and Mossburgs and even a few old Simpson Sears models! Cheap too.
I don't plan on duck hunting: too cold and wet for my liking. A couple of grouse stealthily stalked and skillfully head-shot with a .410 is more my style. :D

That is good advice regarding the 308...the 30.06 still is more versatile, with more loads avaliable (does it show I am a 30.06 fan!!)

When I used to hunt grouse with my 12ga. 870, I preffered #4 shot and aimed above their heads...only got 2 or 3 pellets in them, and probably got company birds 20% of the time. My 870 also has a modified choke....also like you mentioned the 12ga. are the most economical. Good luck in your search !!!

[monzter]

I bought a couple new rifles last year, one was a Browning BLR 7mm WSM, I chose the special edition stainless/laminate for it's all weather construction. Great gun, I love the feel of a lever action, and the fact that it has a removable mag is great. It has great range, speed and knock down power. The 7mm short magnum is on the heavy side for deer (they sure drop fast) but the bullet is fairly small and doesn't do alot of damage to the meat, and I can use it for heavy game when I want to. A good all around rifle and caliber in my opinion. One draw back is that it is a fairly new caliber so cartrige availibility might be an issue, I bought lots when I bought the rifle.

For birds (like grouse,not ducks or geese [12ga. for them]) I bought a Ruger 10/22 in stainless synthetic. It's a great little semiauto rifle, it's the small block chevy of rimfires, there are a ton of aftermarket parts for these things, barrels, stocks and internal upgrades. As well, you can get magazines that hold up to 50 round, if you just want to do a bunch of plinking. You can go from heavy barreled target rifle, to light weight fold down backpacker special, to bullpup assult rifle lookalike. IMO it's the best rimfire around.

I personaly would go a little heavier than .243. You only want to hunt deer now, but later you might want to move up to elk or moose, then you'd need to get a new rifle. You can't go wrong with a .30-06 or .308, both tried and true calibers and you can find ammo for them anywhere.

[barracuda]

I agree with the 10 22 , dependable tons of aftermmarket stuff and resonable on price. as for the center fire choice i still say that the 243 is a great choice for Varmints and deer (specially with barnes bullets) 243 ammo is common (even wally world has it ) and the recoile is minimum .

the 308 will work for bigger game but it is not considered a varmint caliber. I would take a 30-06 over the 308 it's more common and cheaper to feed if that is you primary consideration . go see the folks at Reliable Tackle they will give you the straight goods and not try to sell you tyher store . or if you would like to try a few different types of firearms at a range let me know .

Personally my main go to gun is a 375 H&H good for everything under the sun and no it is not overkill . A big bullet travelling at moderate velocities does less damage then a high velocity bullet of a smaller velocity .


There is far to much myth and vodoo floating around and not enough intelligence and understanding when it comes to ballistics and bullet performance .

I think you would do well to wade though the crap and find the information out for yourself rather then listen to us :D

[wile_thang]

First of all since you just got your PAL, what is your experience with firearms. Have you shot rifles, shotguns before?
Make sure that you can comfortably handle the firearms that you get. It occasionally happens that people purchase a firearm to powerful for them to control effectively.;)

A .30-06 has about 20lbs.(depending on the load) of recoil energy, usually most people can comfortably handle that. A .243 (depending on the load) has about 10 lbs. Lots of good deer bullets available these days, find out what you rifle likes and feed it that.
Another thing is what is your budget? A savage costs less than a Sako for a reason. What are you comfortable paying?

When my daughter wanted to start deer hunting with us at age 14, I started her off with a .260 Rem that I already owned, not too much recoil to scare her off or establish any flinching problems, she has done well with it and is a confident shot. I took her to the range over the course of about a year, started with light loads and worked her up to full power hunting loads.
Joining a range ain't a bad idea and will help you hone your shooting skills and confidence. You might even meet some cool folks to go hunting with. Practice. Whatever you decide to get, practice, practice so that you can make a clean kill.

My usual hunting firearms and calibres these days (though I don't get out as often as I like anymore) are old Cooey .22(small game, grouse) Rem 870 in 12g. (waterfowl, upland), Sako 75 .300 WM(big game), Custom .375 H&H(exotics and such) and Marlin 1895 .45-70 (woods rifle)

Oh, yeah, don't forget to save money for all the other stuff that you need for hunting.


Cheers,

[slyman]

Well, I finally did it. :D

After much consultation and careful consideration I purchased a Ruger 10/22 in stainless/synthetic: http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1140&return=Y
In my opinion it is a perfect choice for a first firearm. It's accurate, reliable, inexpensive to feed (.22LR) and upgradable with tons of aftermarket parts. It is a good varmint gun and I can chase grouse with it too. It also will keep its value if I decide to sell it.

My plan is to use this rifle for a while and then purchase a shotgun (probably a 12 ga, they are cheap like borsch!) and a larger deer rifle (.30-06 most likely).

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it!

Now, off to the range on Sunday for a shakedown shoot and to sight in the scope.

Look-out varmints, slyman's packin'! :redneck

[Coalsmoke]

If you do lots of grouse and similar small to medium game birds, other than high flyers like ducks and geese, etc. you will enjoy a quality .410 very much. If you are going to be doing a bunch of hunting for birds on the wing, consider something larger. You might find that if you are not doing waterfowl, something a bit larger like a 20ga will be versatile for you. Still, if grouse and gophers are your game, a .410 makes short work of them, even a coyote if you're close enough ;) Normally, I just head shot with my .22, but its hard to get an accurate shot on the wing, so it does have its disadvantages. Never used an over under out in the field, but the idea does look enticing.

Personally, I just match my rifle to what I will be shooting. If its a fool hen or similar grouse that doesn't take to flight as often, then its the .22LR semi-auto, however if its something like Willows, which like to fly up, then its the 12ga or .410, depending on what else I might run into. As for shotguns, I personally am partial to pump or semi-autos, but be wary of cheap semi-autos, that's the last thing you want. Be prepared to spend over $1500 for a high quality semi-auto 12ga. that will last you for many years and not foul up after 50 rounds.

As for a general purpose medium game rifle, Savage among others makes great rifles, but if you can afford it, you should take a serious look at Marlin's new XLR 336. Unprecedented accuracy out of a medium barrelled 30/30 = a very versatile rifle that is fast enough to defend against a black bear if you do your part.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/xlr/336.aspx

Happy shooting with whatever you choose:)

[RoperAB]

I finally got my PAL and now I'm looking to buy firearms for hunting. I was thinking of a .410 shotgun for upland birds and a .243 rifle for game. Anyone have any comments or suggestions on good models of these calibers.
I'm told a .243 is good for anything up to small deer and I won't be chasing anything bigger. Has anyone here used a .243 for hunting? Savage sells a package with the rifle and a scope that looks like a good value.
All comments or suggestions welcomed.

I would recomend the biggest rifle that you can shoot accurately. Example if you dont reload or do a lot of shooting the best gun for you is going to be something smaller than what somebody who goes through a couple of thousand rounds a year target shooting.
So if your a couple of boxes a year type shooter then something between a 243 and a 30/06 would be a good choice. The 7mm/08 and 308 would give you a lot of bang for the relative little amount of recoil. Gun weight counts in all this to.
A bolt action 308 is hard to go wrong with. Ruger produces great guns for the buck. I would not skimp on the scope though. I really like Leapold.
When I was a kid my first shotgun was a 12 gauge just because the shells were cheap. I personally like the 22 rimfire for birds but im not sure if its legal.

[RoperAB]

Some excellent points have been made so far, and I thank you all for your input.

I am still leaning towards the .243 because of the light weight, availability of different types of ammo, and power, but I would like to throw another option out here:
What do you all think of a .410/.22 over-under as an upland game bird rifle? That way one gets the best of both worlds: a .410 for birds and a .22 for small game.

Also...would a .30-06 be to much rifle for smaller game such as rabbits, or even grouse?

One gun that is designed to do everything isnt going to do a great job at anything.
Maybe im old fashioned but to me a shotun is a double barrel or a single shot.
Bolt rifles rule but I do love single shots and lever guns although a bolt action out performs everything.
Another possible option although its probible illegal in BC is to get a bolt action 308 rifle. Get into handloading. Cast your own lead bullets and load them with reduced loads for small game. Its great practice for big game season.
My Ruger #1 in 30/06 with a 180 grain cast bullet behind 17 grains of SR4759 will shoot 3" 10 shot groups at 200 yards. Its deadly on coyottes, gophers, etc. and is a fun, cheap gun to shoot.

[RoperAB]

The Ruger 10/22 is a great gun. Good choice.
You should either learn how to strip it down yourself or get a gunsmith to do it for you and clean it out good after every 1000 rounds or so.
Im shooting winchester wildcat ammo through mine because its cheap but stuff does get gummed up after awhile.

Well, I finally did it. :D

After much consultation and careful consideration I purchased a Ruger 10/22 in stainless/synthetic: http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1140&return=Y
In my opinion it is a perfect choice for a first firearm. It's accurate, reliable, inexpensive to feed (.22LR) and upgradable with tons of aftermarket parts. It is a good varmint gun and I can chase grouse with it too. It also will keep its value if I decide to sell it.

My plan is to use this rifle for a while and then purchase a shotgun (probably a 12 ga, they are cheap like borsch!) and a larger deer rifle (.30-06 most likely).

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it!

Now, off to the range on Sunday for a shakedown shoot and to sight in the scope.

Look-out varmints, slyman's packin'! :redneck

[mtnman]

What does this mean?


"Another possible option although its probible illegal in BC is to get a bolt action 308 rifle."

[overthetop]

Why would a bolt action anything be illegal here?

[RoperAB]

Another possible option although its probible illegal in BC is to get a bolt action 308 rifle. Get into handloading. Cast your own lead bullets and load them with reduced loads for small game. Its great practice for big game season.
My Ruger #1 in 30/06 with a 180 grain cast bullet behind 17 grains of SR4759 will shoot 3" 10 shot groups at 200 yards. Its deadly on coyottes, gophers, etc. and is a fun, cheap gun to shoot.

It might be illegal to use a bolt action 308 on small game, example rabbits, when big game season is closed even if your shooting sub sonic lead bullets through it.
Example in Nova Scotia you can only carry a rifle bigger than 22 cal during big game season when you have a deer tag in you pocket.
Different provinces have different laws, most of them stupid. In Alberta I can carry any caliber rifle the year round and shoot it as much as I like regardless of the hunting seasons. Dont need no hunter orange either. or any other crap.
Example years ago in Nova Scotia me and my cousin on our own land was charged for hunting on sunday, hunting out of season, no plug in my gun, no hunters orange, resisting arrest plus a bunch of other crap that I cant even remember anymore<8 charges all together>! What were we doing???? We were shooting clay pigions<sheet> on my property! They knew darn well we were not hunting but the brown shirted, jack booted thugs apparently have an agenda to enforce all dumb laws without any common sense.
Im not anti police or anything like that. My Father was Chief of Police and on the force for 25 years at the time that the Fish & Game Nazis or Lands and Forest as they are known in NS. Its the only time I was ever charged for anything in my life.
Back east they hate guns and they enforce all dumb gun laws to the max. I would move to Afghanistan before I would live in eastern Canada again.
You know that happened over 20 years ago and it still makes me spitefull when I think about it.

[chopperhead]

Check out canadiangunnutz.com

biggest firearms forum in Canada. lots of good hunting info as well.


kyle.

[madhatter]

haha if u shoot a bird with a 12gage scatter gun and blow it up... ****ty, i shoot two diff 12's and kill and keep 80% of what i point at... aim hight take there heads off...

I shoot a 308 savage, and a 25-06 win for anything that walks on this here land we call canada....

my 308 knocks moos over with out too much trublem asl i hand load, so i know both the 25-06 and 308 are tack drivers