OK so my cousin, buddy and I lately over the last few days were talking about taking hunting up but we dont know anything really rifle wise, so my question to those who hunt is what are things to look at while purchasing a new/used rifle, were do i find them online ? whats the best type of ammo for deer and duck?
any and all tips would be great
You have so much research to do.
PAL
Hunters ED.
Oh i know i have to take a course and get my licence and tickets and such im more interested in cost and types of rifles what to look for and such like that
but thanks for the link it will help me out to
What are you hunting? Duck and deer? Two different types of firearms are needed for that 
shotgun and rifle…although you could buy 2 different barrels for the shotgun and use slugs to kill deer. Thats what I do.
I’d advise going to gun shows for pricing and types of firearms. Theres several different types of actions and layouts. Semi-autos, bolt actions, pump actions, lever actions and single shots to name a few.
Most hunt deer with a type of bolt action gun or lever action gun. Seem to be most popular.
Many different types of ammo/calibers available that can handle deer. Depending on the range and environment. Long range open plains kinda stuff will want a higher velocity flatter shooting gun capable of longer ranges. Typically .270-.30 calibers. Shorter range thicker woods stuff can use that same ammo but you could also try shorter velocity bigger bullet guns which seem to be less prone to deflect on brush/sticks/etc. Can be found in lever guns alot of the time, larger bullet .30 cals up to .45+ caliber guns. Also if the range is short you can try lighter caliber guns like .243/6mm calibers, 25 calibers etc.
Just about any of those can be used to kill a deer at all realistic hunting ranges in the hands of a good marksman.
One of the most popular rounds is the 30-06 springfield. Another is the .308 winchester which is just a shorter length version. Those two are good for deer in just about any situaton you will find yourself in.
What do you want to hunt?
You’ll have to check the regulations but in SWO you cannot rifle hunt anyways… just muzzleloader and shotgun slugs (big game, basically, deer). Personally, I think migratory bird is the best… shotgun, ducks/geese. Super exhilerating to call in a flock of geese and get them to land right in front of your blind. BANG.
Heres another thing to consider. Do you morally have an issue with killing things? The first duck I shot down, I only broke its wing. We had to go into the forest to where it landed, but it was still flapping around. We tried to ring it’s neck… but it took a solid 5 minutes before it died. I learned that day that you need to whip out the knife and sever its spinal cord. But, that first 5 minutes was brutal and it will make your stomach turn.
If you’re looking into hunting for the sake of having guns with your friends… I’d seriously consider joining a gun club and taking up trap/skeet. Way more bang, way more fun (if you’re only interested in the gun aspect). I enjoy hunting for the nature aspect, and bro-ing out with bros.
I’ve been out ~10 times this year and only ever had geese fly over 3 times. So, if you don’t enjoy waiting around for geese to enter your audible range, then think again. OR if you dont like to sit in a treestand for half a day waiting for monster buck to come around… same deal.
Also - consider the investment. www.ellwoodepps.com (Orillia) sells thousands of guns each year, with a tonne of used inventory moving through. Ammo for target rifles (anything bigger than .22) is fucking expensive. You can reload your own but thats a small fortune of an investment on its own. Then add on camo, tags, etc. It adds up. Check out www.bassproshop.com too, they have a GIANT store in Vaughn - definately go check it out.
Heres another thing to consider. Do you morally have an issue with killing things? The first duck I shot down, I only broke its wing. We had to go into the forest to where it landed, but it was still flapping around. We tried to ring it’s neck… but it took a solid 5 minutes before it died. I learned that day that you need to whip out the knife and sever its spinal cord. But, that first 5 minutes was brutal and it will make your stomach turn.
True. This always happens in hunting. I dont mean to say it happens everytime you shoot something, but at some point in your hunting career you may have to do something like this, or worse. Its a shame to wound an animal and have to finish it off in some manner. Even worse yet to lose a wounded animal…but it happens.
If you are shotgun only I can help you on that since thats primarily what I use. A good pump action gun with a slug barrel makes for a great combo. Swap barrels is quick and easy and will turn your bird gun into a deer gun in minutes.
I happen to use a Remington 870 shotgun. I got the super magnum version in 12 gauge will will handle all the shells on the market from standard 2 3/4" long shells to 3 1/2" long shells. Bigger stuff is common for turkey and geese. 3" is a great load for duck/turkey/deer etc, but the 2 3/4" will handle 90% of situations you will encounter…just work on being a better shot.
I paid somewhere around 350 bucks for my gun maybe 5 years ago now and the slug barrel was another 250 but you can get other versions for abit cheaper. Typical slug barrel could be around 150 or so depending on what you get. I have remingtons super slug barrel. ITs longer at 23" and heavy contour thick wall design. Its suppose to be better at accuracy but never used the other barrels to compare.
Its a cantilever design, where the scope mounts to the barrel. Its one of the best designs for accuracy and mine is pretty good. Its capable of 2" groups at 100 yards depending on the load. I have put 3 rounds well inside a 2x2" square at 200 but not all rounds shoot the same.
For me my best load in this gun has been the winchester platinum tip slugs… 400 grain at 1700 fps. Deliver good kill power out to 125-150 yards for deer and I wouldnt hesitate to try one that far. The 2 deer I killed with that load have been under 50-60 yards so it was easy shot. I’ve tried just about all the slugs on the market thru this gun at one point or another including remington copper solids, winchester platinum tips, winchester partition golds, lightfield hybred elites, federals, and I think a few others
Mossberg makes a good pump slug combo too. Same with Benelli, winchester and others. All depends on your price range and comfort. Hold the different models and get a feel for them.
I also recommend a Remington 870. My shotgun of choice as well. However, I’m a lefty - and some would argue it’s not very safe for me to be using it. Also, the shells eject in front of my line of sight. I deal with it.
thanks guys. I mostly plan on hunting ducks/geese my cousin and friend are in for the deer although i wouldnt mind getting me a nice buck. as for killing things im ok with that i used to work in a kill plant cleaning makes a saw film look like a kids show with the amount of blood and guts every were, im only interested in non-restricted long guns. i was on a web site for courses and they explain which each ones about.
thanks for the links tacoboy, as for gun clubs sounds interesting but i think im nature and hunt with the bro’s kinda guy, i live in an area of ontario were with in a 20-30 min drive i can have a nice blind set up and have a day of hunting although i would like to travel up north and get some big game.
my next question is how hard was that course to take they say 99% pass on the website but im a complete newbie
thanks again guys
---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------
So a shot gun with changeable barrels is more what i need i sapose then.
understanding barrel types, guns, calibers is going to be a tad bit difficult but i guess its just like when i learned how to work on my own car with research and talking to guys like you to help me under stand
It’s actually really easy to understand. You have only 1 number to worry about. 12 gauge.
If you fail the course, you’re clinically retarded. I scored 98% on the PAL, R-PAL, and Hunters ed combined, and had 0 experience with guns and hunting prior.
You can buy a Remington 870 combo with your choice of choke + a rifled barrel for slugs. Bird + deer, for under $500.
So i checked out a few websites for the Remington 870 looks like a perfect choice for what im doing, i seen it in action on youtube and was impressed, how ever im keeping my options open if there’s any other good beginner long guns in this price range? up to $600.
Well, if you want to hunt in SWO… You’re restricted to a muzzleloader or a Shotgun. Re Read 89z’s post.
I dont know your restrictions on muzzleloaders, but a good modern muzzleloader will offer more range and accuracy than most slug guns…thats an option for you I suppose.
If you wanted a shotgun with a rifle feel, look up Tarhunt or Marlin for the bolt action 12 gauge slug rifles.
ok i get it now i was a little confused at first.