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First Gun - Please advise

creative.bird
I just completed and got my hunting & firearms license. I've no experience at all.
I wantt to purchase my first rifle. I want to go for all types of games, e.g. Moose, Deer, Turkey, Ducks.

Please let me know which gun I should purchase? I searched google and found that many people like Remington 700 (30-06). But I need your expert advise please.

Thank you in advance,

CB
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • slumlord44
    The Remington 700 would be fine for Moose and deer. For Turky and Ducks you will need a shotgun. 12 guage 3" or 3 1/2" would be a good choice. Pump gun is a good choice for a beginner. Mossberg makes reasonably priced good quality working shotgun. Deer can also be hunted with a shotgun with slugs and some states only allow shotguns for deer.
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  • andrewsw16
    Everyone please keep in mind the question is coming from Canada. Try to tailor your answers to what he can use up there. As a first gun, I always recommend a .22 bolt action rifle. The inexpensive ammo will let you practice a lot without costing a fortune. The bolt action will encourage sight and trigger control instead of "spray and pray". Also, since you are talking of hunting as your ultimate goal, most good hunting rifles are bolt action, so learning on a bolt action is relevant. As far as caliber and model, talk to local hunters and ask them what is working well for them in your area. Welcome to the party.
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  • yoshmyster
    Drilling. If you got the cash.
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  • nmyers
    When it comes to firearms information, Google is not your friend.

    When I first became interested in hunting & shooting, I subscribed to several gun magazines; I read every article, & eventually the subject didn't seem so overwhelming. I also bought a few paperback books & catalogs. You can also find a lot of information on this forum, especially if you use the SEARCH feature.

    If you have a local gun store, you will find that they are a good source of help; in the long run, you will be better served by supporting a gun store rather than a Big Box Store.

    You may also want to check out this forum, based in Canada:
    http://www.milsurps.com/index.php

    Neal
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by creative.bird
    I just completed and got my hunting & firearms license. I've no experience at all.
    I wantt to purchase my first rifle. I want to go for all types of games, e.g. Moose, Deer, Turkey, Ducks.

    Please let me know which gun I should purchase? I searched google and found that many people like Remington 700 (30-06). But I need your expert advise please.

    Thank you in advance,

    CB


    Well, as mentioned, hunting waterfowl such as geese and ducks requires a shotgun. Hunting them with a RIFLE is generally illegal.

    There are tons of shotguns you could pick from. It mostly comes down to budget and what you are comfortable with. I'd stick with 12 gauge for this purpose.

    Hunting moose and deer *can* be done with a shotgun (loaded with either slugs or buckshot), but given the choice, a centerfire rifle is preferable You shouldn't hunt deer with a .22LR rifle, though its great for practice or hunting SMALL game like squirrels.

    In terms of which hunting rifle, there are so many you *could* pick from, your head will spin. The only limiting factor is that if you really want to hunt Moose, you'll want something with some power. (EG stay away from the .22 calibers).

    But sure a Remington 700 in .30'06 would make an excellent hunting rifle for deer or moose. Just make sure you budget for a scope and mounts too, and consider that good glass is expensive.

    You didn't mention your budget, but you could certainly get away with something somewhat less expensive than a Remington if you wanted to.

    Edit: Responding to below, IMO magnum centerfire rifles like the .300 or .338 win mag are excellent choices for hunting large or dangerous game, and they will drop any living thing in the Americas. . .but they are **NOT** for novices!

    Recoil is stout, the guns themselves tend to be heavy (to help soak up the recoil) and the ammo is expensive.

    While bigger *might* be better (especially on the really big bulls), a 30-06 is still adequate for moose, so long as you use the right bullet, know and respect YOUR limitations as a hunter.

    I second the other suggestions that no matter which rifle you pick for hunting, its worth investing a little bit more into a .22LR rifle for practice.
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  • Fatstrat
    Maybe an H&R "Handy gun" with interchangeable barrels.
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  • edharold
    I would go with a 30-06 or one of the 300 mags. If you want to go after the big bears I would get something a little bigger.
    It is a little extreme but I have used the 338 Win mag for almost everything huntable in North America with no problems at all.
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  • 45er
    Howdy creative,

    Welcome first time here, and your introduction into firearms/ hunting. You are doing it right, by both taking the course and asking questions.

    "I've no experience at all". Okay, then.. highly agree with the bolt action idear, and, not knowing your physical size, would also agree to start off with one chambered in .22 for quite less $$$ than a high caliber hunting rifle. Commencing then with a lot of practice, preferably with a knowledgable friend or instructor to get you going, until you both feel you know what you are about with hands on safety/handling and are ready to go after the live game with larger calibers.

    Have to disagree, and only until you are ready, with the .300 mag, etc, train of thought for a first firearm, as it well may knock you off on your keester if not holding the rifle firmly enough or even too firmly. And how much fun is that for a beginner to go a round with a heavy weight champion of the world? Though could be funny to watch? no, just kidding. Seriously, I've seen it too often where given too much gun for their experience, a new-comer gets shyed away from something that is supposed to be enjoyable.

    Again not knowing, just what process getting your license entailed, such as sitting in a classroom with a book and a teacher yakking away at the podium without a gun in sight? Which absolutely does have it's merits-- don't get me wrong, but nothin' helps learning as much as hands on with, again, someone whose been there. Hope you are able to seek such friends and folks out. Many firearm ranges have rentals, and that would help you to gain needed hands on experience before working your way up and making the investment of purchasing a more expensive higher caliber rifle/shotgun.

    Hm, and just re-read what have written, and none of it is meant to to give you the willies, but to keep the firearm sport a desirable thing. So, hope you can think of it as such, as just some more experience and learning is order before going after that big game you mentioned.

    Best,
    45er
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  • tsr1965
    creative.bird,

    Hello, and welcome tot the forums here on Gunbroker.com.

    You are kinda on the right track, but you are going to need at least 3 guns in the near future for your endeavors. You will need a high powered rifle, a shotgun, and a good 22LR rifle.

    The high powered rifle, you are on the right track. A Remington 700, winchester 70, Savage 116, or the like. The 30-06 is a superb choice, but I might think about the 7mm Rem. Mag, or 300 Win. Mag also, especially for moose, and elk.

    The shotgun, it is hard to go wrong with the Remington 870 in 12 gauge, with a 26 inch vent rib, and Rem-Choke, choke tube system. The 22LR rifle...well, there are a million choices. The Marlin 39 is a great gun, as is the Ruger 10-22, and the CZ 452/453 series. They are a lever action, semi-auto, and bolt action in that order.

    Enjoy your time shopping, and if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

    Best
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  • creative.bird
    Hi all,

    Thank you very much for your guidance and support.

    I think it is a good idea to introduce myself to all.
    Well, I am 34 years old man, live in Ontario - Canada. By profession, I work as "IT Auditor".

    I believe that hunting techniques, type of games, and selection of firearms are very similar throughout North America.

    In Canada we've two types of training. Firearms safety course (10 hours) and Hunters Education course (10 hours). I took both the courses from an experienced and knowledgeable instructor.

    1) Firearms safety course: This course is 95% focused on safety safety safety and regulations. We learned guns handling in the classroom but no actual shooting was required.

    2) Safe hunting course: focused on regulations, zones, seasons, safety safety safety. But my instructor was kind enough and explained us many things outside the course outline and shared his experiences, good practices, videos, tips, what to do and what not to do.

    I believe hunting is a serious game and 20 hours training is not enough for a new person like me, so I decided to register on a good website to learn from experience people like you are.

    So, my plan is to increase my knowledge before I actually go in the bushes.

    I like gunbroaker.com very much. Comprehensive website, friendly and helpful people. I think I am at the right spot.

    Again, I think you very much to all of you who took time to reply my post and shared their experience with me.

    Happy hunting,

    CB
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