New Shooter/Hunter

[GW11]

Savage rifles are one of the best value for your money deals going right now in terms of out of the box accuracy. They were never pretty guns but they work. If you go that route, buy a model with the Accutrigger.

I definitely second the advice above, forget the 10 gauge, get a 12. The 3 barrel combos are always a good starting point, although later on you'll lean more towards dedicated guns for dedicated purposes.

Someone also mentioned above about $800 getting you a .22 and an Axis in a bigger calibre. That's a good start. I always lean more to quality used guns rather than budget new guns but either will get you started.

It's easy to dismiss the .22 as a toy but it's the cheapest way to practice and still fun to shoot.

Not everyone will agree with me here but don't get hung up on expensive scopes. There are less expensive scopes that are just fine to get started and won't break the bank. The Bushnell Banner is a good example. You'll eventually want to buy higher end rifles and scopes but it's not essential to get started.



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[RiverRat88]

22 is the best start as someone only at this a few years now myself. Mainly for the long seasons I would say it's the best start. Lots of time to hunt small game and become a better hunter (believe me it's no walk in the park small game takes skill). I mean lots of time compared to a big game rifles time it will be used in the bush, if big game hunts mean travelling and vacation days for you and a learning long process. 22 can be used for small game within an hour of just about anywhere in ontario if you look for it. But the best pair as a beginner is a 12 gauge, can be used on all the small game a 22 can shoot plus waterfowl, turkey, deer. So many options with 12 gauge ammo and chokes and barrels, lots of different uses. I started with the 22, still use it regularly but the bulk of my game has been with my shotgun.

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[Badbuzz]

I will have to agree about the versatility of a shotgun. And being the first gun. However the OP wants a rifle (I am sure he will end up with several guns) the 270 is a good choice for southern Ontario (to be able to shoot coyote or deer in non controlled hunt areas)

Something to consider: this was my dilemma: on the range membership I was a member of Silverdale. Only live 25 minutes from there. I found I did not get to the range as often as I would like and was about to purchase my first hand gun when I found out the wife was pregnant. That meant even less time at the range as my spare time I wanted to be hunting. I dropped my membership and only go around 3-4 times a year usually to dial in scopes after changing barrels (turkey to deer) and shoot a few rounds of trap. This ends up only costing me $60-80 (not including trap rounds if I choose to shoot a few rounds or ammo) compared to almost $300 for the membership fee. Saving me $$, That allows me to go to Longpoint and pay blind fees (or technically could pay for a sustaining member there) and pay for the Niagara Conservation hunting license(additional fee on top of hunting license) to give me more areas to hunt (public land) even though I have access to private land. As well as ammo for the year. Just another thing to consider. Though that is me and you may be in a different situation (probably). To get good at shooting though maybe you want to go to the range lots (hence my endorsement of the .22) and find it would be worth it. For me I am an excellent shot. Obviously would be better with lots of range time.

Don't discount used guns as I said. Some have only been shot a few times (maybe an impulse buy) or some can't use/ dont like it after shooting at the range. My first shotgun I got for a great deal. A gentleman bought it new for wild turkey hunting in Maine (he was from Nova Scotia where there is no wild turkey season) and was retired. He went every year. Upgraded his gun, went to the range once, then found out Maine had just introduced non-residents had to have a guide with them for wild turkey. This made it unaffordable to do on a pension. So I got a Remington 870 turkey with sure shot stock and Nikon turkey scope plus undertaker choke for $500 including shipping. Deals are out there to be had.

W.

[line052]

Great Advice... Agreed.

I will have to agree about the versatility of a shotgun. And being the first gun. However the OP wants a rifle (I am sure he will end up with several guns) the 270 is a good choice for southern Ontario (to be able to shoot coyote or deer in non controlled hunt areas)

Something to consider: this was my dilemma: on the range membership I was a member of Silverdale. Only live 25 minutes from there. I found I did not get to the range as often as I would like and was about to purchase my first hand gun when I found out the wife was pregnant. That meant even less time at the range as my spare time I wanted to be hunting. I dropped my membership and only go around 3-4 times a year usually to dial in scopes after changing barrels (turkey to deer) and shoot a few rounds of trap. This ends up only costing me $60-80 (not including trap rounds if I choose to shoot a few rounds or ammo) compared to almost $300 for the membership fee. Saving me $$, That allows me to go to Longpoint and pay blind fees (or technically could pay for a sustaining member there) and pay for the Niagara Conservation hunting license(additional fee on top of hunting license) to give me more areas to hunt (public land) even though I have access to private land. As well as ammo for the year. Just another thing to consider. Though that is me and you may be in a different situation (probably). To get good at shooting though maybe you want to go to the range lots (hence my endorsement of the .22) and find it would be worth it. For me I am an excellent shot. Obviously would be better with lots of range time.

Don't discount used guns as I said. Some have only been shot a few times (maybe an impulse buy) or some can't use/ dont like it after shooting at the range. My first shotgun I got for a great deal. A gentleman bought it new for wild turkey hunting in Maine (he was from Nova Scotia where there is no wild turkey season) and was retired. He went every year. Upgraded his gun, went to the range once, then found out Maine had just introduced non-residents had to have a guide with them for wild turkey. This made it unaffordable to do on a pension. So I got a Remington 870 turkey with sure shot stock and Nikon turkey scope plus undertaker choke for $500 including shipping. Deals are out there to be had.

W.

[73hunter]

I’ll be the third to advise against the 10 ga, not because there’s anything wrong with it, but more because 12 ga ammo is available everywhere, is most likely what future hunting partners will be using if you ever need to borrow some, and mainly because it has all the power you need. These are points my dad gave me 25 years ago when I said I wanted a 10 ga !

Plenty of good advice in other areas above,

[MikeNI]

Like yourself, I had a relatively modest budget, little experience and less knowledge of where to shoot. I've settled on a .22 and have the orientation of Silverdale set for early January to address those needs, so given you're location feel free to pm me if you want to tag along in the future

[Sparky416]

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to give their input as it has helped greatly .

From originally posting this thread to now things have changed dramatically lol, I think now I have my eyes set on the Savage A22 aswell as the Benelli Nova 3-1/2'' 12-Gauge Pump Action Shotgun. Both within my budget between sales and rebates, I feel as starting with a .22 is hands down the way to start with a rifle . I've also decided on the 12g due to the versatility of the gun, thanks to the guys above me for the great info.

Although not set in stone lol at the time being these 2 will be my first purchase .

Thanks again ! And if anyone has any input / real life expierences on the firearms I will be purchasing feel free to speak your mind . Hands on reviews are always the best ones !

[line052]

Now go get em, and start shooting.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to give their input as it has helped greatly .

From originally posting this thread to now things have changed dramatically lol, I think now I have my eyes set on the Savage A22 aswell as the Benelli Nova 3-1/2'' 12-Gauge Pump Action Shotgun. Both within my budget between sales and rebates, I feel as starting with a .22 is hands down the way to start with a rifle . I've also decided on the 12g due to the versatility of the gun, thanks to the guys above me for the great info.

Although not set in stone lol at the time being these 2 will be my first purchase .

Thanks again ! And if anyone has any input / real life expierences on the firearms I will be purchasing feel free to speak your mind . Hands on reviews are always the best ones !