Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
#7235696
04/05/21 03:49 PM
04/05/21 03:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092 NB, Canada
MySide 🦝
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
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Hey guys, So I should start this off by saying; I live on an Island (PEI) we have NO big game. All that I've hunted is squirrels, waterfowl and upland birds. But I think I may try to take a deer this Fall/Winter in NB or NS. I am interested in purchasing a rifle, nothing fancy, and hopefully nothing expensive. Whats a good all around big game gun for deer/moose/bear? Any help is appreciated! Thanks guys, and Happy Easter Monday!
All for the Greater Glory of God
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235701
04/05/21 03:54 PM
04/05/21 03:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,740 Central Oregon
AntiGov
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,740
Central Oregon
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I've seen Savage and Winchester gun/scope combos in the $300 range. Pretty hard to beat that
I prefer the .270 caliber for all around big game
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235704
04/05/21 03:56 PM
04/05/21 03:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,275 ny
upstateNY
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Posts: 16,275
ny
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.308 would handle all that,,unless your talking Grizzler bears.Then I would want something bigger.
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235716
04/05/21 04:04 PM
04/05/21 04:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 552 Maine
andrews1958
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trapper
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Maine
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I have three, 358 Winchesters. Fantastic rifle for deer, moose and bear out to 200 yards but you can not go wrong with a 30-06 or 270.
On another note, curious, is trapping allowed in PEI? If so what is there to trap?
Last edited by andrews1958; 04/05/21 04:06 PM.
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: andrews1958]
#7235721
04/05/21 04:08 PM
04/05/21 04:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092 NB, Canada
MySide 🦝
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
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I have three, 358 Winchesters. Fantastic rifle for deer, moose and bear out to 200 yards.
On another note, is trapping allowed in PEI? If so what is there to trap? We have around 80 active trappers (I think) on PEI. I just got into it within the past couple years. We have Coyote, Coon, Mink, Muskrat, Beaver, Red Fox, Weasel, and Skunk. (might be missing one, not sure) The trapping community is very small here, it's a small world.
Last edited by MySide 🦝; 04/05/21 04:09 PM.
All for the Greater Glory of God
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235723
04/05/21 04:10 PM
04/05/21 04:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214 Crivitz WI
Sprung & Rusty
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Crivitz WI
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Bullet construction is more important than caliber..... All around work horse, 7mm rem mag. A .270 with a 24 inch barrel is like making it a magnum round. Picks up a little velocity.
No Jab.
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235724
04/05/21 04:11 PM
04/05/21 04:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,920 Central, SD
Law Dog
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trapper
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Central, SD
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I’d get a gun for taking yotes also maybe 25-06.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: Wanna Be]
#7235731
04/05/21 04:17 PM
04/05/21 04:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092 NB, Canada
MySide 🦝
OP
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2020
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NB, Canada
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Stay away from the Savage combos unless you’re young and have no concern for your shoulders. Sighted in a couple for some folks before deer season and those guns let you know you’re shooting a big game rifle...and these were 6.5 and .270. Plus the scopes are junk. For a cheaper gun I’d go with the Ruger American. A .308 would do you just fine. I'm young, and have no concern for my shoulders
All for the Greater Glory of God
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235742
04/05/21 04:29 PM
04/05/21 04:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,620 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,620
Green County Wisconsin
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it is really hard to go wrong with a 30-06 or even a 308.
it isn't the flattest shooter in the world but the 30-06 or the 308 will take any game in north America.
some might argue that the 308win is a little small for big bear , it is however more powerful than the 303brit and 308 is what your Canadian arctic rangers now carry for their hunting and bear defense needs.
don't be afraid to save longer and spend the money to get a good rifle with good future parts availability.
the cheapest rifle is just that and the cheapest rifle is still 300-400 dollars spending 200-300 more puts you in a life long tool. a gun you can hunt for your lifetime and maybe even pass on to a grand kid
I like 180 grain bullets in the 308 the right 180gr bullet in a 308 will take bear , moose, deer and really anything in North America at a reasonable range
picking a ammo that is more common allows you better access to ammunition which is a key part of making your rifle work
the 30-06 and 308win share the same diameter bullet the 30-06 guns are long action and thus a little longer but the gun can also push a 200 grain bullet if needed although 180s in the 30-06 are also quite effective.
308 and 30-06 also have long barrel life , you gain proficiency through practice if with every round your counting down to an end making that end much further down the road.
long range flat trajectory comes at a price that price is barrel
the 308 and 30-06 do very well on game at 250 meters and less which accounts for most hunting. probably not many people should really be shooting much further an at least not without practice.
on the budget yet still solid guns end of things Savage and Mossberg have some nice offerings for new
Savage with the 110 line and Mossberg with the Patriot line , I like the patriot predator as a fairly budget yet it has a few upgrades over the base patriot line , my son has a patriot with the walnut stock , solid gun. looks and shoots well.
weight should be a thing to consider a heavy barrel sounds great till you have to carry it miles try for not more than 8 pounds for rifle and optic , my patriot predator is 8 pounds 2 ounces rifle and optic and cheek rest bag and sling. any more weight is ammo.
any rifle should have a sling , it doesn't need to be fancy , a US GI web sling doesn't look like much but it sure works and is infinitely adjustable.
a ruger , remigntion , Tika , sako, all offer good options
fit is very important , with a good cheek weld you should see through the center of the optic , length of pull and balance.
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: Wolfdog91]
#7235745
04/05/21 04:31 PM
04/05/21 04:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,620 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,620
Green County Wisconsin
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Yeah if you can reload can't really go wrong with a 30-06 even if you can't reload you can't really go wrong with 30-06 some 180gr soft points will kill it all at a reasonable distance with proper shot placement
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235751
04/05/21 04:42 PM
04/05/21 04:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,694 nm
adam m
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,694
nm
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308 is my go to. And usually use 185 grain. It's taken plenty of deer elk and bear I do have a 270 and 300 win mag I got a year ago that hasn't seen any animals yet. My daughter froze with her shots on a couple elk using the Thompson Center 270. The Savage 300 win mag came with a scope and was around $400. The 270 was on sale for under $300. Both were brand new and have adjustable triggers. The TC cane threaded too
Last edited by adam m; 04/05/21 04:44 PM. Reason: Added text
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Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN
[Re: MySide 🦝]
#7235752
04/05/21 04:43 PM
04/05/21 04:43 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 443 Hot Springs SD
Larry Bowden
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trapper
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 443
Hot Springs SD
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Ruger "American" 30-06. As a FFL dealer for 16 years and a 30-06 shooter for 47 years that is my recommendation. I have hunted elk, black bear, mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope in several Canadian provinces and seven states with a 30-06 and 150 grain bullets. Avoid cheap gun combo's with low end scopes. Not all made in the USA guns are of the quality of years past. Ruger does not appear to compete in the "race to the bottom" in cheap undesirable rifle production. They stand by their products also.
Western SD Fur Harvesters, SDTA, NTA, FTA and life member of NRA. Cancer survivor (7 years) and still fighting it.
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