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Good All Around BIG GAME GUN #7235696
04/05/21 03:49 PM
04/05/21 03:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
MySide 🦝 Offline OP
trapper
MySide 🦝  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
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! laugh


All for the Greater Glory of God
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235701
04/05/21 03:54 PM
04/05/21 03:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,692
Central Oregon
AntiGov Offline
trapper
AntiGov  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,692
Central Oregon
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 🦝] #7235703
04/05/21 03:55 PM
04/05/21 03:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
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hippie Offline
trapper
hippie  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
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30-06 in whatever bolt action gun you can afford.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235704
04/05/21 03:56 PM
04/05/21 03:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,170
ny
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upstateNY Offline
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upstateNY  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Aug 2008
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ny
.308 would handle all that,,unless your talking Grizzler bears.Then I would want something bigger.


the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: hippie] #7235710
04/05/21 03:59 PM
04/05/21 03:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 322
Central Wisconsin
C
cwtrapper Offline
trapper
cwtrapper  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 322
Central Wisconsin
Originally Posted by hippie
30-06 in whatever bolt action gun you can afford.

This would be my advice too.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235716
04/05/21 04:04 PM
04/05/21 04:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 551
Maine
A
andrews1958 Offline
trapper
andrews1958  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 551
Maine
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.
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235720
04/05/21 04:08 PM
04/05/21 04:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
Y
yukon254 Offline
trapper
yukon254  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
lots of good advice so far. The 358 is one of my favorites. A 308/30-06 will do anything, including grizzly bears should you ever run into one. Tikka's or Savages are economical and very accurate.


do unto others as you would have them do unto you

www.grizzlycreeklodge.com
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: andrews1958] #7235721
04/05/21 04:08 PM
04/05/21 04:08 PM
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
MySide 🦝 Offline OP
trapper
MySide 🦝  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
Originally Posted by andrews1958
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
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235723
04/05/21 04:10 PM
04/05/21 04:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Sprung & Rusty Offline
trapper
Sprung & Rusty  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
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.
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235724
04/05/21 04:11 PM
04/05/21 04:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
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
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235726
04/05/21 04:15 PM
04/05/21 04:15 PM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,723
SW Georgia
W
Wanna Be Offline
trapper
Wanna Be  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,723
SW Georgia
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.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: cwtrapper] #7235727
04/05/21 04:15 PM
04/05/21 04:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
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Hutchy Offline
trapper
Hutchy  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
Originally Posted by cwtrapper
Originally Posted by hippie
30-06 in whatever bolt action gun you can afford.

This would be my advice too.


The 30-06 is never a mistake

-Townsend Whelen.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: Wanna Be] #7235731
04/05/21 04:17 PM
04/05/21 04:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
MySide 🦝 Offline OP
trapper
MySide 🦝  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2,092
NB, Canada
Originally Posted by Wanna Be
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 grin


All for the Greater Glory of God
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235732
04/05/21 04:18 PM
04/05/21 04:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,771
Amite county Mississippi
Wolfdog91 Offline
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Wolfdog91  Offline
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Posts: 11,771
Amite county Mississippi
Yeah if you can reload can't really go wrong with a 30-06

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235733
04/05/21 04:19 PM
04/05/21 04:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
C
charles Offline
trapper
charles  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
I have deer rifles in10 calibers. My favorite Ridley is a Remington 700 or Mod 7 of which I have several. I prefer the 7mm-08 caliber with a 140 grain lead bullet. Nothing fancy.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235739
04/05/21 04:25 PM
04/05/21 04:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,113
Manitoba
N
Northof50 Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,113
Manitoba
At your age, best you are able to use on of some ones during the big game season and try it out.
every caliber will have its perks.
Do they offer youth hunts much like they do for waterfowling.......there is your ticket to get in on it for next fall and have the use of a gun.
NB hunting is probably in cut-overs where you are waiting for deer to come out, so you will have 100-250 yd shots, so a 270 will be your choice
The youth I have seen use it don't flinch when shooting, and the gun can be re-barreled to a 308 for the moose hunting on the Rock.

Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235742
04/05/21 04:29 PM
04/05/21 04:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
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.
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: Wolfdog91] #7235745
04/05/21 04:31 PM
04/05/21 04:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Wolfdog91
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.
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235751
04/05/21 04:42 PM
04/05/21 04:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
A
adam m Offline
trapper
adam m  Offline
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A

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
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
Re: Good All Around BIG GAME GUN [Re: MySide 🦝] #7235752
04/05/21 04:43 PM
04/05/21 04:43 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 443
Hot Springs SD
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Larry Bowden Offline
trapper
Larry Bowden  Offline
trapper
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 443
Hot Springs SD
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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