Thread: Trying to decide on my first hunting rifle

Growing up in suburban Canada, my parents, and grandparents, had no use for firearms, nor any interest in hunting. My grandfather had an old 22 that he used on the farm later in life just for critter control, but I never really even saw or shot the gun.

Anyhow, I've long wanted to hunt but haven't really known anyone who did, or even how to get into the sport - that was until this year. I've met a few friends who hunt deer and who would be willing to go with me next year. Being in Canada, I need to take my firearms safety course to get a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) and also take the Ontario Hunter Safety Course to get my deer tags. Thankfully, the government makes this easy with a "One-Stop" course that is offered in a single weekend and you can get both your licenses at the same time.

I'll be taking the course in mid-December and should have all the paperwork processed to go purchase a rifle in February sometime (I don't really care about the wait, but just mention it to give you all an idea that I'm not really pressed to make a decision any time soon). That said, I've started thinking about what I'd want in a rifle, mainly for deer hunting, but also for the occasional moose or caribou hunt. My buddy has a Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker 308 Win, and he's adamant that he'd never by another non-stainless rifle again since cleaning and maintenance are a breeze.

All of the guys in the hunting group use 308 so that they can swap ammo if needed, and they said they prefer the 308 because it has the stopping power for moose or caribou and also won't obliterate deer if shot at a closer range.

Seeing as how I know virtually nothing about rifles, and have only ever shot 4 guns in my life, I'd like to hear your opinions and suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
Mark