r/canadaguns • u/MasterpieceWise7742 • Jun 24 '26

Buy recommendations Best “do it all” rifle

I’m looking for advice on the best rifle for doing a bit of everything. The main use I’m looking for is coyote and deer hunting as well as a lot of target shooting.

I totally understand everyone is going to have a different opinion on cartridge but I’d love to hear what everyone thinks for my situation.

I currently own sks and a 10/22.

Let me know your thoughts! TIA

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u/CanadianDrover 29d ago

Your short a 12/20 gauge shotgun, preferably an 870 or 500 but it's your choice. Make sure it can handle 3.5in shells and has 18.5in and 25-30in barrels for home and birds. Slugs are picky and needy, figure out your chokes and pick your ammo accordingly.

You should look at a rifle with point blank range of 300m, these rifles start at 6mm/243 and up. After 30 cal ammo gets expensive and cliche. Popular cartridges include 308, 30-06, 300 win mag, 270 and some form of 338. Ballistics are your friend, so is the ammo guy, buy a caliber you can get in butt-fuck now-where, or one that's been in a war or 2.

Most of the semi autos are banned and most lever guns dont reach this far. This winnows you into bolt guns and that market is turbulent because of bullshit. Find an action you like, it should be smooth and crisp, it should have good aftermarket support and it should have good warranty.

It will need glass because fuck iron sights /s. Anyways

The glass should cost as much as the gun, it should have a lifetime warranty, it should have not Chinese glass, these guys haven't figured out polishing, yet. There are exceptions, do your homework. German glass was the best but it got rare and ridiculous, next best is Japanese and American. If you can't send your scope back for a paint smudge after 3yrs, leave it on the shelf. Or buy shit off Amazon and fake it till it sticks.

Flash hiders are gimmicks and brakes are for guys the shoot more then 20 rounds a session, the deer dont care, dont miss on a cold barrel.

TLDR, buy a shotgun and hunting rifle, dont flake out on the price and get something that always has ammo.