r/canadaguns • u/z00animal • 8d ago
Buy recommendations Shotgun or rifle
I have many 22lrs now. Trying to decide if I should get a short barrelled shotgun (less than 16 inch) or a 223/5.56 centre fire (308 is a consideration as well but ammo is pricey) and of course 16 inch or less. I have a thing for short barrels.
Use would be almost exclusively at the range. I don’t hunt but the thought of having it in the wilderness is intriguing.
Help me decide please. Would be a first for a shotgun. I’ve had centre fire rifle before but gave it to family and can’t get it back.
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u/Iokua_CDN 7d ago
So, I have a short barrel shotgun, but I also have a shorter bolt action centerfire! Like you, I also have a thing for short barrel guns. (I also have a really short 410 revolver shotgun but that's a story for another post!)
The rifle I have is a CZ Trail in 7.62 x39, not 223 (though they have 223 as well)
16 inch barrel and a collapsing stock make this one of my most compact guns, even shorter than my shotgun.
The good about it? It's very accurate, it's very compact. The Rail is super long so I have a huge selection of scopes and optics I can use. I've used flip up irons sights, I've used traditional knotch and post sights, I've used a red dot, I've used an LPVO scope. But you could also throw on a scout scope or pistol scope, or prism or even a traditional hunting scope. The options are endless.
The bad is that a 16 inch barrel makes a noticeable fireball and has more kick and concussion! Something I'm still getting used to, but it'd noticeably more kickback than my Sks. Because of this I do suggest maybe getting a 223 or 7 62 x39 instead of a 308... I imagine a 16 inch 308 is even more of a blast!
But if you don't want a CZ trail, you also got other options!
Ruger american makes both a 7 62 x39 and a 223. They have several different models, and all are reliable and fun to shoot.
Tikka has a 223 ranch rifle, and while it's a but too expensive for me, lots of folks love tikka.
Black Creek Labs makes very short bolt actions, like 16 or 12.5 inch barrels. I hear their quality control isn't very good, but they have excellent warranty.
So you have a couple options. Personally I see it as go Ruger for the traditional stock, CZ Trail for the compact stock, and Tikka if you want more quality.