I have a question regarding rifles taken into Canada from the US for hunting black bear.

According to the instruction sheet for the non-resident firearm declaration, a rifle is prohibited if it "has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) when the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more".

Okay, my son has a factory original unaltered Ruger M77 Compact, overall length 35.5 inches and barrel length 16.5 inches. How could I possibly prove the rifle was not "altered" or does that even matter? Is it prohibited all the same?

Thanks,

To be safe I would call and ask the appropriate Provincial Chief Firearms Officer the question and suggest the use of a copy from Ruger's website or catalog showing the rifle is factory original as proof when you cross the border. When agreed with the Officer I would have them confirm via FAX to ensure no issues at the border. It is not uncommon to have a border agent that is not well versed in such things. This from significant experiance driving across the BC/Idaho border.

I'am having a 50 B&M Super Short built by SSK Ind. usually they put a 16" barrel. I'am having them put a 18 5/8" just to be in the clear.

Here's the short of it on long guns in Canada:

Non-restricted firearms include:

* semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with barrels that are at least 470 mm (18.5 inches) long, and do not otherwise fall into a restricted or prohibited category; and
* single-shot or manual repeating rifles and shotguns of any length, as long as they are not designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm (26 inches) by folding, telescoping or other means.

Prohibited firearms include:

* handguns with barrels less than or equal to 105 mm (4.14 inches) long;
* handguns designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32-calibre cartridge;
* firearms adapted from rifles or shotguns by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, that, when adapted in this way, are less than 660 mm (26 inches) long or have a barrel that is less than 457 mm (18.5 inches) long;
* automatic firearms, whether or not altered to fire in the manner of a semi-automatic firearm; and
* firearms prohibited by regulation

I wouldn't take a chance going to a foreign county. It's not worth any type of aggravation, or confiscation. They can change there individual interpretation of the law, your in there country.

You my get by customs but you have your hole hunt that a Wildlife Officer or a Provincial Officer can interpret there own way in the field.

I would use a different gun. Your going to spent thousands of dollars on this hunt why worry, enjoy it.

The form and signature that the Customs Officer signs is THE form you will need with your guide and any wildlife or provincial officer.

Thanks guys, plan B is to leave the Ruger in the USA and the boy will hunt with his Steyr Scout with a 19 inch barrel.

Paul, I can loan him my 600 OK :-)

It's a bolt action, so the barrel isn't limited to 18", and is "as manufactured", so bring it on up, there'l be no problem.

Arctic speaks the truth. If in doubt you could get a copy of the Firearm Reference Table printout to bring with you.

There are lots of unrestricted rifles and shotguns in Canada with barrels down to 8.5" short. It shouldn't' be an issue. I wouldn't even mention it at the border. Might want to print off RUgers catalog with the rifle on it for back up, but my guess is that nobody actually looks twice at it.