Recommendations for a deer/elk hunting rifle

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DimDam

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Hello team!

I'm overwhelmed by so many articles I've read and would like you guys recommendations on some deer/elk hunting rifle.
I feel after asking to a few of my friends, 30-06 would be a good way to go but for the rest, I don't know anything (barrel length, optics..)

Are there a few brand/models you would recommend me? I'm looking to buy a used one to save some $

Thanks for your help!
-Dam
 
Hunting deer and elk are two different things requiring different gear for the most part. 3006 is suitable for most hunting scenarios, just choose different ammo for elk and deer. You need to decide what kind of hunter you want to be: truck hunter or one that goes on foot and in the case of elk hunting, having to spend hours on foot deep in the bush being a reality. Then you can figure out the exact specs for the rifle and optics etc.
 
30-06 is one of the most versatile rounds on the block. It would be a good choice. Usually they will come with a 22” or 24” barrel. I prefer shorter myself. Weatherby vanguard has been good to me. My new rifle is a ruger 77 in 30-06. Lots of options out there. I like 10-12 power scopes of good quality. Hunt just about anything with a setup like that.
 
I will all ways recommend a Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30/06. Or if you want a non wood stock, the Winchester model 70 Extreme weather SS, or Extreme Tungsten. It has a three position safety, glass bedded from the factory, and a super smooth control round feed bolt that is also juled. They aren't the cheapest on the market but for the quality of these FN made Winchester model 70's is almost next to non for their price range.

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Good suggestions so far. the gunsmith Charlie Sisk wrote once: Get a 30-06, load Nosler partitions, shut up, go hunting.
A 180 grains Nosler partition will be excellent for what you want to do. Any Winchester, Browning, Howa, weatherby Vanguard and many many others would be good choices..
 
I’ve shot and killed black bear, moose, elk and deer with a 22 inch barreled Husqvarna H5000 30-06 shooting Federal Premium 165gr Nosler Partitions, now a days I would use the Nosler Accubond, for Elk I would use the 180gr Accubond or a Barnes TTSX, another great option is the new Hornady Outfitter ammo with the 180gr CX bullet, should be perfect elk medicine, just remember a big bull elk is a TOUGH animal, shoot until he’s down.

In regards to a rifle I’m a stainless synthetic guy as they are so very practical for hunting in BC where I live,

In regards to barrel length it’s really a personal preference, as mentioned above most 30-06 rifles will have a 22 to 24 inch barrel in a factory offering,

a bigger consideration is overall rifle weight and are you recoil sensitive as lighter rifles can be snappy with recoil, are you a road hunter that hikes a little or a back packer that hikes all day long, if your walking lots and need something a little handier a Tikka T3x lite stainless is a great option and usually accurate out of the box and reasonably priced, a little heavier options are the Winchester 70 , Weatherby Vanguard, Bergara B14 just to mention a few options,

Get into your local sports shop and shoulder a few and see what fits you and shoulders comfortably or better yet shoot a friends and see what you like.
 
Tikka t3 is always a good option. I personally have had great luck with them for accuracy and reliability. Don't get too hung up on caliber. 30-06 is fine, so is 308, 270, 7mm mag etc. Don't buy any obscure calibers that are hard to fond on the shelf. I would put any decent quality 3-9×40 or thereabouts scope on it 2.5-10 maybe 4-12 on the upper end. Bushnell 3200,4200,3500,4500 etc burris, leupold vx2, nikon monach etc. Most of these can be found in the 250-400 dollar range and should serve you well. Use quality mounts like talley or dnz and you're off to the races. Try a few different boxes of QUALITY AMMUNITION and see what the rifle likes. When you find what it likes buy a bunch. This should serve you well for a very long time.
 
Lots of good advice here. .30-06 has plenty of pop downrange for elk and deer. 180 grain premium bullets will do for either, but deer don't really need a TTSX or Accubond, and you can get away with a lighter bullet.

I also agree with rifle choices, Winchester Model 70, Browning X-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka T3X, Bergara B14, all are very good and generally my go-to choices. I don't look much further than those in general. 22" is fine, 24" isn't really required but isn't too long to be detrimental. I wouldn't go shorter than 20".

Scopes depends on the area you're hunting. Bottom end of 3x is fine for even pretty close shots, top end of 9x lets you reach out a ways. There's variations on that as well, like 2.5-10x, 2-12x, 3.5-10x, etc all will be good for most hunting. When the average shot will be longer, a bottom of 4 and top of 12-16x or so becomes useful. Out to even very long range you won't need more than a 1" main tube. 40-44mm objective is fine for most cases, maybe as high as 50 if you are hunting with almost no light.

Practice, practice, practice.
 
mimile said:
Good suggestions so far. the gunsmith Charlie Sisk wrote once: Get a 30-06, load Nosler partitions, shut up, go hunting.
A 180 grains Nosler partition will be excellent for what you want to do. Any Winchester, Browning, Howa, weatherby Vanguard and many many others would be good choices..
Click to expand...

You forgot the part about the 3-9 Leupy in Talleys on top! LOL
Cat
 
the Weatherby vanguard meateater edition rifles are nice. I would take a look at those too.
 
At the end of the day I think your best bet is going into your local firearms shop and just testing how rifles feel in your hand. People can tell you all there opinions but it will never compare to actually holding the rifle in your hands, cycling the action, and just overall getting a feel for the rifle. It seems that you already have a particular caliber in mind so your good there. If you don’t plan on shooting over 6-800 yards I truly believe any rifle you pick up in 30-06 with the right optic will do the job just fine for virtually any situations in North America. Every rifle will fit different, purchase what fits YOU not what fits other users on the internet.
As for optic, don’t go into the store and pick up the first thing you see, once again look through them, make sure you like the reticle and the sight is clear for you. I love my vortex diamondback 4-12x40, once again covers almost any situation most average shooters will be facing. Good luck with the purchase!
 
DimDam said:
Hello team!

I'm overwhelmed by so many articles I've read and would like you guys recommendations on some deer/elk hunting rifle.
I feel after asking to a few of my friends, 30-06 would be a good way to go but for the rest, I don't know anything (barrel length, optics..)

Are there a few brand/models you would recommend me? I'm looking to buy a used one to save some $

Thanks for your help!
-Dam
Click to expand...

You're choice for the 30-06 Springfield is probably the most sound for big game hunting. A 22 or 24 inch barrel is the normal length gun manufactures install. Manufactures such as: Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Sako, Tikka are all great choices, personally I would choose today's Winchester Model 70 in a classic or Super Grade model.
 
track said:
You're choice for the 30-06 Springfield is probably the most sound for big game hunting. A 22 or 24 inch barrel is the normal length gun manufactures install. Manufactures such as: Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Sako, Tikka are all great choices, personally I would choose today's Winchester Model 70 in a classic or Super Grade model.
Click to expand...

You cannot go wrong choosing a M70 Winchester.
The Extreme Weather version is a wonderful choice if you want a durable tough hunting rifle.
The Super Grade versions are pure rifle art.
Older push feed versions abound and are still priced reasonable and still working as designed.
 
Wow, this is the first thread I have seen in a long time that at least 10 other guys haven't tried to talk you out of YOUR choice of cartridge and into THEIR favorite cartridge.
For decades it has been said that the 30-06 is adequate for anything in North America. With today's improvement on bullet technology, this is even more accurate.
Decide what features are important to you (stainless, blued, nice wood, composite, detach mag or not etc.) and don't cheapo out on your optics.
All the advice to hold a bunch of different rifles to see how they feel like to you is excellent advice. Get the best quality you can afford and enjoy.
 
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