Recommend hunting rifle 30-06

ZacNap

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Im currently in the market for a entry level hunting rifle in 30-06

Ive been looking at savage axis, ruger american, tikka t3 lite

just wanted some opinions
 
Im currently in the market for a entry level hunting rifle in 30-06

Ive been looking at savage axis, ruger american, tikka t3 lite

just wanted some opinions

A tikka T3 hunter in stainless with wood stock may be a good option, those T3 lites are nasty for recoil compared to the hunter model. A while back WSS had a package deal on them with a burris scope for $969.99 plus tax
 
For some reason when I hear someone ask what rifle to buy in a 30-06, I always think CRF model 70..... I guess I am just a Fudd at heart....
 
Rather than choosing a rifle that is in a race for the bottom, its better, IMHO, to buy a high quality used rifle from a reputable source, like Tradex, and take advantage of a quality product for the same price as the bargain basement stuff. When I was in my formative years, I only wanted a new gun; the reasons included, I wasn't confident enough to know what I was buying, suspecting that if someone was selling it, it might have issues that would potentially cost me more, or I was stuck on a specific gun that was not readily available in lightly used condition. Tradex solves all of those problems. They carry quality products, they are very honest and up front with the condition of the pieces they sell, and they have a mind boggling selection to choose from. FWIW, I seldom buy new anymore, in fact I can't think of the last new rifle I bought for myself. Even when having an expensive custom rifle built, I choose a used gun as the platform of the build.
 
As far as today's crop goes,i would consider the weatherby vanguard series 2 to be your best bet.The price of the tikka hardly qualifies it as "entry level".I have a Ruger American in .243.I love the rifle but it is very light and i would think .30-06 would give your shoulder a beating in this rifle.
 
I shot a ruger American in 30-06, I don't have any experience with 30-06's but I'd say its recoil is comparable to my 303, not bad
 
As some others have suggested, rather than buying a new low end model which will probably come with a scope you will replace in a year or so, look for a nice used Remington 700.
That's how I started - 700BDL in 30-06, scoped, in beautiful condition was @ $700.
Great rifle, it's a keeper.
 
I'd be sorely tempted by the Savage Axis.

Rather than think of it as a "race-to-the-bottom" type rifle, think of it as an incredible bargain.

These rifles can shoot (better than my Mauser in .30-'06), and are damned tough! ( http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?841972-Crash-Test-Axis-THE-FUN-BEGINS )

If you can afford better glass, get the rifle with no scope and put a really good one on; but if you can't afford dropping another $500 (min) on top of the price of the rifle, get the package with the scope... it's entirely adequate, and in a few years, upgrade and keep the old scope as a back-up.
 
I went through the same process a few years back and ended up with a Marlin XL7 in 30-06. Dollar for Dollar, the best entry bolt action rifle you can buy (my opinion of course).

But honestly, I have tried and researched most of the guns suggested here (minus Axis). They are all exceedingly competent rifles. You can't go wrong with any of them. We are lucky to have so many good choices. Pick the one that fits you better, or the one that makes your heart sing for no reason! :)

If you go with Tikka T-3, make sure you take a look at the "exclusive to LeBarron" wood stock with iron sights. Not a Tikka fan, but before I saw one of these, I never knew that T-3's are actually beautiful guns!
 
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I am loving my Ruger American in 30-06. It cycles really nicely and feeds like a dream. Trigger is one of the best on the market today. Accuracy has been sub MOA at 100yds. I love the light weight.

I am a huge Savage fan so can also heartily recommend this product line up. Axis is nice, needs some TLC but robust and strong and accurate - see my dealer forum or link in my sig line for my crash test series.

But for the money, my best deal in a go hard hunting rig is the RA and that is with the option to purchase rifles 2 times the cost.

Jerry
 
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