Hey guys, I am starting my search for a new 30-06 and would like your recommendations for ones that your prefer and why. I welcome all suggestions, especially if you've personally tried them out. I have been told Remington 700, but there are sooooo many models of it I wouldn't know the differences between them. What features should I be looking for such as shock absorption, accuracy, barrel types, etc. Anything would be very helpful !! Thanks
30-06. Which rifle is the best in this caliber, and why
- Thread starter ihaem
- Start date
You'll hear a lot of opinions on make and model and there will be some debate on the subject.
Look for a rifle that fits YOU. Go to your local gunstore and pick up and shoulder each rifle in turn.
Heavier the rifle, the less recoil you will feel but harder to pack over long distances. So Wood vs Synthetic and Hunting vs Target barrels will effect both.
Are you hunting or just target shooting? This helps a lot to know what you plan.
Also what is your cost limitations. This can also greatly effect your choice.
Look for a rifle that fits YOU. Go to your local gunstore and pick up and shoulder each rifle in turn.
Heavier the rifle, the less recoil you will feel but harder to pack over long distances. So Wood vs Synthetic and Hunting vs Target barrels will effect both.
Are you hunting or just target shooting? This helps a lot to know what you plan.
Also what is your cost limitations. This can also greatly effect your choice.
mildcustom2
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
Really need to give a price for a question like this. If its under 800$ I'd say Wetherby Vanguard Series 2 cause they are guaranteed to shoot 3 shot groups under an inch at 100 yards. If money isn't an object I think I'd look at a Sauer bolt action.
The $400 Savage Axis rifles will do the same
Seriously any hunting rifle nowadays should shoot sub MOA at 100 easily
If I were looking for another .30-06 I would start by looking for a used rifle on a Mauser action ( Husky, FN, Brno, Parker Hale, etc). If you MUST have a new rifle, my first choice would be a Winchester M70 Featherweight.
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
For hunting I use a Remington 700 ADL Composite stock (No magazine, no floorplate) in stainless steel with leupold Quick detach mounts and a VXIII 2x - 7x scope.
This is my go to hunting rifle - sighted in with 150 grain Federal ammo.
Why no magazine or hinged floor plate and an ADL. - simplicity, less to go wrong.
Synthetic stocks get slippery in the cold (-30 C)
I also have a couple of hunting rifles with magazines - I prefer the ADL as there is less to go wrong.
If I had to choose a new hunting rifle I would consider Savage, Remington, CZ, Sako, Tikka, Winchester, and Browning A bolts. All are excellent rifles. It would be stainless and have a laminated stock.
I would put a quality Leopold or Zeiss scope on it with quality mounts.
It would be the gun that struck my fancy.
As for the need for a detachable magazine - I do like detachable magazines but they are just one more moving part that can lost or forgotten, or not inserted into the gun correctly.
This is my go to hunting rifle - sighted in with 150 grain Federal ammo.
Why no magazine or hinged floor plate and an ADL. - simplicity, less to go wrong.
Synthetic stocks get slippery in the cold (-30 C)
I also have a couple of hunting rifles with magazines - I prefer the ADL as there is less to go wrong.
If I had to choose a new hunting rifle I would consider Savage, Remington, CZ, Sako, Tikka, Winchester, and Browning A bolts. All are excellent rifles. It would be stainless and have a laminated stock.
I would put a quality Leopold or Zeiss scope on it with quality mounts.
It would be the gun that struck my fancy.
As for the need for a detachable magazine - I do like detachable magazines but they are just one more moving part that can lost or forgotten, or not inserted into the gun correctly.
Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge...
Which one is better and why?
There are many reasons why guys buy(insert fave gun manufacture here) from their Daddies Daddy (your Great Grand Pop) to having read it in a gun magazine now the internet.
What works well in 30:06 in a Savage for the gun writer may not work well for you.
Tiss all about how deep your wallet it and how the gun fits you.
Doesnt matter if it it a Blazer or a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle.
If it doesnt fit you and you can afford the cash outlay it aint gonna shot worth a dam if it doesnt fit right.
Best Regards,
Rob
nomad 68
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'll just use my personal experience and endorse the remington model 700 BDL. For the money, it has few equals. The weatherby vanguards are another i highly recommend. Like has been said though, you should handle and shoulder as many as you can before your final decision is made. I also plan on adding an fn built win model 70 to the herd in the near future in a caliber and configuration yet to be determined. Keep in mind that the .30-06 is a known kicker in lighter rifles. Make sure you consider the recoill pad on the rifle if you go under 7 lbs.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Every manufacturer of sporting rifles chambers one in .30/06. At one time the M-70 Winchester in .30/06 was what I envisioned as a hunting rifle. Today, it remains a good choice, but there many choices that might influence your decision. Factors such as the environmental conditions under which you intend to use the rifle, whether you spend more time in open country or in heavy cover, in the mountains or at sea level, and whether or not this will be your go to rifle for everything from plinking to target shooting, to varmints to medium and heavy game. If you demand light weight, a Forbes might be the best decision, if you think recoil will negatively effect you, then perhaps a heavier full sized rifle with a 24" barrel is a better solution. Does the choice of controlled round feed or push feed matter to you? I like CRF actions, but that said, there are times when its much handier to simply drop a round on top of the follower and push the bolt home, although the difference between dropping the round on the follower and pushing it down into the magazine is slight once you've developed an effective technique.
Other issues to consider is whether or not iron sights will be used on this rifle. You might prefer to choose a rifle that comes with factory installed irons, or you might prefer to install after market sights, that tend to be higher quality. In either case, the comb height of the stock needs to be low enough that you can manage a good repeatable cheek weld without mashing you cheek into the comb or only being able to rest the point of your chin on the stock when the scope is attached.
Most folks prefer a rifle that balances slightly towards the muzzle. A rifle that balances towards the butt tends to feel clubby and is slower and less natural to get on target quickly. A light barrel contour must be longer to provide the same balance as a heavier barrel with the same stock. At the same time, the rifle's length of pull should fit you, and most adults do well with a 13"-13.5" LOP. A stock that is too long hangs up and snags on outer clothing when you attempt to shoulder it, and the stock that's too long produces greater felt recoil. You might find that your new .30/06 doesn't include a recoil pad. If this is the case, making the combined investment of a correctly installed recoil pad, and a correct LOP, will pay dividends in your shooting.
Beware of the scope that extends behind the cocking piece of the bolt. Its become stylish, perhaps due to the long eyepieces of variable power scopes, that the ocular extends far behind the cocking piece. If the rifle fits you, you should be able to achieve a good sight picture with the ocular between the line delineated by the rear of the cocking piece and the front bow of the trigger guard. Mounted any farther rearward and you risk a nice new scar across your eyebrow and nose.
Particularly if you have long arms and prefer a short rifle, be aware of the position of the front sling swivel stud. Even the recoil form a .30/06 can cause the stud to cut the index finger of your support hand. On many of my rifles, I've moved the position of the swivel stud to the radius of the forend. I'm adverse to using a barrel mounted swivel however because I prefer to use the sling as a shooting aid, slinging up with a barrel mounted sling will change the POI.
Other issues to consider is whether or not iron sights will be used on this rifle. You might prefer to choose a rifle that comes with factory installed irons, or you might prefer to install after market sights, that tend to be higher quality. In either case, the comb height of the stock needs to be low enough that you can manage a good repeatable cheek weld without mashing you cheek into the comb or only being able to rest the point of your chin on the stock when the scope is attached.
Most folks prefer a rifle that balances slightly towards the muzzle. A rifle that balances towards the butt tends to feel clubby and is slower and less natural to get on target quickly. A light barrel contour must be longer to provide the same balance as a heavier barrel with the same stock. At the same time, the rifle's length of pull should fit you, and most adults do well with a 13"-13.5" LOP. A stock that is too long hangs up and snags on outer clothing when you attempt to shoulder it, and the stock that's too long produces greater felt recoil. You might find that your new .30/06 doesn't include a recoil pad. If this is the case, making the combined investment of a correctly installed recoil pad, and a correct LOP, will pay dividends in your shooting.
Beware of the scope that extends behind the cocking piece of the bolt. Its become stylish, perhaps due to the long eyepieces of variable power scopes, that the ocular extends far behind the cocking piece. If the rifle fits you, you should be able to achieve a good sight picture with the ocular between the line delineated by the rear of the cocking piece and the front bow of the trigger guard. Mounted any farther rearward and you risk a nice new scar across your eyebrow and nose.
Particularly if you have long arms and prefer a short rifle, be aware of the position of the front sling swivel stud. Even the recoil form a .30/06 can cause the stud to cut the index finger of your support hand. On many of my rifles, I've moved the position of the swivel stud to the radius of the forend. I'm adverse to using a barrel mounted swivel however because I prefer to use the sling as a shooting aid, slinging up with a barrel mounted sling will change the POI.
- Location
- Mississauga
+1. I've enjoyed great success with my M70 FW w/Zeiss Conquest firing anything from 150-180gr.
257Roberts
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Peterborough ON
I think Clyde thought the M1918A2 BAR was a pretty nice 30-06.
Other than that a Kimber 84L would make a good choice.
David
Other than that a Kimber 84L would make a good choice.
David
- Location
- Golden Lake
Do you like single shot rifles? I have a Thompson/Center Encore in .30-06. Beautiful rifle. One thing especially is neat - with a 24" barrel my Encore is the same over all length as my M94 Winchester with a 20" barrel.
