Savage 30-06 model III sprg

Jimbobob08

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I'm a young lad, got into hunting 4 years ago (bird) got into big game 2 years ago with an 1896? marlin lever action 30-30 and decided to buy my first gun, picked up the savage because I was told it was a great gun and would work for just about anything. I've been reading about 30-06 but haven't seen anything on my model rifle, I did a google search but its mostly junk, any info, issues, ect, goood gun for a newbie like me?

Also how can a gun be good for everything? I guess its the bullet weight, but I dont see anything smaller then 120grain in the stores, is there a table somewhere that says what grain for what animal for a 30-06?

Sorry if this has been covered, i'll keep looking, hope to learn a lot and by the looks of it I found the right site!
 
Your 30-06

Welcome to the club. I don't know anything about your Savage rifle, but the 30-06 calibre is the best you could get. The usual weights of bullets used in it for hunting big game, range from 150 to 180 grains. For hunting deer any bullet in this range will do fine, but probably the most popular for deer would be 150 or the 165 class. A 120 grain bullet is much too light for a 30-06, because the shape, short compared to diameter, results in what they call poor sectional density, and the bullet is inefficient. I once tried some 130 grain bullets in a 30-06, but didn't like them.
If you should be hunting moose or elk, a 180 grain is highly suitable. You will likely get replies stating for this game you must use a premium bullet. But this is not so, just get a good factory loaded one, like a Remington Core-Loct, and shoot anything in the land.
 
I had a 116 in '06, it's now my son's. It loves 165 and 180gr Hornady Interbonds an accurate affordable bonded bullet. Not good for gophers though.
 
I'm a young lad, got into hunting 4 years ago (bird) got into big game 2 years ago with an 1896? marlin lever action 30-30 and decided to buy my first gun, picked up the savage because I was told it was a great gun and would work for just about anything. I've been reading about 30-06 but haven't seen anything on my model rifle, I did a google search but its mostly junk, any info, issues, ect, goood gun for a newbie like me?

Also how can a gun be good for everything? I guess its the bullet weight, but I dont see anything smaller then 120grain in the stores, is there a table somewhere that says what grain for what animal for a 30-06?

Sorry if this has been covered, i'll keep looking, hope to learn a lot and by the looks of it I found the right site!

Jimbob, welcome to CGN.:)
I am very envious of your position. I remember the days of just learning about the high powered guns and what was good for what etc.... There is a pile of wisdom to help you here.

If you know of someone who reloads, buy them supper in trade for a lesson. Then you can load anything from a 100gr short jacket all the way to a 250gr if you really want to. One fellow I know has hunted very sucessfully all his life with 150gr spire points. This is for Moose, Deer, Sheep and Elk. I would opt for the 150gr for the deer and Antelope but bump it to 165 for Sheep and 180 to 200gr for the Elk and Moose.

So long as there is a safe backstop all will work for a pesky coyote. Best thing to do is try the different weights and find what your rifle likes the most as far as accuracy goes.


I cannot offer any advice for that rifle, I have only played with a couple Savage 110's. The one in 300 mag shot bulk Remington 165gr core lokts very well.
 
Try a few different weights and see what your gun likes best.My 30-06 shoots 180's a lot tighter than the 165's.I assume it's because of the twist rate.When I first got the gun I was running 165's and could never get good groupings,decided to get some 180's for moose season and they grouped tight.Since then all I shoot out of it are 180's for deer,moose whatever I'm shooting at.If I reloaded I bet I'd be able to work up a lighter weight load but I don't.
 
Congratulations on considering the .30/06. In my opinion one of the best cartridges ever designed.

There are many folks who are very fond of the Savage line of rifles. The strong points are; good accuracy out of the box, fair price for a well made product, a good selection of styles offered though various models, and an adjustable trigger.

The weak points are; the rifles are all push feed rather than controlled round feed, blind magazine or DBM with no option that I am aware of for a hinged floorplate, and the receiver is round rather than flat bottomed.

While the Savage is a reasonable choice for a varmint rifle or for use on the target range, when you consider the elements that you want on a hunting rifle, I think a CZ 550 or a Ruger 77 are better options due their CRF actions, hinged floor plate magazines, acceptable factory iron sights, and flat bottom receiver.
 
I am wondering if maybe your gun is a Sav Mod 111 in 30 06 Sprg.If that is what it is you got one hell of a good gun there. The 30 06 is one of the best all round hunting rounds there is out there.Big enuff for pretty much anything that walks in North America except maybe the big Alaskan bears.

Bearcat
 
I shoot 180's out of my .30-06 Ruger for deer, caribou, and moose. Suits me just fine. Blows a big exit hole every time with nothing but standard ammo. I've often thought about getting another caliber like a 7mm Rem mag or .270 Win., but I don't see the point of changing to any other rifle and/or caliber. It does what it is supposed to do and it does it well.
 
Bearcat thats exactly what it is. Only issue is after 3 shots the scope is messed up, i'm taking it back to the store tues to get it fixed/replaced.
 
Boomer Savage does offer CRF on some models and floorplate on some 14 and 114 classic models. Have a gander at the website.

I just had a look, and sure enough the M-14 Classic Series does offer a hinged floor plate. Nice looking rifle too, even if the word "Classic" is a bit out of place with a Weatherby profile monte carlo stock. I particularly like the cross bolts. I didn't see any reference to CRF and CRF would require new action, but that rifle is probably the equal of a M-700 and might even have a better trigger.
 
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