What 30-06 on a budget?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~my centerfire experience is mostly limited to varmint calibers like .223, and .204 Ruger....so I had little to offer a friend of the family (on a student's budget) who just got his PAL and is eager to buy a 30-06. New or used~what would you suggest? What would you avoid? He found a Remington 740 with an old Tasco on it for $400 in nice condition, but I'm reluctant to suggest a semi-auto anything to a new shooter. I figure a bolt gun would serve him better, be easier to clean, etc. etc.

Thanks for taking a moment to reply.
 
savage axis in 30-06 . fairly good budget rifle . mine was $329 new a few years back . after a while i traded for a better scope , as the one one that came with it was not that great.
 
$500-$600 including a serviceable scope. I could make a case for $500-$600 for the gun alone if it propels him above the Savage Axis level. No offense to Axis owners, I often recommend them in .223 to new varmint hunters. 30-06~I'd like to see a little more gun.

Calum said:
Define budget... Give us a number.
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He's over 6' tall, and owns a 12ga. Athletic guy too, not recoil shy. I was thinking "Model 70" after a brief look in the EE, but open to any suggestions.

blasted_saber said:
Is he completely new to shooting? I worry 3006 might be a touch to much. Maybe 308 instead?

Anywho, I'd try and find a used Rem 700, Ruger M77, Winchester Model 70 before any of the budget guns.
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Go and check out WSS or Cabelas.ca as they have a couple bargains on Wby Vanguards with scope and gun case for under $700.00.
The gun is not only good value, but they are pretty dam accurate too, right out of the box.
But, if you guys are thinking of tactical types then this make/model is not the one for you.
I know the money is a little more than budgeted, but , they can also be found on the EE.
Tight Groups,
Rob
*** scratch Cabelas, they are .243 and 300 Wby for 619.00
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36040/weatherby-vanguard-series-2-synthetic-rifle-package
 
with savages rebate , you get a axis in 30-06 for under 300.00 ..... and as far as entry level rifles go , this one is possibly the only you can really do anything with in terms of worthwhile upgrades as opposed to hanging a bunch of tacky looking crap off of it .

they are almost stupid simple to work on , and they shoot .

you can also check out the Husqvarna rifles out at tradex , last time I was there , there was many very nice 30-06's there ...... stay away from the 9.3x62's ...... they are addictive heroin.......... and ###y as hell ..... and if you get one , more will follow you looking for a home :D
 
blasted_saber said:
Is he completely new to shooting? I worry 3006 might be a touch to much. Maybe 308 instead?

Anywho, I'd try and find a used Rem 700, Ruger M77, Winchester Model 70 before any of the budget guns.
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I would add Parker Hale (civilian M 98 based) to this list. Their are lots of them in Canada and if they're not abused they will last almost forever. I would also suggest that he consider .270 as well as .308 and 30-06.
 
Love my browning x-bolt. I think i paid under 7 for it on sale.. then i would look for a used Bushnell elite 3200. You could do tje whole package for 900. I bought a savage as my first but quickly upgraded
 
Usually when we talk budget rifles and firsts we are talking what is available new. But here you have already opened up to being willing to look into the used market which I think is refreshing. There are a lot of nice used rifles out there that will in all probability outlast most of the current crop of budget rifles. And in such a common and popular cartridge you should be able to find a number to choose from. That said in that price range even in the used market with a scope you are going to be limited. First off I would say forget about the scope and look for just a nice used rifle for that money as the scope you will get will at best be a average older scope which will hold little value any way. Even a cheap Simmons will probably be on par with what you would be finding, and he can always upgrade the scope later to a Redfield for Nikon and not break the bank. Next I would say stick with a bolt gun, as there are far fewer things that could be wrong with a seemingly good deal. I would be nervous about a good looking semi for under $600 having unseen problems (and pumps suck :stirthepot2: ). I would jump all over a Model 70, (post 64 push feeds are still good rifles).
 
this ^^^^^^^^^ and
Dogleg said:
Weatherby Vanguard.
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I can't disagree with this either. The S2 is a great rifle if he is looking at new. It should not be grouped with the other budget rifles on the shelves. Got my Stainless S2 with the intention of replacing the stock straight off, but found the new synthetic stock to be quite good and the accuracy and feel certainly don't suffer by it. Not a Bell and Carlson, but certainly on par with any other synthetic stock offered on other manufacturers rifles. Still guaranteed Sub-MOA, good feel, weatherproof, why spend the money (although with Stocky's having and their B&C stocks on sale I am tempted).


Edit: sorry, it was Stocky's reported to be closing it's doors and clearing out it's inventory not B&C. A bit further research suggests that may or may not be the case, but they do have a sale on.
 
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Dogleg said:
Weatherby Vanguard.
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My first take on them was hmmm another budget rifle but after digging further and handling a few in person I'm convinced they are pretty good rifles.

I also like the base/ring set you can get for them as well as the detach mag set for the long action caliber.

Next choices for me would be a Ruger American and then a Savage Axis.
 
I almost went for the Weatherby Vanguard 2, but bought a Ruger American on sale, instead. I'm quite happy with it for hunting, but expect the barrel to heat up fast when target shooting. No other complaints with it.
 
Click on the Tradex banner above, and page through the hunting sporting rifles until you find a rifle in .30/06 that fits you budget and grabs your imagination. The descriptions are very honest and representative of the rifle you are looking at. My advice would be to try to find a commercial 1600 series Husqvarna, although it seems the prices of these are sneaking up slightly. The quality of these rifles is much higher than the new bargain basement rifles generally bragged up around here. Once you have the rifle, you can make upgrades to it as your financial situation improves. I have to agree with some of the other posters though, if you insist on a new rifle, the Weatherby Vanguard it probably the answer.
 
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