What to upgrade to???
- Thread starter bleedingcoffee
- Start date
black powder
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saint Hippolyte
[1] Savage weatherwarrior 16/116 as for the caliber all the above will nail anything that walks on 4 legs in north america ..IF YOU DO YOUR PART .
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
Trust me, even the Stevens 200 in 30-06 with 2-7x35mm scope from Redfield or same Bushnell 3200 will be HUGE quality and affordable upgrade.
i'd also go with the 06- the 300 is just a 06 on speed, you have to give 2 rounds, and it costs FAR MORE IN TERMS OF POWDER and other componets , while it serves no useful purpose over the 06- check hout the mpbr( maximum point blank range) using 180 grain bullets- 276vs 325- do you feel you can stalk another 50 yards closer?- same deal for the 7mm ( and it's a remmy, btw, not a win) , but the 7mm runs out of bullet weight at 180- the 06 is good to 220 or better
For the gun, if you can get into a shop to shoulder a few to see what features you like (cheek weld, trigger pull, weight + balance, etc....)
As for the caliber I always told customers (when I worked at a hunting store) to ask their friends if they have any of the calibers they were interested in, or if they know someone that does, and buy a box of ammo to try it. I've shot all three of the above and my last gun was a rem 700 cdl in 30-06. I don't mind the 300 win mag at all, but the ammo is 10-20 more per box and is only a couple hundred feet per second faster so I made a comprimise. Both the 30-06 and the 300 win I shot before I bought were accurate for me when I fired. When I shot a 7mm rem mag for the first time I disliked the recoil (personally I notice it more than a 300 win mag) which lead to a larger grouping and bad shooting fundamentals at the range with that gun. But I know people that are very accurate with their 7mm rem mag rifles and that proves (at least to me) that it is very much a personal decision. Chose the caliber that works for you. Then do your part and make accurate shots. You will ethically take more animals with a well placed shot traveling a bit slower than a mis-placed shot traveling faster.
Again, this is what I told people to do when I worked at the hunting store and usually they were happy when they did and then bought after an education in what works for them!
As for the caliber I always told customers (when I worked at a hunting store) to ask their friends if they have any of the calibers they were interested in, or if they know someone that does, and buy a box of ammo to try it. I've shot all three of the above and my last gun was a rem 700 cdl in 30-06. I don't mind the 300 win mag at all, but the ammo is 10-20 more per box and is only a couple hundred feet per second faster so I made a comprimise. Both the 30-06 and the 300 win I shot before I bought were accurate for me when I fired. When I shot a 7mm rem mag for the first time I disliked the recoil (personally I notice it more than a 300 win mag) which lead to a larger grouping and bad shooting fundamentals at the range with that gun. But I know people that are very accurate with their 7mm rem mag rifles and that proves (at least to me) that it is very much a personal decision. Chose the caliber that works for you. Then do your part and make accurate shots. You will ethically take more animals with a well placed shot traveling a bit slower than a mis-placed shot traveling faster.
Again, this is what I told people to do when I worked at the hunting store and usually they were happy when they did and then bought after an education in what works for them!
Riflesmith
CGN Regular
- Location
- On The Line
I like the BDL as an option. I am not a huge remington fan but when the time comes to upgrade again your current action will give you a great platform for a custom rifle. THe number of different trigger, stock add on options is great. Plus most good gunsmiths will work with them. Caliber well it has been said - any of the above. Good luck with the new purchase.
Choose your gun cartridge according to what you really do with it:
As for the gun itself, I'm a bought 2 Remington 700 in the last year but think that Tikka are the better rifles out of the box if you have the money.
Buy according to your needs and what you really like,
Life too short
Alex
- Do you shot a lot? Then 30-06 is much better than 7Rem Mag or 300Win Mag
- Do you hung large game at long range? Then you should consider 7Rem Mag or 300Win Mag
- Do you tolerate recoil well? If not stay away from 300 Win Mag
- Are you a reloader? If not you might want to stick to 30-06
As for the gun itself, I'm a bought 2 Remington 700 in the last year but think that Tikka are the better rifles out of the box if you have the money.
Buy according to your needs and what you really like,
Life too short
Alex
I picked up a Savage 116 FCSS in 30.06 ..it is my first Savage and I really like it. I liked it so much in fact I bought another savage 93FV in 22wmr ....Savage is making nice rifles for the money
30.06 is capable of any big game hunting you would want to do and the great availabilty and choices of ammo are a bonus.
I had a bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40 on it when I bought it but put that on the 22wmr.... I bought a silver burris fullfield in 3x9x40 and have the rings but I am having a long wait for some silver bases ????
Either one of those scopes should do the job for you as well .
30.06 is capable of any big game hunting you would want to do and the great availabilty and choices of ammo are a bonus.
I had a bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40 on it when I bought it but put that on the 22wmr.... I bought a silver burris fullfield in 3x9x40 and have the rings but I am having a long wait for some silver bases ????
Either one of those scopes should do the job for you as well .
Those that say a 30-06 is not capable are making a clear statement about their own lack of marksmanship ability. I'd go savage for both quality and price. To me they better and handle better. Tikkas are nice guns but they don't feel right to me. I love my 300 win mag and it has its place but is overkill for ontario deer.
Great choices for chamberings and firearms. I have a Savage 110 .30-06, which wears a Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x33. I've dropped it into a Boyds laminate stock, and lightened the trigger to a very crisp 3 lbs.
It is my utilitarian gun that comes along with me on every North American hunt — moose, bear, elk, deer.
If you're looking for a one gun arsenal, you can't go wrong with Savage 116 in .30-06. Other than .30-30, it's likely the second most common ammo available everywhere. If you went with the .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag, great choices, but you may later want to consider a .270, or 6.5x55, or something similar for smaller game.
If you go with the .30-06, you could consider a 338 Win Mag down the road to balance out your arsenal.
Good luck. Choosing is half the fun.
It is my utilitarian gun that comes along with me on every North American hunt — moose, bear, elk, deer.
If you're looking for a one gun arsenal, you can't go wrong with Savage 116 in .30-06. Other than .30-30, it's likely the second most common ammo available everywhere. If you went with the .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag, great choices, but you may later want to consider a .270, or 6.5x55, or something similar for smaller game.
If you go with the .30-06, you could consider a 338 Win Mag down the road to balance out your arsenal.
Good luck. Choosing is half the fun.
Hmm I had been leaning towards the 7mm rem mag (oops typo on first post) in a tikka t3, but you guys have given me some stuff to think about. I used my uncles 7mm rem mag remmington 700 last seasosn and I hunt primarily in central Alberta for deer but plan to hunt moose and elk as well if that should be big factors... This is a tough decision!
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I would go with the Tikka of those choices you mentioned. Second choice would be the Rem, and third would be the Savage. I have several Savage rifles, and they are great, but they feel "plasticky" and cheap compared to my Tikka or a Remington. All will work well and shoot accurately, it just depends on the "feel" and quality you want.
I'd go with .30-06 or 7RM. If you don't handload, then .30-06. Take advantage of the cheaper factory ammo in .30-06 and practice more. If you do handload, then I'd choose 7RM.
I'd go with .30-06 or 7RM. If you don't handload, then .30-06. Take advantage of the cheaper factory ammo in .30-06 and practice more. If you do handload, then I'd choose 7RM.
Rocket Surgery
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Go with the Savage or Tikka. The Tikka has a nicer bolt, but the magazine and trigger on the savage are better in my opinion.
Why are you going 30-06 and not 308? You'll be able to position your scope better with the short action, the ammo is cheaper, and it won't feel like you're working a waterpump with that long action.
EDIT: If you're coming off an Enfield, you may find ####-on-open bolts feel sloppy. I've looked long and hard for something smooth, and the best I've found is Tikka/Sako. Remington and Savage aren't bad, but you have to get short action if you don't want it to feel like you're making mashed potatoes when you cycle the action.
Why are you going 30-06 and not 308? You'll be able to position your scope better with the short action, the ammo is cheaper, and it won't feel like you're working a waterpump with that long action.
EDIT: If you're coming off an Enfield, you may find ####-on-open bolts feel sloppy. I've looked long and hard for something smooth, and the best I've found is Tikka/Sako. Remington and Savage aren't bad, but you have to get short action if you don't want it to feel like you're making mashed potatoes when you cycle the action.
I have also been looking at similar options. I like the 30-06 for cost and selection in factory ammunition as I don't reload as of yet. I won't likely want to shoot at game any further than the maximum point blank range offered by the 30-06 and I am quite comfortable with its recoil.
I like the fit/feel of the Tikka over the other two and the action is effortless and smooth. I will be out soon to shoot a friend's 300 win mag in a Tikka T3 but I don't think at my level of ability that I will use what that caliber has to offer. In due time, I may graduate to something more, but for now my next rifle will be a Tikka T3 in 30-06. I plan to have this rifle for quite some time, so I will pay a little more for the Tikka. I don't feel it is outrageously priced but it is about as much as my budget allows for now.
I like the fit/feel of the Tikka over the other two and the action is effortless and smooth. I will be out soon to shoot a friend's 300 win mag in a Tikka T3 but I don't think at my level of ability that I will use what that caliber has to offer. In due time, I may graduate to something more, but for now my next rifle will be a Tikka T3 in 30-06. I plan to have this rifle for quite some time, so I will pay a little more for the Tikka. I don't feel it is outrageously priced but it is about as much as my budget allows for now.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
I'll echo everything Jordan Smith said. He said exactly what I was thinking. The only thing I was going add, though, is that you should make the T3 the Hunter [wood stock] version.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
Now there is some solid advice, the Rifleman's Rifle in the do-it-all .30-06. Top it off with a Leupold VariX III 2.5-8 and you are good to go for anything in NA
savage no question best rifle of the bunch. Me personaly I prefer 308 because I am a big recoil pussy. But 3006 is a never fail cartridge It kills like gods fist. be carefull with the model 70 the pre 64 models are amazing rifles but some of the later ones are really spotty in quality. a brand new m70 i have no first hand knowledge of oh yeah gunwriters especialy in guns and ammo lie like politicians so take their reviews as BS. savage all the way
