Hey, I'm looking for opinions on which new bolt action is the most accurate. Which is the most accurate .30-06, we are talking brand new, right out of the box, with no modification. Is it the Remington 700 SPS, the Savage Hunter 111 FCNS, the Marlin X7 , the Weatherby Vanguard 2, the Tikka T3 Lite, the Browning X-bolt Composite or the Winchester Model 70 Ultimate shadow?
Which bolt is best?
- Thread starter skokie
- Start date
I don't think anyone has tight enough quality control that you can talk anything but the law of averages. I've only owned from the above a Tikka T3 lite in 308 and a Savage 111 in 300WM. The Tikka was better and needed no work at all, the Savage on the other hand needed refining. I ended up selling the Tikka and getting a Sako A7 in 300WSM, which is very similar to the Tikka T3 lite and equally accurate and smooth with an awesome out of the box trigger. No mods whatsoever needed.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Accuracy is way more dependent on shooting ability then rifle quality.
And the mystical 1 MOA is far better then what is needed in most hunting rigs. To me, fit, feel, and function are more important then tack driving ability. My favourite rifle hits 1 MOA on its best days, but is usually closer to 1.5MOA. That doesnt matter a lick to me.
I hunt in Sprucedale (you should know where that is) and ranges rarely exceed 100m. Tack driving accuracy isnt necessary for large game.
And the mystical 1 MOA is far better then what is needed in most hunting rigs. To me, fit, feel, and function are more important then tack driving ability. My favourite rifle hits 1 MOA on its best days, but is usually closer to 1.5MOA. That doesnt matter a lick to me.
I hunt in Sprucedale (you should know where that is) and ranges rarely exceed 100m. Tack driving accuracy isnt necessary for large game.
The tikka it was very typical to get the 1st two shots touching and the third a bit further out. Last time I sighted it in, 1st shot perfect bullseye at 100 yards. Walked out to the target and taped over the hole. 2nd shot went right through the same hole. I put the rifle back in the case and went hunting. As well in developing a load, it was very tolerant. Basically all the loads in the reasonable range of 42-44 grains shot excellently.
The Tikka in 308 could shoot tighter than the Sako in 300WSM for 5 shot groups. I think its the heat on the barrel.
The Tikka in 308 could shoot tighter than the Sako in 300WSM for 5 shot groups. I think its the heat on the barrel.
I agree, a rifle shooting 4 moa or worse is still a good close range hunting firearm. However, I am looking more for a dual purpose hunting and target set up. Not a full on target rifle, but something accurate enough that a 8" gong at 500 yd and maybe beyond would be a possibilty. I am fortunate enough to have friends in long places, were no one lives.
Thanks, that is exactly what I'm looking for. Simple, honest experience.
It is hard to say for certain.
I have 3 M700's and have had 2 M70's only kept one of those so far and shot numerous T3's and older Tikka whitetails. I used to have a Weatherby vanguard weather guard also.
My SPS stainless in 270 WCF has an action like it was pour of concrete. The action is complete garbage the factory stock was complete garbage but the rifle shoots. Just not consistently. It has a bedding problem and strings shots vertically but looks like once that problem is resolved it should do under MOA.
I have an LSS stainless in a grey laminate stock in 300 RUM. Beautiful smooth action and even feed the RUM case fairly well and is nicely jeweled. It took some bedding work again to get this rifle to shoot less than 3MOA but now it is down to about 1.5 MOA. I love everything about the fit and finish of this rifle but as I get older I begin to hate the RUM case. Its too "Texas" for me.
Finally I have a M700 VLS in a VS stock in 243 WCF. This rifle has wonderful deep bluing, for a modern Remington. Nicely jeweled feeds very well and the action is very smooth. It shoots everything very well and if it ever shot over 1MOA it would certainly be my fault. One of the best rifles I have ever owned I wish they were all like this one.
I owned a M70 Coyote in 243 WCF. It operated flawlessly in the "controlled round push feed" as they called it. But it never shot worth a damn. I passed it on down the road. But it fed perfectly and looked decent and I really like the old trigger design on the M70.
I recently picked up a M70 classic supergrade in 7mm rem mag. I put a box of ammo through it and then loaded up a quick 20 rounds of a random "gut feeling" load 1 grain below book max and hit the range. Presto! less than MOA grouping and load development is now done. Couldn't possibly be happier with this supergrade. Feeds slick as can be looks sharp and shoots superb.
The Tikka's all shot very well, have a great trigger, have a very smooth action are nice and light have great fit and finish (or should it be Finnish). But... they don't have a lot of aftermarket accessories compared to the M700 or even M70 and have too much plastic for my taste. But still a superb little rifle that shoot very well.
My Weatherby Vanguard weatherguard in 270 WCF was slick. The floor plate was made out of real metal! It fed awesome. Held 5 rounds. Shot less than MOA with Nosler Ballsitic tips. Uses the same basses as a M700. The trigger wasn't perfect but that can be fixed with a Timney easily enough. The plastic stock was a sweaty pile of junk that would flex and bend like a wet noddle. Pretty decent aftermarket support for them though Timney, Boyds, Bell&Carlson, McMillian. Its apparently the same action Nosler uses on their rifles but I can't confirm that.
If I was to buy a new rifle these days I'd probably get a Vanguard Sub-MOA or an el-cheapo Vaguard and stick a Timney on it and a decent stock. For the Money they are my pick.
Hope that helps you out.
I have 3 M700's and have had 2 M70's only kept one of those so far and shot numerous T3's and older Tikka whitetails. I used to have a Weatherby vanguard weather guard also.
My SPS stainless in 270 WCF has an action like it was pour of concrete. The action is complete garbage the factory stock was complete garbage but the rifle shoots. Just not consistently. It has a bedding problem and strings shots vertically but looks like once that problem is resolved it should do under MOA.
I have an LSS stainless in a grey laminate stock in 300 RUM. Beautiful smooth action and even feed the RUM case fairly well and is nicely jeweled. It took some bedding work again to get this rifle to shoot less than 3MOA but now it is down to about 1.5 MOA. I love everything about the fit and finish of this rifle but as I get older I begin to hate the RUM case. Its too "Texas" for me.
Finally I have a M700 VLS in a VS stock in 243 WCF. This rifle has wonderful deep bluing, for a modern Remington. Nicely jeweled feeds very well and the action is very smooth. It shoots everything very well and if it ever shot over 1MOA it would certainly be my fault. One of the best rifles I have ever owned I wish they were all like this one.
I owned a M70 Coyote in 243 WCF. It operated flawlessly in the "controlled round push feed" as they called it. But it never shot worth a damn. I passed it on down the road. But it fed perfectly and looked decent and I really like the old trigger design on the M70.
I recently picked up a M70 classic supergrade in 7mm rem mag. I put a box of ammo through it and then loaded up a quick 20 rounds of a random "gut feeling" load 1 grain below book max and hit the range. Presto! less than MOA grouping and load development is now done. Couldn't possibly be happier with this supergrade. Feeds slick as can be looks sharp and shoots superb.
The Tikka's all shot very well, have a great trigger, have a very smooth action are nice and light have great fit and finish (or should it be Finnish). But... they don't have a lot of aftermarket accessories compared to the M700 or even M70 and have too much plastic for my taste. But still a superb little rifle that shoot very well.
My Weatherby Vanguard weatherguard in 270 WCF was slick. The floor plate was made out of real metal! It fed awesome. Held 5 rounds. Shot less than MOA with Nosler Ballsitic tips. Uses the same basses as a M700. The trigger wasn't perfect but that can be fixed with a Timney easily enough. The plastic stock was a sweaty pile of junk that would flex and bend like a wet noddle. Pretty decent aftermarket support for them though Timney, Boyds, Bell&Carlson, McMillian. Its apparently the same action Nosler uses on their rifles but I can't confirm that.
If I was to buy a new rifle these days I'd probably get a Vanguard Sub-MOA or an el-cheapo Vaguard and stick a Timney on it and a decent stock. For the Money they are my pick.
Hope that helps you out.
I got a savage 111 in 300wm and can whack a 6" gong at 300 yards and I bout a stevens 25-06 that can do it at 400 yards off a bipod. Factory triggers and stocks. The 25 has a nice scope the 300 has the simmons package scope. I hate the feel of remingtons bolt guns so don't have enuf experince to comment on them and every tikka I've shot hjas been modified to shoot well. I do here good things about the vangaurds tho. Almost bout one but the stevens 200 fit me better even tho it is much uglier
I think the tikka's are the highest ranked on this forum, but, its strange your looking for the most accurate 30-06. The 30-06 is a go to hunting caliber. It isnt chosen primarily for its accuracy, thats tends to get directed more towards other calibers. Kinda of like saying "what is the fastest honda?" thats not what people buy honda's for, if that makes any sense?
Markus, you may be thinking of the Howa rifles, they made the vanguard for quite a while, and may possibly still make it I dont know...
Good luck!
Markus, you may be thinking of the Howa rifles, they made the vanguard for quite a while, and may possibly still make it I dont know...
Good luck!
From my experience...Remington SPS is a fine shooter, but the best, right out of the box? By far the Weatherby Vanguard.
I had a 243 and it was an awesome rifle. The trigger is crisp. I sold it due to wanting a faster action. Am seriously looking again at the Weatherby, particularly the S2 when it comes out.
I did not like the look or the feel of a Savage, but it is a great shooter too.
Not a Tikka fan here, just don't like them.
I had a 243 and it was an awesome rifle. The trigger is crisp. I sold it due to wanting a faster action. Am seriously looking again at the Weatherby, particularly the S2 when it comes out.
I did not like the look or the feel of a Savage, but it is a great shooter too.
Not a Tikka fan here, just don't like them.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You know I have an Austrian Voere that does the exact same thing with it's pencil diameter barrel.
I was advised to put a tad bit of upward pressure onto the barrel via shims.
And as it is now, it is freefloating all along the barrel channel.
Someday this summer I going to do exactly this. I heard a Tim's card cut up in the right manner is perfect for this job, and glued into place.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There's lots of Remington actions on the firing line at Homestead, and they are very well respresented at Bull Meadow as well.
The barrel is more important IMHO.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Troll post of the year, at least amongst this bunch.
Seriously, what you are going to read here has more to do with popularity, and opinion that truth. That's not anything to do with the guys here, that's just the way it is. They will offer you valuable insight, but really, they can't make the choice for you.
Fact is, most major manufacturers produce rifles capable of decent accuracy. You need the one that fits you best, feels the most comfortable, and that you feel the most confident with.
There are a lot of differences in rifles, check them out.
Safeties, bolt lift, action length, cartridge choice, stock design, magazine types... it's a long, long list. But you need to feel them out for yourself.
