Looking For 30-06 Rifle Advice--Hunting Use

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking For 30-06 Rifle Advice--Hunting Use

Posted: 5/22/2002 9:57:58 AM EDT

A young friend is a hunter of medium sized game and asked me about advice on what rifle or rifles he should look at.

He's borrowed a 30-06 from someone and wants to stick with that caliber.

Other than that, it's open season.

THanks.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:06:31 AM EDT

[#1]

m1 with a 30 round mag. just kidding.

winchester model 670 is good.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:14:48 AM EDT

[#2]

Remington 7400 Carbine Synthetic.
Short. Powerful. Accurate. Reliable.
Lends itself well to modifications.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:18:37 AM EDT

[#3]

Price range?

If he doesn't want to spend much he could get a remington 710. $325 NIB with a 3-9 variable power scope. I would recommend some camo tape though...it's not very purty.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:22:39 AM EDT

[#4]

It's tough to beat a Remington 700. If $$ is a big enough concern, people say good things about the Savage equivalents. For what amounts to a once in a lifetime purchase, I would save up for the Remington. Get good glass. Leupold.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:29:33 AM EDT

[#5]

DO NOT BUY ANY THING NEW!! Most used hunting rifles were carried far more than shot. Save your money and buy a used rifle that has maybe seen 100 rounds through it in its life time. i have had nothing but great joy in finding rifles that have been shot little, carried far more (maybe even just stored), and clean up real well with some tlc into good shooters. My personnal preference is Remington (better triggers and actions) followed closely by sporterized 1903-A3.

Karl

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:32:33 AM EDT

[#6]

I agree with Remington. But for God's sake, get a 700 or model seven, NOT the 710.

I checked them when my local dealer got the first one in stock (I was thinking of one as a first deer gun for my son) and it was a total POS. I can't believe Remington puts their name on the 710.

With the other two Remington models you can't go wrong.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:38:57 AM EDT

[#7]

I'd second this with the caveats that he uses factory ammo (avoid 'light magnum' cartridges) and that semi's are legal where he's hunting.

I'll add a few other positives as well: relatively lightweight, lighter felt recoil than most .30-'06 bolt action, fairly easy to remove the forend and trigger assembly for cleaning

My cousin and I got the wood-stocked version the first year they came out, in 1989; since then I replaced my stock & forend with a synthetic Bell & Carlson stock & forend. His older brother uses their grandfathers late-'50s 740 carbine (.308), their dad a 742 carbine (again, .308) he bought in 1965. They've all accounted for quite a few deer, as well as caribou in Canada and moose. None of us regret our decision.

Put a Leupold 1x4 or 2x7 scope and you've got a nice package.

Quoted:
Remington 7400 Carbine Synthetic.
Short. Powerful. Accurate. Reliable.
Lends itself well to modifications.

Posted: 5/22/2002 11:25:11 AM EDT

[#8]

I would go with the 700 bdl or the mountain rifle. They are extremley acurate high quality and light. If you want something a litte cheaper buy the 700 adl but whatever you do DON'T GET A 710 they are total pieces of shit!

Posted: 5/22/2002 12:31:20 PM EDT

[#9]

My choices:

1. Remington 700 ADL Synthetic

2. Remington 742, 7400 (less recoil than with bolt guns).

3. Winchester Model 70 Ranger synthetic

Just stick with something cheap that works. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy to get the job done. Now if he is wanting something nice and fancy, just tell him to pick up a nice Browning semi-auto. Those are slick but have a price tag tag that will make you jump out of your hunting boots!

Posted: 5/22/2002 1:30:51 PM EDT

[#10]

I would wait until after hunting season this year and then check the local for sale ads. You can always get really great equipment (sometimes nearly new) right after hunting season for much less than the stuff normally costs. I got my Winchester Model 70 after a hunting season one year for $200 and the rifle had barely been shot, was a little over 10 years old, and showed little wear to either the outside or the inside. For another $350 I had the barrel free-floated, chooped to 16," threaded with muzzle break attached, and the trigger smoothed and lightened, and bought a Bushnell illuminated reticle 3-9x 40mm scope.

Posted: 5/22/2002 1:36:11 PM EDT

[#11]

i still say you need to find a winchester 670

mine shoots 3/4" groups at 100 yrds with my handloads

Posted: 5/22/2002 1:40:50 PM EDT

[#12]

I bought a Winchester model 70 from walmart for 330$. It also came with a 3x9 simmons scope.

Keving67

Posted: 5/22/2002 1:44:11 PM EDT

[#13]

In addition to the Remington and Winchester offerings, you might consider a Savage or a Steyr Pro-Hunter. Both are pretty good rifles.

And if you own a .30-06 hunting rifle, it's hard not to justify owning a Garand.

Posted: 5/22/2002 2:04:11 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
In addition to the Remington and Winchester offerings, you might consider a Savage or a Steyr Pro-Hunter. Both are pretty good rifles.

And if you own a .30-06 hunting rifle, it's hard not to justify owning a Garand.

What he said on the Savage and the Garand!

On this subject, I found a Howa 1500 with synthetic stock in .30-06 yesterday for less than $400. Anyone know anything about this rifle? I trust my FFL and he said it was an okay rifle, not great, but wanted to get different opinions. I must admit that part of the attraction was the Howa name since one of my AR180s was made by them.

Also, what do y'all think about flash hiders on bolt .30-06 rifles? I have a Phantom on my Savage 110FP in .30-06 and am going to get the Howa barrel threaded and put an A2 (drilled out for .30 cal) on it.

Posted: 5/22/2002 3:30:16 PM EDT

[#15]

I've heard good things about Howa, don't they make/made rifles on contract for Weatherby?

I think any of the major rifle makers has a good 30-06 bolt gun.

I'd spend a couple of extra bucks and get the BDL Remington (I prefer in stailess and synthetic stock-although the metal is kind of shiny). I think the ADL all require you to unload by working the bolt, while the BDL has either a hinged floorplate or a magazine. Working the action to unload gets old fast (and probably is not great for the ammo) when hunting you will probably be unloading to cross obstacles, get in and out of vehicles, maybe go in and out of a house or hunting lodge.

Posted: 5/22/2002 3:51:20 PM EDT

[#16]

1st Choice: Browning BAR

2nd Choice: Remington 742 Woodsmaster (older version of 7400, made better and parts readily available.)

3rd Choice: Remington 7400.

I own all three.

Stay away from synthetic stocks.

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:22:31 PM EDT

[#17]

I've harvested many deer with my 18.5" Remington 7400 with a 3X9 Leupold and see-thru mount.

It's a great rifle for low cash. You can also get 10-round mags for it, which is cool.

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:28:39 PM EDT

[#18]

Remington 700.

BDL or ADL, take your pick.

Joe

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:32:55 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Stay away from synthetic stocks.

I'm curious, why? Other than they are fugly of course.

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:37:19 PM EDT

[#20]

Can't go wrong with the Winchester Model 70. Its a sweet rifle

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:43:24 PM EDT

[#21]

My favorite deer rifle is a well worn Ruger M77 with a tang safety in .308. A Winchester model 70 is also a great rifle for the money, but I can't say I care for the safety. Another great (and mostly overlooked) hunting rifle is the Browning BLR Lightning. I own, and hunt with all these rifles, but only one is a .30-o6 and that is the model 70. The BLR is a .243.
All of the rifles were bought as used guns and all are tack drivers. It seems to me that most hunting rifles don't get the use and abuse that the ARs and AKs get. If you decide to buy new, you may want to shop around.I have seen several rifles bought from Wally World, and there is a reason they're so cheap. Look at the wood and bluing, then go to a real gun shop and check out the same rifle(new or used).

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:46:18 PM EDT

[#22]

I don't know what Deer-Hunter is alluding to, but twigs brushing against them make a lot more noise than they do against wood stocks. It's more an issue if you still-hunt in the woods than if you hunt fields or post yourself in a tree stand.

Quoted:
Quoted:

Stay away from synthetic stocks.

I'm curious, why? Other than they are fugly of course.

Posted: 5/22/2002 4:56:02 PM EDT

[#23]

Browning A-Bolt, IMHO. It is a very accurate rifle (will put 3rds in 1" group at 200yds.) and the 45 degree bolt will allow easy operation even with gloves on ( scope clearance ) to make a follow up shot, removable magazine and adjustable trigger.

Posted: 5/22/2002 5:01:24 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
... On this subject, I found a Howa 1500 with synthetic stock in .30-06 yesterday for less than $400. Anyone know anything about this rifle? ...

I don’t have one, but I’ve read good things about Howa’s.

I believe Weatherby used to sell them as their Vanguard model.

My local Wal-Mart has them for, I think, around $380.

I also have a vague recollection of a fairly recent recall on some Howa’s.

Posted: 5/22/2002 10:52:02 PM EDT

[#25]

For Factory Rifles:
Ruger
Savage
Remington
Winchester
Tikka
Sako
Are all good Rifles.
If he is willing to look around a bit: a lot of times he can run across a good deal on a used Customized Mauser or other action chambered in 30-06.
Or if he is willing to spend more than $1700 he can get a Custom Rifle built to his specifications.
If he wants a really stiff action: Hall and Stolle make some very stiff actions. Lija, Krieger, Hart, all make good barrels.
Leupold makes some good optics.

Posted: 5/23/2002 3:52:26 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Browning A-Bolt, IMHO. It is a very accurate rifle (will put 3rds in 1" group at 200yds.) and the 45 degree bolt will allow easy operation even with gloves on ( scope clearance ) to make a follow up shot, removable magazine and adjustable trigger.

I agree. .270/.30-06

GIB

Posted: 5/23/2002 4:17:38 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Browning A-Bolt, IMHO. It is a very accurate rifle (will put 3rds in 1" group at 200yds.) and the 45 degree bolt will allow easy operation even with gloves on ( scope clearance ) to make a follow up shot, removable magazine and adjustable trigger.

I agree. .270/.30-06
GIB

GIB, no way, the bolt's on the wrong side. LOL

Posted: 5/23/2002 4:24:00 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
GIB, no way, the bolt's on the wrong side. LOL

I thought all bolt actions came that way...LOL

GIB

Posted: 5/23/2002 4:49:55 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

I thought all bolt actions came that way...LOL
GIB

The one on top looks like the bass-ackwards spittin' image of my wife's "deer rifle," except her's is a Remington 700. Is that the Leupold 3.5-10X--50MM scope? Very nice--shootable in near darkness.

Posted: 5/23/2002 4:56:17 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
...snip...
Is that the Leupold 3.5-10X--50MM scope? Very nice--shootable in near darkness.

Yes. They are great for gathering light early in the morning and just before dark.
GIB

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking For 30-06 Rifle Advice--Hunting Use

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