Opinions Please: Which .30-06?

[McDAccountant]

Browning X-bolt Hunter...less than 7lbs...22" barrel...lefty...less than $1000...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=330393667

Why? Shoot one, you'll understand why...

[kilimanjaro]

Today I bought, at a pawnshop, a beautifully sportered 1917 Enfield, .30/06, ramp front sight, adjustable peep rear, drilled and tapped for scope, in excellent condition, mint bore, smooth action, nice red walnut checkered stock, for a total of $330 out the door.

I shoot left-handed, but a right-hand bolt is not an issue for me, just drop it off the shoulder, reach over and work the bolt, back to the shoulder, and reacquire. The first shot is the one I'm concerned with.

[TheBear]

which 30-06?

none, get yourself a .308 instead it can do everything that the 30-06 can and more (more accurate, shoots from a compact action).

[Jack O'Conner]

Where I live in Pennsylvania, Remington slide action 30-06 are enormously popular. They're accurate and fast handling.

Jack

[sc928porsche]

If you are looking for a 300+ yd. deer rifle, then cartridge selection is going to be important. You will need something with a lot of downrange energy. I would suggest either 7mm mag or 300 WM. With either cartridge, a very light rifle would not be that advantageous. Third request was that it was left handed.

I believe you would be best served by the Ruger Hawkeye@Standard Left Hand. It is available in both 7mm mag and 300WM. Strange as it may seem, their specs state that the 7mm is a bit heavier at 8.25lbs vs. the 300 at 8.00 lb. Both have 24" barrels.

I hunt almost everything with a Ruger M77R in 300WM. It has harvested a lot of deer, elk, even a couple of bears and 2 Moose. It has been my companion in the field for over 40 years and has never failed me and at my age, I am certain it will out last me.

[wyobohunter]

Originally Posted by TheBear

which 30-06?

none, get yourself a .308 instead it can do everything that the 30-06 can and more (more accurate, shoots from a compact action).

And...
"If you are looking for a 300+ yd. deer rifle, then cartridge selection is going to be important. You will need something with a lot of downrange energy. I would suggest either 7mm mag or 300 WM. With either cartridge, a very light rifle would not be that advantageous. Third request was that it was left handed."


Here we go. The fellow wants an 06'. Why waste time trying to sell your pet cartridge? Maybe he is a hand loader and is already set up for 06'. Maybe he has some other reason. Since when is the 30-06 not a 300+ yd deer rifle?

[JD0x0]

Since when is .308 inherently more accurate than 30-06? I thought they were both essentially just as accurate as eachother with the 06' flying slightly straighter due to it's velocity advantage. Either way 06 is plently accurate enough. I've seen hits at over 1000yrds with a match M1 Garand w/ iron sights, no optics. I could be wrong but I believe it was done with military surplus ammo too.

[FrankenMauser]

Since when is .308 inherently more accurate than 30-06? I thought they were both essentially just as accurate as eachother with the 06' flying slightly straighter due to it's velocity advantage. Either way 06 is plently accurate enough. I've seen hits at over 1000yrds with a match M1 Garand w/ iron sights, no optics. I could be wrong but I believe it was done with military surplus ammo too.

I agree. The more I shoot, the more I disregard even the most revered 'experts' views on a cartridge's "inherent accuracy".
As far as I'm concerned, 90% of it comes down to one thing: that rifled tube we send the bullets through.
A good barrel does amazing things.
A mediocre barrel does mediocre things.
The other 10% is controlled by how that barrel is attached to, and interacts with, the rest of the rifle.

[NWPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Shep

Anyone have any experience with the Tikka T3? It's not one that I've thought about before now, but I've seen several mentions of Tikkas on TFL.

...and thanks!

My son-in-law and his family have found the Tikka T3 to be very accurate. I have a Sako A7 in .30-06 that is very similar to the handling of the T3 and probably has the same barrel. Light, trim and well balanced at 6.5 lbs. barrel is hammer forged and looks like a mirror inside.

The T3 has more plastic than the A7 but is $100-$200 cheaper normally. About $560 for synth/blued and $660 for synth/stainless and it comes left handed.

Both have a single stack 3rd magazine which enables some of the trimness in the stock.

[Shep]

Well, I'm still sort of undecided, but I went into town today to see what the LGS had in stock that I could try on for size. I didn't plan on buying anything.
I asked the counter guy to "hand me one of those Savage rifles from his rack to see how it feels" and the only left handed ' 06 rifle in his store just fell into his hand! Somehow that lefty Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP followed me home.

Together with a basic Nikon 3-9x40 BDC scope, $510 out the door.

It's a synthetic stock not wood, as I'd prefer, and it's not stainless, but it'll give me an opportunity to see if I like the Savage without investing serious $$.

Range report and pics (if I like it) next week.

Thank you for all the great ideas and suggestions. I have a feeling that there'll be another '06 bolt gun in my future, whether I like this one or not.

[wyobohunter]

Look forward to seeing how she shoots.

[dmazur]

Glad you found a L handed '06.

I don't remember anyone recommending Montana Rifle Company (MRC).

http://www.montanarifleco.com/custom...oductionRifles

Their ASR-SS is $1129, which is a little over your target price, but not by much. It is a fairly good clone of the M70 action, I believe, and accepts aftermarket triggers designed for the M70. (That is, if you can manage to find fault with the already excellent M70 trigger...)

So, you might add MRC to your list. I have no idea where you could find one to "trial fit", short of driving to Montana.

[PatientWolf]

I think you will be very happy with the Savage. Keep us posted.

[NWPilgrim]

Congratulations on your new lefty rifle. I looked at several brands and really I think nearly any if them are great values and good shooters. Can't hardly go wrong with any of them and '06 is a classic chambering. And one that fits and suits you is all the better. Enjoy that fine rifle!

[hooligan1]

Yeah I know, youv'e all heard it from me before, but I love my Savage 111/detachable magazine, it's a 30-06, and with handloads it easily shoots right around 3/4 MOA, that's with me behind it, a real shooter might really be something to see.
Dude you're going to love your rifle too.

[McDAccountant]

Savage would have been my #2 choice behind the X-bolt. I had one, great shooter!

[Boomer58cal]

I can also shoot from either hand but prefer left hand with a right handed gun. I'm faster because my trigger hand stays put. I have left and right handed muzzleloaders and don't notice any difference. I wouldn't mind having a left handed automatic though. maybe a left handed BAR in 30-06($1050.00) would do you.

[Shep]

I have a BAR in '06, too. It's righthanded (ejection).

[GeauxTide]

I have all three, plus 700s. My Savage 16 Weather Warrior is the most accurate rifle OOB that I've ever owned.

[wooly booger]

Opinions are like ********

I own a .300 and use it a lot. That said, at 300 yards or less, the .300 Win Mag is no better than a 30'06 for anything less than AK Moose or Brown Bear ( for which, even it is not a good choice). I can't tell you how many elk are knocked over each year by the 30'06 and less cartridges.

BTW, you made an excellent choice in the Savage package. That is a best buy in my opinion.

[Strafer Gott]

I always thought that Ruger was a somewhat better grade, but the Savage will shoot just as good and maybe better. A 30-06 is a mighty versatile round.
A 130 gr. makes a dandy varmint round, and a 180 partition is plenty adequate for Elk. Handloading this round opens a lot of doors.

[boattale]

My daughter is left handed too. I bought her a Savage in 7mm-08 and she really likes it. Good luck with your new rifle.

[alex0535]

Remington Model 700 CDL Left handed .30-06 fits the bill pretty well.

It is a wood stock instead of synthetic. It still falls into your weight and barrel length constraints. Should be able to get one for your price range brand new.

[smokiniron]

I bought a Savage 116 Weather Warrior in 30-06. Scoped it with Redfield Revolution 3-9 X 50 mm. Have old eyes and recent cataract surgery.

Ammo is Federal blue box from Wally World, 150 gr, 100 yds.

Please note geauxTide's OTB comment. That's why I bought the Savage. Best bang for the buck with minimal tuning needed. Note: I bought my gun right-handed so my son can use (and inherit) it.

[iraiam]

I like Winchester Model 70, Ruger M77, and I do like Remington 700 but I can no longer overlook the Ilion, NY on them anymore.

I own more M77s than any other model.