upgrading rifle options???

folsoh · December 27, 2009, 06:37 PM

I am new here and joined after reading some informative threads here. My question is this. For years I have hunted deer in Missouri with a Remington 710 rifle in 30.06 with cheap Nikon scope attached. Recently I started having problems with rifle, bolt sticking, bolt locked closed after firing and rifle not firing when the trigger is pulled. So to say the least, I have never been satisfied with this rifle but at the time of purchase it was all I could afford. I have decided to spend $1000 to $1200 on a rifle to upgrade. I would like to stay in the 30.06 caliber as I still have a couple hundred rounds 165 grain. So for the money what would you buy? And why? Would you switch calibers?

My thoughts are I should spend half on the rifle and half on the scope. In the past most of my hunting disappointments were scope related. I would primarily used the rifle to hunt whitetail deer in Missouri, but I have also gone to Montana to hunt Mule Deer and Elk. Where I live in Missouri it is mostly wooded however where I hunt there are several places where I could make 300 to 500 yard shots. I have not looked for a rifle for years. My thoughts are I would purchase a Remington 700 rifle or something close to it in 30.06 with a Leupold VX-3 with CDS scope.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I would consider any advice helpful. Thanks.

James R. Burke · December 27, 2009, 06:41 PM

I think you are correct in staying with the 06, and getting good glass.

Jimro · December 27, 2009, 06:47 PM

A Rem 700 in 30-06 topped with a Leupold scope? Sounds like you've done all the thinking you really need to do.

Jimro

GeauxTide · December 27, 2009, 06:47 PM

My top three are Ruger Hawkeye SS, Remington 700 CDL, and Winchester 70 Sporter.

The best value, in my opinion, is the Hawkeye. The Remington and Winchester have 24" barrels, which can bring your 165s to 2850 without breathing hard.

Abel · December 28, 2009, 09:21 AM

I have pondered your question many, many times. The best rifles that I could come up with in your price range are the Browning X-Bolt & the Winchester Featherweight.

dochawg · December 28, 2009, 10:10 AM

You can never go wrong with a savage for the money. Especially with the new trigger. I also have a Howa 1500 and love it. You can get it with the Axiom spec ops stock and it is sweet, a little heavy, but sweet. It has MOA guarantee out of the box.

jb

fyimo · December 28, 2009, 10:54 AM

I'd get a Remington 700 CDL in 30-06 and you can't go wrong witha Leupold vari XIII scope.

uncyboo · December 28, 2009, 11:54 AM

Look at all the rifles that fall into your budget and then pick the one that feels and fits the best. Hard to go wrong with a $600 anything from any of the major manufacturers. Stick with the brand names for your scope and you'll be just fine.

tINY · December 28, 2009, 03:06 PM

You don't need to spend $500-$600 on glass for a hunting scope (unless you are hunting at night or transportation to the hunt includes a float plane).

You can get a really good 3-9x40 scope for $200-$250 and spend the rest on a nice rifle like a Browning A-Bolt or TC Icon.

-tINY

fyimo · December 28, 2009, 05:10 PM

There are a lot of excellent scopes out there for less the $300 like the Bushnell Elite 3200 or 4200 and Leupold Vari X II. In fact you can buy a Leupold used off of Ebay for $200 and the company guarantees them for life whether you are the first owner or any owner after that.The last Remington 700 CDL I bought was three months ago and I found a great deal on a new one for $550 and it's every bit as nice as my two Browning A Bolts.

qwman68 · December 28, 2009, 05:51 PM

remington 700 is a fine rifle. i have one in 270. if i was looking to buy a new bolt action i would look at T/C VENTURE. less than 500 dollars and guranteed 1moa or less. you can get real good scopes for 2-300 dollars. i have burris fullfield II scopes on my rifles and they are fine scopes.

folsoh · December 29, 2009, 12:57 AM

i have really liked the Thompson Venture thus far. anyone have any comments???

RamSlammer · December 29, 2009, 01:10 AM

I've been sort of looking for the same thing. Right now have an eye on a Winchester Model 70 featherweight with a pre-64 action at CDNN for $649. That will leave 3 bills for a scope. There seems to be many good choices of scopes in that price range.

Water-Man · December 29, 2009, 01:30 AM

I'd consider the Winchester Sporter in .30-06. BudsGunShop.com has one for $665.00 delivered.

Will Fennell · December 29, 2009, 02:47 AM

I think that you are thinking along the right lines....may I suggest a Tikka T3 and a Ziess Conquest. Do get better mounting system than what comes with the T3.....

I have either owned, or set up for others, 5 Tikka T3's in various chamberings....all ended up shooting well under 1 MOA[ couple of them would print under .5 MOA ]. They all had great triggers out of the box, and they all functioned very smoothly.

You can NEVER go wrong with a 30/06.....

warbirdlover · December 29, 2009, 03:20 AM

Lot's of good suggestions already but I'd stay with the 30-06 and choose either a Remington 700 SPS, TC Venture, Tikka T3, Ruger 77 Hawkeye (my choice) or the new Winchester 70. I've spent alot of time lately at Gander checking the guns for my next purchase (yeah right) and these are what I narrowed it down to. The Savage is an excellent choice but I just can't stand the looks of them.

10-96 · December 29, 2009, 05:41 AM

Another one to take a peek at is the CZ 550. Lordy what a classy ride!

Abel · December 29, 2009, 08:11 AM

Yep, those CZ's are nice. So are the Rugers. If I were looking, my list would be Browning/Winchester, CZ, Ruger. I do not list Remington only because all of the instances I've heard/read about recent poor QC.

Warchild · December 29, 2009, 08:27 AM

Tikka T3 (light, accuracy guarantee, durable), in .30-06 with a Nikon Buckmasters on it and you're looking at around $800 OTD for that setup, then spend the other $2-400 on ammo or reloading equipment.

December 27, 2009, 06:37 PM	#1
folsoh Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Posts: 64	upgrading rifle options??? I am new here and joined after reading some informative threads here. My question is this. For years I have hunted deer in Missouri with a Remington 710 rifle in 30.06 with cheap Nikon scope attached. Recently I started having problems with rifle, bolt sticking, bolt locked closed after firing and rifle not firing when the trigger is pulled. So to say the least, I have never been satisfied with this rifle but at the time of purchase it was all I could afford. I have decided to spend $1000 to $1200 on a rifle to upgrade. I would like to stay in the 30.06 caliber as I still have a couple hundred rounds 165 grain. So for the money what would you buy? And why? Would you switch calibers? My thoughts are I should spend half on the rifle and half on the scope. In the past most of my hunting disappointments were scope related. I would primarily used the rifle to hunt whitetail deer in Missouri, but I have also gone to Montana to hunt Mule Deer and Elk. Where I live in Missouri it is mostly wooded however where I hunt there are several places where I could make 300 to 500 yard shots. I have not looked for a rifle for years. My thoughts are I would purchase a Remington 700 rifle or something close to it in 30.06 with a Leupold VX-3 with CDS scope. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I would consider any advice helpful. Thanks.

December 28, 2009, 10:10 AM	#6
dochawg Junior Member Join Date: March 3, 2009 Posts: 6	re: You can never go wrong with a savage for the money. Especially with the new trigger. I also have a Howa 1500 and love it. You can get it with the Axiom spec ops stock and it is sweet, a little heavy, but sweet. It has MOA guarantee out of the box. jb

December 29, 2009, 02:47 AM	#15
Will Fennell Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 184	Good plan.... I think that you are thinking along the right lines....may I suggest a Tikka T3 and a Ziess Conquest. Do get better mounting system than what comes with the T3..... I have either owned, or set up for others, 5 Tikka T3's in various chamberings....all ended up shooting well under 1 MOA[ couple of them would print under .5 MOA ]. They all had great triggers out of the box, and they all functioned very smoothly. You can NEVER go wrong with a 30/06.....

December 29, 2009, 05:41 AM	#17
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,190	Another one to take a peek at is the CZ 550. Lordy what a classy ride! __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

December 27, 2009, 06:41 PM	#2
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	I think you are correct in staying with the 06, and getting good glass.

December 27, 2009, 06:47 PM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	A Rem 700 in 30-06 topped with a Leupold scope? Sounds like you've done all the thinking you really need to do. Jimro

December 27, 2009, 06:47 PM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	My top three are Ruger Hawkeye SS, Remington 700 CDL, and Winchester 70 Sporter. The best value, in my opinion, is the Hawkeye. The Remington and Winchester have 24" barrels, which can bring your 165s to 2850 without breathing hard.

December 28, 2009, 09:21 AM	#5
Abel Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,161	I have pondered your question many, many times. The best rifles that I could come up with in your price range are the Browning X-Bolt & the Winchester Featherweight.

December 28, 2009, 10:54 AM	#7
fyimo Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2009 Posts: 360	I'd get a Remington 700 CDL in 30-06 and you can't go wrong witha Leupold vari XIII scope.

December 28, 2009, 11:54 AM	#8
uncyboo Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: Shelby, MT Posts: 1,013	Look at all the rifles that fall into your budget and then pick the one that feels and fits the best. Hard to go wrong with a $600 anything from any of the major manufacturers. Stick with the brand names for your scope and you'll be just fine.

December 28, 2009, 03:06 PM	#9
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	You don't need to spend $500-$600 on glass for a hunting scope (unless you are hunting at night or transportation to the hunt includes a float plane). You can get a really good 3-9x40 scope for $200-$250 and spend the rest on a nice rifle like a Browning A-Bolt or TC Icon. -tINY

December 28, 2009, 05:10 PM	#10
fyimo Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2009 Posts: 360	There are a lot of excellent scopes out there for less the $300 like the Bushnell Elite 3200 or 4200 and Leupold Vari X II. In fact you can buy a Leupold used off of Ebay for $200 and the company guarantees them for life whether you are the first owner or any owner after that.The last Remington 700 CDL I bought was three months ago and I found a great deal on a new one for $550 and it's every bit as nice as my two Browning A Bolts.

December 28, 2009, 05:51 PM	#11
qwman68 Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Crimson Tide Country Posts: 359	remington 700 is a fine rifle. i have one in 270. if i was looking to buy a new bolt action i would look at T/C VENTURE. less than 500 dollars and guranteed 1moa or less. you can get real good scopes for 2-300 dollars. i have burris fullfield II scopes on my rifles and they are fine scopes.

December 29, 2009, 12:57 AM	#12
folsoh Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Posts: 64	i have really liked the Thompson Venture thus far. anyone have any comments???

December 29, 2009, 01:10 AM	#13
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	I've been sort of looking for the same thing. Right now have an eye on a Winchester Model 70 featherweight with a pre-64 action at CDNN for $649. That will leave 3 bills for a scope. There seems to be many good choices of scopes in that price range.

December 29, 2009, 01:30 AM	#14
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I'd consider the Winchester Sporter in .30-06. BudsGunShop.com has one for $665.00 delivered.

December 29, 2009, 03:20 AM	#16
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	Lot's of good suggestions already but I'd stay with the 30-06 and choose either a Remington 700 SPS, TC Venture, Tikka T3, Ruger 77 Hawkeye (my choice) or the new Winchester 70. I've spent alot of time lately at Gander checking the guns for my next purchase (yeah right) and these are what I narrowed it down to. The Savage is an excellent choice but I just can't stand the looks of them.

December 29, 2009, 08:11 AM	#18
Abel Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,161	Yep, those CZ's are nice. So are the Rugers. If I were looking, my list would be Browning/Winchester, CZ, Ruger. I do not list Remington only because all of the instances I've heard/read about recent poor QC.

December 29, 2009, 08:27 AM	#19
Warchild Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2009 Posts: 453	Tikka T3 (light, accuracy guarantee, durable), in .30-06 with a Nikon Buckmasters on it and you're looking at around $800 OTD for that setup, then spend the other $2-400 on ammo or reloading equipment.