Best all-around 30.06
I am in the market for a new deer rifle. I am leaning toward 30.06. I have a Browning A-Bolt in 7mm rem mag, and a Remington 700 in .270 win. I would like an opinion as to the best all around rifle in 30.06. Something not effected by weather, can take some abuse, and remain accurate to around 200 yards. My hunting area is a combination of woods and some open fields. I like the challenge of a long shot if I am confident of shot placement, but don't want to miss that buck that is hiding in the brush. Thanks for any opinions from you experts.
0
-
For less than 200 yards, you've lost any legitimate reason .30-06 fanatics have ever given me against using .308 (actually, there aren't very many yards at all between where a .308 is no longer a good choice for hunting and where a .30-06 is no longer a good choice for hunting). So there's my two cents on caliber selection for short range hunting.
Now, on to the gun... Have you ever tried a Winchester model 70, either pre-64 or the newer "Classic" models? Give one a shot and I'm sure you'll love the smooth action. And you won't find a noticeably more accurate factory rifle.
The Model 70 Classic, Stainless features a synthetic stock and stainless action and barrel, and will stand up to any weather you will. It's available in .30-06, among other calibers. See it here: http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=012&cat=001C
For a slightly meaner gun, in .308, check out the Stealth II. The main difference from the previous Stealth model is the Controlled-Round Push-Feed bolt. I haven't tried one of these new actions, but they're supposedly the best of both worlds (controlled-feed like the classic model 70 and push-feed like almost every other bolt gun in the world). See here: http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=955&cat=001C
Editorial PS: I'd recommend the .308 Winchester for hunting any game from coyote up to elk at any range from point-blank up to 500 yards, so don't read my advocacy of the caliber as going too far or not going too far enough. [:)]0 -
ZERODIN has made a good point. Your question was the best all-around 30.06. A Pre 1964 Winchester comes to mind. The M-1 comes to mind. My 2 cents [8D]
Greg
Former Marine
A N G L I C O0 -
The Remington 270 with right loads IMO, is a flat shooting very good rifle! Unless its an excuse just to get another rifle, then try a Weatherby, nambu 0 -
Personal preference included below...
M-1 Garand
Big Al (a Garand fan)0 -
M1 Garand [:)] 
"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it." Lord Chesterfield0 -
I would cast my vote for a Model 70 also. The lightweight or featherweight ranks high on my list. I also consider the .308 and .06 equivalent and have both with no real preferences. 0 -
From your question and the fact that you want an all weather setup, I assume that you are asking about current production rifles not all those that have come before. Ruger, Remington and Winchester are all making all weather 30-06s. But there is the vast difference between the various synthetic (plastic) stock that are out there. They are not all equal. After helping friends and trying some personally I have decided that I don't like this class of stocks. The better ones are laid up fiber glass and or kevlar and these are not light. The others are very light but they are likely to flex and twist at recoil. Personally I have dumped all my plastic stocks in favor of laminated wood which is as heavy as the better synthetics but it looks alot better and is nearly as weather proof. So I would recomend that you look for a stainless/laminate combo by any of the better manufactures. 0 -
Ok, yes, an excuse to get another rifle it is. I appreciate the words of advice. I never even thought about the Gerand and was thinking along the lines of a newer, possibly stainless variety. Why pre 1964? That is the kind of stuff that interests me, that you don't read about in today's hunting magazines. Thanks for the responses. How would the Winchester 70 compare with a Ruger M77 of similar setup? 0 -
Here is my choice and it weighs 7 pounds, 5 ounces. http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=18794452
Ruger #1 with a laminate stock, stainless. Very accurate, and light to carry too. Quick follow up shots are possible, and it won't kill you to carry it all day.0 -
spm815: Google around for information on the history of the Winchester model 70. There are lots of good articles out there about this interesting bit of gun lore. But here's an overview...
Winchester's model 70 was, for decades, considered the best American bolt-action rifle, and for good reason. In the 60's, though, to compete with Remington's cheaper model 700 and others like it, Winchester changed the design of the model 70. Truth be told, by the 70's it was apparently better-constructed than the pre-64 model, but nobody cared: the post-64 model 70 lacks the controlled feed bolt design of the pre-64 gun.
Recently (not sure how recently...at least 5 years or better), Winchester has been producing the "Model 70 Classic" alongside its regular model 70. The "Classic" means that it has a controlled-feed bolt, just like the pre-64 guns, except that it also has 40 years of improvements in other areas of the gun. In the past year, they've also been producing "controlled-round push-feed" actions, which supposedly offer the best of both worlds, although I've never tried one and can't comment beyond the "supposedly".
If you know anyone with a pre-64 Winchester model 70 or a newer Model 70 Classic, ask if you can shoot it, and pay close attention to how the rounds feed as you cycle the bolt. If you're anything like me, you'll fall in love.
I have a Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight (lightweight, sporty wooden stock) in .308 Winchester, and, as I said, I love it. I want to eventually get a heavier caliber model 70, such as .338 Winchester Magnum or maybe .375 H&H. I also want to eventually get a Model 70 Classic, Custom Carbon rifle (actually, a very similar third-party custom carbon-barrel gun from Christensen Arms is what I want). The problem is I can't decide if I want to get the custom gun in .338 or if I want to get it in .308 and get a non-custom-shop .338 and/or .375. "All of the above" isn't an option since the custom job is about $3400.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments