Recommend a good rifle in .30-06 Spgfld

[SnowMoJoe]

Hi... I'm looking for some feedback on a good rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield.

My father had an old Remington 742 auto-loader, which basically fell apart on me. When I went back to Remington for help, they told me they were no longer supporting the 742 due to design flaws. However, if I sent them the old rifle and $200, they'd send me a new Model 7400 auto-loader. So I did. The trouble is, this new 7400 is no better than the old rifle. Still jams on virtually EVERY round, the mag falls out sometimes due to recoil - and even if it doesn't fall out, it NEVER feeds correctly. Totally unreliable. If you needed this rifle to come through for you in tough circumstances, you'd be in big trouble.

So, I'm looking for a good rifle for target shooting and possibly deer hunting. It can be any type of action, lever, bolt, semi-auto, don't care. It's got to be chambered in .30-06. I was looking at the Rem 700 BDL, which I hear is very reliable. I've also looked at some Sako rifles. I have had people tell me the BAR is the only rifle you need, but I don't really want to break the bank on this. I'm not exactly Jeremiah Johnson, if you know what I mean. I shoot a handful of times a year, especially when you're talking high-velocity stuff like .30-06. I live in NJ, after all.

Have at it, gents.

[Redhawk1]

Tikka T3.  

[alsatian]

If you don't like the Remington 7400 you might consider selling it.  On the other hand, maybe you need to feed this semi-automatic rifle the correct kind of ammunition.  I have read that sometimes semi-automatic rifles are sensitive to the particular ammunition that they fire.  Consult someone who is expert in such matters -- a gun smith, a customer service representative at Remington, etc.

There are many good .30-06 bolt action rifles on the market at all kinds of different price points.  I would guess that all of these rifles provide sufficient accuracy for the occasional shooter and for the occasional hunter.  I recently bought a Remington ADL with a synthetic stock in .30-06 at the opening of a new Bass Pro Shop for $290.  I have shot the rifle several times and it seems accurate enough to me, probably better than 1 1/2" five shot group at 100 yards.  This seems pretty inexpensive to me.  I bought it as a back-up rifle to take in case my main-line rifle breaks and also as a foul weather rifle to use when I don't want to expose my pretty walnut rifles to the rain.  New England Firearms (NEF) offers even less expensive rifles, I believe, though these may be single shot rifles.  Nothing wrong with a single shot rifle, but they have limitations that you need to be aware of (like only shooting one shot at a time, which may be a concern when hunting dangerous animals such as a black bear).  The NEF handirifle allows you to change out barrels and thereby change the cartridge your rifle shoots, and of course they sell these alternative barrels.

[PA-Joe]

Winchester 70 Classic Stainless or Classic Feeatherweight.

[killdeer]

SnowMoJoe,
My first deer rifle was a 742. I know exactly what you are saying.
I hunted most of my life with "that thing" and always had to worry/wonder if would perform when I sqeezed the trigger.
       Remington 700s are great bolt action rifles (MY OPINION).
It matters not whether you buy a $370 or $800 one.
For about $379 you can get an ADL with synthetic stock or for $439 one with a laminated stock at our local wal-mart. That would be my choice per your description of needs.
If you want to spend more you can buy an SPS model for about $500 or a CDL for about $600. They all have the same action just a little different "fluff".
 By the way, I bought the Wal-mart ADL with laminate stock in.270 and plan to buy another in 30-06 before they run out. They are being replaced by the SPS line but don't worry it's not like the 742. The ADL has the same action as all the others.
    DO not buy the 710 however, it is not the same.

     Hope this helps, and there are lots of other good guns out there also.  

             KD

[PeterF.]

You might want to look at the Savage bolt actions.  Not quite as pretty as some of the Remingtons or other brands, but they have a reputation for extremely good accuracy out-of-the-box (that is, they don't need a lot of fiddling to get them to work right ... which many other brands seem to require).  There's quite a variety of Savage models ... so many I can't keep them straight; check out their web site (www.savagearms.com).

[dukkillr]

Pre-64 Winchester model 70.  Can't think of a reason to own anything else.

[Don Fischer]

If you go to a gun store and buy most any bolt action 30-06, you'll likely get one suitable for your need's. Gun nut's have a habit of leaning strongly on their favorite brand or what they are used to. Gun nut's also pick un-mercifully about nothing at time's.

I think if you ask Greybeard, he'd say get a 700 Remington. The way it sound's he's got every one ever made. In fact, when I'm gone,ownership of mine may revert to him!

You will find very knowledgeable gun nut's that will champion and curse every brand. What your looking for sound's like cheap, reliable and serviceable. That's pretty much how you spell Savage! And again, some love them and some hate them. Everybody say's they shoot well!

[nasem]

Oh gawd, there are endless numbers of 06 rifles that shoot VERY accuratly and don't break your wallet.... Personally, I like the 7400, but you seem to be having troubles with it...

-Winchester model 70 (going out of bussiness but they make very accurate rifles)

-Remington 700 (most 700 models with 30-06 are bad a$$, try looking at the remington model 700 POLICE EDITION, with heavy barrel, man talking about insane accuracy)   ::WARRNING:: DO NOT LOOK AT THE 710, IT MIGHT BLIND YOU !!!!

-Check out the Mossberg ATR in 30-06, very very accurate rifle and only $240 (from walmart only)

If your looking to just mess around and shoot (please remember to be safe) and second, look at the mossberg ATR, very very accurate rifle, i shoot it all the time

hope this helps

[sniperVLS]

if you find a 700 police edition, usually called PSS, they are 99.9% .308, some in .300wm.

Ive never heard of one chambered for .30-06, stock anyways.

Get any Rem 700 and you'll be happy

I had a .30-06 700 Mountain Rifle about 15 years ago, but the thing was so light it kicked to the point of not being much fun 2 shoot. Other than that, I am still amazed at how that thin, 22" barrel could hit 2 liter bottles @ 400 yards. I kinda wish I still had it and am contemplating getting the newer Mountain rifle of the stainless variety. Currently all of my Rems are of the heavy barrel varmint types.

[buckmaster_kp]

The old 742 did have some design flaws, lord knows I've heard more then a few people talk bad about them. My old man was just fortunate enough to get ahold of a good one. He always hunted deer with that thing since as far back as I can remember and it was a flawless performing rifle.

As for the 7400, I can't imagine that you are having that much trouble. They are great guns and there has to be some simple solution there. Although it is possible that you were unlucky enough to get ahold of one of the few "bad apples."

I'm guessing that since you had a 742 and went to the 7400 that you hunt whitetails at short to medium range and want a good handling, easy carrying gun. I would reccomend the remington 7600 pump. I have used mine since I was 13 and have killed more than my share of whitetails with it. Less moving parts then a semi too, so that you may like. Don't let what some  people would say about 7600 accuracy fool you. All I can say is that these people probably can't shoot, period. Mine shoots just as good as any good bolt action (under 1.5 MOA) yet handles far better.

[Daks]

Bolt action: Savage. Won't break the bank and has great accuracy.

For eastern whitetails, don't overlook the Remington 7600. Sub MOA accuracy when the trigger is redone. Around $500 or so new up by me (Adirondack Mountains). A .30-06 in a pump rifle is pretty near perfect and lots of guys have them up here. My pumper is a .35 Whelen and I love it.

[nasem]

sniperVLS , yes you are right, the 700 PSS are most popular for thier 308s, however, 4 months back, I got one in 300 RUM,

regarding pump rifles, they are, I suppose more practical for 2nd follow up shot, but for some reason, I just don't find them appealing in the range  :?

[sniperVLS]

sniperVLS , yes you are right, the 700 PSS are most popular for thier 308s, however, 4 months back, I got one in 300 RUM,

Thats because they infact offer it in .300 rum

http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/700p.htm

Up until just now, I didnt know they offered it in 7mm mag, learn something new ever day  

[nasem]

I am surprised they don't offer it in 30-06, well I guess they thought .308 is standard military round, and the 308 and 06 are soooo similar, they decided to just make one.

SnowMoJoe, If you got some cash and you want a round that acts VERY much like 30-06, look into the remington 700 PSS in 308 (or even 7mm mag), You can use this gun for ANYTHING (other than dangerious game)

[Greybeard]

I have a Remington Model 700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in .30-06. In fact I've owned all the LSS Mtn. Rifles and they are uniformly great shooters. This one I've worked the trigger to just at 3 pounds and it's crisp and clean. Action has been glass beded and it's a consistent MOA and under shooter with a variety of both factory and handloads. Never bobbled on me yet.

But I've picked up a new LSS Mtn. Rifle in .270 that I will be using in place of the '06 in the future for the limited about of hunting I am still able to do. If you think you have an interest in this I can offer it to you with the Leupold 2-5-8 Vari-X III or without. PM me if interested. I can get you into it for less than a new gun and it is as good as you'll find. Pretty sure it's listed with the guns I have for sale in my Classifieds Sticky ad.

[bja105]

I'm still having trouble posting.

For cheap and accurate, you can't go wrong with Savage/Stevens.  But, for good looks, perfect feeding and extraction, smooth bolt, and history, look for a 1903 Springfield sporter.  Its the action the round was designed for.  I got mine at a small shop for $230 with a scope.  It still has the original barrel, stamped 4/30, the manufacture date.  Even with the pits, it shoots 1-2 inches at 100 yards.  75 years of practice, and the action is smooth as can be.

The only caveats:  "Low number Springfields"  I know Springfield Armory made receivers under 800,000 are supposed to be more brittle, and can fail badly if abused.  The majority of 1903's were built after the heat treating process was improved.

1903a3, made in World war II, Not as smooth or well machined, but the barrels are usualy in much better shape.



I used to be anti 30-06, until I got into Military surplus.  Then i said I would only get one in a rifle designed for 30-06.  I got the 1903, now I want a m1917, a 1903a3, and a Garand, too.

[Jimi]

Nice twist, bja105... I wouldn't have thought of the Springfield, yet I'd sportsterized several of them years ago... 03A3's... and they were all VERY accurate. I gave one to a buddy that still uses it and I fired it last deer season. Great rifle... put a match star barrel on that sucker and it's death for at least 300 yards.

I'm partial to the Pre-64 M70's. Each one has character and they just seem to handle beautifully and are very dependable... so I'm with dukkillr on that choice.

I haven't owned a Savage, but the people on this Board seem to love them, so if your budget it tight you should take a look at that.

I guess my strongest advice is to go to a gun shop with a nice selection and handle all of the .30/'06's in stock. Your choice will become obvious to you...

[IkenI]

My personal preference is a bolt.  Most are good.  However, I have had another semi-auto in .30-06 that was very accurate and never malfunctioned on me.  Most loads I tried (all factory 150-180 gr) went into less than an inch (3 shot group).  Somehow I let a hunting partner talk me out of it (probably because it wasn't a .35)  It was a Browning BAR Stalker model w/22" bbl.  It's also worked well for the guy that talked me out of it.

[SnowMoJoe]

OK, well it sounds like I should take a long look at Savage, and I'll probably have a good look at the Mossberg ATR as well. I have an old Mossberg 640KD .22 magnum, and that thing is an absolute tack driver. It might be the most accurate rifle I've ever fired, even after the beatings it has absorbed over a good 20 years of shooting.

Thanks for all the opinions - much appreciated.

[sniperVLS]

The CDL SF Limited looks intriguing, I may pick this up instead of the Mountain LSS.

Link..

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_CDL_SF_limited_specs.asp

Stainless AND Fluted  

[Slamfire]

The 760 Remington and it's derivatives would feel the same, but you decide how hard, and when the action operatess, instead of the ammo.
I wouldn't hesitate on either the Mossberg 100 or Stevens 200, neither rifle is costly and shoot just fine.

[Idaho_Hick]

I can't believe no one has suggested ruger.  They make a very solid, dependable bolt rifle that can be found very competitively priced, at least around here.  They also have a rock-solid, idiot-proof scope mounting setup that comes with the rifle.  
If you are wanting to go cheaper, I would take the previous suggestion to try to find an '03.  There is one in our local paper for only $200 but the wife said no,  :cry: .  Anyway, an old springfield or enfield, or my personal favorite, a winchester model 70, will give you pride of ownership and a sense of history at a very affordable price.

[tanoose]

As far as bolt actions the ruger M77or Rem 700 are just great rifles i myself use a m77 ultra light ss in 30/06 the pump 7600 should also be a great choice i have an older model 760 gamemaster (actually my son owns it now)its just a grest deer rifle. I will say that i have been thinking of picking up remingtons new 750 woodsmaster in 35 whelen. It looks like a fine rifle. I also want to say that two guys in my hunt club use the older 742's and i have never heard them complain about jamming or accuracy in there rifles.

[Prophet]

Tikka, Tikka , Tikka, Tikka

[ourabmen]

I have a Tikka 30-06 that I love, as well as a Remy Sendero in 25-06 that is accurate beyond my wildest dreams.

I would take a strong look at the CZ line of rifles.  The set trigger is, IMHO, the cats behind. My nexy rifle will be a  CZ, this after looking Savage, Howa/Vangaurd, and Remy's.  

Handle as many as you can, they will all shoot well, but be sure and check out the CZ.

OUrabmen

[High Brass]

Ruger 77 mark II

[VeryOldDog]

I have a Mannlicher-Steyr that is very accurate out of the box. Very tight groups at both 100 and 200 yards. I really cannot see farther than that even with a scope. You may want to give this a look along with the others suggested.

[jro45]

The Remington 700 is the best rifle in 30/06 that I have ever owned. That 700 is something else. I own about ten of them.

[7.62X63]

Find a used BAR if you want an auto( bought one for $450.00 with sling and scope in approx. 95% condition-30/06 mk II SAFARI,also picked up a BAR(1978 manu-Belgium manu.)7 mm REM MAG for $390.00-bare.I
LOVE my ENCORE!!MULTIPLE barrel options for relatively in-expensive
cost? :?  :?