30-06 HUNTING RIFLE
Question:
>> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump? >I own an original .30-06. (i.e. Springfield ‘03). The rifle has become >more sentimental value than pratical value (my father bought it from >the DCM in the ’60s and sporterized it). I am currently looking at the >Winchester M70 in pre ‘64 actions as the successor. The M70 has had >a very good history including seeing combat action as a military >sniper rifle. As you can tell, my vote is for the Winchester M70.
There are many good 30.06s. I would give careful consideration to the type of safety. I bought a Winchester Model 70 with a three position safety and am having a very difficult time getting used to it. I have never had a three position safety before and have decided that I strongly prefer a two position safety. Earl in Cheyenne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Brian Liedtke
Response:
> The Remington Model 700 is as accurate a rifle as you can get.
As politly as I can possible say this — NOT!!!! Maybe if you qualified it with "…as accurate a rifle as you can get at K-Mart" it could be true.. There are some mighty fine rifles out there.. Some of them in the $1000 to $3000 price range will gaurentee sub 1/2 MOA group sizes.. The off the gun rack Remingtons (or Winchester, or whatever) do not make this claim.. Keep in mind that they are out of my budget, but they do exist.. This is not to say the Remingtons are not accurate rifles.. I have a 700 VS in 223 that is a hell of a shooter.. So much depends on the particular rifle.. I recently bought a Winchester Laredo in 300 Win Mag.. 12" groups at 200 yards was not uncommon.. I sent it back to Winchester and they sent me another.. This one will shoot sub-MOA.. Yes Remingtons are accurate rifles.. There is no doubt about that.. But they are not the most accurate rifle you can get.. > If you will > be shooting factory loads, try to stay with a premium bullet. Federal > produces a few good ones.
Federal Premium is the most accurate Factory ammo (in my rifles) that is available at K-Mart (see I take my own advise 
.. Naturally it depends on the rifle.. A buddy has a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .270 that shoots sub 1/2MOA with the cheap Winchester promotional loads.. Yet the same rounds in my Pre-64 Winchester (in .270) will print about 1.25" at 100 yards.. Of course handloads can be more accurate.. > If you reload your own ammo, go to a Nozler > partition, You should be able to get well under one inch groups at 100 > yards.
Sub 1" groups are possible in factory rifles with handloads.. They are not always easy to get.. One inch groups are more likely.. > If you are shooting factory loads, you should get under 1 1/2 inch > groups at 100 yards. The bolt action on the Model 700 is smooth and safe. > I’ve never had a bullet (factory or reload) jam or dry fire. The safety is > updated so that you can apply it and still work your action. If you do > decide to reload, the Model 700 has ample room in the magazine to make > bullet seating for to the bare minimum so one can get maximum charge load > in the case producing better accuracy, faster bullets, and harder foot > pounds. > The Winchester Model 70 has a good action in the Mauser but is restricted > to small magazine. Other than that you can get the same out of this rifle.
Depends on the Winchester action.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You do not lose power with the semi or pump, but they have been known to > jam. The bolt action is the most reliable of all actions. > I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
Response:
The Remington Model 700 is as accurate a rifle as you can get. If you will be shooting factory loads, try to stay with a premium bullet. Federal produces a few good ones. If you reload your own ammo, go to a Nozler partition, You should be able to get well under one inch groups at 100 yards. If you are shooting factory loads, you should get under 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. The bolt action on the Model 700 is smooth and safe. I’ve never had a bullet (factory or reload) jam or dry fire. The safety is updated so that you can apply it and still work your action. If you do decide to reload, the Model 700 has ample room in the magazine to make bullet seating for to the bare minimum so one can get maximum charge load in the case producing better accuracy, faster bullets, and harder foot pounds. The Winchester Model 70 has a good action in the Mauser but is restricted to small magazine. Other than that you can get the same out of this rifle. You do not lose power with the semi or pump, but they have been known to jam. The bolt action is the most reliable of all actions. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
Response:
Hi Dave, I need a little clarification. Perhaps we have different definitions for "groups", in term of testing a rifle on the range. I believe that in order 100 yards, that 4 of these will lie within a one half inch circle and one round, that may be outside of this circle, can be counted as a "flyer". If one fires 15 or 20 rounds and 4 of these lie inside a one half inch circle, that does not qualify for grading the rifle as a ".5 moa" shooter, with 16 rounds allowed as "flyers". Believe me, when I say, that I am not questioning your word, Sir! I am simply amazed, that you would have a light barreled, sporting rifle, with a semi-automatic action, that would turn in that performance. Even given excellent eyesight and marksmanship, that is world class shooting. My hat is off to you Sir! Steve Ashe (snipped) >I know alot of people knock Semi-autos, but I have used one for about >15 years now and I can tell you without a dought I have never missed a >deer because I was using a Semi-auto, and I exclusivily do neck shoots. >Now my rem 7400 will shoot about.5 moa which is, itself is exceptional, >and in general Autos are less accurate if you go to the Range, but in a >hunting situation missing a shot has alot more to do with the >circumstances involved in the shout than with .5-.75 moa a auto >might gives up in accuracy to a bolt.
(snipped)
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump? > I own an original .30-06. (i.e. Springfield ‘03). The rifle has become > more sentimental value than pratical value (my father bought it from > the DCM in the ’60s and sporterized it). I am currently looking at the > Winchester M70 in pre ‘64 actions as the successor. The M70 has had > a very good history including seeing combat action as a military > sniper rifle. As you can tell, my vote is for the Winchester M70. > Brian Liedtke
My SAKO Hunter shoots factory ammo into 1". I’ve shot handloads into 3/4" at 200 meters. ’nuff said? Glenn — My real eMail address: glenns at passport dot ca
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
I own an original .30-06. (i.e. Springfield ‘03). The rifle has become more sentimental value than pratical value (my father bought it from the DCM in the ’60s and sporterized it). I am currently looking at the Winchester M70 in pre ‘64 actions as the successor. The M70 has had a very good history including seeing combat action as a military sniper rifle. As you can tell, my vote is for the Winchester M70. Brian Liedtke
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
All of the major makers (Winchester, Remington, Browning, Sako, Tikka, Savage, Ruger . . .) make very good 30-06’s. You can expect any of these brands to shoot more accurately than you do. You should base your choice on your budget, and on the feel/heft/balance/handling and looks that you find most pleasing. I am very fond of my Browning ABolt because I like its magazine, 60 degree bolt, and tang safety. My second choice would be a Winchester M70 because I like its Mauser style safety and field strippable bolt. Semi auto rifles lose so little power that you need not give that a second thought. Pumps do not use any gas to work the action, so they are just as efficient as bolt rifles. I can recommend Browning BARs very highly. Every one I have ever met is capable of 1" five shot groups at 100 yards, and they crank themselves more reliably than a human being can crank a bolt (even if you have a much-vaunted controlled round feed action you can still short stroke under stress). Just make sure you keep it clean. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You might lose a little velocity with a semi-auto, but you should not > make that a deciding point. There will still be *plenty* left! The > down side of a semi-auto is accuracy when compared to a bolt action. > The pump loses nothing; I have not messed with one myself, but the > Remington pump has a reputation for fine accuracy. A couple of my > friends have .270s that shoot sub MOA. In trained hands they are very > fast. One of the guys calls his "his Oregon machine gun" … and is > very effective on elk with it. > Anyway … back to point of beginning. Savage is the best $$ buy but > homely as heck. Browning is ok but funky and overrated. The Winchester > is probably the true classic of the group. Ruger is my emotional > favorite. The Remington is probably the smartest buy. > Agree with most of your reply. Definetly favor the pump over the auto > loader, and the bolt action over the pump for accuracy. I like the > Savage 110 with a composite stock or the Savage 116 stainless with a > composite stock. I don’t think they are homely. The Remington 700 is a > great gun, but you can’t beat the Savage for price.
Another vote for the Savage not being a homely gun. Besides, the way a gun looks does not affect how it shoots. My Savage 110 in .30-06 will shoot groups from .75" to 1.25" from the bench with FACTORY ammunition. If you want the best accuracy at a reasonable price, the Savage bolt actions are unbeatable (biased opinion because I own one). I don’t have anything against the Remington pump or semiauto but I’ve seen a lot of friends that I hunt with miss chances for a second shot because their semiautos jammed up. My Savage only jammed once in 15 years of hunting and that was because I dropped a cartridge in the snow/mud and thought I could wipe it off and put it in the gun.
Response:
> You might lose a little velocity with a semi-auto, but you should not > make that a deciding point. There will still be *plenty* left! The > down side of a semi-auto is accuracy when compared to a bolt action. > The pump loses nothing; I have not messed with one myself, but the > Remington pump has a reputation for fine accuracy. A couple of my > friends have .270s that shoot sub MOA. In trained hands they are very > fast. One of the guys calls his "his Oregon machine gun" … and is > very effective on elk with it. > Anyway … back to point of beginning. Savage is the best $$ buy but > homely as heck. Browning is ok but funky and overrated. The Winchester > is probably the true classic of the group. Ruger is my emotional > favorite. The Remington is probably the smartest buy.
Agree with most of your reply. Definetly favor the pump over the auto loader, and the bolt action over the pump for accuracy. I like the Savage 110 with a composite stock or the Savage 116 stainless with a composite stock. I don’t think they are homely. The Remington 700 is a great gun, but you can’t beat the Savage for price.
Response:
: I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate : 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. : Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump? I have both a Rem700 and a Rem760 in .30-06. Both are sub MOA with my handloads. I expect that you will loose "SOME" power with a S/A, but neither you nor the deer will notice it. IMHO, if you’re leaning toward the Remington now, that’s what you should buy, or for the next twenty years you’ll be telling yourself, "I should have bought the Remington." Worst case scenerio is that in 10 years, or whenever, you can trade the Rem700 in on the Win70. samg Hewlett Packard/Colorado Springs
Response:
> > I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
Tom’s opinion has merit for his stated reasons. However, I’ll check in with my own. Contrary to Tom, I think the .30-06 is a very good all around cartridge. I currently employ a sporterized Springfield ‘03 and have taken up to Elk with the cartridge. Since ’03s are hard to come by, my suggestion is a Winchester model 70. ( I am cuurently saveing for the featherweight with a synthetic stock). My personal preference is without the BOSS since I handload and wish to develop my own loads. If you use factory ammunition the BOSS (with its more pronounced muzzle blast) may be worth consideration. Since Winchester has begun manufacturing the pre ‘64 action this is my gun of choice. However a Remingtom 700, Ruger, or other models are a good choice. But IMHO, get a Winchester model 70 in .30-06. For the history (and possible later collector’s value) is my rifle of choice in this caliber. Brian Liedtke
Response:
[snipped for brevity] > I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. >If you prefer the Remington, your decision is made … go with it and be >confident. It is a very *good* choice. You will not be sorry. >I personally prefer Rugers
Rugers have non-adjustable creepy triggers that come from the factory with weights up to 7lbs. Very unpleasant to use. A good riflesmith can improve it for you. >You might lose a little velocity with a semi-auto,
a negligible amount IMO, less than the variation between two randomly selected bolt guns >The pump loses nothing; I have not messed with one myself, but the >Remington pump has a reputation for fine accuracy. A couple of my >friends have .270s that shoot sub MOA. In trained hands they are very >fast. One of the guys calls his "his Oregon machine gun" … and is >very effective on elk with it.
Is that with a single shot, or using rapid fire? 1/2 >Anyway … back to point of beginning. Savage is the best $$ buy but >homely as heck.
Yup, Savage are cheap. But, if the claims here are to be believed then Savage are the most accurate out-of-the-box rifle. Remington are also the most accurate out-of-the-box rifle. And Winchester are too. And Ruger. >Browning is ok but funky and overrated.
Oh yes, Brownings, especially with the BOSS, are also the most accurate out-of-the-box rifle. Since mkellock didn’t put any restrictions on make or model, I suggest you take a look at a Sako. Yes, they cost more than the mass produced American brand names, but they are better made being hand finished, have much better shaped stocks that are made to fit human beings, and outperform (in my experience) most out the box Rugremchesters. Yer gets what yer pays for. –Jonathan Jonathan Spencer — forensic firearms examiner Mountjoy Research Centre, Durham, England, DH1 3UR tel: +44 191 386 6107 fax: +44 191 383 0686
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
30-06 Is in my humble opinion the best "all arround" deer rifle going. As president of one of the largest hunt clubs in SC, ive seen them all. I personally use a 742 simi auto but have noticed that the Browning BAR some of my guy’s use are BAD TO THE BONE in accurcay. The 30-06 will seldom let you down, and bullet choices are not limited. Good luck..
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
The 30-06 is a good choice. Its plenty for most all the North American game, except maybe the big Bears. You can get ammo in any Sporting Goods Store. As far as the Pump or Autoloader you wont loose any power. What you will get is a quicker second shot and a little less accuracy potential as opposed to a bolt action rifle. The Remington will be an excellent choice as would a Winchester. Good shooting….Ray
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
I just bought my father a Savage 116 FCSAK (Weather Warrier) in .30-06. I’ve had several Savage rifles over the last few years and can say that my experience has shown they are far better guns than their price tags suggest. All that I’ve owned have been far more accurate than my other hunting rifles (older Ruger M77’s and Winchester M70’s). Maybe I’ve just lucked out, but I’ve heard quite a few people comment that the accuracy of their rifles is really good in the late models. They’ve really improved the appearance and quality of their rifles as well. I’ve not used their cheapy rifles, opting for their fancier models instead. I’ve never been a big fan of Remington products. This is more of a personal preference and the fact that they have a pathetic selection of left handed rifles (but so does Ruger and Winchester also). Glossy finished stocks and pretty bluing just don’t do anything for me — I’d rather have a synthetic stock and a stainless barrel (Which Remington also makes, just not in left handed).
Response:
> I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate > 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. > Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
I’m not fond of the .30-’06, but I’ll not try to dissuade you from your choice … enjoy it, use it wisely, but *don’t* get caught up in this "all around rifle" hype. If you prefer the Remington, your decision is made … go with it and be confident. It is a very *good* choice. You will not be sorry. I personally prefer Rugers but that is personal choice, not because I think they are superior, but because I *like* ‘em. (What can I say … some guys drink lite beer, too.) You might lose a little velocity with a semi-auto, but you should not make that a deciding point. There will still be *plenty* left! The down side of a semi-auto is accuracy when compared to a bolt action. The pump loses nothing; I have not messed with one myself, but the Remington pump has a reputation for fine accuracy. A couple of my friends have .270s that shoot sub MOA. In trained hands they are very fast. One of the guys calls his "his Oregon machine gun" … and is very effective on elk with it. Anyway … back to point of beginning. Savage is the best $$ buy but homely as heck. Browning is ok but funky and overrated. The Winchester is probably the true classic of the group. Ruger is my emotional favorite. The Remington is probably the smartest buy. Enjoy it!! Tom
Response:
I’am thinking of buying a new rifle and I’am looking for an accurate 30-06. I like Remington but am open to suggestions on other brands. Also do you lose power with a semi or a pump?
