first hunting rifle recommendation in 30.06?

[somoss]

I am looking for fall 2011 hunting season recommendation. I would like to get a hunting rifle for MD/VA area, fairly thick woods with shots out to 200 yards max, most at 50-100yds. Hunting while tail and possibly turkey. I have expereince with M1 Garand 30.06 round and want to stay with same caliber for relaoding and feels like a good round for my hunging.
my price range is max of $1000 to include optics, base, and rifle. I have done a lot of online research and looked at some guns. too much too choose from and wanted advice from the mroe expereinced.
what manufactuerer, old/new, scope?
I like target practice but this will be more for hunting.
tx

 

[DRM]

I've owned most of them...and while there are occasional "bads" in all makes, most will perform very well. I've been impressed with the Marlin XL7 and the T/C Venture. Both are "budget" models but they'll perform with my Remington's, Winchesters, and Brownings for a lot less $. This would leave more $ for a quality scope.

In terms of optics, can't go wrong with Leupold or Burris.

 

[Sunray]

"...done a lot of online research..." Go to your local gun shop and handle a few. Have a look at the Savage package's.
Doubt you'll be able to hunt turkeys with a .30-06. Check your State hunting regs.

 

[CoRoMo]

I think the following thread will give you a good perspective between two leading models.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=565845

In terms of optics, can't go wrong with Leupold or Burris.

+1 I'd also add Nikon.

 

[ms6852]

I have 2 hunting rifles in 30-06, one is a model 110 Savage that is 28 yrs old and a newer one the Tikka T3. Both of these rifles are excellent and accurate shooters right out of the box. The Savage will allow you to purchase at a very decent price with enough money left over to buy a very good scope and still have enough left over for bullets. The Tikka is about $100 to $150 more in price.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Are you looking for a bolt action rifle I consider the bolt similar to the revolver now, not my first choice

Regards

 

[slowr1der]

One of the best options for a hunting rifle imo is the Savage package deal they sell at Walmart. You can get a long or short action. The short actions are Model 10's and the long actions 110's. They feature the famous accu trigger which is probably my favorite factory trigger I've ever used. It's a great feature to have. They run right under $400 and I just don't think you can beat it for that price. Some of them come with Simmons scopes that are decent and should get you shooting, but something you will probably want to eventually change. The one that our store got in recently has a Bushnell scope on it. I've used the same Bushnell scope on another gun and it's my least favorite scope I've ever used, so I was sad to see them change them. However, it should still get you shooting right out of the box.

Then I'd buy a quality set of steel bases from any of the major problems. For rings I'd go with the Burris Signature Zee rings. They are my favorite I've used for under $100.

Then when it comes to scopes there are lots of great options out there. Honestly the Zeiss Conquest for $400 in 3-9x40 is very very hard to beat. You could buy this and the rifle, mounts, etc and still have $100 or so left over for ammo. This is the way to go imo.

If you don't want to spend that much on a scope, I'd pick up one of the Vortex Vipers you can still find on clearance. I really like the 3.5-10x50 that Cameralandny.com still has on clearance. Another good option is the Burris Fullfield II scopes. They are great scopes and I love mine, but the Vortex is a better deal right now as you get even better glass and an even better customer service department for the same amount of money. When the Vipers aren't on clearance I think the Burris Scopes are one of the best choices for the price.
SWFA had some of the Burris scopes on clearance also. I'm not sure what they still have left. They did have a 3-9x40 for $120 and a 4-14x42 for $200. These would also be great choices.

That would give you a great hunting rifle with a great optics and still give you money left over to buy some ammo.

Another entry level rifle that's been getting good reviews is the Marlin XL-7/XS-7. I've checked them out and like them, but I prefer the Savage to the Marlin. I don't think you could really go wrong with either.

One other rifle I really like is the Browning X Bolt Medallion. I'd like to pick one of these up eventually, but who knows if it will ever happen. The problem with this is they run about $850. So by the time you buy bases and rings, they doesn't leave you hardly any money for optics. You could go with one of these and one of the Nikon Prostaff's on sale right now and the bases and rings mentioned about and be right at your $1000 budget, but once you added tax in you would be over $1000. This would be a nice setup and decent optics, but I'd honestly rather have a Savage with great optics if it was going to be a hunting rifle. The Savage will be just as accurate if not more accurate.

 

[grtwhthntr]

Savage w/ accu-trigger, Marlin XL-7, and T/C Venture would be the three rifles I would look at. My personal favorite of the three is the Venture, but you'll have to decide for yourself which one you like best.

 

[Durty]

Remington 700. Leupold scope/rings/bases.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axisxp

Give that one a looksie. I have been hearing some good thinks about that Axis from savage. It doesn't have the accutrigger but other than that it seems to be a nice little rifle for the money. You could of course go for the Stevens model for a tad bit more and get a scope for it. http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/STEVENS 200 LONG

Or you could go with one of the other package models with the accutrigger such as this one http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/111FCXP3

I am a long time owner of Savages and have yet to be displeased with a single one of them. You get a whole lot of bang for your buck.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Doubt you'll be able to hunt turkeys with a .30-06. Check your State hunting regs.

He listed Virginia

Rifles (including air rifles), pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting turkeys, except where prohibited by local ordinances.

It is the local ordinances part that can get you though. There are a bunch of Counties in Virginia that do not allow hunting with a rifle, or only a rifle .224 or smaller, or only for groundhogs, etc. etc.

I've shot a turkey at 100 yards with a .30-06 before...when fall turkey and deer season overlap. I wouldn't recommend it though, it is just as likely to go right through the turkey and not expend enough energy to kill it.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I don't know about all that Hoofan. Them feathers are mighty thick and should open a bullet up about like a shoulder bone of a deer. They do some funny things to bullets. Hit one with my 7mm.08 with 139gr SST's loaded up right dead center of the wing joint at 85 yards and damned if it didn't blow up. Killed the turkey deader than a rock but I only got about 3 pounds of usable meat off it. Breast, wings, and one thigh was blown all to hell.

 

[slowr1der]

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axisxp

Give that one a looksie. I have been hearing some good thinks about that Axis from savage. It doesn't have the accutrigger but other than that it seems to be a nice little rifle for the money. You could of course go for the Stevens model for a tad bit more and get a scope for it. http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/m...S 200 LONG

Or you could go with one of the other package models with the accutrigger such as this one http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/111FCXP3

I am a long time owner of Savages and have yet to be displeased with a single one of them. You get a whole lot of bang for your buck.

These are good choices, but for some reason you can get the Model 110 packages at Walmart for not all that much more than the Axis or Stevens 200. That's why I recommend it as it's a much better gun than the Axis, as you can easily change barrels, has the accu trigger, better stock, etc. I also feel it's better than a Stevens 200 since it does have a better trigger and a better stock. Otherwise it's essentially the same. However, I'd rather have the better trigger when the price difference is usually minimal.

 

[txhoghunter]

Remington 700 is a great rifle and gets my vote.

However, Savage is known for their out of the box accuracy and that would be my second choice.

 

[BrocLuno]

Have you considered used? Nice Browning BLR would work. Ton of used 06's out there. Many with good rings and bases. Sometimes w/o a scope, sometimes with. Most have a few scratches on them, so what? First wire fence you'll cross will just add to that.

I also vote for the TIKKA. One of the slickest, smoothest rifles I've played with in years. Fits me like a glove. Don't know how it would fit you, but the only way to know is to go try them. All these guns will do the job. So will the Mossberg 4x4 and the Marlin XL and they're a decent bargain too.

You need to put a few boxes of ammo through that thing shooting a paper plates and such to get a real good feel BEFORE you go afield for game. Practice bring it to shoulder and shooting one round, pause and follow-up one more. See how that goes for you?

Wally-World ammo is great to practice with as it will let you know what works in a pinch when the hand loads are running low

... then again, you could go with a used R7600 and keep all your turkey skills intact - pump gun stuff for combo season either way

 

[1948CJ2A]

My 2 cents would be recommending a bolt-action Weatherby Vanguard (with wood stock of course). You can pick up one for $499 plus tax around here. I'd go with a 7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, or 300 Wby Mag after your terrain description.

I just put a Redfield Revolution (made by Leupold in Oregon) on my Vanguard and really like it. I would highly recommend that scope. I would also recommend a Nikon.

Good Luck!

 

[CaliCoastie]

i know you stated 30-06 but the conditions you listed for hunting in are perfect for a lever of some kind chambered in wither 30-30/35rem. but for a bolt marlin makes the XL7 in 30-06(i just got a xs7 in 7mm-08 for 291otd) it uses the same mounts as a winchesters m70(got the DNZ grim reaper one piece mount and rings for 46) and then you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 for optics if you wanted to spend that much. good luck.

 

[Mr. T]

If you are looking at hunting turkeys as well, I would suggest a 12 gauge shotgun in 3" chambering. Shotguns are effective out to 100+ yards for deer and it would fulfill your turkey hunting needs as well. If you are just looking for a rifle for deer hunting I would suggest that you look for your 30.06 caliber but I would recommend the Savage 110 line or the Remington 700. I would advise you to go with an older used rifle for the Remington 700, because the quality of the weapon is just plain better. I would also recommend the Reminton 750 or even higher end a Browning BAR in 30.06 for the semi-automatic version. Honestly I would recommend the Remington 750 or Remington 7400. I have used a Remington 7400 for more than 20 years and that gun has yet to fail me. It's an excellent weapon for hunting deer...particularly in the ranges you are talking about.

 

[somoss]

thanks

thanks for all of the advice so far. i have to go and feel up a few rifles this weekend. savage, marlin, weatherby, remington, and browning.
i have always wanted a 30/30 lever action, maybe something to consider but i have to read up on that a little.

 

[bpl]

Don't forget the Winchester Model 70! The new ones made in SC by FN are nicer than any you listed except maybe the Browning if you like the Euro styling of the X-bolt. Not super expensive either, around $700 for a Featherweight generally, although I picked up a new Featherweight in .243 for $599 a few months ago.

 

[cal74]

I'd second looking on the used market as well

All the recommendations are good ones, the new Winchesters get lots of very good reviews but will be pushing your budget with a decent scope.

Pick up an older Remington 700 in whatever configuration suits you. Keep your eye out for a used (Clean) Leupold 3.5-10 and live a happy life. Shouldn't have a problem finding one for 500.00 give or take 50.00 bucks, 300.00 for the scope and another 30-50.00 for rings/bases.


I've got a NIB Rem 700 ADL .270 synthetic that I'll ship for 420.00...

 

[sappnasty]

Savage is awesome...fairly priced and VERY accurate. I shoot sub-MOA with my 30-06. Matter of fact, when I hunted in NC this year I shot two does at over 300 within 15 minutes of each other. They dropped like rocks!