$4K Budget for .30-06 + Optic - Elk Rifle

[slowelk]

My vote is the Sako you referenced in your initial post and top it with a NXS 2.5-10x42 or SWFA 3-9. Come in under budget and have a great, reliable rifle that is in the sweet spot for weight/shootability.

Weatherby makes some very nicely packaged rifles but I personally cant get around their actions. It's 2021 and putting 6 or 9 lugs on an action isn't really benefiting you but it does add weight and other challenges.

Agree with wind gypsy. I would get a Sako S20 hunter, and either of those scopes would set you up well. That said they are both hard to find right now. The Bushnell LRHS 2 has treated me well so far and comes in under $1k.

 

[SDHNTR]

FWIW, you will find lots of mixed reviews on anything Christiansen Arms or Kimber. It's a roll of the dice with QC. I rolled the dice on two Kimbers. 50% success.

Some Sako 85 long actions have well founded ejection issues. Google it. Another roll of the dice. I really wanted one. Couldn't do it. Inherently defective design with the ejector in the 6:00 position.

Tikka's are great shooting rifles, but as a man with a $4k budget I'd imagine you probably admire finer fit and finish. You'd have to be OK with many plastic parts. Or piece together aftermarket parts to address this. Of course by that point, you could have bought a nicer rifle from the start.

If you really want to buy something somewhat less expensive off the shelf, look hard at a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather. They need nothing and are built with probably the best designed modern rifle action of all time.

In the upper tier production category, also look at Fierce and Proof. Both very good. But of course you are right back in the price range of an Alamo Precision build that you could put your own stamp on.

 

[Mulyhuntr]

Tikka toppped with a Bushnell LRHS. Awesome combo at half your budget that you won't feel bad about beating up in the bush.

 

[Lawnboi]

Your approaching custom build money. Below is a 3006 I had built this summer. Cost me 3100 as it sits including smith fees for stuff I could have saved on had I ordered knowing what I know now.

 

[h2so4]

Don’t forget to include some $$ for a suppressor!

 

[apieceofwork]

IMO, 7.75 lbs is too light. Don't let numbers sway your brain from being practical. Unless you just want a basic set and forget 3-9x40 type sccpe, you will probably need at least 24ish+ ounces for a decent scope, and base/rings. That means a very light rifle to hit your overall weight, which is not going to be easy to do in a long action without multiple negative sacrifices like a shorter or thinner barrel contour, which will harm accuracy or speed. Plus, guns that light are really tough to shoot at any distance. Your mere heartbeat bumps them off target! Factor in some wind and field conditions and you are going to have trouble.

Take heed from someone who has gone down this road! Learn from my mistakes. I've done this before and have built 7-8 custom rifles in the last few years. I started off with my first build just like you thinking I had to have super light. Us human beings like to chase numbers. We're trained to do that in nearly every aspect of life. With that first build I got lost chasing ounces and ended up with a rifle that is a technical success on paper but a near failure in the field. It’s just really hard to shoot well. There is a practicality element here. An extra pound will help you hit what you are aiming at with more regularity! Isn't that the end goal?

Thanks for this insight. Coming from the backpacking world, I'm used to stressing the utter importance of weight when giving new backpackers advise. Two pounds makes a world of difference in the mountains, but at the same time I see backpackers engaging in groupthink and making nonsensical compromises just to drop weight. It sounds like I'd be better off with a goal of say 8.75 pounds or less.

Your approaching custom build money. Below is a 3006 I had built this summer. Cost me 3100 as it sits including smith fees for stuff I could have saved on had I ordered knowing what I know now.

View attachment 361614

Who built your rifle? I'm not opposed to a custom build, but I'd have to do more research. I have no idea who I should be looking at if I go that direction. Several people recommended Alamo - they look like they have some great custom and off the rack options - but nothing ready to ship in .30-06.

 

[BjornF16]

Alamo Precision Rifle Maverick or Maverick Light.

Put a Trijicon Credo on top and you’re set!

 

[SDHNTR]

Go with a Maverick and Alamo will have you built up in 4-6 months. You’ll have it in time to practice and be ready for next season. It’s pretty much full custom, they’ve just made some of the component selections for you. All of which are very good.

 

[LightFoot]

I'll play. These are in stock and will leave $2k in your pocket.

Tikka T3x Lite .30-06 SPRG SS SYN 22.4" Barrel Rifle JRTXB320

Tikka T3x Lite .30-06 SPRG SS SYN 22.4" Barrel Rifle JRTXB320 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

Trijicon AccuPoint 1-6x24 German #4 Green Dot 200083

Trijicon AccuPoint 1-6x24 German #4 Green Dot 200083 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

This rifle, but Zeiss V6 3-18x50 scope in Warne Tikka rings.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Lawnboi]

Thanks for this insight. Coming from the backpacking world, I'm used to stressing the utter importance of weight when giving new backpackers advise. Two pounds makes a world of difference in the mountains, but at the same time I see backpackers engaging in groupthink and making nonsensical compromises just to drop weight. It sounds like I'd be better off with a goal of say 8.75 pounds or less.

Who built your rifle? I'm not opposed to a custom build, but I'd have to do more research. I have no idea who I should be looking at if I go that direction. Several people recommended Alamo - they look like they have some great custom and off the rack options - but nothing ready to ship in .30-06.

I pieced together the parts and LRI in South Dakota assembled it.

It’s very similar to the maverick rifle mentioned above except it’s in a manners stock with a mini chassis. I basically pieced together parts over a year and a half and dropped them off at lri. They did the chamber, barrel fluting, threading and cerakote.

 

[z987k]

I honestly read the title as a troll.

$4k on a 30-06? Why?

 

[SDHNTR]

I honestly read the title as a troll.

$4k on a 30-06? Why?

Pot calling the kettle black here!

 

[sndmn11]

I would INVEST in a durable scope that I can shoot for the rest of my life for about $1k and 25oz.

I'd buy the first in stock sub $1k rifle that I liked the stock and trigger on, OR the first sub $700 rifle I liked the trigger on. Assuming I knew more rifles were to come down the road. If not, I think the Weatherby Hunter would be a fine choice at 6.2lbs.

 

[rickco]

I have a SAKO 85 in 30-06 with a Leupold Vi 3. It weights about 7.5 and is the best shooting factory rifle I've ever owned. SAKO knows how to build great rifles.

 

[HaydenLane]

I honestly read the title as a troll.

$4k on a 30-06? Why?

Gotta say I agree. My 30-06 rarely comes out, anything it can do my 6.5 PRC can do better. Same could be said for a 280ai, 7 saum, 6.5 saum, 300 wsm. The list goes on. That also opens up some more factory rifle options, namely the Seekins PH2. Not my taste in looks, but they’re comfortable, great shooters, and a reasonable weight.

 

[Forestryguy]

I am also in the market for a 3006. Not as high of a budget though. I am strongly looking for a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS. They are a proven rifle and action. Not the lightest but that is fine with me for rifle stability when shooting in field conditions and when your heart rate and respirations are topping out after making a push to get in a spot. Good glass is a must. Even if I was able to go with a custom rifle I would stay with a CRF.

I am under the thought of buying a proven, good all around rifle and a pack that fits correctly and carry what I need. I will go with heavier if I must to get these things. I'll buy lighter quality boots and other gear to cut weight. The military finally figured it out with boots, after years of stubbornness. Lighter foot wear equates to being able to carry about 5-8 more lbs on your back.

 

[SDHNTR]

Gotta say I agree. My 30-06 rarely comes out, anything it can do my 6.5 PRC can do better. Same could be said for a 280ai, 7 saum, 6.5 saum, 300 wsm. The list goes on. That also opens up some more factory rifle options, namely the Seekins PH2. Not my taste in looks, but they’re comfortable, great shooters, and a reasonable weight.

With a 10 twist bbl and todays higher BC bullets, I’d put the 30-06 up there with any of those and even out ahead of a few of em too. I have a 6.5 PRC and a 3006. On an elk hunt, between those two, I’m taking the 3006 all day, every day.

There’s also something to be said for tried and true, available ammo and components anywhere in the world. She may not be the sexy new girl on the street, but she gets it done without any drama! It’s a perfect elk round. Undeniably enough, yet not too much either.

 

[eoperator]

My .02 recommendation would be to watch the classifieds for a used custom build of 280ai, 7rm, 300wm, 3006 or........ topped with premium glass such as 4-16 atacr, 3-18 x5i, s&b or......... including some accessories for that 4k to 4.5k price range. Check and post wtb add in several forums and you will find something in less time than waiting on a slowsmith for a custom rifle.

 

[Doc Holliday]

My 30-06 rarely comes out, anything it can do my 6.5 PRC can do better.

Really? Tell me more about how a 6.5 can throw a 200-220gr projectile.

 

[HaydenLane]

With a 10 twist bbl and todays higher BC bullets, I’d put the 30-06 up there with any of those and even out ahead of a few of em too. I have a 6.5 PRC and a 3006. On an elk hunt, between those two, I’m taking the 3006 all day, every day.

There’s also something to be said for tried and true, available ammo and components anywhere in the world. She may not be the sexy new girl on the street, but she gets it done without any drama! It’s a perfect elk round. Undeniably enough, yet not too much either.

There certainly nothing wrong with the 06, but I wouldn’t put it ahead of anything I listed. The modern bullets that make the 30-06 significantly better than it was also make smaller calibers significantly more viable. On top of that, I’ve found more ammo for my PRC in the last year than I have for the 30-06 (and more of both of those than I did for my 25-06).

Again, nothing wrong with the 06. For me, the bottom line is velocity causes expansion, and you can’t have velocity and BC in a 30-06 (with a normal length barrel and safe pressures). A significant recoil reduction is just icing on the cake.

To each their own.