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

[prm]

30-06 is a great choice! Short of being required to use a .375 or up for some things, there is nothing you can’t do, and do very well, with the -06. Plenty of high BC bullets if you want to play with longer ranges or a tried and true 180 Partition.
I’d start with ~6lb rifle, add a quality scope that will result in a ~7.5 lb rifle, and then just learn to shoot well. The weapon will not be the limitation.

 

[BjornF16]

Couple of options I'm considering:

- Sako 85 Finnlight II
- Weatherby Mark V Hunter (seems to be the best rifle offered by Weatherby in this caliber)

apow

I have a Sako Finnlight and several Weatherby Mark V rifles. Can’t go wrong with them in factory choice.

My beef with Sako/Tikka in 30 caliber is the 11 twist barrels. Not an issue if you shoot moderate/light weight traditional bullets but if you want to shoot heavy for caliber long bullets or long mono metals like Hammer bullets then better to have faster twist.

I also have an APR Maverick…great rifle. My only complaint with it is the 90 degree bolt through (I prefer the shorter bolt throw of Weatherby Mark V or Sako/Tikka actions as well as Browning). With APR, you can specify what you want.

In other production rifles, I’d also consider Browning X-Bolt Pro and Bergara Premium Mountain 2.0 (300 WM since Bergara doesn’t appear to offer 30-06).

 

[apieceofwork]

Another important factor is if you plan on reloading or shooting factory? Just getting the tikka could limit you if your hand loading a 3006 and planning to shoot longer bullets.

I have no plans to do any reloading.

apow

I have a Sako Finnlight and several Weatherby Mark V rifles. Can’t go wrong with them in factory choice.

My beef with Sako/Tikka in 30 caliber is the 11 twist barrels. Not an issue if you shoot moderate/light weight traditional bullets but if you want to shoot heavy for caliber long bullets or long mono metals like Hammer bullets then better to have faster twist.

I also have an APR Maverick…great rifle. My only complaint with it is the 90 degree bolt through (I prefer the shorter bolt throw of Weatherby Mark V or Sako/Tikka actions as well as Browning). With APR, you can specify what you want.

In other production rifles, I’d also consider Browning X-Bolt Pro and Bergara Premium Mountain 2.0 (300 WM since Bergara doesn’t appear to offer 30-06).

Based on your experience, is the Maverick worth the extra ~$1,700 over the Weatherby Mark V Hunter? I'd imagine that it's really a matter of obsessing over somewhat irrelevant details when going from a $1,500 rifle to a $2,700 rifle. This won't be a competition/super long range rifle, but the appeal of the custom route is still there. I love the idea of having the absolute best fit/finish and being able to select from a variety of options.

 

[Lawnboi]

I have no plans to do any reloading.

Then I concur with a lot of the above. Get a tikka, put it in an aftermarket stock or chassis. Get a goood scope and spend the rest on ammo and other shooting aids.

 

[Steve O]

Not really any bad choices out there.

I’ve only had one 30-06 in my 40+ years because they are too good at everything and I like to try and find the “perfect” cartridge/rife for each job/hunt.

You might find this book interesting:

One Man, One Rifle, One Land by J.Y. Jones

J. Y. Jones book. A chronicle of how he started his North American big-game hunting career, which ultimately evolved into a quest to take all the huntable species and subspecies of North America with the same .30-06 rifle.

jyjones.com

Since it is not one of the many listed you might look into a Blaser R8 Professional “package”. They come with a Zeiss scope usually and you can get a two barrel set for $4000. A few years ago I chose a package with 300 Win and 243 Win. 30-06 and 243 would be awesome.

 

[BjornF16]

Based on your experience, is the Maverick worth the extra ~$1,700 over the Weatherby Mark V Hunter? I'd imagine that it's really a matter of obsessing over somewhat irrelevant details when going from a $1,500 rifle to a $2,700 rifle. This won't be a competition/super long range rifle, but the appeal of the custom route is still there. I love the idea of having the absolute best fit/finish and being able to select from a variety of options.

imho…yes, the Maverick is worth the extra $$$ especially if this is a one and done rifle. Specify your barrel length, twist and paint scheme. Smooth action. Rifle personalized to your preferences. Hard to beat.

The Mark V Hunter will be plastic stock (but I like it’s form factor which is a copy of their Backcountry). Mark V action is nice. The Hunter will be the new “entry level” Mark V.

In your shoes, I’d go APR

 

[Lawnboi]

Does this budget account for everything or solely rifle and optic? Do you have a separate budget for:

1 piece CF cleaning rod, jag, patches, solvent, gun vise ($250)
Fix-it Sticks kit ($160)
Bipod ($250)
Sling ($100)
Rings & base ($250)
Spare mags ($200)
Suppressor & stamp ($1250)
Shooting bags ($100)
Ammo
Etc.

If I had $4k for only rifle & scope, I’d budget $2500 - $3500 for an optic and then pickup whatever for a rifle. You can always incrementally upgrade a rifle. You can’t upgrade an optic.

I’d do similar. I’d buy the tikka, slap it in whatever mcmillan tickles your fancy and spend the rest on an optic and decent mount.

 

[txtransplant]

there's always a chance I'll want something different five years from now

You’re not gonna shake that

 

[z987k]

apow

I have a Sako Finnlight and several Weatherby Mark V rifles. Can’t go wrong with them in factory choice.

My beef with Sako/Tikka in 30 caliber is the 11 twist barrels. Not an issue if you shoot moderate/light weight traditional bullets but if you want to shoot heavy for caliber long bullets or long mono metals like Hammer bullets then better to have faster twist.

I also have an APR Maverick…great rifle. My only complaint with it is the 90 degree bolt through (I prefer the shorter bolt throw of Weatherby Mark V or Sako/Tikka actions as well as Browning). With APR, you can specify what you want.

In other production rifles, I’d also consider Browning X-Bolt Pro and Bergara Premium Mountain 2.0 (300 WM since Bergara doesn’t appear to offer 30-06).

30 cal Tikkas come in 10 twist now.
I just bought one.

 

[z987k]

The $4K isn't for the rifle, it's for the rifle plus the optic. What percentage of hunters can ethically shoot beyond the effective range of the .30-06? Why is spending money on a versatile caliber ill advised?

It's just that the extra 2k or so won't let you kill an animal any further or more dead. You don't need custom, you're not setting up for a specific bullet you reload, you don't need faster than normal twist.
There's reasons to spend that kind of money and you check none of the boxes for it.

 

[BjornF16]

30 cal Tikkas come in 10 twist now.
I just bought one.

300 Win Mag?

I’m not aware of .308 or 30-06 going to 10 twist

 

[z987k]

300 Win Mag?

I’m not aware of .308 or 30-06 going to 10 twist

Ya 300wm. I thought they updated all of them. No reason not to. A 30 cal barrel is a 30 cal barrel.

 

[Jjmayes83]

If I end up going with a high end rifle, I am leaning toward the Alamo Maverick.


Thanks for chiming in - I am not set on an expensive custom rifle so this is still something I am considering.

The $4K isn't for the rifle, it's for the rifle plus the optic. What percentage of hunters can ethically shoot beyond the effective range of the .30-06? Why is spending money on a versatile caliber ill advised?


I haven't spent nearly as much time looking at rifles as I have spent researching calibers. Nobody worth his own salt would disagree with the fact that the .30-06 is an incredibly versatile round. That doesn't mean it's the best round for any given context, because it's not, but a 6.5 cannot "do everything better." There are only trade-offs, there is no perfect round. I am not fully committed to the .30-06 - I'm open to suggestions, but it's a solid choice when the trade-offs of every round are taken into consideration.



Having the extra $2K to spend in other areas is appealing. I am not set on an expensive custom rifle so this is still something I am considering.


Thank you, see post immediately above.

Its versatility is appealing to me. It has manageable recoil compared to the magnum rounds, yet it is an appropriate hunting round for everything in North America short of coastal browns or inland grizzlies. What caliber would recommend instead?



What round do you prefer for elk? My experience with long guns is mostly limited to shotguns and smaller caliber rifles such as the .223 or 7.62x39. The largest caliber rifle I've fired is the 8mm.

My personal opinion depending on how far you want to shoot if it's 400 or so and in. Then .308 has almost identical and I repeat almost identical everything its cheaper and has a way lower recoil. Which means you can afford to shoot more and able to shoot more when you go to the range without getting bad habits from flinching when you start getting sore from the 30-06. You also said you wanted lightweight. For just starting out lower cost and less recoil means more practice and better shot placement. Buy a good rifle and a really good scope. I personally own 3 savage lightweight guns I have an older savage 11 lightweight hunter 800.00 for just gun with a vx3L 3.5- 10x50 which i absolutely love and would buy again but they stopped making them. You can still find them if you look around. About a year ago I baught my son a savage 110 lightweight storm in 308 for 700.00 and a 110 ultralight in 6.5 Creedmoor for me for 1300. They are all fantastic guns and shoot sub moa at a 100 yds. But if I was buying my first rifle I would spend good money on a savage 110 lightweight storm or 110 ultralight which is very adjustable so it can be custom fit to you.And spend really good money on a scope. All of the guns that everyone talks about on here are fantastic guns there all gonna do the job very well. This is just my Personal opinion from mistakes I wish I didn't make in the beginning butits your money do what makes you happy.But optics and practice are more important if you have any good quality gun. I personally use leupold and prefer the leupold vx 5hd. Zoom, objective size and reticle is a personal choice. Its gonna be your first bigger caliber rifle buy quality but don't go crazy use your first one to find out what you like and dislike if you want to go bigger smaller faster etc. Then if you find out you love it enough to go nuts then build that super high dollar rifle. And get lots of practice with a good rifle and scope without going broke first. Good luck

 

[BjornF16]

Ya 300wm. I thought they updated all of them. No reason not to. They button rifle. A 30 cal barrel is a 30 cal barrel at that point.

Tikka’s website shows 300 WM with 10 twist but .308 and 30-06 with 11 twist

Edit: Tikka uses Cold Hammer Forge barrels, not button rifled

 

[apieceofwork]

Does this budget account for everything or solely rifle and optic? Do you have a separate budget for:

1 piece CF cleaning rod, jag, patches, solvent, gun vise ($250)
Fix-it Sticks kit ($160)
Bipod ($250)
Sling ($100)
Rings & base ($250)
Spare mags ($200)
Suppressor & stamp ($1250)
Shooting bags ($100)
Ammo
Etc.

If I had $4k for only rifle & scope, I’d budget $2500 - $3500 for an optic and then pickup whatever for a rifle. You can always incrementally upgrade a rifle. You can’t upgrade an optic.

What optic would you buy at the lower end of that price range?

To answer your first question, there is a separate budget for additional gear, but I don't plan on buying a suppressor.

It's just that the extra 2k or so won't let you kill an animal any further or more dead. You don't need custom, you're not setting up for a specific bullet you reload, you don't need faster than normal twist.
There's reasons to spend that kind of money and you check none of the boxes for it.

Fair enough.

 

[Jjmayes83]

300 Win Mag?

I’m not aware of .308 or 30-06 going to 10 twist

The savage 110s are 10 twist also now

 

[z987k]

Tikka’s website shows 300 WM with 10 twist but .308 and 30-06 with 11 twist

Edit: Tikka uses Cold Hammer Forge barrels, not button rifled

I see that. And ya, you're correct on the hammer forge.

I've owned a bunch of tikkas but there's no way I'd buy a 1-11 30 cal tikka again. In 30-06 he needs to look elsewhere.

 

[fwafwow]

I agree that shooting more is great advice. But perhaps he's already budgeted a boatload of $$ for ammo?

I know all are well-intentioned, but some of the posts remind me of GunsAmerica comments for firearm reviews. "$2,499 for a Staccato 2011 P?! I could buy the Glock 32 for $500, and it's just as good!" Do we "need" alpha glass, Kifaru packs and Feathered Friends bags? Probably not. What one "needs" is hard to define or justify - especially if we start asking our spouses. Should we all buy Saturn cars (are they even made anymore) and base model trucks too? There is no way I need my Cooper, but I get a shitload of enjoyment out of it - holding it, shooting it, and thinking about it. But I'm f&@ked up.

 

[z987k]

What optic would you buy at the lower end of that price range?

To answer your first question, there is a separate budget for additional gear, but I don't plan on buying a suppressor.

Fair enough.

Also, you think this will be you're only rifle. It won't.
Give it like a year/2 hunts. Use the 2k saved and buy that second rifle you don't think you want.

Also, you'll be buying a suppressor as soon as you get to use one, especially for hunting. In fact just go ahead and get that paperwork going now. Maybe before the rifle! That way by the time you realize how great they are, it's showing up.

 

[BjornF16]

It's just that the extra 2k or so won't let you kill an animal any further or more dead. You don't need custom, you're not setting up for a specific bullet you reload, you don't need faster than normal twist.
There's reasons to spend that kind of money and you check none of the boxes for it.

$2k more than stock Tikka; $1k more than Mark V Hunter.

Here is what you get with APR Maverick:
Cut rifled barrel
Bedded action
Carbon fiber stock
Your desired stock paint/camo, barrel length/twist, fluting pattern, cerakote color

Only you can decide if these “features” are worth the extra money.