New rifle questions

[howl]

Too much scope. A 2-10x will work better all around. Kinda hard to recommend which without knowing budget. It's a lot easier to hit at 30/06 distance with a 10x than it is to get on target at spitting distance with a 4.5x.

Nothing wrong with an /06. Kicks about the same as a 270 WSM or .264 Win Mag or others that drift less in wind though.

Most of the more economical rifle choices are poor quality. Modern manufacturing methods can make a poor quality rifle that will work fine for low volume use by a hunter. Just be aware that what you get in a Sauer is much easier to use and longer lived than a Savage.

All things considered, I'd put more money on the scope and mount than the rifle. Those less expensive rifles like the Ruger American will do all you need, but you will find similarly cheap scopes and mounts lacking.

 

[jbid62]

I just posted a brand new Howa 1500 30-06 if you’re interested.

PMringer can you contact me please? I want to buy something from one of your posts but I can't reply in that forum or send you a PM yet as I'm a new member!

 

[EmperorMA]

The .30-06 is fine. More than is needed for a lot of hunting but certainly capable. Lots of ammo choices available, too.

Others with readily-available ammo and a bit less recoil are the .25-‘06, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, 7mm-08 and .308 Win. I personally would take all those over a .30-‘06 but having the same cartridge chambering as your dad is as good a reason as any to select any of them.

Since I am of the belief that you should spend the most money on a scope and its mounting, I’d get a scope first and pick a less expensive rifle afterwards. I’d for sure pick up a Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x44 and some Talley Lows for the “intermediate-price” portion of the rig then pick up a Browning AB3, Howa 1500, Ruger American, Savage Axis or Winchester XPR as the “lower end” part of the equation to equal your “lower-intermediate” price range.

I did this nearly a couple of years ago with a Winchester XPR 6.5 Creedmoor, Zeiss HD5 3-15x42 and Talley Lightweights that puts at least eight different loads of factory ammo into MOA groups with a few even going half that size. It is insanely accurate and almost boringly reliable...so much so it worked itself into the hunting rotation even though its original intent was for a backup and a loaner gun. In fact, one of the loads it likes best is the $16 a box Winchester Deer Season XP, which it has put into groups as small as 0.61” at 100 yards. I’ve happily killed a couple of deer with this combo and as expected, both were bang/flop.

I’ve spent twice the cost of this whole setup on just a rifle more than a few times only to get something not as accurate. While I won’t be selling my beloved Model 70s or my favorite custom rifles, I’d do this combo again in a heartbeat with absolutely no qualms about it being GTG right out of the box.

 

[Rick Mstley]

Check out the CVA Cascade, pretty nice rifle. The Go Wild ruger has the muzzle brake which works good for some calibers.

 

[Ripnbst]

I'd take a hard look at a Bergara Ridge in .270 WIN. I think they offer a few of their models in .30-06 as well but I'm not exactly sure of which ones.