Which 30-06 to buy?

[protiller]

I'm looking at three different models all three have there +'s and -'s. Which do you all own or like the best?

Ruger M77

Browning A-bolt

Remmington 700

Do any of you have experience with the A Bolt Hunter or the Remmington Mountain Rifle? Each of these has a shorter barrel. I was wondering if having the shorter barrel (22 or 23") there would be more "flex" in the barrel hense the gun wouldn't be as accurate as a standard bore (24"). Both companies claim they have full bore accuracy. Just looking to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks in advance for your input.

-tiller

[roosterslayer]

I shoot the a-bolt and wouldn't switch for anything, i really like the bolt on the a-bolt it is really smooth. I have nothing to say about the remington cause i have never shot the model you are asking about.

[Gissert]

Any one of those would be an excellent rifle.

Don't overlook Savage. Excellent accuracy, and the new user adjustable accu-trigger is a big plus. Very reasonably priced, too.

[VMS]

I love my A-bolt... To me, the real advantage to the A-bolt is the 60 degree bolt throw. Very smooth, and the bolt isn't so close to your scope that pulling it back is an issue.

you definitely pay for the name, but the quality is worth it. Very accurate too. I just changed brand and weight of bullet for deer hunting and just love it. That managed recoil stuff by Remington is really nice. kick is like a .243 but still heavy enough to take down Deer.

Steve

[almostthere!]

A-bolt user here. Very nice gun. Action is smooth and the short bolt lift is excellent (you don't have to worry about a banged up thumb during the cycling).

Stay away from the BOSS, unless you use hearing protection constantly. My ears are ringing constantly now.

[roosterslayer]

Yeah i have the boss on mine and it is really loud if you ever shoot in an indoor range. but to be honest it knocks the recoil down to about half and normally my adrenaline is flowing so much i dont really hear the shot.

[Phred52]

Protiller, I owned a Ruger M77 Ultra-lite in 30-06 cal. Wonderful firearm!! I was fortunate enough to find one the last year that Ruger offered it with open sights (now it's avail scope only) It had less recoil than a 700 ADL Remington ( My Dads'). Why??? Honestly couldn't tell you. Reason I sold, I hunt North central Minnesota, deep into the woods/cedar swamps. Shots offered there are seldom (if ever) longer than 100yards. Went to a M-77RL in .308 cal. w/20" bbl. MORE than enough power for where I hunt, and NO BRUISES!!! It is one SWEET rifle! Another one for you to consider. Phred52

[Jay R]

I agree with Phred52 as far as looking at the .308, I have deer hunted in N.MN with a .308 for 20 years and just think it is a wonderful caliber for close to medium rage, brush type setting. All of the rifles you listed are fine rifles, it's really in some ways a Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge etc debate. Heck I have shot an old Model 88 Win lever action in .308 all this time and would not trae that gun for anything. It is all a matter of personal preference. Have fun and good luck it is a tuff choice.

[monstermoose78]

i love my a bolt and i have the boss on my 06 and hardly kicks at all but the noise will kill ya with sighting it in. I shoot Federals 180 grain nosler partitions and it loves them to death from standing i can get 1 inch groups or better at 100 yards. can put bullets in 5 inch circle at 300 with out thinking about it.

[almostthere!]

It appears the A-Bolt is the most popular rifle, here. You will just have to go with the A-Bolt. Did we mention that the A-bolt's trigger can be adjusted with a simple screw driver. One feature you can appreciate while at the range.

Monster,

You are one steady person. I could never get better than 2" group while standing from 100 yards.

[monstermoose78]

Just buy your rifle before the night before the deer season opens. It blows my mind how many wait to buy until a rifle that day its crazy. They all say well its bore sighted. LOL ya need range time.

[Jackpine Rob]

I would take a good long look at the Tikka rifles. The reviews have been excellent across the board.

[tripper]

I do not have any of the rifels you mentioned but I do have a Win. 670, and a sporterized 1917 enfield with 20" barrels. I can tell you that a shorter barrel will not hurt your accurecy at all. You will lose vel. with the shorter barrel, about 20-30 fps for every inch under 24". Non of the deer I have shot knew the difference in velocity.

[Steve Foss]

My fave has been the M77 for over 25 years. Started at 17 hunting fox/coyote in North Dakota with the .22-250 and 6 power Burris. Have shot a number of .30 cal M77s, and still love them.

Budget constraints have pushed me out of that model. Last summer I picked up the Remington 710 .30-06 with 3x9 Bushnell package for $100 new in the box. Synthetic gray stock and Parkerized barrel. I've had two people on this forum and a couple others to my face say it's a piece of shnit. It ain't the M77, but it came dead zeroed at 100 yards from the factory, and stayed dead zeroed when I clicked it over a few notches to be a couple inches high at 100 yards for 200 yard shots (all shots in the 10-ring when sighting in).

It dropped my two deer with one shot each, and cost me the equivalent of a couple fills of gas on my truck at today's gas prices. It's got a great action.

I'd pick the M77 over most others, unless I really cash in and can go with a Weatherby. So I say, yearn for the M77, but love the one you're with.

[roosterslayer]

stfcatfish, i hope you mean that the model 710 was 400.00 new in the box. but if it was 100.00 you got one hell of a deal.

[DrKen]

All those rifles are fine rifles and you won't go wrong with any of them. The shorter barrel is actually stiffer than the longer barrell and would tend to be more accurate but you do lose some velocity ( i believe in the 06 about 50 fps per inch.) That is not a major problem at all and really only counts at extreme ranges where most of us should not shoot). In the idea of 06 vs .308, these are the same bullet but the .308 is roughly 90fps slower. Usually the 06 is a 12 inch twist vs at 10 inch twist in the .308. This means the 06 will like heavier bullets better than the .308. If you shoot 150 grain then the .308 will tend to be more accurate, 180-200 grain will tend to be more accurate out of the 30-06. 165's will tend to be similar. Thus if you intend to hunt moose then definitely get the 30-06. Anything else the .308 will perform similar. Ultimately, it comes down to the rifle you feel comfortable with.

[protiller]

Thank you all for your replies. Last weekend I purchased an A-Bolt 30.06. I put a Leupold 3-9x40 VXII on it. I like the smaller/lighter fell to the gun as I'll be using it in hiking situations.

Thanks again,

-tiller

[Cheif Catchemall]

Those Rifles are all good guns. I can't imgaine missing an animal because you made the wrong rifle choice from that list. However, I'm suprised i haven't seen any replys for the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight? Excellent function and BEAUTIFUL form! Maybe too Beautiful to use? Then look at the plain Model 70 (not featherwieght). Pick up those Winchesters while you still can.