Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles One rifle for North America...

This

Done.
End of thread.

Slam dunk. Time to put this one to bed isn't it...

30-06 definitely gets the nod for a one do it all cartridge. I am partial to my M70 FWT which is in 270 (which would certainly do whatever needs done in N.A.). I don't own a Ruger Hawkeye, but do like the stock fit better than the M70 FWT, so that might be me pick if starting from scratch.

Tang Safety Ruger M77 going on almost 30 years now.

Bob.

A used Montana due to the $1k budget.

Tikka T3 SL .30-06Spr. Leupold FX 3.6x42 w/165gr.Partition handloads..ScottyO.

.300 Win Mag. CZ-550 UHR saw one on GB for $1000 not long ago.

Here's my take on the win model 70 fwt vs. the Ruger Hawkeye. Let's say were talking 30-06:

1. Capacity
a. Winchester: 5+1
b. Hawkeye: 4+1

2. Winchester seems to soak up more recoil. IE: Doesn't kick as hard. I don't know if it is due to stock design or what, but it's just what I've noticed from shooting/owning many Ruger 77's (MKII's and Hawkeyes and tangers) vs. the Winchester model 70 fwt's.

3. 3 position wing safety on the Winchester is mounted on the bolt and when in the middle position, the firing pin is locked. The ruger has a receiver mounted wing safety which slightly mimics the Winchesters, but only locks the trigger while in the middle position. It is also smaller and sharper and a little harder to manipulate when wearing gloves. The Winchester is a little safer for cycling live rounds.

4. Bolt can be disassembled in the field with the Winchester. Ruger not so much.

5. Winchester receiver is machined from solid bar stock, Ruger is cast (investment cast).

6. Winchester has an adjustable trigger, Ruger generally has a heavy pull "lawyer" trigger.

7. Accuracy is generally better with the Winchester, but both rifles benefit from a good professional glass bedding...

If starting from scratch, I'd more than likely be looking for an older classic CRF or pre 64 model 70 vs. the Ruger of any vintage (Tanger, MKII, or Hawkeye)... Of course YMMV..

One rifle that damn near kicked every other rifle out of my safe was my old 30-06 fwt. It fell within the OP's price requirement at $800.00. Not saying I'd sell it for that price, just what I paid for it:

Used Sako 75 in 30-06...but I'm biased.

98 or pre64 in .30/06 to 9.3X62.

If you skip Brown and Polar bears drop the cartridge to .270 or thereabouts.

It's funny that the answer always seems be "30-06" on paper, but everything else in application. Then someone will chime in and say how "boring" it is.

THE question is: Are you going to go "one for all", or just talking? My brother and I have this conversation once a month, but seldom move on it. I reckon the thought of starting from scratch when the current pile of rigs are dialed in keeps either of us from doing so. Might be the same amongst the masses or just a justification for all the load development and reloading.

But I won't lie that the thought of a 30-06, configured exactly how I like with a pile of factory fodder isn't appealing...

Tikka 300 win or my 300 Bee mkv

M70 FWT stainless in McMillan Edge and I managed to pull it off for less than $1000. That is until the Talley's and Leupold put me over that budget.

30-06 as many have said before in any thread talking about one rifle for north America. You can find 30-06 ammo anywhere... Far as rifle choose whatever fits you. I will take model 70

My 60s FN bannered barreled action with a 24" barrel on a trim custom stock would do just fine theses days. All I have ever shot in it is 180 Light Magnum / Superformance @ about 2900 fps. It works.

When I was a young stud and the weight did not bother me, it was a GdII BAR. I still like that for a stand gun.

Jack

OK, throw them all out and keep just one for all of NA, including areas I am likely never going to hunt?

The .30-06 Ruger MKII on the right would do nicely. It now sports a 3-9x scope instead of the 4.5-14x in the picture. (The others are a semi-custom Ruger MKII .338WM on the left and a MKII .300WM in the center.)



For my hunting (Colorado and Wyoming), the tanger Ruger M77 in 7mm RM on the left was my only big game bolt rifle for over 20 years and would still be a very good choice.

30/06 Tikka t3 lite stainless. Talley rings and monarch 2.5-10 scope. 168ttsx. I can go from the thickest brush to long range.

My 300 Bee! Mint and gorgeous.











3275 fps 180 Accubonds IMR7828
Largest group have shot with it.

I would probably take my Gen 1 Ti 30/06 bedded to the Brown Precision with Talleys and the VX2 2-7x33. All together it ran a shade over your 1k budget.


If I had a different stock on my LVSF 7/08 it would be in the running also.