Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Need a SS/Syn 30-06

Help me pick a stainless/synthetic 30-06. I'm set on those details.

Rifles I'm considering: Savage 116 w/ hinged floorplate, FN Winchester M70 Ultimate Shadow/SS, and Montana Rifle Co. X2. (pretty much in order of increasing cost and weight). I've never handled the MRC X2 but I have the other two. M70 feels nicer than the 116 but accuracy rep is on the side of the latter. MRC wins with my preferred features but reviews seems inconsistent and it's the heaviest.

I'll be putting a Zeiss 3-9x40 Conquest with Talley LW's atop this rig. I already have the glass so that's set. It'll be my main hunting rifle for northern U.S. and Ontario whitetails, black bear, eventually elk and hopefully someday moose.

Further info: I don't think I could love a gun as ugly as the Tikka no matter how accurate. No offense to those who do love them. Also, I think the Kimber Montana will be too light. Doesn't sound fun to shoot, though this will be a hunting gun. I don't live or hunt in the mountains as of right now. I'm sure I'll get one eventually, though.

Yes I've used the search function... that's how I got to these three. Am I missing any obvious answers? Is it a tossup?

I need me an '06.

I'd look at a Ruger Hawkeye SS if you can find one

[quote=338rcm]I'd look at a Ruger Hawkeye SS if you can find one






This.

A gun shop down the road from my house has an AW Mod. 77 Hawkeye '06 in the used rack right now and while I don't need another '06, am strongly considering getting this one. The 7MM08 AW is to my mind, the best all-round rifle I own.

John

Interesting. Had not previously thought about a Ruger. How does it compare to my three aforementioned considerations? Trigger, accuracy, barrel and build quality?

How does it compare?? Well, the savage is dog ugly, the Winchester is made in Portugal, and the MRC is more money for just about the same rifle... How's that for a comparison?

I dig it.

LOL!!

Pretty much sums it up!!

Will ad the Ruger trigger although not adjustable is one of the easiest triggers to work on.
Comes with rings and one of the better factory tupperware stocks

I have the Savage 116 in 30-06. It shoots very well. I tried a variety of bullets including 155 scenars. The gun actually liked 180 grain corelocts the best. It will shoot a legitimate .75 inch 3 shot group every time. I'm using varget powder. I put in a new spring in the trigger system to lighten it up a bit. It is now at just under 3 lbs. I can sit and shoot softball size groups at 500yds pretty consistently. Is it a bonefied target rifle? No. But for hunting it is very good. One really good point is that the 1st 2nd and 3rd shots all hit in the same spot. No cold bore issues with the first shot flying high or low, before the gun settles in to shoot tight groups.This is extremely important in my mind. Not the prettiest, but very dependable.

I like the M70 Extreme Weather with the Bell & Carlson over the Ultimate Shadow with plastic.

This was my first thought as well.

My opinion won't win any popularity contests on the fire, but I am fond of the Browning A-bolt Stainless Stalker. They feel good in my hands, the bolt throw is nice, the safety is where God intended and they're accurate.

On paper I agree but I fondled one of the EW's at a local shop the other day and I was not a fan of the B&C stock. Not in the slightest. That's why I omitted it. Since I'd be replacing the stock and flutes do nothing for me, I figured the Ultimate Shadow (and eventually a McMillan) would be the route I'd be taking if I went M70.

This is your huckleberry. Don't bother with the others at this point. If you wanted, you could put a nice McMillans stock on the Ruger and still be in it for the same money.

I might have the rifle for you. Though it might be a little on the light side since you thought the Montana was too light. What are you looking for as far as weight and budget?

Winchester M70 FWT Classic .30-06 in McMillan Hunter stock with Edge fill and blind Mag. 7 lbs 1 oz as she sits with the Talley mounts and 2.5-8X36 VXIII Leupold, your Conquest would make it slightly heavier. Probably tip the scales closer to 7.5 lbs when you add five rounds and a sling.

M70

I have both a Savage 116, and a Weatherby Vanguard II sub MOA in stainless/synthetic.The Weatherby is my favorite but the Savage is just as accurate. Both are sub MOA. The Weatherby has a tight chamber and probably a tight bore within specs. My best load in the Weatherby so far is a 56 grain load of IMR 4350 under a 155 grain Scenar or 150 grain SST. Both shoot to the same POI. 57 grains of IMR 4350 shows excess pressure signs in the Weatherby. You cannot go wrong with the Savage or Weatherby. Price is about the same.

I do concur. Its my favorite bolt action.

This would be my vote, if you can afford a M70 and a McMillan edge. If not get the Ruger.

Make that 3 of us.

I have several M77's and several M70's. The M77 will finish out weighing a bit more than the M70. I'd do an EW, trip the B&C, buy a McM Edge, be down the road at 7.25 - 7.5lbs. I'm chewing on the exact same idea. I'm leaning more toward the M70 US to get a 24" barrel.