Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which 30-06?

Which Ruger, the Hawkeye or American? Based on the price ranges of your other options it looks like you are considering the American.

I have nothing against any of the "value" rifles you have listed. I own a few myself. I like the Ruger American as a no frills rifle on a budget. Both the Ruger American and Tikka are borderline too light for 30-06 IMO. But there are high tech recoil pads available for the Tikka that will reduce recoil down to 243 levels. Recoil won't be a problem if you install one of the good recoil pads.

My Americans are both short actions, 308 and 223. They come with a pretty decent pad, but I've not shot one in 30-06 so I can't say for sure.

But if you want a nicer rifle the Ruger Hawkeye is a close 2nd place finisher to Winchester 70's in my book.

Make it three!

To the OP,

Get the one that fits you best. If they are the same I like the Tikka or a used older Remington. Rugers are good, just don't fit me. I have no experience with the T/C.

Check out a TC Venture, reasonably priced and a 5 shot 1" group guarantee. They usually run a $75 rebate right about now. I have a 6.5x284 and it's a 3/4" shooter. A bud has them in 308, 6.5x284 and 338, all sub 1" shooters. I've also had good luck with Rugers and Remington 700's.

Ruger Hawkeyes are rock-solid reliable, but may take a bit of bedding or barrel channel work to show their best accuracy. Great buys can be found on them online.

If used is acceptable, Mark X, FN, Husqvarna and other Mausers are top choices, as are pre64 and M70 Classic models, and as always, older Sakos.

Among current push-feeds, Howas and their cousins the Weatherby Vanguards are excellent, if a bit heavy.

As far as recoil is concerned, nothing says you have to shoot full-power loads all the time. Light handloads or low-recoil factory stuff can limit the abuse your discs take during practice and a good deal of hunting as well.

the action on the ruger American feels like chit to me. Either like it has metal bures in it or sand. It is very rough. I think I've tried to hold about 4 or 5 and something about each one.

Tikka.

But my first choice would be one you didn't mention. An older Remington 700 BDL 1970's or older.

I don't like Ruger's stock design: It doesn't fit me. Others do like Ruger's stocks.

Since everyone is mentioning the Campfire classifieds, I have an 06 for sale. It is a M670 Winchester and isn't as light as a Tikka, but it isn't heavy either. I do have the barreled action sitting in factory Winlite stock made by McMillan.

I have a Browning X-bolt that I like more and more each day. The looks are a bit racey but it fits like a glove. Set up to hunt I'm at 8 pounds, the recoil is not a problem. 1" 5 shot groups are the norm.


I'll duck and cover now.

I have the Browning LH A-Bolt SS with the Boss. The Boss in my opinion looks like chit but it definitely works. This rifle groups every thing i have tried in it under an inch.

Can't believe I am suggesting a 308 with TSX 150 grainers in a TIKKA. The TIKKA part is great.

I found a good load for my wife's '06. 150 TSX with 47 gr of H4895. Lethal as a heart attack. She billed a nice buck at 200 yards, and a nice bull moose at 60 yards with her older TIKKA in 30-06. She weighs 130 ish and says the recoil is quite manageable.

Hard to beat a Ruger Hawkeye.

I bought a M-77 about 15 years ago just as they were discontinuing the stainless laminated model. I love it. It is very accurate. The only issue with it is my velocities seem to be a little low.

Funny you should post this, I just bought the last T3 Superlite .308 that Sportsman's had at their location. They're moving pretty fast.



P

My apologies to the OP, but I have to ask: if recoil is an issue, why not go less than a 30-06 when several smaller cartridges can perform similarly? 308 has been mentioned, but there's also the 7-08, 280, 270, and the 6.5's that are really interesting and developing quite the reputation for game getters. If weren't stuck in Alaska and having to hunt big moose and maybe a bear (poor me), I'd be all over a 6.5 something.

Go to a gunshow and find a sporterized Springfield. I guess they will always be my favorite 06.

As I posted previously, I have a T/C Encore PH in 7mm-08. I'm looking to get a bolt action 7mm-08. But variety is the spice of life and I'm a gun nut, so I like having multiple calibers. I may not get an 06, but I'm thinking on it.

Nice thing about 30 cal is the variety of bullets. If you want less recoil you can always load it down or go to 150's or 130's or even lighter. Besides, if you don't have at least one -06 you must be a commie or gay.

I sure do like my T3 SL in .30-06.With a max load of I-4350 and the 165Gr.NPT,it is stupid accurate n not bad to shoot.150 might tame it a bit.Find one to shoot n see iffin ya can handle the recoil.JMHO...ScottyO.