Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Need advice on best "value bolt-action 30-06"

Hi friends.
One of my best friends is a recently-retired pastor, and has a hankering to do some deer hunting now that he has time on his hands for this fall.

He is gun-savvy, having grown up in a ranching community, but just has rim fire weapons presently.

Like most retired pastors, money is tight, and he would like a suggestion on a dependable "value gun" in 06'.

Who do you think is marketing the best entry-level 06' nowadays?
(I've had my 06' for twenty years, and have not followed the latest-and-greatest trends)

Thanks for your advice, will pass it along to my buddy when your suggestion(s) come in.

ruger american new.

pawn shops should be flooded with wood stocked bargains, if you are so inclined.

RAR

I'd go the pawn shop route and buy a quality used rifle. It should be simple to find one in 30-06.

If a budget synthetic is in the cards, I'd try to find one of the recently discontinued Marlin XL7s. I have a couple of XS7s and both are extremely accurate, as accurate as my custom rifles. They also "feel" like a higher quality rifle than any of the RARs I've handled.

You may get recommendations for the Savage Axis, but to me it is the ugliest of the budget rifles out there. I've handled them and the only rifles, to me, that feel cheaper are the Rem 710/770s. They are probably accurate though.

+1 on the Marlin.

I have the savage 116 stainless in 30 06. It shoots under an inch with 180gr hand loads,and they aren't that expensive. Certainly with a look.

New and current production I would follow along ans say the Ruger American. I was looking for something like this 6 years ago and found a S&W I-Bolt. Made for 2 years by S&W directly, it has a Thomson Center made barrel, Timney trigger, full round bolt like an American, and a factory picatinay rail. Can be had for $250 new on GunBroker right now. Mine is sub-MOA accurate with handloads and has taken more deer than all my other rifles combined.

Another vote for the Marlin X7:






Tossing out the called flyer (#11), the others were at .388". I've no doubt a competent shooter could make the rifle look even better. It probably wouldn't hurt to upgrade the glass from a fixed 4x scope, either. FWIW, I had these at 3.225 COAL, and they were doing 2,860 fps.

The other 2 Marlins I've had shot similarly.

FC

+2 on the Marlin. I worked up loads in 2 different Marlin XL7 rifles for 2 very passive newbie hunters and those rifle are accurate! Of course being chambered in a .270 helped.

Howa 1500, from Whitakers... $329.00

Short Action Smoker will take good care of Campfire Members and their friends...

While I like the Marlin X7, since I have one... I'd still recommend the Howa... accurate, accessories available and they also are NOT out of Production.

I bought an RAR last summer and I've been very happy with it so far. It's very accurate. The main reason I bought it was the weight. It's about a lb. lighter than most lower priced rifles on the market and at my age, every lb. counts. You'll spend well over $100 more for any other model this light.

I've got 2 Marlin XS7s and a Tikka T3 Lite, all with Talleys and Monarch UCC 3-9x40s up top.

Marlin 7-08 - 7lbs 9oz
Marlin 22-250 - 7lbs 10oz
Tikka 25-06 - 7lbs 8oz

I don't own a RAR to compare with, but if it's a pound lighter, that's a seriously lightweight rifle.

All fine choices, but unless he just wants an 06', a 308 would do as well and a 7mm08 kick less.

An 8 pound 06 with a marginal pad, does kick.

06s ? Marlin XL7, 1093A4 clone, 1903 1915 as issued, Ruger MKII Boat Paddle, M-1 NM. M-1 is very pleasant.

30-06 with managed recoil loads will kill any Whitetail that walks, an alternative ?

CZ

It ain't pretty, but it'll get the job done.

Win 670 .30-06 for sale!

Sorry for the shameless plug of my rifle.

The $329 Howa is the best quality rifle in that price range, but may not shoot as well as a RAR. I'd give up a little accuaracy for the nice action, but that's just me.

Interarms Mark X

Go hit up the pawn shops. Who knows what kind of bargain you might find.

+1 on the Howa / Vanguard. And I'd go 308 for deer and just about anything else.

If it must be 30-06 and a long action, the Zastava / Interarms is great value and bombproof. But the Howa would serve you just as well.

The RAR is good but there's lots of plastic on them. I can't see many of them being passed onto grandkids.

RAR, it is an exceptional value if you don't mind the aesthetics.