Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles If you can only have one bolt action rifle...

Hi RGK,

You have exceptional knowledge of rifles.

Thanks! I like the Montana 99, too. This one is a boring .30-06.
Bob

As long as the LOP is okay with you, take it out and shoot it. Even a not-quite-perfect Pre 64 Model 70 is better than 90% of the rifles available today, IMO.
Bases and rings are generally pretty easy to find along with Leupold scopes. Can't hardly walk down the street around here without tripping over one....
I'm betting it is still a shooter. I noticed you didn't mention what it is chambered for? Any other information you're holding out on us?

Bob

Oh, sorry, it's 30-06


Do you think the base and rings in this ads will fit the Leupold scope?

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...bases-and-redfield-rings-pre-64-model-70

If I could keep only one of the rifles I currently own, I think (at the moment) I would choose my pre-64 70 in .264 Win Mag. Sometimes I think it might be the Classic Super Grade in .280...other times the custom Model Seven in 6mm Remington. If I was going to acquire something new to be my only rifle, it might be a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5x55...it's not something I like to ponder, though. Got too many I like.

NM

30-06 is as good as it gets for all around hunting and target shooting . The problem I've had , maybe looking in the wrong places , is none of the Remington , Savages , or 03's will perform well unless I hand load .
It is nice to have a rifle that if times gets hard , it will shoot acceptable with most ammo . They are rare , but they are out there . But I have been through a pile of them over the years and have only two rifles that will shoot just about anything I feed it into 1 1/2" -2" groups and stuff it likes will run 1/2" -1" . Unfortunately they are neither chambered in my favorite caliber , 30-06 .
One is a 243 Icon and the other a 308 T/C Predator . These two rifles send it home on the money every time . Factory ammo is good , hand loads , outstanding .
Kenneth

Not so stupid.

I only started 36 years ago (1982) and only had one big game legal (Colorado) bolt rifle for the first 20+. Then again, it was a 7mm RM. Used it to shoot coyotes and occasional prairie dogs, too. Did everything I asked of it back then and would have continued to do so.

But the others are fun, too.

Can't go wrong with a Sako 85 in '06. But, like everyone else here, that's just my opinion.

SAKO 85 Grey Wolf in '06 for me.

Springfield '03 already sporterized by a minimalist. Original GI barrel, original finish, three leaf express sight. Well used, well cared for.

Your "opinion" might just be fact.

You've coulda expanded your "opinion" to include Sako is the best quality factory production rifle ;-) It woulda been more fact ;-)

Probably be one of these 2- both 308 winchester. Ammunition for it everywhere, easy to reload for, components are cheap and the caliber/barrel combo lasts forever before accuracy goes south. Mount a nightforce of your choice magnification- I happen to think the 2.5-10x32 is the bomb, and go kill anything you could point it at in NA.

Remington SS 308



Winchester classic New Haven 308

Reading through this post I can't help but grin at the tens of thousands of $$$ I have spent on rifles the past 40 years and yet.....the best hunter I know uses a 1970's era Remington 788 in 308 win. That gun has almost no bluing on the barreled action and the finish on the birch stock is worn to the core. He put a slip on recoil pad on it and he still has the original 4 power redfield wide field scope on it. He shoots a lot, keeps it very clean, but man that thing is beat up. I guess the old adage is true " beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it"

It would work for me.

It depends upon what you consider “long range”! If the 30-06, was your first consideration......the .375 H&H will do just fine. It closely mirrors, the trajectories of 30-06 rounds, with a “wee bit” more bullet! memtb

Hey Guys!

I absolutely love the Winchester Model 70! Love the quality, love the weight, even love the cut butt pad. The action is smooth as butter.
The recoil is nothing more than my 12G shotgun with slugs. Yes, it's a mean kick, but 30-06 won't need the follow-up shots eh?

Just have the pre 64 base and rings installed. Will put a Leupold 4-12x40 on top of it. Bang!
Will report back on its accuracy.

You just can’t have too many. I need another Sako!

Tikka T3x in 30-06 for hard work and a Win. pre '64 sightless when its nice out.