Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 30-06 Do it all rifle - but mostly elk

Help me decide!
I'm settled on a 30-06, but from there I keep getting stuck. In order of priority, I'll use this rifle for 1) hunting elk, 2) punching paper between 100-600 yards, 3) hunting deer and antelope. I put in a lot of miles and elevation when I hunt, but am happy to tote around a 7-7.5 lb rifle (not including scope), lighter is nice but not too concerned.

Browning x-bolt speed: seems pretty sweet, would be a done deal if the barrel were 24"
Remington 700 AWR: would fit the bill if I could try before I buy. I'm concerned about their QC.
Tikkas: They just don't really "speak" to me, but everyone seems to love them. 1:11 twist rate and 22" barrel are worrisome
Bergara B14 Hunter: Can't really find a fault here, am I missing something? Reviews all seem typically favorable
Sako A7: see Tikkas, nice they have a 24" barrel.
Winchester 70: prefer composite stock.

Okay, jump in - what are your thoughts on these rifles, plus any others I'm not including but would be in the $700-$1200 range.

I have a Winchester 70 extreme weather in 30-06, I put a meopta meopta 3-9x40 on it. It’s been an awesome all arounder for me, I did end up putting a tinney trigger in it but mostly because I got it in a trade, not that I really felt the need for a new trigger. It is a bit heavy, I think mine sits at 8lbs 2oz but that’s ok. I’ve used it for moose, caribou and a bighorn sheep with zero issues. The moose hunt was a 10 day packraft hunt here in AK and the rifle absolutely shrugged off the conditions it was used in. Anyways, great gun.

Tikkas are good too but I completely understand what you are saying, I like the ones I have but they simply don’t have that heirloom appeal to them, at least for me. Can’t argue with the accuracy out of them though.

As for the AWR, my buddy has one and it’s ok, heavy though. If I were getting a Remington, the only one I’d be interested in would be the mountain rifle. And I certainly wouldn’t buy one without inspecting it in person.

I’d take a good look at kimbers as well.

That is my recommendation, though I’d find a USA built model.

I'd look for a Ruger Mark II stainless

I've had the Tanger, I've had multiple Mark II's, I still have the Hawkeye though. I'd look for a Hawkeye.

I have a Win Mod 70 Extreme weather, topped with a Leupold 2-10 VX5, I love it. It is a little heavy at 8.5 lbs scoped but it is a great all around rifle

All the Hawkeyes I've fooled with have been excellent shooters.

Yeah. I just shot my Hawkeye 30-06 today and it was sub moa with Federal Blue Box.

I recently bought a Remington 700 AWR in 30-06 and I am very satisfied with it. I wanted a rifle over 7lbs and this fit the bill. Fit and finish leaves nothing to want for. I did replace the factory trigger with a Timney. I have shot less than a box of ammo through it because I bought it mid season, but from all indications it has and will shoot fine. I also considered Browning and Winchester but I wanted a slightly heavier rifle. If I had to do over again I would buy the same rifle.

My .30-06 Hawkeye is sub MOA with 165 gr. Power Points and 150 gr. Fusions. Didn't do a darn thing to it but work the trigger to a crisp 2.5 lbs. either.

I’ve got two Tikkas in 30-06 in my house one blued one and one Stainless SL and they both are boringly accurate. Mine will shoot most any bullet under an inch with some regularly at 1/2” 155gr-180 gr.

My father got a marksmanship badge from the army in WWII with a springfield 30-06.
When he got out of the army in 1946 , he bought a springfield from Sears.
When I was growing up, that rifle and 180 gr silvertip bullets were in the attic.

l did not get my first 30-06 until 1985.
I have now bought 11 of them.
I have not hunted with 30-06 rifles, But l have rebarreled them and killed big game with 280AI, 6.5-06, or 25-06.

My favorite 30-06 to buy is a pre-64 Winchester M70. If I see one, there is a good chance I will buy it.

Yep, I've seen some really good condition (like new) ones in the $800.00 range. I actually bought one here for that price and then put it in a mcmillan. Great rifles for the money.. Generally very accurate too..

When all the rifle loony dust settles, the 30-06 will still be on top not needing redemption or validation.

I have a Tikka T3x ss and a Sako 75 SS both in 30-06 and could not be more pleased with these rifles.

Just find a nice Mark X in 30/06. spend the difference on a Bell & Carlson and you're all set.

I've had a few 30-06s over the years. First one was a 700 classic. Wasn't bad and killed many a whitetail with it. I currently have a 6 digit 70 classic stainless. I've lent it for a few elk hunts. No one has ever complained about it. I mostly use my JC Higgins 50 lately only modification to it has been a Dayton Traistar trigger.

If I were buying one I'd look hard at a Ruger Hawkeye.

I still have two Rem 700's in my safe, and two Mark X's. I've never had any negative issues with any of them, They all have their place in my hunting line-up.

The last three rifles that I have bought were Weatherby Vanguards. With the last two, I narrowed the choices down to either a Rem 700 or a Vanguard. My final choice was Vanguards.