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

Tikka super lite SS fluted was my choice.



180 grain at 200 yards

Been dragging this 700 around for some time now......it's starting to grow on me.

M70 Classic Stainless Fwt in an McMillan can get down pretty close to 7lbs.

I have sold off all of my magnums and bought two 30-06s this year.
The first was a Remington Alaskan TI. I bought it as original, but have since purchased a McMillan Edge to put it in. This will be a winter project.
Next up was a Legendary Arms Works. I have a LAW in 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots better than any rifle that I have ever owned. I'm hoping for similar results.
donsm70

Win Mod 70 EW but it's 8lbs scoped. Holds 6 tho!!!!
A7 over the Tikka ! Find the older A7, actually one in classifieds right now. Either will out shoot most customs if you hand load.

150gr TTSX @ 3040 fps don't suck!


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...t-sako-a7-30-06-leupold-vx5#Post13277551 $700

If you hurry there is a Leupold VX-1 3x9x40 in classifies right now for $150. Send it to the custom shop for a M-1 dial install.....! Stick it on the A7 and you'll be right at 7.5 lbs with a tack driver thats smooth as silk. Be prepared to have your mind blown for less than a grand!

My recommendation with be a Winchester Model 70 EW or a Ruger Hawkeye. My brother in law has a Hawkeye and it shoots very well, with no tweaking necessary. He has never even lightened the trigger and has just gotten used to it. His 100 yard groups are very good. I believe he usually shoots E-Tips.

I have a long love affair with the 30.06 and have about a dozen of them stashed in various safes around the house.

I actually have a like new Win Mod 70 Extreme Weather that I picked up and have never fired. I would entertain letting it go if you decide to go with that platform.

Between the X Bolt speed, the Remmy AWR, and the Win 70 EW, which do you guys see as the better buy? Splitting hairs? Any you would stay away from?

According to many Alaskans the X-bolts freeze up. Who owns Remington now Marlin or Rem? Oh well nobody cares..

70 EW all the way....

Handle them all and find the one you look like the feel of the best. I have an EW in .270 Win, I hated the original B&C stock though it never felt right. Replaced it with a McMillan stock and love the rifle now, but it wasn't the cheapest route.

Tikka.

There’s a reason (or several) that they have such a following.






P

You get a lot of bang for the buck with the m70ew, jewels bolt, recessed crown, decent stock (better than a plastic stock) I actually don’t mind the B&c stock.

Rtween the 3 you mentioned, yeah I’ve heard of xbolts icing up but I’d probably still try one, the AWR I’m sure is an ok rifle but I just can’t warm up to it, everybody who handles my m70 or shoots it loves it and several have ended up buying one. In my opinion, it’s the ultimate all arounder for AK.

Yup and they are fun to upgrade too, I’ve replaced the bottom metal on mine and it made a big difference.

* Remington 700: I've carried them on mountain hunts for years, where the rifles had dates of manufacture from late 80's to 2005. Nary a hiccup. Still, you gotta please you.

* Win 70: I bought a stainless Ultimate Shadow from bwinters here, and it's an absolute tack driving SOB with Nosler factory 165 Accubond ammo. I didn't even bother trying to reload for it. A buddy took it to CO for 3rd rifle season, & took his cow with it. No issues with rain, snow, or being jostled in a scabbard. I know it goes > 8 lbs. with a VX3 4.5-14, but it balance very well.

* Kimber Montana: I took an 8400 on last season's goat hunt, and it was an absolute champ. It probably saved my life, too, since I used it as a walking stick to keep from falling down the damned mountain. I know people talk about "Kimber Roulette," but I've sure been thrilled with my sample of 1.

* Tikka: I share your distaste for them, but that's based solely on how they look, feel, and handle for me. There's far too much positive feedback out there for me to continue to avoid them, though. After all, beauty is as beauty does.

* Not asked, but I'll chime in anyway: after lugging 24" barreled rifles around the mountains for several years, I'm now a fan of 22" barrels.

My $.02 is to shoulder many models, to see what feels most natural to you. As long as it aint a Remginton 710, or some other such widely-acknowledged monstrosity, you'll be more than fine. Then, I'd suggest getting a used one of that model, from a seller who can post targets and loads shot with that rifle. The reason being that while all rifles that come off the production line could be thought of as twins, they're fraternal twins, not identical twins. They may look and handle and weigh an awful lot a like, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll shoot alike. I'd personally forego being the first person to fire a rifle, if it means I can get one in excellent condition that's a proven shooter.

Yeah - I'm weird like that. Actually, I'm weird in most other ways, too.

FC

Just got a Remington mountain rifle in 30-06. It was moa accurate with cheap federal ammo and I made a good shot on a doe this weekend at around 150 yards off hand( rifle fits me like a glove). I’ll be toting that gun a lot in the future. Just got it, so haven’t explored its accuracy potential with hand loads so I can’t comment on paper punching, but I will say it was a pleasure to shoot on the bench. Surprisingly nice for a light rifle.

I have a Bergera b-14 in 308, you’re right in that I can say absolutely nothing bad about it, it checks all the boxes for sure. It is heavie than the mountain rifle, and the stock is a little chunky but not enough to really complain about. It is sub moa rifle with multiple loads I’ve tried.

I had a tikka 30-06 for about a month, shot like everyone said they do, could not make myself like it. Bought a stainless 260 hunter and hunted mule deer with it, made a good shot on a mulie at about 300 yards. Was light , accurate as I could hope for . Sold it.

I have completely different expectations for a bench rifle to punch paper, and have different set ups for that.

For my next hunt out west the mountain rifle will coming with me.

MM

And according to our own Caribou who lives inside the Arctic Circle the XBolt is a great choice. Choose your expert.

^^^^This^^^^

The difference in performance between a 22" barrel and 24" barrel on a 30-06 is meaningless in the field. The 24" barrel will only be less manageable in heavy cover and won't offer anything in field performance, even on long distance shots, over the 22" barrel.

Never owned an X-Bolt, so I'll remain silent on that one.

My Remington experience is limited to several thousand rounds through the M-24, a 600, a Model 7 Scout rifle, (all in 308) plus one M-700 in 7 RM that I inherited and haven't shot much. All are good choices if you don't need CRF. Read reviews on the Grayboe stock before you buy an AWR, though.

Rugers are nice and not super expensive.

Tikkas are a superb value but I can't abide a detachable magazine on a bolt-action rifle.

I grew up on Model 70's so that's my choice. I don't like fluted barrels. MOA triggers, or HS Precision stocks, but plenty of other smart folks like the EW and it is the best way to get a stainless M-70 these days.


Okie John

I have owned 3 Hawkeyes and 2 700s. No complaints with either. Rugers weighed more with the laminate stock. Handle them and let that guide you.

Lotta good choices out there.... don't no how you can go wrong in a 30-06. Considering elk country, lighter might be the way to go. I guess if I draw another elk tag and decided to use 1 of my 30-06's it will be 1 of my 03's or A3's that will get used with 180 NPT's. More new guns out on the market all the time and I keep going retro, must be a sign a getting old or not giving a f**k about the g*dam* Jones. MB