A buddy is buying his first deer rifle. He seems to have settled on a 30-06. What good deals have you seen out there lately on deer rifle (bolt actions). I told him to look for something that feel has a good trigger. I guided him slightly toward the Mauser m18’s but not sure what else you’d recommend. He also looking at a tikka for $650. Thanks for any feedback.
Availability during the panic makes this a little harder to answer, especially without a firm budget. But if he can find one, give the Winchester XPR a look. The sporters have surprisingly nice walnut and it's the same trigger and barrel as M70s.
To be completely honest, the best deal, if you can find one still is a Remington 700 ADL at Walmart for under $400. Sell the crap scope that comes with it, spend a little to put a Trigger Tech in it and scope it up and you are all set.
If he doesn't like it, he can sell it off no problem and get something different.
If he wants something he can run straight out of the box, go for a Tikka T3x.
Go for the Tikka. I have purchased many used Tikka's in near new condition for $500 or less. The Superlight can be had for $750 brand new. Stainless with a fluted barrel. That is the way I would go for a new rifle.
My most humble advice; see if you can get him to toss his decision to shackle himself to a specific caliber. While it may be true that he can do most whatever he wants with an '06, it is also true that he can do most whatever he wants with other similar class calibers as well.
The fastest way I know to limit one's options is develop a pre-conceived love affair with a woman you've never met.
I recently jumped back into hunting after a 35 year hiatus. Long time. I missed it. Didn't have a rifle when I made the decision to jump back into the woods. I just went shopping anywhere and everywhere I could go shopping. I live in Florida, hunt in Georgia, and only confined myself to the idea that I wanted a rifle larger than a .223. I ran across all kinds of options, even a guy trying to sell me Tikka 375 H&H. Turned that down as I couldn't find much difference between that rifle and a cannon. After about 4 weeks of shopping I stumbled on a used Howa 1500 chambered in .270 for a very fair deal. I bought it. Haven't looked back. Please note; this is less an endorsement of Howa, or the caliber of gun, but rather for the idea the he can find a very fine shooting stick outside his mentally constructed parameters, AND, be proud at the same time. Who knows, maybe he will stumble on an '06. So long as it's some North American game hunting caliber, he'd be just fine.
Final add: I also now own a Mauser M18 in .243. An incredible rifle for the money I paid, and it's in a caliber that makes range time (practice) a breeze, not to mention that I can take most anything in North America with it.
So I believe one of the best values out there is for a used Belgium Browning Safari Grade Rifle. Magnificent. Classic hunting rifle. Top quality that will last several lifetimes and they just dont seem to sell. Especially if it's been hunted and has some small dings and rashes. Hard to find a better rifle. Just my humble opinion.
