Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What’s go to 30-06 rifle?

It doesn't have iron sights, but have taken more big game with my Ultra Light Arms Model 24 than any other rifle since acquiring it in 1997, in places from the Arctic to Africa. It has had around 15 scopes on it, but some of those were only mounted for magazine reviews--and a couple failed. The scopes that have gone hunting have never failed, apparently because they were thoroughly tested beforehand. Dunno how an iron-sighted rifle, especially one with a wood stock, would have been more reliable.

I'm in this boat. I'd skip out on the iron sights and run a smaller magnification scope. That 2-10 hd is basically iron sights on 2 power. The field of view is enormous.

I'll go you one better: Springfield M1903 NRA Sporter. .30-06 naturally. A short lived special order sporting rifle built by the Armory for sale to civilian NRA members. Filled a niche in the 1920's-early 30's before Winchester/Remington/Savage got rolling with their 54's/30's/Sporters. Discontinued when the Big Three b*tched about unfair competition from the government.

I frequently hunt with mine. Well balanced, scary accurate, and a joy to carry all day since it's not encumbered with a scope. I acquired this one from the grandson of the original purchaser who bought it new in 1929 when he lived in Anchorage, and used on his many hunting trips to Kodiak Island in the 30's-40's where it accounted for some brown bears. Good ju-ju in this one.

At this point I only have iron sights on one hunting rifle, and that's a .375 H&H. But I always take a backup rifle or at least a backup scope.

Tell me about the Sako L61R. I know nothing on this rifle.

I gifted this 03 to my good bud. It was in my safe with receiver sight, not being used. He had mention how he'd love to have a Springfield, didn't know I had this one.

I sent it to David Christman in Delhi, LA to drill and tap, fit safety and replace original bolt handle. David did a great job, as always.

Bud loves it, named it Dusty after the singer Dusty Springfield. Guess that sorta dates him....

I've loaded 125 gr. NAB's and 130 gr. Horn over 59 gr. BG which pushes those bullets at around 3,100 fps. He's been amazed how deadly those loads are. He's killed a bunch of stuff, mostly one shot and DRT. But, he can shoot.

The bore is pristine and it shoots every bit as good as a near new M-700 '06 that he traded for. It has a Timney trigger, is glassed and free floated in a vintage Fajen stock.

I replaced this scope with his Leupold 3-9x40.

DF

You know, at the end of the day that rifle screams "America". A no-frills home built sporter in the spirit of "do-it-yourself", based on arguably one of the best U.S. built bolt actions, commercial or military, from the first half of the 20th century.

Cool rifle DF.. Awesome gift for a buddy!

This one has become my go-to for the time being.

Sadly, until fairly recently, I never owned a 30-06! I’ve hand loaded 30-06’s for friends and relatives….but, until I made the aforementioned purchase, never loaded for myself!

That said, it’s a blue, Ruger American that was practically given to me, #250.00 out the door at a Billings, Mt. Walmart!

It will probably never be used by us, but much like a verse in the Bobby Bare song “The Winner” “ But, I got’er boy…..that makes me the winner”! 😁 memtb

DrDeath,

The Sako L61R "Finnbear" was manufactured approximately from 1962 until 1973; it was produced in many of the "standard length" cartridges of the time.

My 30-06 was manufactured in the early 1970's and imported by "Garcia Sporting Arms, Washington, DC".

I have the "vintage" Sako rings on it, the sights are on the barrel.

To protect the European Walnut stock (almost a blonde color) I purchased a McMillian stock for it here on the 24HrCF.

It is a little heavy by modern standards, but it is joy to shoot.

StarchedCover

Is it a crf action?

No, it's a push feed action.

Every 30-06 I have has a wood stock

Every time I hear about iron sights for reliability I’m reminded of one of my good friends in Alaska. When he was a younger he was adamant that he wasn’t going to have one of those unreliable scopes because sure as the world it would be fogged or lose zero at just the wrong moment. Irons had to be much more reliable and wouldn’t let a guy down. Until he put the sneak on a nice bear and missed it widely only to find that his rear sight had lost a windage screw and drifted all the way to one side, lost its zero just like he was afraid a scope would of.
In the 10 years I worked in a busy gunsmith shop I would guess I saw 5X as many rifles come in with broken front sights as I did rifles with broken scopes.

Thanks.

He’s really proud of it.

I wasn’t using it, didn’t have that much in it.

DF

Those are nice.

I put a peep on mine. IMO, comb is a bit low for scope.

They are slick and generally pretty accurate.

Mine has a Timney. It's light and quick, about like shooting a bird gun.

DF

If it has to have irons, it’ll be the Pre-64 fwt.




Or this 700 with a fresh barrel and new McMillan.

For a lefty like myself it's easy. Ruger Hawkeye or winchester 70. I've had pushfeeds, pumps, and leverguns take the worst dumps in bad weather where autos and especially my Ruger kept going even when dirty. Even break action single shots have seized up with water ingressing along the side of action and then freezing. Thankfully had the Ruger scout along to fish the tasks.

And a big no to the sweetheart of the north Tikka T3 series in real cold. That has been a huge turd for me.

I'm probably the person with the worst fortune ever. Extractors have broken on new rifles on me, I've had combo guns snap fire pins in cold and Marlins puke. I've dusted an old winchester 94 so bad riding around on trails with my dual sport it wouldn't function but the Hawkeye while gritty still functioned just fine.

Cz 550, bedded with A luepold 1x4 hog scope.