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I have decided I need a 30-06, to not have one is almost un-American. I believe, as do many others, it is perhaps the best all-around cartridge for North America, or at least a contender, but being a rifle looney, I have always gone for specialty rounds. It's way past time to correct this.
To me, the appropriate rifle to go with this classic cartridge, to my way of thinking, is the model 70 Super America. I'm not sure about the scope, though. I'm inclined to the 2 1/2 - 8 Leupold, but will entertain suggestions. Your thoughts?
To add: It would mostly be just to have one, a safe queen, but I would have to take at least one critter with it, and if I could manage another Africa trip it would likely be my PG rifle.
Last edited by DHN; 03/18/24.
Dale
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2013
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Super America is Kimber, super grade is Winchester. I wouldn’t be without a .30-06, owned them in Winchester super grade, Kimber Montana, Colt light rifle, tikka 695, Steyr MIII, REM 700, REM 742, Browning A-Bolt medallion and gold medallion, valmet 412, and probably more I can’t remember.
I’d go Kimber Montana before Winchester super grade. And a 2.5-8 only if it was Vari-X and well proven. Mine wears an SHV 3-10.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Can’t complete the circle without a good 06👍
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Regular
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Thanks, brain fart on the Super America, i was thinking super grade. More of a classic, (due to length of production, mostly) acceptable accuracy, not necessarily for a full time hunter.
Last edited by DHN; 03/18/24.
Dale
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I am having my M70 06 put back together as we speak. A darned fine round with a darned fine history in the game fields of the world. I prefer straight tubed low power scopes on mine.
Last edited by bluefish; 03/18/24.
The way life should be.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Savant
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Yep. Every hunter should have a 30-06. I’m down to 4.
I like 4.5x14 Leupolds on mine.
Last edited by hanco; 03/18/24.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I have Leupy VX3 3.5-10 on mine and happy with them. A NF SHV would work as well nicely.
Good Shooting!
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
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The 3.5-10X Leupold worked fine on my FN 30-06.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
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The 2.5-8 Leupold is a darn good chouce…..or at least it once was. memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
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I have Leupy VX3 3.5-10 on mine and happy with them. A NF SHV would work as well nicely. Damn good choices too
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Campfire Regular
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For something like this, being at least partly for nostalgia, I miss the old 2-7 Redfield. The one I had was great; damn the bastard who stole it and the rifle!
Dale
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Thanks for the various suggestions.
Dale
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I’d probably go with a 3-9 or 3.5-10 range of scope. Never took an 06 to Africa but have taken a 308 a couple of times. Same load each time. 168TSX at 2700fps. Worked perfectly on impala to zebra. I had a Kimber 84L deluxe that I planned to take over eventually but let it go in a moment of weakness. It shot 168TTSX incredibly well…. Probably shoulda kept that one….
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
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It’s hard to beat a 30-06 for a “do everything “ hunting rifle. I’ve owned several over the years and currently own a Weatherby vanguard s2. I’ll use it to kill whitetails this fall and for elk in December. I started with a leupold 4x on my first 06, a tang ruger 77 back in 1976. Probably 20 years later I switched to a leupy 3-9x40. Gave that rifle to a friend and bought a Mark 2, also in 30-06. Probably killed over 28 elk with it until last year when I gave that one to a son. A reasonably accurate 30-06 shooting 180 partitions easily handles anything in North America. YMMV
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
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For a 30-06, or long action rifle, I’d lean toward the 3-9x40, 2.5-10x40 or 3.5-10x40 over a 2.5-8 Leupold. Mainly because that scope has a short tube/mounting length. A good 3-9x40 is much more forgiving, in that regard.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I put a Kahles 6x42 scope with a #4 reticle on my Steyr M Professional.30-06 and it is perfect for any shot from 3 feet to 400+ yards. The scope is no longer made but a used one would be great or a used Meopta 6x42 or the Leupold 6x42. These are the only 6x42 scopes I have tried and they are all great and I consider them the perfect all around scope
Last edited by pacecars; 03/19/24.
Guns don't kill people, it's mostly the bullets
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Campfire Outfitter
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I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I have a ruger tanger in 30-06. It wears a VX3 3.5-10x40. It has been an excellent rifle and caliber. Likely all I ever needed. But you know not all I wanted. To me its a classic all around set up. Shoots Remington Green box 165s first two shots touching and the third 3/4 inches high and to the left. I shot it as my primary rifle for twenty years.
I Also have a Browning ABolt hunter in 30-06. It was taken in as boot on a car deal when my family owned a Ford Dealership. My brother just set in my office one afternoon. It wears a VX-R 1.25-4x20 illuminated reticle. I used it when I hunted in Florida to jump shoot hogs. An ATV rifle. It shoots great and handles very well. I could get on those hogs quick with that scope and get if a shot quick with the tang safety on the browning. I never warmed up to the BOSS system. Even tried the solid non-break end. Just never got used to it. More rifles came along and the browning sits in the safe. I gave up the hog lease in Florida and took up killing whitetails in Alabama.
Life can be rough on us dreamers.
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My son just put a 3.5-10 Leupold on his FN and it is a very nice combination.
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Obviously all of the scopes mentioned above will work fine depending on your wants but there is a considerable difference in weights. For versatility I prefer a low powered variable as light as possible and have settled on the 2.5-8 Leupold. Good for you getting a 30-06.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
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