Best 30.06
- Thread starter Doc Mac
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Seems to me that most of today's rifles will shoot pretty good, right out of the box. Further, it takes little work to do some tuning, to tighten up the groups. (Mostly, just a little tweaking with the bedding.)
IMO, there is no way that any factory can mass-produce rifles such that ALL are splendiferous. Based on comments here at TFL over the last three years, I'd say that the Remington 700 seems to have the edge--at least in your price. Note that quite a few folks who post here have had equal luck with many other brands, as have I.
All in all, I tend to believe that fit and feel, coupled with your own sense of aesthetics, should be more of a determinant than brand name. If hunting is your prime consideration, a rifle which fits properly and feels good when you quickly mount it to your shoulder is the one with which you will shoot the best.
Best luck,
Art
IMO, there is no way that any factory can mass-produce rifles such that ALL are splendiferous. Based on comments here at TFL over the last three years, I'd say that the Remington 700 seems to have the edge--at least in your price. Note that quite a few folks who post here have had equal luck with many other brands, as have I.
All in all, I tend to believe that fit and feel, coupled with your own sense of aesthetics, should be more of a determinant than brand name. If hunting is your prime consideration, a rifle which fits properly and feels good when you quickly mount it to your shoulder is the one with which you will shoot the best.
Best luck,
Art
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
PDshooter, I doubt anybody would put the knock on a Model 70. I also doubt that a safety should be that high a priority in selecting one's rifle.
I've found that when the bolt handle is up, the danged thing can't go "Bang!". If I sit and hunt, the bolt handle is up. If I'm walking, it's common that the bolt is fully open; the noise of loading is not a factor when Bambi jumps. If I'm stalking in my playground country, there's nobody within miles of me, so again the safety is not important.
I haven't a clue how many different rifles I've owned during my lifetime. I can say that the design of the safety has never been a factor...
, Art
I've found that when the bolt handle is up, the danged thing can't go "Bang!". If I sit and hunt, the bolt handle is up. If I'm walking, it's common that the bolt is fully open; the noise of loading is not a factor when Bambi jumps. If I'm stalking in my playground country, there's nobody within miles of me, so again the safety is not important.
I haven't a clue how many different rifles I've owned during my lifetime. I can say that the design of the safety has never been a factor...
, ArtTempted to say.. 'now you're asking!'
Obvoiusly US of A is 30-06 landand I have nowhere near the experience some of the respondees will have.
I have a Browning European in 30-06 - with Boss. The safety falls under your thumb, the mag is a semi-detachable box.
The ONLY tuning needed is to adjust the Boss - no Boss Browning should return greater than 1/2 - 3/4 inch groups. Recoil is sub 243 level.
The fit and finish is superb and the internal finish to the barrel better than I have seen in a long time.
I love my rifle. Whether it is less than $700 in the US I do not know.
You seldom see any mention of Browning rifles - one of the great secrets of the shooting world.
Downside - Browning Uk are frankly embarrassed to sell the things and after sales/ service is awful ( read there is none ). At least Cabelas stock the mags!
Obvoiusly US of A is 30-06 landand I have nowhere near the experience some of the respondees will have.
I have a Browning European in 30-06 - with Boss. The safety falls under your thumb, the mag is a semi-detachable box.
The ONLY tuning needed is to adjust the Boss - no Boss Browning should return greater than 1/2 - 3/4 inch groups. Recoil is sub 243 level.
The fit and finish is superb and the internal finish to the barrel better than I have seen in a long time.
I love my rifle. Whether it is less than $700 in the US I do not know.
You seldom see any mention of Browning rifles - one of the great secrets of the shooting world.
Downside - Browning Uk are frankly embarrassed to sell the things and after sales/ service is awful ( read there is none ). At least Cabelas stock the mags!
Molon Labe!
New member
Is $750 for a Browning BAR MkII a little too high? I think it is in 7mm rem mag, sorry if this is off topic but someone brung up brownings.
Bottom Gun
New member
Tikka by Sako.
Brian Busch
New member
I like my Browning BLR alot, that said, I saw a SWEET rifle this weekend- a CZ550 LUX in .30-'06. Looks just like a Mauser, and it was really nice for $400.
i've got a howa model 1500 suppose to be the same people that make the weatherby vanguard.man i like it and i had wally world order it for me a few years ago,great fit and finish but i'm not to keen on the synthetic stock though.should be able buy a real good scope and rig the gun out for way under 700.00
Art,
A MAJOR drawback to the remington 70 safety is that it does not lock the bolt closed.
I have had my 700s come open and eject the loaded case while moving through thick brush. That sucks.
The Model 70 Winchester safety is vastly superior, especially the postwar three position variant that allows unloading while on safe.
Check out this thread:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13813
A MAJOR drawback to the remington 70 safety is that it does not lock the bolt closed.
I have had my 700s come open and eject the loaded case while moving through thick brush. That sucks.
The Model 70 Winchester safety is vastly superior, especially the postwar three position variant that allows unloading while on safe.
Check out this thread:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13813
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
MAD DOG, I remember back when I was a kid that I was told to never trust the safety. I guess that's why I go with the open bolt, so much..."Intellectually, I know safeties work; emotionally, I just don't trust them."
I've stalked "sneaky snake" through some pretty thick brush in central Texas, as well as down in the Appalachicola River bottoms near Blountstown, Florida. I commonly have the bolt closed, but with my hand protecting the trigger and bolt-handle from hanging in brush--a sort of port arms carry.
I dunno. I've just developed my own patterns for safety over the years, and they work for me. Lots of little reflex conventions, to keep me out of the "Oops!" Zone.
, Art
I've stalked "sneaky snake" through some pretty thick brush in central Texas, as well as down in the Appalachicola River bottoms near Blountstown, Florida. I commonly have the bolt closed, but with my hand protecting the trigger and bolt-handle from hanging in brush--a sort of port arms carry.
I dunno. I've just developed my own patterns for safety over the years, and they work for me. Lots of little reflex conventions, to keep me out of the "Oops!" Zone.
, ArtMarching across the wilds of Namibia is what did it.
We had to walk LOOOOONG distances, rifles slung, through lots of thick thorn brush.
For stalking, sure you can carry the gun port arms with your thumb over the bolt.
On the other hand, if the weapon is designed correctly, you don't have to invent new, less comfortable carry methods to tote it around.
We had to walk LOOOOONG distances, rifles slung, through lots of thick thorn brush.
For stalking, sure you can carry the gun port arms with your thumb over the bolt.
On the other hand, if the weapon is designed correctly, you don't have to invent new, less comfortable carry methods to tote it around.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
From MAD DOG: "On the other hand, if the weapon is designed correctly, you don't have to invent new, less comfortable carry methods to tote it around."
Very true. So far, though, discomfort has never been an issue, much less a problem.
My longest one-day jaunt around here is 24 miles. Mostly, my hunts have been ten- to twelve-mile wandering circles. Lately, however, I find that three or four miles is about all the mountains I want. Over the last thirty years, the slopes keep getting higher and steeper! 
, Art
PS: Here's a URL showing some of "My" country. (Well, in this case, 400 acres of it is my wife's.)
http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.asp?S=12&T=1&X=789&Y=4055&Z=13&W=1
Very true. So far, though, discomfort has never been an issue, much less a problem.
My longest one-day jaunt around here is 24 miles. Mostly, my hunts have been ten- to twelve-mile wandering circles. Lately, however, I find that three or four miles is about all the mountains I want.
Over the last thirty years, the slopes keep getting higher and steeper! , ArtPS: Here's a URL showing some of "My" country. (Well, in this case, 400 acres of it is my wife's.)
http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.asp?S=12&T=1&X=789&Y=4055&Z=13&W=1
I'd have to agree w/Art on the "hand over the bolt in the thick stuff" theme. & too, the safety doesn't really matter because the real "never-fail" safety is between the ears - mechanics aside.
I've a few 70s & a few 700s - both "just as good" ('cept Rem's stock triggers are much better for dialing in) - it really doesn't matter.
If I'm doing a sneak 'n crawl through thick stuff, I'm aware of what's going on with my bolt. Wearing a rifle slinged isn't the way to crawl anyway, so while it's in my hand, it is under control.
Although I do always have bolt closed on a live round, I am very much aware of the mechanics of said rifle (no matter the brand) so as to not cause a violation of a Big Four.
Art's first reply = "fit and feel, coupled with your own sense of aesthetics, should be more of a determinant than brand name" ... is as good as it gets.
I've a few 70s & a few 700s - both "just as good" ('cept Rem's stock triggers are much better for dialing in) - it really doesn't matter.
If I'm doing a sneak 'n crawl through thick stuff, I'm aware of what's going on with my bolt. Wearing a rifle slinged isn't the way to crawl anyway, so while it's in my hand, it is under control.
Although I do always have bolt closed on a live round, I am very much aware of the mechanics of said rifle (no matter the brand) so as to not cause a violation of a Big Four.
Art's first reply = "fit and feel, coupled with your own sense of aesthetics, should be more of a determinant than brand name" ... is as good as it gets.