Best Target Rifle In The Low Cost Rifles

RC20

New member
I am chewing on getting a trial gun to use for hand load checks that will then be shot in the 30-06 mil surplus rifles.

Ruger American, Savage Axis and Marlin (x?) would be the ones on the list. Basically which is the most accurate out of that group in 30-06 in your experience and a detailed explanation as well as how accurate? Will they hold for 5 shot groups or the more typical 3 shot hunting groups?

Rang is limited 100 yds and not more.

The Mil surplus all have iron sights and with my eyes I am not sure at times if its my eyes or the rifle and the load.
 
Target Rifle in 30-06????? While I can understand if the rifle is used for more than just target, that caliber is not exactly a target one. Of the three that you mentioned, i would go with the Savage Axis.

Jim
 
Own one Axis and several Marlin X rifles, guess which brand I'd recommend. Have read a lot of positive comments made about the Ruger American, but have only handled a few of them at my Local Gun Stores. I'd buy a Ruger American before buying another Axis.
 
Target Rifle in 30-06????? While I can understand if the rifle is used for more than just target, that caliber is not exactly a target one. Of the three that you mentioned, i would go with the Savage Axis.

Jim243: Per the most I am shooting mil surplus 30-06 (grin). Ergo the requirement.

What do you like about the Savage Axis?
 
Own one Axis and several Marlin X rifles, guess which brand I'd recommend. Have read a lot of positive comments made about the Ruger American, but have only handled a few of them at my Local Gun Stores. I'd buy a Ruger American before buying another Axis.

Huffmanite: I get you don't like the Axis but what about it is not performing?

Also what about the Marlin X rifle is working and why do you like it.

I have a bit more on the Ruger American for comparison but am still interested in the view on that. I am agnostic, just want the best chance of a good shooter when I buy one. I owned a Ruger 77 at one point, solid gun, not accurate in 7mm though my brother had an earlier one (70s) and his was and still is a tack driver and at least in those days not common.
 
The following is an example of what I would like to see as far as details.
Note that the writer prefers 308 but very up front says the 30-06 out shot the 308 and using 5 shot groups using Hornady inter bond which I assume is a hunting round (getting to be too many of those to keep up with). The 308 did .91 average (4 round) but used match ammo.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2010/11/01/longgun_reviews_marlin_corners_the_market_102910/

The rest of the results would be what I expect from factory hunting ammunition. I reload so I would be more biased to match grade.

Interesting that one report on the Ruger had it shooting a best 5/8 with hunting ammunition but only 3 shot groups (larger ones as well but very respectable in the sub 1 inch area.
 
I understand what you are trying to do but I don't know if it is doable. Developing a tack driving load in one rifle and using that load in another rifle may not produce similar results. All rifles are different. They have different barrel harmonics, bedding, bore smoothness etc. If a load is compatible with a particular rifle, there is no guarantee that it will work well in another. The good thing, in this case, is that minor load differences that may be revealed in a scoped rifle fired from a rest are subsumed in an iron sighted rifle which is hand held. Yes, absolute accuracy is good but what really matters is how it shoots under the conditions required when you shoot it.

The .30-06 has had a long and illustrious career as a target round, stretching from the first decade of the 20th century to about 1960. Shooting the Vintage Military matches is a LOT of fun. ( I shoot a Swiss K31 but I envy the shooters with an 03A3 because of the better sights).

If I were using a Vintage .30-06 for target shooting at 100 yards, I would load one of the classics, depending on the availability of components:

150/ 49gr IMR 4895
150 /50gr IMR 4064
150/48gr IMR 3031
150 /50ge WW748

and just do it. If the rifle does not group with one (or more) of these, I would look at the bedding and then the barrel.

My $0.02

Drue
 
I think that I would be a little careful in saying that the 30-06 is not a target round. My son had 30-06 built from a Savage action that would at 100 yards put 5 rounds one on top of another. The only reason he had to sell it was to get some money together for one of the kids. He has a very young family and most of us know that there are emergencies that happen with kids. He built it for long range shooting. The only reason that I can think of that you say a 30-06 is not a target round is recoil but then again the 300 win mag. is used for target so to me that is not really a factor.
 
I appreciate the replies and response.

Part of the driver is the availability of powder and need to have several different types that shoot well as its intermittent t as to whats available and even in what quantity. I have what looks to be one good load in 4831 and am working with TAC and R17 currently.

The 30-06 seems to be so good that if its viable in one rifle, it works well if not as good in another (my opinion of course, not trying to start a war! grin).

I know the recoil and powder quantity work against it as a modern day target round and the 308 has taken its place (for the most part) and the super long range stuff is 300WM or 338 Lapua.

I am also not pushing the loads to hunting velocities and at 100yds there are no trajectory issues. Lower power loads to be easier on the wear and tear.

Mine are for the most part are Model of 1917s. That has a wonderful long sight distance and the terrific peep sight original (it was along time after before anyone put a rear peep on a military rife (later 30s for the M1 Garand and I think a 30s 303 variant).

My issue is some days a re-load will shoot well and others not so good and I am looking to have an accurate gun on hand that can sort that out (bad group, get the bench mark gun and see how it does).

Also I am a proponent of the 175 gr weight bullets. I know the 150s became the standard and the 06 does tend to shoot those well, but the real sweet spot for the 06 (again in my opinion) is the 175s.

The AP round they used in WWII was in that vicinity (a bit less I believe) and the 175 was the de-facto replacement round before the range limitations of stateside shooing got them back to the the 150 gr.

The AP proved to be very accurate in theater and that was issues exclusively other than tracer (I have documentation to that affect)

I know the arguments rage, but the 1-10 twist was originally for a 220 gr bullet at slower speeds.

The 308 Target rifles use a 1-12 (in some cases) for the 150 gr.

Ok, I know I ramble but there is the thourght process.
 
RC20
Dislikes about my Axis. Factory trigger has a heavy trigger pull....mine was around 6 lbs. It is not an adjustable trigger. I did work on it, replaced the trigger spring and did some honing on the sear to get it down to around 2 1/2Lbs.

Factory stock flexed when pulling trigger....I could watch my crosshair move upward on a 100 yd target when pulling the trigger (before trigger job). Movement of crosshair was not my shooting technique, also use a Caldwell front rest and a rear bag when shooting from a concrete bench at range. Another shooter took my Axis to his bench and duplicated the crosshair movement on his shooting rest. Flex of stock was in area where rear of the overlarge trigger guard mated to the wrist of stock.
Rear of trigger guard just has a notch that fits into a hole in wrist area. If you were to rest the bottom end edge of butt on something and hold the rifle with one hand on the forestock and then take forefinger of free hand and apply pressure to top of wrist area, just behind the rear of the receiver while watching the joint where rear of trigger guard mate to stock, you will see the joint open. Actually exchanged PMs with a gent on another gunsite who noted the same problem and he sent has rifle back to Savage because of the flex. Savage will return the rifle with a note and a target. Basically Savage did not respond about the stock flex he complained about. With the rifle was a target that had been shot using his rifle and a note saying accuracy of the rifle was within their standards.

Careful in removing the recoil pad on an Axis. You will need to depress a square button on top of butt near the recoil pad and have the rear sling metal piece unscrewed from bottom of butt. Problem is with the button when depressing it, Plastic button is on brittle side and thin, easy to break. Broke mine when removing the recoil pad to reuse on a stock I made for my rifle. Have read other posts from Axis owners having problem when depressing the button.

I have a .223 Axis. Seems this particular cartridge Axis has an ejection problem with spent brass. For me, I must pull back on the bolt fairly fast to eject the brass from receiver and then it basically just falls out of the receiver. Brass will fall off the bolt face when pulling back the bolt slowly, and then I need to tilt the rifle to the ejection port side to dump it out. I've read comments from other 223 Axis owners having the same ejection problem. Never read anyone with an Axis rifle in a larger cartridge having this problem.

Only until very recently did Boyd start making a replacement stock for the AXIS. Why? probably because in the Axis the lug is molded into the stock and its top fits into a notch cut into the locking barrel nut, unlike other Savage or Stevens rifles, that has a lug part between the receiver and barrel nut that fits into the stock. Also, it was probably a problem for a stock maker to come up with a rifle stock that solved problem of Axis trigger guard design since it helps hold in the magazine.

As to the Marlin: Factory trigger is adjustable down to around 2 lbs. Play with it a little and you can get it lower.

While the plastic stock of the Marlin is nothing to brag about, to me its better than one on the Axis. Marlins have the typical Savage type lug between the barrel nut and the receiver, which I prefer over the Axis design.

Marlin accuracy is quite acceptable. As for me, my three Marlins outshoot my Axis when it comes to accuracy. Its not that my Axis is inaccurate, just my Marlins shoot better for me.

I shoot my rifles mostly from benchrest. Prefer to open my bolt and slip one round into action to chamber it. Easy to do with my Marlins. Don't know about the larger cartridge Axis rifles, but with my 223 Axis, feeding round thru the receiver port difficult to do....must drop magazine and load round into it.
 
Target Rifle in '06????

The main target shooting venue for that caliber is the CMP GSM games.

Surplus mil. '06? CMP sells that for $98 per 200 rounds, can't load for that.

Low cost target rifle. Again, cant beat the CMP, look at the service grand Garands.

The CMP matches are normally fired at 200 yards, (or 100 on reduced targets). Most any Garand with surplus ammo is capable of cleaning those targets (3.5 MOA X-10 ring).

The CMP games are the fastest growing rifle competition out there, its fun, its challenging and you don't have to sell your kids into the slave trade to be competitive. Just need to practice.

--------------------------------

Just for info, the U.S. Krag rifle had a rear peep sight before the M1917s came about.
 
Huffmanite- All I can say is WOW. I have had 5 axis and one edge, So far non of the issue you describe. The flex in stock ( yes ). Never a issue removing pad ( did it to 4 of them to add 5 lbs of #4 shot). I feel for you. I would have second thoughts about buying another one to if I was you. As for Boyds making stocks for them IMHO it is because Axis sales are going throught the cealing. There is definetly a market big time for them now. Looking at getting another one in a 7-08 just so I can put a Boyds stock on it. If your stock is flexing on you in a rest, That would be a new one on me. I have never seen one flex other than on a bi pod or a sling. Kinda almost impossable to flex in a rest.
 
I agree with 4runner. I have an Axis in .223 and the only problem you had that I experienced was the stock flexing, but I was shooting off of a bipod. I also worked on the factory trigger and it now sits at about 2.5 pounds and is crisp as can be.

I dropped it in a new Boyds' stock, and the thing is a tack driver. Just last weekend I did some shooting with a new handload I worked up using heavier bullets, and was consistently shooting 5 shot groups at between .340-.420 at 100 yards.. Now that I have a good stock for it, I also dropped a nice Vortex scope on it and could not be happier. I have a sub-half-MOA rifle all for about $700 (or the starting point of a "nicer gun" without optics), and I could not be happier. Now, adding the Boyds' stock puts it at the same price (or a little more depending on the sale you get) than the Ruger American, but I love mine and will be adding one on 7mm-08 or 308 in the near future.

As for the American in 30-06, my friend that I shoot with every other week has one in 30-06. It is fairly accurate and shoots 1" groups at 100 yards using cheap factory ammo. I have never shot match ammo or handloads out of it as he does not reload. My only complaint with the American is the stout recoil when shooting the 30-06 due to the light stock, which I suspect will be an issue with the Axis as well. If you plan to do target shooting with it and firing a decent number of rounds, I would add weight to the stock of either, or go with the Axis as aftermarket, heavier stocks are available. In the future, I would not be surprised to see Boyds and others making stocks for the American as well with its rising popularity, but for now they do not.
 
I must pull back on the bolt fairly fast to eject the brass from receiver and then it basically just falls out of the receiver. Brass will fall off the bolt face when pulling back the bolt slowly, and then I need to tilt the rifle to the ejection port side to dump it out. I've read comments from other 223 Axis owners having the same ejection problem. Never read anyone with an Axis rifle in a larger cartridge having this problem.

I had this same problem with a Savage 110 in 270 caliber. NutnFancy, in one of his Youtube review of the Savage Axis has this problem (don't remember what caliber he was reviewing), but you can watch the video and see what is described above, perfectly.

After looking at (and researching) many of the rifles mentioned in this thread, I'm hoping to make a Ruger American my next purchase (based on the large number of favorable reviews).
 
"If your stock is flexing on you in a rest, That would be a new one on me. I have never seen one flex other than on a bi pod or a sling. Kinda almost impossable to flex in a rest."


Yep, the stock flexing in the rest when pulling the trigger was a surprise to me. I own a fair amount of scoped centerfire rifles that I've shot many a time using my rest and rear bag. The upward crosshair movement of my 24X scope with the Axis on a 100 yd target perplexed me. Sure a slight movement of the crosshair has occurred to me when shooting my other rifles, but not up to 3/4-1" vertical movement like I experienced with my Axis. Why I had other gents sit down with my rifle to see if their shooting technique made any difference and one guy taking Axis to his bench to try on his rest and bag rig that is a better one than mine. This gent told me he experienced a slight less movement of crosshair using his rest. All saw the movement of crosshair when pulling the trigger.

Mind you, after I'd done a trigger job on the Axis, I did have less movement of crosshair on the target, but it was still there.

Rifle stock I made for my Axis, solved the crosshair movement.
 
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Forget handloads for your purpose.
It's pointless to try to develop an accurate load-that's going to be used in a completely different rifle. You can buy two "identical" rifles from the same manuf off the shelf and they'll "like" completely diferent loads.

FGMM is well known and regarded as a "universal" load that'll shoot well from most any weapon. Black Hills, is another.
Buy a few boxes of FGMM and it'll tell you what you need to know.
 
Thank you all for the replys.

In depth on the Axis was illuminating.

Sounds like the Marlin or the RA would be a better option.

So far the various 30-06 we are shooting do well with a common load setup.

It may shoot a bit better in one gun than another, but not bad in any of them.

Back to having a consistent standard with a scope to see how it does.
 
I like my Savage Axis 30-06...shoots well...shoots 3/4" at 100...found a mild varget load using 155gr amax hornady.
that's using a mounted Winchester bi-pod..and holding rear stock.

I did the trigger job myself...easy fix...2-2.5lb pull...and I did notice the crosshairs move previous to trigger job.

I like the gun..it does its part....
I've held the ruger, the marlin, and the Remington....the savage felt better in my hands and to my shoulder.
 
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