New Rifle-30-06

[spires5d]

Well I've been looking at a few new rifles in 30-06 caliber to Deer hunt with here in Alabama. I've got 2 7mm'sbut I've been wanting a 30-06 for a few years now to reload with. The Ruger American rifle in 30-06 caliber has caught my eye. Has anyone had any experience with this rifle as far does it shoot descent at 200yds. or less. I plan on shooting some 165 grain Nosler BT'S which I have and also some 180 grain bullets.Any help would be appreciated.





7mm's Forever and a 30 cal. will "Slam Dunk Um.

 

[JD338]

The Ruger's are well built rifles and should give you very acceptable accuracy for deer hunting out to 200 yds.
The 165 gr BT is an excellent choice for deer hunting and will kill deer like lighting.

JD338

 

[rjm158]

You might want to look at some posts in this section from Bullet. He directly compared the Ruger American and the Marlin XL7 in 30-06 with several different loads and field conditions. It might help you decide.

Ron

 

[Razorbacker]

You might want to look at some posts in this section from Bullet. He directly compared the Ruger American and the Marlin XL7 in 30-06 with several different loads and field conditions. It might help you decide.

Ron

I strongly recommend the OP do just that. Bullet spent a fortune in time and money on his evaluation, in which, the Ruger was eliminated. Stock issues IIRC. Particularly the foregrip.
I am a Ruger fan and was surprised that the Marlin won out so strongly.

 

[1Shot]

I would suggest that you get you a Savage with and Accu-trigger and never look back.

 

[FOTIS]

IMO Marlin XL7 or savage

 

[HeathSexton]

Marlin XL7 or Stevens 200

 

[AzDak42]

Just buy a base 700. It's only a few hundred more and gives you something to build on for the next few years. Throw on a trigger, upgrade the stock and you can have a very nice rifle. And a pretty dang good one until then.

 

[HeathSexton]

If you live closed to one try to find one of these, pretty good deal on a 24" barreled Rem 700:

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 4294965700

 

[onesonek]

Just buy a base 700. It's only a few hundred more and gives you something to build on for the next few years. Throw on a trigger, upgrade the stock and you can have a very nice rifle. And a pretty dang good one until then.

Thinking along similar lines, I would look for a use 700 that's good enough to use, then add or re build as funds permit. Thats just me, otherwise I'm in the Fotis camp.

 

[trsmith1818]

If you can find one I would recommend a TC ICON Classic in 30-06, No factory rifle comes with those features..I have two ;-)

 

[nosler06]

I am a Winchester Model 70 30-06 owner for past 30 yrs and would only buy another Model 70 again should I ever have to replace this one. Love it.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I have to agree with Nosler06. Spend the extra and get a Winchester Model 70. You'll never be sorry that you did. In my opinion, the Model 70 in 30-06 are the team that you have with a Savage 99 in 300 Savage or the Remington 721 in 270 WCF or the the Winchester 1886 in 45-70 or Marlin 1895 in 444 Marlin etc. they belong together and make the greatest team.

 

[Guy Miner]

The .30-06 is a great cartridge.

Treat yourself to a nice rifle.

Rem 700 CDL
Win 70
Ruger Hawkeye
Ruger Number One

Something you'll have, hunt with, and enjoy for decades. It's a classic cartridge. Use it in Alabama for your deer hunting, and haul it along "out west" for mulies, elk & black bear hunts...

Why not?

Guy

 

[DrMike]

The only knock I have against a 30-06 is that it is boring. It will do all that anyone hunting North America wants, and do it with aplomb. It will deliver good accuracy and drop game with authority when the shooter does his job and puts the bullet where it should be. It will digest a variety of bullets and powders, delivering about all that anyone could ask of it. I doubt that I'll be without a 30-06 anytime soon.

 

[SJB358]

Someday I'd like a Model 70 30-06. Pretty much the last of my list though, just for all the reasons Mike mentioned.

 

[truck driver]

The only knock I have against a 30-06 is that it is boring. It will do all that anyone hunting North America wants, and do it with aplomb. It will deliver good accuracy and drop game with authority when the shooter does his job and puts the bullet where it should be. It will digest a variety of bullets and powders, delivering about all that anyone could ask of it. I doubt that I'll be without a 30-06 anytime soon.

Boring :?: the 30-06 boring, I'm sorry Mike I find it exciting. Every time I take mine to the field I feel I have a great oppertunity to bring home the meat :!:
I've owned 2, one I wore the barrel out and rebarreled to 257 Rob and my present go to Ruger 77 which I used for crop damage work. I would be lost with out my 30-06.

 

[DrMike]

TD,

If a person was restricted to only one rifle, they could do a whole lot worse than to have a 30-06. I call it boring only because everyone has one and the secrets have all been wrung out of the cartridge many years ago. I don't mean to dismiss the 30-06 as somehow inferior or worthless--it need not bow to any cartridge. The '06 has proven itself on every continent and in the hands of more people than perhaps any other rifle that will be found in the field.

 

[truck driver]

Mike, I wasn't affended from what you wrote.I may have misread. It's one of the few cartridges that performs best as it was originally designed. A lot of good cartridges have come and gone but I think the 30-06 will never disappear.

 

[DrMike]

I think the 30-06 will never disappear.

I tend to agree with you on this point. Consequently, I do recommend the 30-06 and the .308 for many people who are looking for a first rifle.