I will be taking my son on his first elk hunt in the fall of 2005 & need to get him a rifle. I was looking at The Weatherby Vangaurds in either 30-06, 7mm,or the 300mags Because of price point !!!
I own the Browning A bolt in 30-06 topped with a Leopold Vari II in 3x9 & love it but can not afford to get him that rig
Also need a scope Would like to keep the total price at $700 or below if possible
Thanks for your help
John

My brother picked up a Rem 700 in .30-06, with a mounted Leupold Rifleman Series scope (all NIB), for $599, this fall at a Dicks Sporting Goods (chain store). The gun counter guy said it is a model Remington did exclusively for Dicks, it is a BDL, the only real difference being the stock, which is kind of like the ADL version, but it is dark walnut. It's a real nice looking gun, and I had it shooting <1" @ 100 yards after 10 shots with factory 165gr Accutips. If there are Dicks where you are, take a look. His worked on a 6 point (whitetail) this year. Just my 2 cents.

The Vanguards are nice, but I personally would not get one unless I was getting a WBY caliber. I think the Remington actions are better, plus they are made in the good old USA.

Good Luck hunting to you and your son!!

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

The 30-06 will work great.
As for the Vangaurd,try looking towars Howa.I like the howa better than the WTHBY.The ones I shot were in 243 win.

But the 30-06 is my min for elk,IMHO if you can handle a 270 or 7mm-08 you can shoot a 30-06.
BBJ

I bought a new remington ADL 300win mag last fall, its a great rifle for the price. Paid $350. Its a shooter to, I put a limbsaver recoil pad on it and it kicks less than my 270. then that still allows you to put some good glass on it.

Howas and Vanguards are the same action, made at the same plant. The difference is, I don't think Howa promises their rifles with the accuracy standard WBY does. Plus, IMHO, the Howas look cheap.

Depending on the age and size of your son, a 300 Win might be a touch big to start with. The .30-06 is just right, and with the reduced recoil factory ammo available for practice, he should be a regular dead eye come season.

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

Thanks for the replies This is a college grad present from dad so I'm sure he will be able to handle the 300 mag I will take a look at the rem. & also take a look at dicks sporting goods

I was talking stocks not actions,the WTHBY felt cheap to me.
Has your son shot befor? maybe a good target session around Easter with you A-Bolt see how he likes the recoil.If it don't bother him consiber the 300 win Mag,Winchester,Ruger and Remington all make good budget guns under 400 bucks.
Still would consider the 30-06 or the 7mm Rem mag first,most pepole handle these calibers well.

I like the 30 cal mags for elk and the .338's even better.
BBJ

Have you looked into a .300 wsm??? I own a Savage 16f ss with a Leupold VX II. Supremely accurate and the recoil (imo) is the same as a 30.06. The .300wsm provides a great medium between the '06 and the .300 mag. I paid right at $625 for my set-up complete! Look at a Savage for accuracy and price!!!!

Glob!!!!!!!!!!

I would go with a Weatherby Vanguard .300 Wby. Mag. topped with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40. Go to www.riflescopes.com for a good deal. Good luck.

You didn't mention the age of your son, but if he's young and you're concerned about recoil, you can go with a .308 win. There's plenty of inexpensive ammo available to use for practice since it's a common military caliber. I also assume that he'd be taking shots 300 yards or less and the .308 is very effective within this range.

FYI - I've downed many animals weighing close to 1000 lbs with the .308.

best of luck.
Ant
www.anthonypmaurosr.com