As I'm sure you all know, the .30-06 turns one-hundred this year (Oct. 15th I believe).I have more rifles than I need, but believe it or not, do not own a .30-06.I know Remington is offering 2 commemoratives (Model 700 CDL SF, and a Model 7600 I believe).I've been told at Cabelas that most all the other manufacturers will have commemorative editions, but I haven't seen many (Browning BAR and the Dakota).

I definitely only want a bolt action, so the Model 7600 and the BAR are out.Though I mainly deer hunt here in Michigan, I still seem partial to controlled round feeding and a Mauser style extractor.

Here's where I need the help; I also don't currently own a Model 700.I've read all the stuff about smiths using the Model 700 action more than any other for accuracy and durability, but I can't help but wonder is that mainly because they are readily available?I've heard that extracting the spent case is sometimes hit or miss with the Model 700?

I guess if I could, I'd like to stick with an American manufacturer, especially for this gun.That puts Dakota Arms at the top of my list, but unfortunately they are just too much money.Remington and Ruger come to mind next.I have several Rugers, and after a good trigger job they all shoot great.Out of the box, they seem hard to beat (controlled feed, Mauser extractor, superb scope mounting, and rings in the box).The Remingtons I've handled do seem to have rough triggers, I assume I can get them adjusted or just replace them with a Timney, etc.

Even though not a control round feeding action, the Sakos seem very nice.With a 5 shot inch guarantee with factory ammo I'm not sure they can be beat (seems like custom performance at the low end of custom pricing).Againthough, just seems this special .30-06 should be from an American manufacturer.I do have a Tikka in 7mm-08 and love that little gun.

Please let me know if you have any specifics on commemorative .30-06's coming this year and also please let me know if I'm not giving the Model 700 enough credit.Just seems Remington could offer some guarantees on accuracy; even the Weatherby Vanguards are guaranteed for 1.5 inches, 1.0 inch for the "good" ones.

Thanks for the help in choosing this important rifle.[/align]

I am not a all remington guy but I have several and with finding the right load they all shoot very well.As long as it shoots well it doesn't matter what brand name is on it.The group below was shot with a rem mtn rifle out of the box except the trigger was adjusted.A fellow talked me out of it for the action to build a custom 30/06 and he said it still shoots one hole groups with the same load,and he has a tikka in 30/06 and said it shot the same load in one holers.
Have never had a problem with extracting the case with any caliber rem I have.
Not trying to talk you into getting a remington ,I would get the one that fitted my fancy the best and find a load that it shoots the best.Good luck on your choice.

Here's where I need the help; I also don't currently own a Model 700.I've read all the stuff about smiths using the Model 700 action more than any other for accuracy and durability, but I can't help but wonder is that mainly because they are readily available?I've heard that extracting the spent case is sometimes hit or miss with the Model 700?

Not only are they plentiful, they are easy to bed into a stock due to their simple recoil lug and tubular receiver. Other receivers, line the Mauser and Model 70 Win. take more work to get them right. It's just faster and cheaper to use a Model 700 action. Yes, some 700's do have extraction problems, but not all do. I once had a 721 in .30/'06, and it did have extraction problems. But I had a 722 in .222 REM., and it always worked perfectly!

If you are looking for a commemorative rifle, why not get a GI M1903 Springfield from the DCM?

Savages are popular with many and they are US made and won't cost a whole lot. I am not real happy with Remington these days due to quality control. If you get a new Remigton, I suggest that you make sure the store has a return policy.

I love my Savage 30-06, but i dont do much shooting with it at all, so i guess im not the best reference

Although I'm biased toward the Sako's (love em!) I would go for a Ruger. I just picked up one for my wife (compact .308) and after a $35.00 trigger working and recoil pad intall she loves it. The gun is well built and very functional. I'd buy another in a heart beat. Good luck on your purchase.

Remington SPS. Hands down.

I forgot to mention the new Kimber 8400 coming.It has all the features I want in this new rifle, but every single article I've read on the short actions and now the new .30-06 rifles seems to indicate that the Kimbers are very finicky!Not sure if it's the sleek barrels getting hot or what, but it seems the authors (various) have been struggling to approach inch groups with them.A year ago I almost bought the Montana in .308, but just couldn't get comfortable that the accuracy would be there.For $1,000 plus, it shouldn't be a fight to achieve 1" MOA.I realize all guns like different ammo, but a .30-06 should eat many choices easily.If spending that much money, I just can't get the Sako out of my mind.They feel well built and I've never heard of anybody complaining about their Sako (unless they had one that had a bad barrel from a few years ago, scarey).Does anybody have personal experience with Kimber?It seems their 1911's are either loved or hated; and I've heard plenty of quality and feed issues exist with their 1911's.I haven't heard much about their rifles since they came back from bankruptcy.[/align]

Well Dakota, I am like you many rifles but no 30.06. I have become quite a Savage fan and they now have a mod 114 American Classic that is their "beauty" line of rifles as Savage puts it. What makes Savages great is their great out of the box accuracy and the very safe crisp accutrigger. These accutrigger rifles are really something. I plan on getting this American Classic in 30.06. I have seen these rifles and the picture here doesn't do it justice. EVERY Savage rifle I own (six with 2 more on order) shoot 3/4'' groups or better at 100 yds. The bar is the only commerative I have seen. http://www.savagearms.com/114AmerClassic.htm