looking at getting a rifle
 

im lookin at getting a rifle in the 30-06 range for deer, elk, and maybe some other game later on down the line. what do you guys think of the 30-06 round vs. others of similar size? and what brand/brands (models of that brand) would you consider? i already have a shotgun mossberg 835 with rifled barrell and shot barrell im just looking for a rifle because a shotgun can do most of the work but not all

thanks for the sugestions
tyler[&:]

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

Nothing wrong with the .30-06. It's been effectively used to kill pertty much anything that walks since you great-grandfather was in diapers. ;)

Seriously, the .30-06 is a great intermediate .30cal round that is appropriate, with the right bullet and load, for all game up to and including moose, given that you limit yourself to reasonable ranges and pick your shots wisely.

It's an excellent long range deer cartridge, and a very good moderate range elk gun. I, personally, would choose something a little heavier for anything bigger than elk, perticularly dangerous game, but that's not to say that the '06 won't do an acceptable job if you are a diciplined hunter.

There's a good reason that the .30-06 is among the top three most popular cartridges in the U.S. and very popular throughout the world. There isn't anything romantic or exciting about it, but it is cheap, available and just plain WORKS.

Mike

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

I agree. Sounds like 30.06 would do everything you want and more. I shoot a Ruger M77 bolt and love it.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

thanks for all the good info but what brands are good im lookin for a rifle that is gonna last me a long time something in a ruger or a savage maybe.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

I would say nothing wrong with 30-06 180 gr bullets,another choice I would look at would be the .300 WSM.Both guns in the Winchester Featherweight,topped with a 3x9 Burris.
BBJ

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

The 30-06 is the best all around cartridge for hunting North America. The only game I wouldn't use it for are the big bears. Other than that it's an acceptable cartridge for critters from varmints to Moose. It's not the best cartridge for any specific situation but it will cover them all. Factory loads are available in the 55 gr. acclerator all the way up to a 220 gr. roundnose. Also ammo can be found just about anywhere.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

30-06 is my calibre of choice from deer to moose! If you want a good rifle which is going to last their are many but any Remington, Savage, Ruger, Browning is going to do the trick. If you want to spend abit more you could look at a CZ or wetherby even a Dakota if you got bills pouring out your A@@!
hope that helps

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

i like 7mm rem mag and if you want a long lasting rifle get a ruger m77 marks 2 its a great rifle 30 06 is also a tremedous rifle cartridge

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

30-06 excellent choice! Take a look at the Win. Model 70.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

30-06 is an excellent choice for ones first centerfire high power rifle.

EKM

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

I'm more of a .270 guy, but the 30-06 has VAST capabilities. I would look seriously at the savages! They are great guns!

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

EVERYBODY needs a .30-06.:D

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

For what you described you'd be using the gun for, I think a .30-06 would be ideal. I was recently shopping for one myself, and ended up with a Tikka T3, but I like the Remington 700 BDL/CDL rifles a lot, and the Browning A-bolt but I think they are way overpriced. It's your decision, so go to a gunshop and pick them all up, see what you like.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

Another classic to consider among the .30 cal range..... The old standby, ageless, lever action 30-30. It is cheaper than a 30-06, and has been around since the beginning of firearms. Ammo is very cheap priced too.

Just my .02

Butch A.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

aarsudstrike, bearing in mind your original criteria....

IMHO, if one is just putting together his first set of long guns, then what is needed is VERSATILITY to allow the hunter to vary across a wide range of conditions, ranges, and game. A 30-30 while a fair "brush gun" (especially for deer) is largely duplicated by your "already acquired" rifled mossberg slug gun; therefore you would be "doubling up" on the "brush hunting" function instead of "spreading out" in a fashion that will let you rather quickly hunt anywhere in the lower 48.

The acquisition of a single 30-06 (or very, very close equivalent) as your first high power centerfire will give you a w-i-d-e range of versatility for game and firepower possibilites.

The acquisition of a 30-30 as your first modest power centerfire will essentially restrict you to modest range modest size game, it has about the same power level and ballistics as the SKS --- not a good scenario for the elk hunting you mentioned.

aarsudstrike, I would recommend that you wait on the 30-30 and pick it up later as the "niche gun" that it is, only after you have "filled out" the basic "anchors" of your long gun rack (and when that time comes you may want to look at a 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun instead).

IMHO, a 22LR, a 30-06, and a 12 gauge is a superb set of long guns to start ones hunting career with, especially if you are wanting to "range about the country" a bit (especially "out west or up north" where the horizons REALLY open up and ranges can increase) for varying forms of big game (especially the ones larger than deer). For that you need some reach and some power without getting something that will kick you silly for your first high-power centerfire -- a 30-06 or very, very close equivalent does just that and is quite managable for most men.

Exciting times for you.... you are about to be "on your way"....
Good Luck and Good Hunting,

EKM

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

hahah wow thanks for all the help guys yea ive used my dads guns for long enough i feel that it is time to break out on my own and get a set that i will enjoy as much as he does. i have gone to many gone shops and checked out most of the 30-06 range. as of now im down to a howa, savage, or a ruger(the only action and saftey combos i really liked) not sure yet. im gonna go to the gun show tomorrow and see what i can find.


thanks tyler


p.s. My grandparents have land in iowa so i know what it is like to hunt with a shot gun and what the limits of a slug gun are. im just ready to expand into bigger game. as others have said "its not the size of the rack or the meat that was lost its the experience" which i truely live by.

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

well i got my rifle today havent been able to sight it in it got too dark but its a remington model 700 30-06 with a bushnell 3x-9x40 banner scope. i just hope that i like it i payed $400 for it and it is in excellent condition so im happy :D

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

You the man!
I'm assuming things will go just fine for you at the range.

Depending on your build the stock may or may not be the right lenght for you, if it is too short this can cause "felt recoil" to run higher than it should. Take along a pair of leather gloves and if you suspect the stock may be short for you (thumb close to your nose and/or scope in your face) then put the gloves between the butt of the rifle and your shoulder.

If it is "brand new" and "never been fired" you may want to check into a "break in" procedure --- you only get one chance to do it in a guns life (unless you rebarrel). No big deal otherwise.

EKM

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

This is a fine choice! You will probably be very pleased with your Remington. You might want to start saving up for a higher end scope someday. The lower end Bushnells are actually fairly decent, but you'd be really amazed at how nice really good optics are. A Zeiss Conquest, Leuopold VXIII, or Bushnell Elite is worth the investment, in my opinion. What you have will do just fine for now though.

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!:D

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

i always have fun and i was lookin at a zeiss scope made me drool but the price made me shat myself it was double what the gun was hahahah

RE: looking at getting a rifle
 

That's what the piggy bank is for - - things that make you drool! Make a habit of rat-holing money here and there, and someday you'll crack that piggy bank open and a new Zeiss scope will fall right out into your lap.

May take awhile, though; I had to dust my piggy bank off more than a few times!;)