I want a new cast only 30-06

[waco]

And I don't want to break the bank in the process. Are there any of the new "Budget" rifles that have proven to be good shooters with cast in the '06?

What are some good choices? What have been your experiences?

Just looking for a good target/plinker rifle that has the ability to shoot well out to 200 or so.

Ruger, Savage, Howa....the list goes on.

Tell me your experience in the 30-06 please.

[dverna]

Like I said in your thread yesterday...Get a Savage Axis in .308. New rifle for under $300...I think the XP comes with a cheap scope for $350.

Don Verna.

BTW, I was going to buy one in .223 until I found a Howa for $350.

[farmerjim]

$255 Savage Axis. I got a 308 because I already have a 30-06. The 308 shoots great.

[quilbilly]

I was in a Wally World two years ago and ran across a Rem. 770 on sale in 308 for $240 with factory scope. Couldn't pass it up even though I have no use for it. It took to CB's like a duck to water with sub MOA groups right out of the box using the Lee 160 gr. RNGC and 2400 powder. Scope was not great but has been replaced and the rifle had a couple other minor issues that are ignorable. I checked a couple weeks back at the same store and they still have them at $289. That rifle has been cheap enjoyment.

[Char-Gar]

The youngest 30-06 in my fleet of 8 was made in 1954 (Winchester 70) so I can't tell you which modern production would be the best. However I should think any of them will do well. Personally, I would shop the used market for a good Winchester, Remington or Savage, clean the barrel of metal fouling and let the fun begin

[waco]

So some people can't read. I'm looking for your experience with 30-'06 rifles. I have several .308's

I can only guess the Savage Axis in '06 would be a good shooter as well?.....

Tell me about the trigger in those rifles. I see it is not the accutrigger.

What are the other pros/cons to this rifle?

Many thanks.

[waco]

The youngest 30-06 in my fleet of 8 was made in 1954 (Winchester 70) so I can't tell you which modern production would be the best. However I should think any of them will do well. Personally, I would shop the used market for a good Winchester, Remington or Savage, clean the barrel of metal fouling and let the fun begin

Thank you Charles. I might have to look for an older rifle in my price range.

[Jack Stanley]

If Howa has one in 06 that would be a good option for new . I have seen older Remington model 721 rifles around here for four hundred bucks ( plus or minus a little ) . Those might be in your price range and I think 06 was the most common . I think Winchester had a budget line years ago known as the 670 and Remington had the Sportsman 78 series , the Savage 110 line shot pretty well .

Of the two Savage/Stevens rifles I've had . Both needed money put into the stock or a new stock to make accuracy consistent . A Boyd's laminate stock really helped mine a great deal but it did add to the overall price . Accuracy was then as good as the trigger would allow but youtube has videos that help clean them up a little .

The 06 is one of my favorite cartridges for cast though most of the ammo is for plinking .

Jack

[runfiverun]

Walter I am with Charles on this one.
the new rattle rifles might shoot pretty well, but....meh.

[skeettx]

Remington 721
Great action and trigger
Mine(2)shoot well with cast bullets


http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605998809

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605044885

[Bigslug]

Well, the formula for .30-06 isn't going to vary a lot from one manufacturer to the next - you'll have a moderate barrel taper, 22" to 24" to burn powder in, and a 1-10" twist.

The Howa 1500 would probably be my first choice as (a.) you can handle one without it screaming "CHEAP RIFLE!" at you, and (b.), in my limited experience, the Japanese do a helluva job at barrel making and chamber reaming.

NOE sells a copy of the Lyman 311299, which I call the "accuracy without effort" bullet.

Probably make you a pretty good pair.

[CPL Lou]

Through the years I have owned a LOT of 30-06's and I can confidently recommend Savage (ANY) and Ruger American rifles.
Neither rifle brand will cost much and are very accurate out of the box.
I would recommend that you give the barrel a good 'rubbing' with JB Bore Paste before doing any shooting with cast.
My .02

CPL Lou

[MT Chambers]

I had a Rem. 700 in 30/06 and it was pretty deadly with both cast and j-word bullets. I sold it because I already had a Ruger #1 International in 30/06.

[Vann]

I picked up a T/C Venture in 30/06 for 275. after rebates, so far I've been real happy with its cast boolit performance.

[RickinTN]

I'll have to second or third the vote for an older Remington 721 or even 70's vintage 700. I have a few and most were under the $400 mark. In my limited testing of them they shoot pretty well. As already stated they have a good trigger and walnut stocks which is my preference. I had the opportunity recently to buy a new Remington 700 in .308. I changed out the cheap plastic stock for a walnut that I had and also replaced the trigger with an older "real" model 700 trigger. It is a shooter with jacketed but I haven't had the chance to try cast in it. If I didn't already have the stock and trigger it would have of course increased the price.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Mr Peabody]

I bought a nice Interarms Mark X off GB a couple months ago. All costs included it came to $375. I'm shooting the NOE 311 150sp in it right now. It does a great job. Controlled round feed, iron sights installed and tapped for a Lyman 57 sight. Loving it.

[Moonie]

I had a 30-06 Savage Edge (now renamed Axis), shot only cast, it did very well after working on the trigger.

[kycrawler]

I have a new Browning a bolt 3 hunter with the wood stock shoots the 170 lee bullets into 1 1/2 at 200 with a load of imr 4350

[Don Fischer]

Go to the 2nd hand store and buy the 30-06 you can afford. Take it home and check the bedding. A dollar bill around the barrel should go to the action without bumping on anything or stopping. Check the action. Hold your thumb on the barrel and stock at the fore end. Loosen the front guard screw. There should be no movement up with the barrel. Re-tighten th front guard screw and hold your thumb on the rear tang. Loosen the rear tang bolt and there should be no movement. I have most always found even new rifles need a bit of tuning with the bedding. Inspect the barrel. My understanding, and what I did, was to super clean the barrel, make sure there is no copper fouling at all. Both my 30-06 and 308 were used when I got them. Took a while with Sweets 7.62 solvwnt but I did find the barrel under that stuff.

[racepres]

Thank you Charles. I might have to look for an older rifle in my price range.

by all means!!! I would look for a Remington...simply because my dedicated cast shooting '06 is a Turk Mauser Sported with a Take-Off Remington 700 barrel.
It will run with the eldest sons lefty/lefty Remington 700 ....also a Bit older arm....