30-06 rifle/scope recommendations under $1,000

I'd choose a Leupold VX-2 in a 3-9X40 like this

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-2-Riflescope-P51800.aspx

If you buy before 9-1-14 you get a $50 rebate so that leaves $700 for the rifle. For a lightweight, accurate 30-06 within that budget I'd look hard at a SS Tikka T-3 lite. Weight with that scope will be 7 lbs +/- a couple of oz depending on the mounts. Personally I'd use the factory supplied mounts and save $50 and a few ounces.

Take a look at the T/C Venture. 5R rifling guaranteed MOA and very often less with quality ammo. Good pricing.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-weather-shield

get something in stainless/synthetic with a good redfield 3x9x50 scope.no chasing rust or stock swelling to impede accuracy.

For that budget, I'd try and find a FN made Model 70, either the Sporter or Featherweight model and top it with a good Redfield scope, they have a few styles and reticles to choose from, and that should leave your budget to get yourself rings, bases, a nice sling and swivels and be dead on budget, just a little over or just a little under.

I'd look at an older Model 70 like this one. Reliable trigger, easy to adjust; good, solid rifles.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=435173366

Remington 700, Leupold or Nikon scope. 700's are the most upgradable and widely used target rifles with great aftermarket. The others mentioned are good rifles also but the best long term support is the 700. Don't cheap out on scopes. Weavers and Redfield are ok. Just my choices after 50 years of shooting. The 700 is also known for being rugged as well as accurate and also the choice of the US military for bolt action sniper rifles.

find the lightest gun you can if you are going to carry it any distance.pachmayer decellerator
recoil pad and a gentry custom brake to offset the light weight

Savage rifle, any $200+ scope from Nikon, Burris, Leupold, etc.

Jackal said:

Savage rifle, any $200+ scope from Nikon, Burris, Leupold, etc.

Click to expand...

Yep! Was just gonna say that. Savage 111TXP for about $600 will even come with a nice Nikon scope that can be swapped and sold for $150ish leaving the OP with close to $500 to mount up some very nice glass, possibly bet a Boyds stock too!

Tikka t3 lite stainless and the scope of your choosing

try dicks sg in nearby
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-524804.html thread on same rifle
dealing with recoil.you can add a pachmyer decelerator pad and a gentry custom brake http://www.gentrycustom.com/muzzle-brake to offset lighter weight

I'd second a good used Model 70 and swap the 3-9X suggestion with a 1.5-5X or similar if you're serious about bear. For what I paid for my 70 (in 30-06) I could easily have mounted a Leupold VX-R and kept to your budget.

We don't know much about your intended distances but assuming 50-200 yds. for everything but elk perhaps? The better course of action might be a good used rifle with good iron sights already mounted and a Leupold VX-3 with QR rings. That leaves irons for close range dangerous game and say 10X on the high end for when scoped hunting is warranted.

Almost any modern rifle should do and unless you're considering cross-canyon long range shots I wouldn't worry much about upgrades. For those you'll want to start with a much different combo. Whether you require stainless and synthetic is dependent on where you live, where you hunt and how you care for equipment and honestly it would not be a factor on my list.

Lots of options out there. I just sold an early 1990s Remington 700 BDL with Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40 for $800 and I and the buyer were both happy with the deal. Check the used racks ... Remington 700, Winchester 70 ... lots of options.

http://usedguns-forsale.com/welcome
http://www.gunlistings.org/ here's 2 sites that can be tailored to your local state/area

Savage sells their 16/116 Trophy Hunter XP combo that comes with a Nikon 3-9X40 BDC scope for under $800. In 30-06 it weights only 8 lbs.

Savage sells their 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP combo that also comes with the same Nikon scope for just over $600. In 30-06 it also weighs only 8 lbs.

If you like a wooden stock better Savages 10/110 Trophy Hunter XP combo again with the same scope for just under $700. In 30-06 it weighs 9.05 lbs.

If I didn't already have a Howa 1500 rifle (or two) this is the one I would buy!
I'm a big fan of the Howa 1500 rifle. Legacy Sports sells a "Howa Hogue-Zeiss Package" that includes a Howa 1500 rifle mounted on a Hogue overmolded stock and a Zeiss Terra 3X 3-9X42 scope. In 30-06 the List Price is $965 and IMO a great buy! The trigger is outstanding too.
http://legacysports.com/hogue-zeiss-package
Note: I think the scope would cost you over $400 if bought alone.

Of course all those prices are full list prices and you can surely find them much cheaper online or even in your local gun shop. Bud's Gun Shop online has the Howa-Zeiss combo for $840 including shipping.

If it were me I would buy a 3-9 VX-2 from Amazon for $300 and then cash in the $50 rebate for a total of $250 invested on the scope. Then I'd pick up an M70 Sporter for $750 from CDNN and DNZ mounts for $50. If the M70 is too pricey a Tikka would be a good choice as well.

yes sir

Get a Redfield good deals on amazon

If you want to save some money and get a quality set up that ou arent afraid to use or fret over:
-Ruger American .30-06 $325
-Redfield Revenge 3-9x42 or Nikon ProfStaff 3-9x40 $100-150ish

If you want to maximize your spending, the Tikka T3 Lite, Weatherby Vanguard/Howa, Rem 700 will treat you well

If you want to push that budget even more, the Win 70 and Browning are not bad options either

Joe, sometimes a used rifle doesn't pan out, buyer beware and all that. What I have seen is a tendency for mid and larger caliber rifles from 308 up that appear more safe worn than range weary, particularly in sporter weights. If it's unmodified and $300, you might lose $100 trading it off but unless you get a real lemon chances are you'll be just fine.

I've had good luck with Gunbroker by paying attention to the seller's rating and with local shops (though that seems less of an option for you). I've bought a half-dozen from Bud's without issue, taken a few day trips around my home State and even shopped while on vacations out of State for firearms worth shipping back- done that too.

Please do think hard on irons or lower power glass though. I wouldn't want to chase a charging bear with the crosshairs at 3X or spend an extra $100 to add sights later. Chasing down accessories for a field grade gun is an expensive hassle that I avoid like the plague.

I think buying used is nearly always the better option. As Skylerbone said, paying attention to ratings/feedback helps a lot. I look at the bolts hard, if the jewelling is bright, the bolt hasn't been cycled much. Pictures of the crown are a plus. Honest wear patterns don't scare me. My Tikka had seen a lot of carry and hunting use, but not a lot of shooting. I suspect I've put far more rounds through it than the previous owner ever thought of doing. A good action ought to last a few lifetimes without any major issues.

If you look at the M700 BDLs and compare to the M70 XTR Sporters, they look very similar. However, the M70 has the better trigger from the factory, and the action is more robust with a flat bottom and integral recoil lug. For some reason, the BDLs seem to bring more money.....

I've never had a Savage, nor even shot one, can't offer anything on them.

In my mind, a good action is worth as much as $500, that's pretty much the baseline figure when I look at used rifles. The stock may or may not add value to that. I have through the years bought a rifle or 2 just for the stock it was in.

Rifles in cheap stocks can be deals, if you think you want to put it into a Bell Carlson or HS Precision stock. Figure on $250 to 350 to go that route.

I'd look at a Winchester model 670 (model 70 with a cheap stock, blind magazine) and spend the rest on the scope, ammo, and pack trip.

if you find a good 700 cheap enough,buy a timney trigger

Odd that nobody mentioned a good stainless Ruger M77MKII all-weather or a Hawkeye in 30-06. ( Not the Ruger American )
Claw extractor, 3 position safety, stainless. You can find them from between $450 to $800. Then install a Nikkon $250 scope and off you go....

Ruger 77 MKIIs are not sexy, built they are built like a truck and work like a good shovel.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/99291868...inless_30_06_Spfd_New_LAYAWAY_OPTION_7124.htm

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