Best Semi-Auto 30-06?

Status
Not open for further replies.
JeeperCreeper

JeeperCreeper

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
2,146
Location
Under A Rock
I'm always keeping my eye out for a fun range toy and seeing what's on the market.

Let's just say I have quite a collection of random 30-06 in storage. Surplus to reloads to factory, ranging from grimey to stellar.

It would be nice to have something that can pew pew this ammo in a fun way. Hence, semi auto.

Options that I'm aware of:
- CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality
- M1 Garand from a private seller that's over priced
- Vepr that will be insanely over priced
- Browning BAR hunting rifle that's probably delicate
- Noreen AR that's pricey and proprietary
- Losok Valkyr that's seemingly defunct
- HCAR from OOW that's cool but pricey

Basically, I'm going to be dropping a fortune compared to a short action rifle.

Any other options or ideas.

Eventually, I'll probably just buy a pump gun.
 
I'd skip the Garand. Some of that stuff may damage the op-rod potentially.

Your best bet is to trade/sell it or grab a manually operated repeater.

What about a BLR?
 
JeeperCreeper said:
Browning BAR hunting rifle that's probably delicate
Click to expand...
While in wouldn't club germans with it (well maybe my buddy Nate) You'd be hard pressed to damage a bars functional bits with an 06.
I run hearty load of 8133 behind a 168gr bullet in my 7mag, and we'll sometimes shoot 2 or 3 boxes a range trip. They do prefer to be kept clean and lubed tho, and while you CAN adjust the gas system on ...mid 80s+? I think?
It's not meant to be used adjusted.

For just a range toy tho, I'd probably go with the Garand, but as stated ammo selection is reduced, probably not making it a fantastic option for what you want.

The rem7400-750 might be an option, again needs to be kept clean and lubed, and if you use them as a range toy they (or at least the old ones) are prone to ware out.

Another option that I think would be closer to a do all plinker/ammo furnace/hunting gun would be a Benelli R1. I've never shot one, but I've heard only good stuff so far. Maybe @horsey300 can add to that.
 
Last edited:
I'd probably try to find a Browning albeit with the caveat that I've never shot one not am not all that familiar with them. I have a 30-06 and really like the round but in a lightweight bolt gun like I have it's not the first thing I'd reach for in the safe for a fun day of plinking.
 
JeeperCreeper said:
Options that I'm aware of:
- CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality
Click to expand...
I'm not sure where you'd find such a thing, unless you went private party. If you buy direct from CMP, you'll get a rebuilt gun and excellent support in the unlikely event you need it.

Add an adjustable gas plug (assuming you learn to use it properly) and go shoot. On your list, the Garand is definitely the coolest of the bunch.
 
DO NOT BUY a FN49 in 30-06! I want one to add to my C&R collection and don't want the buying competition!


Personally I love my Garand. It feeds pretty much anything and I have never had an issue with any particular ammo. It is a heck of a tough old war horse!
 
Avoid any of the Remington 740, 742, 7400, or 750. They look and handle nicely but each one had a myriad of design problems leading to the next iteration until finally discontinuing them altogether. The BAR is probably the best commercial auto "deer rifle". The Garand can be very accurate and reliable, but it is hand loading only, and will need to spend $$$ to aquire one in excellent condition.
 
JeeperCreeper said:
I'm always keeping my eye out for a fun range toy and seeing what's on the market.

Let's just say I have quite a collection of random 30-06 in storage. Surplus to reloads to factory, ranging from grimey to stellar.

It would be nice to have something that can pew pew this ammo in a fun way. Hence, semi auto.

Options that I'm aware of:
- CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality
- M1 Garand from a private seller that's over priced
- Vepr that will be insanely over priced
- Browning BAR hunting rifle that's probably delicate
- Noreen AR that's pricey and proprietary
- Losok Valkyr that's seemingly defunct
- HCAR from OOW that's cool but pricey

Basically, I'm going to be dropping a fortune compared to a short action rifle.

Any other options or ideas.

Eventually, I'll probably just buy a pump gun.
Click to expand...
LoonWulf said:
While in wouldn't club germans with it (well maybe my buddy Nate) You'd be hard pressed to damage a bars functional bits with an 06.
I run hearty load of 8133 behind a 168gr bullet in my 7mag, and we'll sometimes shoot 2 or 3 boxes a range trip. They do prefer to be kept clean and lubed tho, and while you CAN adjust the gas system on ...mid 80s+? I think?
It's not meant to be used adjusted.

For just a range toy tho, I'd probably go with the Garand, but as stated ammo selection is reduced, probably not making it a fantastic option for what you want.

The rem7400-750 might be an option, again needs to be kept clean and lubed, and if you use them as a range toy they (or at least the old ones) are prone to ware out.

Another option that I think would be closer to a do all plinker/ammo furnace/hunting gun would be a Benelli R1. I've never shot one, but I've heard only good stuff so far. Maybe @horsey300 can add to that.
Click to expand...
Yeah.....yeah the r1 would be great for this, had to add a longer comfortech recoil pad, but really the weight/recoil management would be perfect for range fun, haven't even had to look at the gas system since assembling it (comes broken down for transport). Takes a lil bit of breaking in to shoot to the highest of its capability but it's a hoot and hasn't had ANY issues!
 
Just buy a bolt gun and go shoot. None of the semi's or pumps can come close to a bolt guns reliability especially with a wide range of ammo. You can get one for 1/2 the cost of the others and have better reliability and accuracy.

Semi's need for the ammo to be loaded within a fairly narrow pressure range to function reliably. Neither pumps, nor semi's have strong enough extraction systems to handle hotter loads or if the rifle isn't perfectly clean. If you just want to blast away with ammo there are cheaper ways to do it with less recoil than 30-06.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

zaitcev
  • Locked
Vepr 30-06
Replies
7
Views
2K
zaitcev
zaitcev
K
  • Locked
  • Poll
Best WWII Semi-Auto
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Kalashnikov
K
C
  • Locked
best 30-06 semi-autos?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
3K
twoblink
T
C
  • Locked
Best semi-auto 30-06 rifle
2
Replies
39
Views
15K
PurpleProwess
P
P
  • Locked
Semi 30-06
Replies
17
Views
1K
CoRoMo
CoRoMo
Back
Top