24 inch barrel for 30-06

[30-06 lover]

I have been trying for months (maybe more than a year) to buy a Remington 700 SPS and finally decided to go buy it, but when I got to the shop, I couldn't bring myself to buy a gun with such a poor finish and with a stock I just can't bring mayself to like. I might be unreasonable, but I am looking for these things...


A 30-06

24" barrel

A bolt action

Synthetic stock

Matte black finish

Hinged floor plate or blind magazine (no detach)

Less than $800.00


Ideas??? Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[rangerruck]

put one together , and order it from savage. it will be more accurate than remmy anyway.

 

[ArmedBear]

Weatherby Vanguard

A LOT less than $800, and every bit as good as a 700 (with a good finish). Local store has the synthetics with a mounted Bushnell scope, hard case and sling for $500.

Hell, get the really nice fiberglass web stock on a Sub-MOA model, and it's still WELL under $800, and comes with a sub-MOA guarantee, using factory ammo.

I love my .30-06 Sporter (Walnut & Rosewood), but if you want synthetic, they've got 'em, and all with 24" barrels. I didn't get a package; I put a Burris Fullfield II on Warne QD's. Again, I love it. Great balance, shoots offhand like a champ, and the Weatherby cheekpiece does redirect recoil away from your face, while giving a great weld while you're aiming.

Fit and finish on mine are excellent.

http://www.weatherby.com/

 

[browningguy]

I've got the Vanguard and it is a good gun for the money. I think they are at least on a par with the RemChesters.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd say that the Vanguard is on a par with a 700 CDL, fit and finish-wise. It's a "non-glare" finish, not "matte." It's smooth and somewhat reflective, just not polished to a high gloss so it doesn't flash in the sun. The Vanguard Deluxe is high-gloss polish, but the others a just a nice smooth satin. AFAIK the action on a Vanguard is essentially the same as a 700. It even takes the same scope mounts.

I have an 870 Express with Remington's matte finish, which is rust waiting to happen. No big deal on the boat-tosser shotgun for $235, but unacceptable on a rifle for double that. Even some of their more expensive heavy-barrel varmint and tactical guns have this crap finish. I really like Remingtons in general, but their rough matte finish is sub-par. Uberti's matte "millenium" finish is dead-flat nonreflective, smooth, rust-resistant, and still cheap, so it's unclear why Remington can't do the same, but they don't.

 

[mrmeval]

M1917 for 400 from CMP then send it off and have a good 'smith put a new 24" barrel on it and get a sporter stock for it. I have seen some receivers on the gun auction sites.

I have one and it is nice just don't grind the ears off please you might want to put it all back together when it's collector status exceeds it's fun status.

 

[itgoesboom]

The Vanguard is a good rifle, with good accuracy.

Downside being that it isn't exactly lightweight, and to be honest, the cheap synthetic stock isn't very nice. It's flimsy, and atleast for me, the stock didn't fit me well, so it abused my cheek pretty badly. The recoil pad is really good, my shoulder never really took much abuse, by my cheek sure did.

I replaced the cheap synthetic on mine with a Boyd's laminate, and it fits much better now. Butt pad is much worse, so my shoulder gets sore, but my cheek doesn't take any abuse. Also,it is even heavier now.

Since you prefer a synthetic stock, if you have the cash, I would recommend that you get the Sub-MOA version, not only for the better accuracy, but also for the better stock.

Here is mine:



And a group shot (7/8")



I.G.B.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Look around and see if you can find a used Colt Light Rifle.

These were a copy of the Ultra Light Arms rifle you occasionaly see written about. I saw one that sat on a dealers shelf for several years before he sold it for less than his cost to recoup some of his capital.

He was asking $600.00 USC.

I heard he sold it for $500.00.

It weighed about 6lbs, and was Chrome-moly, w/synthetic stock, and 24"bbl.

You'll be glad you got the 24"bbl on your .30/06, though you'll only see the difference with a chronograph.

 

[DWARREN123]

Howa.

 

[ArmedBear]

DWARREN-

The Howa is the same action as the Weatherby, but Howa puts a 22" barrel on it, and a lousy stock. If you don't like the SPS synthetic stock, the Howa stock won't do anything for you either.

True about the Vanguard not being lightweight, but I don't think it's any heavier than a 24" Remington, unless you get the Mountain Rifle version.

The Weatherby fiberglass stock on the sub-MOA is great.

WRT the cheekpiece, it's not great for shooting off the bench. It's made for field use, and it works great for that. It gives a good weld, and directs recoil away from your face, when used standing, sitting crosslegged on the ground, etc.

Now I have no interest in sitting on my butt and shooting a hunting rifle on the weekend off a bench, so I want a stock for the field, not the bench. But that's me. Try a Weatherby stock out first, if you have doubts.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Look around and find an older Interarms MkX in .30/06

They wore 24" bbls, have hinged floor plates, and for $100.00 you can get a Hogue Stock that practically drops in.

Every MkX I've tinkered with (3 in '06, 1 in 7mmRemMag, 1 in .270, and another in .25/06 with ammo they like will shoot under 1" at 100yds.)

A lot of them can be found around these parts in gun shops and pawn shops.

One in average shape will run about $250. A good one runs $350-400.00.

I also have an older Midland Arms -Parker Hale Mauser in '06 and It'll shoot 5-shot 1" groups also. 24"bbl w/iron sights.

If you insist on a NEW rifle, I would get the Weatherby Vangard w/synthetic stock.
Perhaps the best value in a NEW rifle with guarenteed accuracy.