I have always believed that the 30-06 is the perfect 30 caliber round that will handle any hunting scenario in North America and will outshoot the 308 in long distance competition. My question is very simple, what would you consider the best action for the 30-06, Mauser, Springfield,Savage, Remington, etc.?
Action for 30-06
- Thread starter ms6852
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Gunnerboy
Member
Springfield, cant beat a design that was made for the round.
USSR
Member
Assuming you are asking this question because you are thinking of building a rifle, I have had several rifles built around the Winchester M70 action, and that is all I use personally. Most well known gunsmiths will build upon a Remington or Winchester action, and Savage to a lesser extent. Also, more match grade parts and accessories are available for the aforementioned actions. This is not to say that a fine rifle cannot be made with a Springfield or Mauser action, just that it's a little more involved. Just MHO.
Don
Don
Jonny V
Member
If cost is a factor, for sure go with one of the American actions. If you're willing to do a little legwork to keep cost down, but have "some" (not saying tens of thousands!) resources, maybe contact this guy.........and build yourself a Mauser.
I'll give you the link to his gun-porn page.......
http://www.mccabeguns.com/mccabegallery.html
I'll give you the link to his gun-porn page.......
http://www.mccabeguns.com/mccabegallery.html
451 Detonics
Member
My personal choice would be a 1903 or 1903A1 action, hard to find one much smoother than that. Avoid the 1903a3 action tho...the older model is easier to scope or add receiver sights to it. Another great action to start with would be the 1917, just takes a bit more work milling the rear sight. Of course you could just keep an eye on gunbroker...sporterized versions of these rifles show up all the time and are usually real bargains...
There is a 1917 already drilled and tapped sitting at 170 bucks on gunbroker now...be a great starter for a project!
There is a 1917 already drilled and tapped sitting at 170 bucks on gunbroker now...be a great starter for a project!
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spclpatrolgroup
Member
Gunsmiths love the 700 beacuse the reciever is basically a tube and its easy to make jigs and such for. I would look at the Sako's as well, very smooth.
W.E.G.
Member
Pre-64 Winchester.
All the others are wannabes.
All the others are wannabes.
FlyinBryan
Member
tough to beat.
my late pop had a pre64 and the thing was just so slick and tight. i miss them both.
Jim Watson
Member
For use as-is, I would pick the Winchester Model 70, either pre-64 or imitation pre-64 Classic.
In fact, I DID pick it, got my own already.
For a gunsmithing project, I would get a 1917 (pre-Bubbaed so as to not upset the milsurp collectors) and hand it to the gunsmith with a picture of a Remington Model 720.
In fact, I DID pick it, got my own already.
For a gunsmithing project, I would get a 1917 (pre-Bubbaed so as to not upset the milsurp collectors) and hand it to the gunsmith with a picture of a Remington Model 720.
dprice3844444
member
bryan,polish keyboard?
d2wing
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Remington 700 action has been the first choice of target shooters for along time. But these days just about everyone makes a good good rifles off the shelf. If you had a poll alot of guys would vote Savage for out of box. A few others are well thought of too.
I like the 30-06 too, but again many prefer the .308. You have to decide what your taste is in rifles. A classic model 70 is hard to beat for making a shooter feel good.
I like the 30-06 too, but again many prefer the .308. You have to decide what your taste is in rifles. A classic model 70 is hard to beat for making a shooter feel good.
dprice3844444
member
you can buy a howa straight action with/w/out barrel from legacy sports in stainless via midway arms i think
bigedp51
member
The Remington 700 has the strongest action and is why the military uses them for their sniper rifles. Military testing requires that a oiled proof pressure test round be used to simulate combat conditions, the oiled proof test cartridge "doubles" the bolt thrust on the receiver and bolt.
Commercial civilian rifles are not proof tested with oiled proof cartridges and Jack O'Connor was missing partial fingers on his right hand from a 03 Springfield converted to .270 that came apart.
Having said that and having two new rifles, the Remington rifles quality control is slipping and the Savage have good QC and their rifles make better do it yourself project rifles.
A brand new Remington 700 bolt face that looks like a beaver had been chewing on it.
Commercial civilian rifles are not proof tested with oiled proof cartridges and Jack O'Connor was missing partial fingers on his right hand from a 03 Springfield converted to .270 that came apart.
Having said that and having two new rifles, the Remington rifles quality control is slipping and the Savage have good QC and their rifles make better do it yourself project rifles.
A brand new Remington 700 bolt face that looks like a beaver had been chewing on it.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I've had Remmy 700s,Winny M70s,Howa 1500s,Savage M110s,111s and 112s,Browning A-bolt,Browning BAR, and several Mauser M98s in 30.06 as well as .308 and others. I'll take a Mauser M98 of my own build over all of them.
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I like the M70. It is a smooth and slick action, I like the safety which positively cams the firing pin back. I do not like sear blocking safeties as they are not as secure as a firing pin locking safety.
Sometimes you can find pre 64' actions, they are an excellent basis for a 30-06.
Sometimes you can find pre 64' actions, they are an excellent basis for a 30-06.
451 Detonics
Member
I would have a tough time calling either the Springfield '03s or the Eddystone wannabes...
They have a very available action with a proven extraction system, Remingtons aren't really any stronger than most modern actions and aren't even close to be as strong as a 1917 action.
Murphy4570
Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
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- 433
The best?
If you're into target shooting, an '03 Springfield is hard to beat.....if you're restricted to iron sights!
If you're into target shooting, an '03 Springfield is hard to beat.....if you're restricted to iron sights!
PreMod70
Member
Why just the action when you can own the best rifle ever made for around a grand, the pre-64 Model 70 Winchester; it made the 30-06 what it is today. Consider a Remington if you like single shots but if it is a repeater you want better go Model 70.
Flatbush Harry
Member
I have a Win M70 Extreme Weather (Stainless/B&C Fiberglass stock w/ full Aluminum bedding block) of current manufacture in .30-06. Very nice quality/reliability and less than 1 MOA accuracy. Take a look at one.
FH
FH
Which action? Tough choice.
THe M98 is the original action for the rimless cartridge and all others owe it homage as all others have stolen something from it's parentage. I like the M98, especially for the 30-06. Even after 100+ years, it is still a very modern action. Also a very tough one to beat. If you want an American designed action, the Savage or the Remingtons get my nod. Either will build into a good long range rifle that is more accurate than most shooters and you don't need to spend a lot of money doing so. Stay with the basics, good barrel, good trigger, good bedding and good sights. Fancy wood, barrels and optics will drive the price of the package up quickly.
For what it is worth, my 30-06 was built by Winchester, the Model 1895. Perhaps not what you are looking for but a good action and hunting rifle nonetheless.
THe M98 is the original action for the rimless cartridge and all others owe it homage as all others have stolen something from it's parentage. I like the M98, especially for the 30-06. Even after 100+ years, it is still a very modern action. Also a very tough one to beat. If you want an American designed action, the Savage or the Remingtons get my nod. Either will build into a good long range rifle that is more accurate than most shooters and you don't need to spend a lot of money doing so. Stay with the basics, good barrel, good trigger, good bedding and good sights. Fancy wood, barrels and optics will drive the price of the package up quickly.
For what it is worth, my 30-06 was built by Winchester, the Model 1895. Perhaps not what you are looking for but a good action and hunting rifle nonetheless.
dmazur
Member
This might be a starting place for a build -
http://www.montanarifleco.com/actions.html
This is a M70 "clone". Triggers and scope mounts designed for the M70 will fit it.
I believe you can purchase the action, a barreled action, or complete rifles based on this action.
I got a heavy-barreled action and put it in one of these stocks
http://www.accurateinnovations.com/
This is just an alternative, if you like M70 actions.
http://www.montanarifleco.com/actions.html
This is a M70 "clone". Triggers and scope mounts designed for the M70 will fit it.
I believe you can purchase the action, a barreled action, or complete rifles based on this action.
I got a heavy-barreled action and put it in one of these stocks
http://www.accurateinnovations.com/
This is just an alternative, if you like M70 actions.
aka108
Member
1909 Mauser actions are pieces of machined art.
Tinpig
Member
Probably hard to find a stronger .30-06 action than the M1917. Remington built their Model 30 on it. It's cock-on-closing, but I don't see that that makes much difference. Plus you can have it in Winchester, Remington, or Eddystone.
Tinpig
Tinpig
BrocLuno
Member
Tikka T3 was specifically designed around the 30-06. Closed bridge with ejection port only - very stiff and well made. An overall excellent 06 action
velocette
Member
451 Detonics has it right. The 1917 Enfield is a very strong 30-06 action that with a bit of work can be a fine strong sporter.
Plus you will have the joy of having created a very nice rifle with your own hands.
Here's my 1917 Enfield:
Plus you will have the joy of having created a very nice rifle with your own hands.
Here's my 1917 Enfield:
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