Best Semi-Auto 30-06?

[JeeperCreeper]

It's not necessarily about saving money. I just want the best value for money for a big blaster.

I don't want to drop $3000 on a rifle when someone has great experiences with an $800-1200 one.

And in these times, with ammo costs, buying a gun to blast the ammo I have is cheaper than getting new ammo.

 

[Nature Boy]

Buying an expensive rifle just because you have ammo in that caliber isn't saving you money.

That sounds like something my wife would say

 

[LoonWulf]

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.

Again while I don't disagree as a general statement, adjustments, and adjustable systems can change the over all effect.
My bar has handled my 75gr load of 8133 just fine so far, and we're Into the second pound of powder. I did turn down the gas system so that it doesn't batter the action too much tho.

 

[GooseGestapo]

With an adjustable gas plug, the Garand can shoot any commercial factory ammunition.
I don’t find Garand safe hand loads to be an impediment.
My CMP special for practical purposes was a NEW rifle. The receiver and bolt were like new, though the receiver was manufactured in September 1943. The barrel is/was a new Criterion barrel. Stock is a new hardwood stock by Boyd’s, fitted and installed by the CMP. All of the other components were refinished to original specs. The only thing I’ve done to it is replace the late style rear sight with a new mfg lock-bar style rear sight. (Eliminates need for a screw driver and pliers to adjust rear sight).

I do have the luxury of being able of going to the South Store and hand picking my choice.
For a range toy, they are unexcelled. I’ve got two!

 

[ms6852]

I always wanted a semi 30-06 but the Remington's were out of the question because of issues. Than I heard about Noreen 4 or 5 years ago and as usual they too had issues so I waited a couple of years and researched again and heard that there was still some issues and that customer service was not great. So I continue to wait and see if things got any better and finally waited long enough that the desire to buy one is no longer around. Noreen rifles in my opinion would be the way to go if they fixed the issues which I would gather to say that they might have as they are still around. But, I really do not know since I haven't followed up in a couple of years. I find the prices reasonable and not too expensive at all.

 

[DocRock]

As per above, the BAR isn't delicate. But they are expensive. For blasting fun, a Remington 7400/742.

 

[Bwana John]

CMP M1 Garand.

As many of them as they will let you buy. You won't be sorry.

 

[Bruce D Pease]

M1 Garand for me. My service grade from CMP is nicer than any one I carried in the service. It came with a new stock, totally reparkerized, rebuilt with a new 1954 Springfield armory barrel, muzzle wear 0 throat 0-1; in the white,...receiver from April of ‘43 (my grandfather, uncle, and mom were all working there then so maybe someone of them had something to do with is manufacture,(probably not ). All for $780, with a gun case. It’s super

 

[rabid wombat]

CMP M1, for all what has been said above. Five for me, including one dialed for Garand matches, and one pretend M1C. The CMP is wonderful to work with!

Having an M1, If money is a reality, my next choice would be the current Browning BAR. Money no object, Ohio Ordnance old school BAR like @Riomouse911 says.....this would be so cool....

Or a genuine 1918 BAR... they now make a semi-Auto version of the full-auto unit.

https://www.oowinc.com/exclusives/semi-auto/1918a3-slr/

They may be hard to find though.

Stay safe..

 

[Charlie98]

Maybe just buy a $300 Savage Axis to shoot the 30-06.

That was kind of my thought... not the Axis, but one of the heavier barrel 'tacticool' bolt guns from Savage. I've got a Savage 10 TAC in .308, it's a wonderful rifle, and it would be stellar in .30-06.

I'd vote for an M1 Garand... I LOVE shooting my Garand, and in fact, I'm taking it with me to NV this week to shoot it some more. Standard factory ammos do require an adjustable gas plug, however. There is something very satisfying about shooting a Garand... a very physical rifle to shoot.

 

[Hookeye]

The issue w the 742s is bolt rail chew.
That and neglect.
Lots of them got pitted chambers due to hunting in cold and folks not maintaining them.
Reportedly the .30-06 ones got the chew, from shooting 180gr and heavier loads.

Had a couple, they ran fine. Not jamming.

I also suspect folks being soft (big and or fat), and or wearing soft clothes............kinda "soft shoulders" the gun and causes issues.

Carbine,minty, scope and in .30-06 ran like a top. BUT............cold bore shot was 1" high at 100.
The next ones from hot bbl impacted 7 inches or so low.

No wonder it was minty.

Got a beater reg rifle (carried a lot, not shot much) and it was a 1.5" gun at 100 yards w 150 grain Coreloks.
All the time.
No wonder prev owners took it hunting.

So..................IMHO, in .30-06...............the 7400 is the one to get.
But the way the bbl and gas system is, its a roll of the dice if it's gonna shoot well or not.

Proly not worth the gamble.

THey do feel good, and look goood.
Accuracy Systems does barrel and other mods. Not cheap.

Don't know if handloading will help much w a 7400.
Ive had bolt guns that shot way better w handloads so would assume some accuracy gains could be had.
But being an auto, and having regular reloading dies...........I just never did it.

Ran factory ammo and was happy at 1.5" @ 100.

I have a .30-06 bolt gun, so won't be buying an auto in that cartridge.
A 7400 comes along in something else (.243 or ? ) I might.

 

[toivo]

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.

This.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Of course, best for what? History: milspec M1 Garand, hands down. FN49 would probably come second, though I'd prefer a 7x57. If you can find one in good working order for less than a used car, a Johnson Rifle would be way cool.

For fun, if you locate a decent Garand action with a beat-up barrel, I'd seriously consider ordering one of these:

http://shuffsparkerizing.com/services/the-mini-g/



And for a real rarity, there are a handful of these floating around in 30-06:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/969810152/MidWest-Metal-Creations-Madsen-M1946S-30-06-SN47.htm

 

[jmorris]

 

[wiscoaster]

Also vote for the CMP M1.

 

[DukeConnor]

I couldn't possibly imagine going through life without a M1 in my safe. It is without a doubt the funnest rifle I have ever owned.
Brings a smile to my face every time I shoot it.

 

[Sistema1927]

CMP Garand and a ported gas plug. You probably won't find one these days, but a Holbrook device is a nice addition as well.

 

[Telum Pisces]

Browning BAR

 

[entropy]

I’d try to find a Remington 7400/750.

Semi-auto hunting rifle. The 750 went out of production in 2015 so in theory you should be able to still find one.

A slight improvement over the 7400, still not the gun I'd choose to blow off a bunch of assorted .30-06 ammo, unless you're considering it disposable. My vote is for a Browning BAR. A little frustrating the first time you take one down to clean, but very solid, reliable guns. Accurate, too.

 

[mshootnit]

This one looks cool to me
https://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=031064226

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

My friend just sold off his 750. I wouldn't recommend it overall, I'd go with the R1 or the BAR in this case. The 750 is very finicky.

 

[P5 Guy]

CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality

Yep you certainly do NOT want one of them, and do not get robbed buying a private or gun store M1 Garand.
Leave them for us folks that have the time and knowledge to fix up those obsolete rifles.
Who wants to haul around a 9.5# rifle that can't be scoped conveniently?

 

[wiscoaster]

Who wants to haul around a 9.5# rifle that can't be scoped conveniently?

I guess I'm one of those idiots.

Actually, I'd like to quote myself from a note I sent to my Dad, who's nearing the end of his life at 94 years. He served in WW II. It was accompanied by a photo of my M1 and my 1903-A3:

Both these rifles are BIG and they are HEAVY and it boggles my mind to think of you guys carrying them. Thanks for doing so. Your son, Tim.

 

[P5 Guy]

I guess I'm one of those idiots.

And not to mention one needs to buy three Garands so one can stack them.

 

[Charlie98]

and do not get robbed buying a private or gun store M1 Garand.

There is something to that, with the M1, and, particularly, the M1a. Many of them have been monkeyed with. It's one of the things that keeps me from buying an '03 Springfield.... I don't really know what I'm looking at.

My M1 was a FedOrd rebuild... I'm going to guess it was a Korean return, or maybe Greek. The stock has as much putty in it as a '72 Pinto, and it's definitely a mix-master parts collection. It did come with a new barrel, and it shoots quite well. Not bad for $360. It's a MAY42 6-digit Springfield, if I did my research right.