Hunting rifle: fast follow ups, light, 30-06?

[cpileri]

how many follow up shots?

How many follow up shots do you want the capability to handle?

If its only one, then maybe a double gun? that would give you 2 quick, very reliable shots.

or, for reliability when full of sand, Saiga makes a 30-06 that is absically a big AK-type action with a 3-round capacity in a semi-auto. So it would be fast on follow up shots and reliable when dirty, but perhaps less accurate than you want.

C-

 

[redneck2]

I worked in a gun shop for a while. Had two customers that bought brand new auto Browning .338 WM's for an Alaskan hunt. Wanted them the same so they could interchange ammo. Both guns froze up in blowing snow and neither would work. They ended up using the guide's gun.

Had a very good friend that was an elk guide in Colorado. Had a 7400 semi-auto Rem in 30-06. Same thing happened to him. He was trying to crack off a finishing shot for a client and ended up beating the bolt closed with a rock.

If you think about it, you really are looking for two entirely different rifles in one. For the bear thing, I can't imagine anything much better than the .45-70, but I can't imagine using a .45-70 for sheep.

Personally, I'd find something like a good used 25-06 or .270 bolt for the sheep and get something like a Marlin 1895 for bear. I've got those two in my safe right now and have less than $700 in the pair, even with the scope on the 25-06.

The other option is a Savage 99 in .308 or .300 Savage. That's exactly what you're looking for IMO. Probably accurate enough for sheep and basically the power of the 30-06 in a light, fast package. And, since the gun will probably be 40+ years old, it will be slick enough to work under pretty much all conditions.

 

[islandphish]

That Savage 99 would be cool and had the potential to be a whole lot cooler. I would love to find a long action, rotary or standard(non-tube) magazine lever gun. Couple that with an 18" or 20" barrell. I'd be in heaven.

One thing, .308 is not enough gun. I want the capability to throw 220's for Grizz.

It does seem that hunting autoloading rifles need a boost. They don't seem to have much of a reputation for reliability. Maybe the major manufacturers need to look at military weapons for inspiration?

 

[Msixteen]

Grizz huh?

I would want as much gun as I could get too.

The woods I tromp around in only have black bear, So I don't have a problem with the .308.

I'm in the same market you are, minus the Grizzly killing requirement.
I've settled on the Savage 10FCM Scout.

20" barrel, detachable mag, 6.25 pounds, and it comes with peep/GR sights.
I'll probably just use the irons, but it does have a forward scope mount as well.

The right gunsmith could modify a mauser or something in a larger cal. to similar specs.

Good luck

 

[Geno]

I suggest you take a very hard look into 9-lug variant of the Weatherby Mark V, in .30-06, in stainless steel if you can find it.

The Mark V's bolt throw is very short, unlike your typical 90 degree throw on two-lug bolt-action rifles. In addition, the bolt's flutes are not decorative at all. The bolt's flutes are for cleaning away dirt, grime and ice.

Weatherby manufactured this rifle in a 24" #1 contour, and a 26" #2 contour barrel. The 24" barrels were among the most accurate Weatherby rifles. The present-day configuration of the Mark V is a 6-lug version, and can be had in .30-06. But for my money, I'd go the 9-lug version.

By the way, these are not so easy to locate. People tend to hang on to these rifles. Best of luck in whatever you select.

Doc2005

 

[Neckshot5seven]

Winchester model 70 black shadow in 300WSM is a very economical choice. New is around $400 Im sure you could pick one up used for way less. My uncle has one for deer. It is a decent rifle. Short action, light, all the things that add up for a nice packer gun for those long extended hunts. It shoots pretty flat out to 350 withour much holdover. He is zero at 100 and aiming at the cap I can hit a 2 litre coke at 350 no problem.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

NEW Win 70 Black Shadow for $400?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100781636 (A Buy it now price of $800, exactly twice what the market will bear, and reserve of $795?)

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100799633

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100818885

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=101021391

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=101022519

you get the idea.

 

[Art Eatman]

With a barrel as short as 20" or 22", a .308 has as much muzzle velocity as a .30-'06. Maybe even a tad more, with a 20".

The primary justification for a 220-grain bullets, yesteryear, was for penetration. Today's 180-grain bullets IMO would do just as good a job, particularly the premium types.

As far as accuracy, my MK V with the #2 profile, 26" '06, barrel always grouped inside one MOA. The last 3-shot group I shot was 0.4 MOA. It's on loan to Justin. Neither of us will sell it.

Art

 

[K3]

Hunting w/ fast follow up?

I'd go with an M1A with irons.

Seriously. I handloaded some 150gr Sierra Gamekings and got some very nice results. 5 shots in an inch and a half at 100 yards, and I'm not the world's best iron sight shooter. The loads chronographed at ~ 2700 fps, so that's enough oomph for deer and elk IMO. I'd be confident out to 300 yards for either elk or deer with this setup.

You can even hunt in crappy weather since there's no optics. Normally I like a scope for hunting, but I am probably going to use this for the upcoming deer season.

A Garand is also a good option for all the same reasons.

Edit: Yeah, the price on an M1A is a bit steep.

 

[TX1911fan]

I have a Benelli R1 that I love. Mine's in .300 WinMag, but with light loads it's not too bad. In 30.06 I imagine it would be perfect. Follow ups would be very fast. I believe it comes in shorter barreled versions. Might be a little higher than your price range though.

 

[islandphish]

Yes a Benelli is probably out of my price range.

So, I'm thinking about a CMP Garand. What could be done to make that lighter? And then I'd need to change out the op rod. But I wonder if I'd be able to shoot 220's reliably.

A lightweight, 220 capable eight shot garand would be the BOMB.

 

[GILROY]

I think you will have to compromise on one of your points. Probably the action if you want 30-06 and take your chances with the bear. , or the weight if you want semi-auto. I would get the Remington 7600 Pump 30-06. I have handled one and it was NOT a hard pump. Me thinks the 760 you had needed some work. It comes in a carbine 18.5" barrel as well that would be a bit lighter.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_7600_specs.asp

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Stevens Model 200 .308 Win.(sa) or 30.06 (la) $346 msrp each.