Need ideas for building a .30-06

[c.latrans]

Hey all, I have decided on a new build and am looking for alternatives. Specifically, I want a stainless bbl and action with back up iron sights...the rear must be an aperture. I see that after market peeps are available to fit on Ruger bases, and know that the same is true for Sako. I have not played with the Ruger sights at all, so if anyone has I would appreciate your opinion. I have shot a number of Sako rifles with a peep installed, and have found that in spite of being marked for 100 and 200 meters, they tend to hit at least 6 inches high at 100 yards. Out of maybe 5 or 6 Sakos I have shot with the peep installed, this has been the case which leads me to think that the old military "belt buckle" hold is at the genesis of their design. This is not desirable for my purposes.

At this point I am leaning toward buying a used stainless Ruger which would be fitted with a custom 23 inch fluted bbl with a front iron sight which would be regulated to work with an aftermarket Ruger aperture. This would be placed in a good synthetic stock with an aftermarket trigger along with decent glass. It will be my go everywhere do everything rifle, so if a horse falls and breaks the scope I want the ability to quickly install the peep, sight in and take deer sized game out to 300 or so yards. I am very comfortable shooting irons and know that such a shot is quite "doable" with practice, and it seems to be harder each year to find rifles with good iron sights.

Having said all of this, I will admit that Ruger actions are not my favorite, but given the scope/peep mounting system, the functionality would be ideal. If the rifle performs to my expectations, I could forego the custom bbl and happily shoot the bbl that comes on the action. Is there another option on the market that fits my needs? 'Stainless' and 'back up irons' are the "must haves" as I see plenty of options for the rest of the build. Merry Christmas and Thank You in advance.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

You could go with an FNH Winchester and install aftermarket. If you dropped the stainless requirement, CZ has a great selection of iron sighted rifles in 30-06.

This sounds much like my current build. I'm using a stripped 03A3 receiver, Kreiger barrel, laminate stock, good iron sights, and a good TAB sling.

 

[back40]

ruger's current rifles seem to be plenty accurate, so you may not need the custom bbl. i've used the rear aperture on the scout rifle, which i think would work just fine with a properly regulated front sight on any of their others. NECG make some nice sights as well.

i have a fn win m70 extreme weather. it would suit all of your requirements, but aftermarket irons would need to be installed, which is something i'm considering for mine.

 

[c.latrans]

Funny in a way, but we have a couple of generations of shooters now that in large measure have no concept of how accurate one can be with good irons. Not quite so funny with my over 50 eyes is the fact that I can still shoot aperture sights well, but regular notch or V style rear sights....not so much! LOL...it comes to us all, and I vividly remember giving my dad and his buddies heck when my eyeballs were 30 years younger! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!