New Deer rifle - 30-06 or .270 and Brand

[usmarine0352_2005]

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Man, I've got some hard choices now.


I'm looking at getting a new deer rifle that can also second as an elk rifle if need be.


I am debating between 2 things:


a. Rifle Brand

b. Caliber




A. The Rifle Brand:



Note - the rifle will be synthetic stock in stainless.


1.) Browning X-Bolt

2.) Sako A7

3.) Ruger M77 Hawkeye Ultra light

4.) Winchester Model 70



B. The Caliber:

1.) .270

2.) .30-06



What do you think?




Also, please put why you made your choice on specific caliber and brand. (Especially if you have experience with said brands.)






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[gga357]

Me personally:
30-06 M70

else M77 30-06

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

Me personally:
30-06 M70

else M77 30-06

Why the .30-06 over the .270?

 

[Yo2slick]

I am looking at the Browning X-bolt Hunter in 30-06. Its a sweet rifle. But I do like the Winchester Model 70 but I like the older ones.

30-06 is my choice over .270 because you can do anything with the 06. Load it light or heavy. I wouldnt feel under gunned taking my 30-06 to harvest anything here in North America.

 

[jmr40]

A: Anything but the Browning

B: Flip a coin

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

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I really like the stocks on the Browning X-Bolt, but it being softer, I was wondering if there might be longetivity issues.


For jmr40, why not the Browning?

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[jmr40]

I really prefer the CRF and safety on the Ruger or Winchester. Sako quality is great, although I did not notice the A7 when I read your post initially. I will revise my post to say a tie between the Ruger and Winchester with the Sako coming in a close 2nd. To me the Browning offers nothing special. Their styling just does not suit my tastes.

 

[jbkebert]

My vote is for the .270 in TC icon. I know it is not one of the choices listed below I would make a close second on a Savage model 14 also in .270

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

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I'm looking for something in the $900 range.

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[bang_bang]

This is a tough debate...

I would go with the Model 70 make, I have one in 7mm Rem Mag and love the thing.

As for caliber, too close to call. Although if you're also wanting it for elk, I would lean towards the 30-06. I would feel more comfortable with the bigger bullet.

 

[sarduy]

Sako-a7

30-06

 

[benzy2]

Of those 4 I would take either the Winchester or Sako. For caliber I think I would go .30-06 but thats because I have a .30-06 already, have a bit of ammo for it, and have started reloading for it so I could walk into that caliber a little easier.

 

[Savage99]

Get a rifle made in the USA.

The larger caliber will be better for larger game.

 

[Runningman]

Of the four choices my vote would be for Sako A7.

The 270 Win would be an excellent choice. My own experience is a 270 Win will work just fine on Elk.

 

[jbkebert]

Savage model 14 classic $760






TC Icon classic $799

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

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Note, this would be one of the new Winchester Model 70's, with the new trigger design.

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[jbkebert]

Here is my take on the rifles yuo have choosen granted it only my feelings.

I looked at a new model 70 Winchester not long ago at Cabela's the bolt had a burr or something. But it was horrible did not cycle properly maybe just the rifle I had in my hands but I was not impressed.

The Ruger is a good rifle but has a very heavy trigger pull

I owned a Sako 75 and the accuracy was less than impressive best group I ever fired was 2 1/8" at 100 yards tried both 4 brands of factory ammo and two diffrent handloads. I sold that gun quick and got it away from my safe.

I do not have any experience with the browning the A bolts seem like pretty good rifles i do not know about the x bolts never messed with one.

The T/C Icon had the smoothest bolts out of any I have tried and the safety moves like a piece of glass. Silent when moved but stays where you want it.

Savage in my eyes remains one of the most accurate factory rifles on the market with the accu trigger it would make you a fine gun.

 

[mljdeckard]

I always start with a Remington 700 and then see if there's any reason to get something different. There usually isn't. (For me, anyway.) Barring that, I would put the most faith in the Winchester, although all of my experience is with older ones, I haven't played with any of the newer models. And every time I say Remington, I have three friends try to steer me towards a Savage. (I shot one with the Accu-Trigger, I couldn't see what the big deal was.)

As for the caliber, the -06 might have a slight edge in versatility, but really, HONESTLY, I can't imagine a job I can do with a 180 gr -06 that I can't do with a 130 gr .270. INCLUDING ELK at any range I can hit them at.

 

[gga357]

USmarine, I like the 30-06. I reload for it. It is a top seller therefore on the shelf evrywhere. In recent years as new bullet designs become available th .308 version will always be among the first available.

Also both Winchester and 30-06 just have a mystic for me. I have already asked my dealer/friend to get me the first new super grade M70 in 30-06 he can get his hands on.

 

[cliffy]

.243 Winchester Verus .30/06 Springfield

A deer is a deer, even it be a massive Roosevelt Elk. Accuracy of bullet placement discounts shere horsepower immensely. Up to 600 pound Body Weight, a 100 grain premium bullet, well-placed, in .243 Winchester will slay your foe with "four-in-the-air. A .30/06 Springfierld with 165 grain premium fare will best any "monster" within the lower forty-eight. Recoil tolerance, required horsepower, equal AIM ability. Twixt .243 and .30/06 remain a lot of varibles of power. If you're unconsciously fearing the recoil, your aim will wander. Don't listen to Magnum Shooters who pooh-pooh a solid hit from a .243 Winchester strike. Most of those MAGNUM shooters are hard-pressed to hold steady when the powder charge hits the bullet during lock-time. cliffy

 

[hometheaterman]

I don't think you can go wrong with either caliber. When I got my rifle a few years ago I couldn't decide between the two. I got the one I found in a semi auto rifle like I wanted first. It was a 30-06 and I'm glad I got it. Ammo is easy to find anywhere and there are enough different grains you can use it on most anything. I wouldn't hesitate to get the .270 either especially if it was cheaper. If they were the same price I'd probably pick the 30-06. As for brands I'm a fan of Browning but all of the ones you listed are nice guns.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Strictly deer?

.270

In a Browning of course.

 

[TexasEd]

Go to a gun shop and handle those rifles and see what fits. They are all quality rifles. Win & Ruger have controlled feed. The other two are push feed. Any will work. As far as caliber go with the 30-06. It's in every store and you can get high priced ammo or cheaper ammo to practice with. With the 06 your good up to Moose - Don't labor over this...again get to the store and get your hands on some product...you will figure it out. Good Luck

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Among your choices, Sako, without a doubt. Caliber, take your pick.

If you changed X-bolt to A-bolt, then that'd be the 2nd choice. Otherwise, Winchester is 2nd choice. I don't understand why people would pay more for a cheapened/plasticized A-bolt.

 

[woof]

Consider CZ 550 as well