New Hunting Rifle Needed!

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Fly'nBuff

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My father called me today and asked me some questions about some hunting rifles. I'm more of a handgun nut, so I didn't have much to give him. He is looking at gettting a new hunting rifle with a scope for deer/elk hunting in Colorado. We have been shooting .30-06 for ages, so we figured it would be a good idea to stick with that caliber. He also has 3 other .30-06s, so it kinda makes sense. A guy at Cabela's tried to sell him on a .25-06, but neither of us thought that was a great idea. Your thoughts? As far a brand, I recommended Remington 700, Savage, Winchester 70, and Ruger. He doesn't want to spend more than $900-$1000 out the door with gun and scope. Neither of us a familiar with optics, so we don't kow where to go on this one. I know Leupold is good, but they might a bit out of the budget. Any recommendations? He looking to buy this week, so timely advice is appreciated. BTW, he's in Colorado Springs, so if any of you guys know of a good shop along the front range, I'm sure he would check them out. Thanks for any thing you guys got.
 
I like my Weatherby Vanguard Sporter in .30-06. I have a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm with a ballistic plex reticle on Warne bases and Warne QD rings. Total cost for a nice walnut full-size 24" bolt gun with scope was about $700 new; I got a deal on the bare rifle. Shouldn't top $850 regardless.

Burris Fullfield II is a VERY nice scope, for about $100 less than an equivalent Leupold. Weatherby Vanguard is similar to a 700, but with a stock design I prefer, and a safety that locks the bolt, and a better price tag. Also see Howa rifles: same action, different barrel lengths, different stocks.

That said, if you have three .30-06 rifles, why do you want another? That can help with any suggestions, since my guess is that you want something different from what you already have.
 
Well, my mistake. He only has his two there at the house. The third is here in Ohio. He currently has a newer composite Remmy 700 and a Savage. The reason he is looking for a new rifle is because my little brothers have caught the hunting bug and are looking to upgrade their 30-30. He wants to outfit the kids with a newer .30-06. Whatever, I can't argue with him getting my little bros into the sport and buying more guns. Thanks for the input on the scope. I'll pass the info along. Keep the input coming! :D
 
Stick with The .30-06

For a Couple of Reasons:

1) SAFETY First - He is getting his sons into hunting/shooting, and wants a new gun for them, but already has 30-06 rifles and ammo around; why take a chance and have TWO different types of .30 caliber ammo around, and increase the chances for an inadvertent loading error, when the 06 will do very nicely on elk? With Federal Premium ammo, the ballistics get pretty near the .300 Win Mag, and the 06 has a TON of good factory loads available.

2) Familiarity - with that mush practice with the 06, he'll shoot it better than any new round he tries. It already fits him, no need to changce with no time to get accustomed to the new caliber and recoil before hunting season.

Good luck, and good hunting.

Michael
 
cz, cz, or cz, then Savage. for glass, you can't go wrong with nikon, leupold, and Bushnell elite. All will be about 200 bucks, maybe less.
 
Ruger M77 mkII in .30-06, or other caliber if you like. Should come with the good Ruger proprietary rings. Top with a Nikon Monarch (my choice) or a Leopold VX-whatever you can afford (my fathers choice). At least this is my poison of choice...
 
Well, the deal is done. He went with a Remington 700 Mountain LSS in .30-06 with a 3-9x40 Leupold scope. Thanks for all the input. He said he spent more than he wanted to, but he's happy so I guess it doesn't matter. Thanks again.
 
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