New (to me) rifle

[Fish_Scientist]

Just thought I'd drop a line and say that I bought a new (to me) rifle the other day. I bought a used Remington 700 .30-06 built in May of 1962. Other than a bit of dust, the action is smooth and the bluing is almost perfect. To top it off, the rifle still has an old Bausch and Lomb scope on it as well. This scope/base combo is the type in which the adjustments are in the base rather than the scope itself. As a result, the scope can be moved to different rifles if needed. I'm not a collector, and when I paid the gentleman, I told him so and mentioned that I was going to put the rifle to good use on deer and elk this fall. His response? "Well, that's what the damn thing was built for."

This is my first high-power rifle, one that I've been saving up for (firearms don't come easy on a graduate student budget) for some time. I'd been looking for a used Remington 700 in good condition in my price range; I believe that I lucked out in finding this rifle.

Here's a question, though: what's the best way to go about finding out what type of rounds this rifle likes best? I've used Winchester ballistic Silvertips in rifles I've borrowed in the past; should I just start there or begin with something less expensive?

Anyway, I've been reading THR for some time but joined only recently. I lurk more than participate, but enjoy offering my thoughts and ideas whenever I can.

Steven

 

[rocinante]

Feels good when you get a deal that feels satisfying. Wish I was in Montana with a fine rifle like that. Elks be a mite scarce in Georgia.

 

[jpwilly]

Steven, sounds like you bought a nice Rifle from back in the day. I hope it serves you well. Try as many loadings as you like. For hunting I just pick the type of bullet that will serve my purpose and do some testing at the range. If they shoot 2" or better at 100yrds than good enough. On the other hand if I'm punching paper I want loads that consistantly shoot under 1"

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // congrats on getting what you wanted. //

I am in S.C. so I really can't say what is best for the sawtooth range. Have fun figuring it out .

 

[plumbernater]

Hi , I bought some remington premier ballstic tip 150 gr. that is really good in my remington 700 . Before those I always shot remingtons core lock and they done well. I love my 700 and you will to they are smooth actioned. Have fun.

 

[rangerruck]

Man!!!! a B#L scope , fixed reticle, on a adjusting base; I don't know what you paid for this rifle, but that setup alone is worth it. I think B#L is still used for the glass, if you get a 3200 or 4200 Series bushnell, and that is about it, and even that is a maybe. That scope should last about 5 lifetimes.

First- I would love to know what you paid for it, unless it was so good, the price makes me cry.
second- for ammo choices, I don't know what you are looking for accuracy wise, but any of the lowline softpoints from remmy or winny will do the job, Federal blue box I personally think is the best of the low end cartridges. I would try them first, they usually run from about 12 to 16 bucks a box,
for box store prices. you might even try Monarch brass line, which is even cheaper; about 8 to 12 bucks a box, if you have Monarch in your area.

 

[Sav .250]

" Well that`s what the damn thing was built for." A wise old man.

 

[Fish_Scientist]

First- I would love to know what you paid for it, unless it was so good, the price makes me cry.

Rangerruck, I paid $400 for the whole shebang. Hopefully that won't make you cry! There may have been better deals to be had, but I felt like I got this rifle and scope for a song. It was exactly what I wanted and a great price to boot.

The scope is a fixed power 6x. I don't believe I'm good enough to warrant a brand new, variable power, $200+ scope, so I'm planning on sticking with this one for now. If (and this is a big "if") I ever find the scope limiting my ability, I'll upgrade. For now, though, this rifle/scope combination is all I need!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I won't be able to get out to the range until Tuesday, but I bought a box of Remington CoreLokt and Winchester Ballistic Silvertips. Sadly, these were the only two .30-06 rounds that I could find locally. Hopefully the shelves will be full again by hunting season.

Steven

 

[mgkdrgn]

For stuff in 30-06 to just "send downrange", you might want to look at the CMP. It takes a while to come, but it's cheap!

 

[C-grunt]

UUUMMMMmmmmmmmmm............ Where's the pictures???

 

[Fish_Scientist]

For stuff in 30-06 to just "send downrange", you might want to look at the CMP. It takes a while to come, but it's cheap!

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know that the CMP sold ammo. Ultimately, I'd like to find the round that this rifle prefers, especially if I have my first elk in the crosshairs this fall!

UUUMMMMmmmmmmmmm............ Where's the pictures???

On their way! I've had to spend this beautiful late-summer weekend indoors writing. Believe me, I'd rather be shooting my new purchase.

Steven

 

[fase3]

I have a number of rifles with variable power scopes on them. Most are Swarovski with a couple of Leupolds thrown in. For my deer hunting acroos the bean fields here at my farm here in south La the scopes remain set on six power 95% of the time. Sight that nice gun and scope in then go get you some venison with it. Good hunting!

 

[Fish_Scientist]

UUUMMMMmmmmmmmmm............ Where's the pictures???

Ask and ye shall receive:









I'm relatively new to high powered rifles (this is my first), so here's the question: in the bottom picture, what's the hole for that is immediately in front of the breech?

Thanks -

Steven

 

[Birdmang]

Gas escape thing?

Guess^

 

[jester_s1]

The hole is a gas escape. If you blow a case head, the hole helps minimize damage to the gun. Congrats on the new rifle. As long as your scope holds zero and is clear, you'll never need more than 6 power for hunting. Less occasionally, but not more.

As for ammo, the cheap stuff pops deer just fine. For elk, get a 180 gr or 200 gr bonded core bullet. Every maker has one, and they all work fine.

 

[browningguy]

If you want to try lower priced ammo first I would look at the S&B, then the standard grade Federal, then Remington, I've had good luck with all 3 of those in different rifles. The biggest difference may well come from changing bullet weight, if you are hunting mainly deer size game then try 150's first, if Elk and larger game are on the menu regularly then I would personally try to find a 180 gr. load it liked.

Also I have found that any rifle that will not shoot decent with the Hornady SST load proably won't shoot at all.