Not really familiar with hunting rifles... Little help (Income tax refund purchase)

[Vitamin G]

Here's the good old "What are you going to do with your income tax refund?" question...

I'd really like an accurate, long(er) range rifle, preferably in 30-06 since I hear its more versatile than the .308 if i'm handloading. I'd like to stay below about $500 total, excluding the optics. My range has a gong at about 500yards I'd love to hear ring a couple times.

I've surfed around and don't really any "Oh THAT one, THAT is the one" rifles that stand out for me, but the accu-trigger (savage i think?) seems pretty nice. I dont really have any experince with hunting rifles, just battlerifles and my 10/22.
It should be bolt action, as you can't hunt in PA with a semi-auto.
I'd like to keep it 30-06 for the sake of simplicity (Uncle and Cousin also use)
And is 1\2 or even 3\4 MOA accuracy too much to ask in this price range? 1MOA? (On a benchrest with a good day on my part, of course)

Any suggested brands\upgrades?
What AM i going to do with my tax refund check???

 

[Waffen]

You're going to get probably 20 replies with about 20 different rifle suggestions. I'll "Start the bidding" by suggesting a Remington 700 SPS in 30-06. You can easily grab a stainless/synthetic for about $450, then purchase a new $50 trigger presto, you have a real accurate rifle.

I did just the same as I listed above and have an absolute tack driver. This SPS shoots so well for whatever reason. It will flat out shoot better than any other rifle, some of thoes other rifles total $2000.

People will list Savage, ruger, Tikka, Stevens, Cooper, and Winchester. I honestly believe they are good rifles, but you can't go wrong with a Remington, there are 1000 different aftermarket parts out there too.

http://home.austin.rr.com/mikesguns/3006.JPG

All you will ever need to know for loading the 30-06 is IMR 4350. I can load it behind any 165gr or 180gr bullet and get great results. I don't know if it's just this specific rifle or what, but it shoots so well it's amazing.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Your initial instinct is right -- Savage is the way to go in your price range. In fact, in any price range, Savage will give other rifles a run for their money in the accuracy department.

 

[willsnipe]

I'm a big fan of the Remington 700, but $ for $ the savage is hard to beat. I'm not in love with the accutrigger though. If I was headed that direction, I'd get the Stevens (built by Savage) and spend some of the $ saved on an aftermarket trigger. I personally LOVE the Sharpshooter, but there are several very good ones out there.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

What part of PA? What kind of cover? Pecentage of ops over 100yds? Do you own the primary hunting land? If so a longer gun is fine, if not go to a carbine. By the way try a .308, close to same ballistics as 30-06, but keeps gun weight down and action shorter. Remington or Browning are good but $, Ruger 77 is cheap with better wood and action.

 

[tg_26101]

I'm a Remington guy, but in your price range, you're probably on target with the Savage. They're generally very accurate. Maybe also take a look, at the Ruger 77 series. The integral rings will save some money overall, and they shoot well also.

 

[Terrierman]

If you purchase a Remington Model 700, I will practically guarantee you will never regret it. Ever. Others are good none are better. Plus it's still made right here in the good old U.S. of A.

 

[asknight]

The stocks that came on both of my Remington 700 ADLs are junk. Flimsy plastic, like the SPS stock, and completely unable to be bedded successfully. The barrel does not float as the stocks have a bump molded into the forearm to push the barrel up. If you try to grind the bump out to float the barrel, your forearm will be utterly flimsy and flex into the barrel anyway.

Thank goodness Boyd's has the walnut JRS Classic's for about $115 each. The only plastic stock I'll own is an HS or McMillan.

In the case of the original poster, I have to recommend Savage. He doesn't talk like he wants to have to swap stocks and other parts as soon as he gets his new rifle. Savage's synthetic stocks are leaps and bounds more durable and sturdy than Remington's.

 

[Vitamin G]

Well its starting to look like a Savage then... Either with the accu-trigger or standard and have it swapped right out for some match trigger.
What are reasonable (typical) out of the box MOA's for the savage and rem?