Only one caliber

[edwardware]

You can only choose one caliber gun.

I value accuracy, history, and economy. I would buy the most accuracy .30-06 you can find.

under $750.

And you killed it. For that, a Ruger American or a Savage, but you'll need to let go of any inspirations of fine accuracy. It's a crapshoot in that price range.

 

[Picher]

Yeppers. So is my 30-30 and my 308 Norma Magnum. I used to have a couple of 30 Carbines (a carbine and a handgun) that were both 30 caliber too.

I used to have a .30-06 rifle, but now the only .30 caliber I own is a pen that my B.I.L. made for me.

 

[Picher]

I used to have a .30-06 rifle, but now the only .30 caliber I own is a pen that my B.I.L. made for me.View attachment 932869

The lever makes the tip extend/retract. Pretty cool! He gets the parts and turns/finishes the wooden part. He sells a few, but he just likes working on pens. They make great gifts for a special event.

He's a Vietnam veteran who's received State of Maine Silver Star and other honors.

JP

 

[Picher]

The wife found another one he gave us that's a .30 cal, but the clip is a small bolt action rifle.

 

[Mark Mahler]

I’m old school, and I have a love for the classic military rifles that have been sporterized, so either a 1903 Springfield or 1917 Enfield in 30-06. For me, it does it all. My ‘03 has a smoother action and slightly better trigger, but the Enfield is more accurate. It cost me $375. A beautiful historic weapon that is more accurate than I am. (To be clear - both these weapons were sporterized prior to me acquiring them. All I’ve added were the slings. )

 

[3Crows]

If I could only have one caliber, screw the targets and hand me my 45-70. In .45-70 I trust.

 

[Nature Boy]

I’m old school, and I have a love for the classic military rifles that have been sporterized,

Me too

 

[LoonWulf]

Me too

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Old school, with that new cool!

 

[LoonWulf]

View attachment 933021 I’m old school, and I have a love for the classic military rifles that have been sporterized, so either a 1903 Springfield or 1917 Enfield in 30-06. For me, it does it all. My ‘03 has a smoother action and slightly better trigger, but the Enfield is more accurate. It cost me $375. A beautiful historic weapon that is more accurate than I am. (To be clear - both these weapons were sporterized prior to me acquiring them. All I’ve added were the slings. )

I really like the 1903 in the fajen stock

 

[Picher]

Me too

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View attachment 933037

Me too

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Yeah and "Sporter-"eyes" too!

 

[Picher]

Me too

View attachment 933036

View attachment 933037

And "Sporter-Eyes" that help them shoot more accurately at distant targets, and/or dimmer light conditions.

 

[Mark Mahler]

I really like the 1903 in the fajen stock

She’s getting a Redfield aperture sight like the Enfield - that should level the playing field. A joy to shoot.

 

[3Crows]

I shoot my REP Marlin Guide Gun like it is a .22LR rifle. I reload so I can afford to and I use that Trail Boss powder for some 800+ FPS loads and MBC cast lead bullets, surprisingly accurate and very low recoil. Fun for shooting targets and whatever or load up to 1300 FPS with 4198 for deer and pigs, or step up to gas checked bullets for about 1600 FPS or for me above that level splurge for HMS Bear Load ammo for killing deer and hogs deader or BB or Garret for big bears, dangerous critters and elephants or dinosaurs that might happen about your woods.

Can I have my .22 rifle(s) though? I got about 100,000 rounds in stock! Go little or go big or go both.

 

[LoonWulf]

She’s getting a Redfield aperture sight like the Enfield - that should level the playing field. A joy to shoot.

If you haven't already bought one, in think I've still got an old one....unless I've already given it away which is possible....

 

[MacAR]

Three words: Thirty. Aught. Six.

By my estimate, the cartridge has killed more men and animals on the planet than any other. Its never failed to do what I've asked of it, either.

Here's mine:


Its a Remington 700 ADL, from the early 80's. It wears a Williams 5-D peep sight, and is sighted dead on at 150 yards. Much past that, and my eyes quit working.

And, my preferred bullet:

This is Remington's 180 grain round-nosed core-lokt. Getting hard to come by locally, but its my favorite round. It has a nasty habit of stopping critters in their tracks, which I appreciate. I have other loads, down to 100 grain cast lead, that I use on the local varmint population to good effect. But mostly, the old 700 stays loaded with 180's. Because sometimes you just gotta stop something Right Now.

All that being said, 700's are cheap enough, especially in '06. You could likely find one with a scope in nice shape for around $500 or so. Perhaps more depending on the glass (I prefer Bushnell, YMMV). That would leave you enough to buy a couple different types of ammo to try, and also some accessories like a sling, etc. That's what I'd do, any way.

Mac

 

[Oldschool shooter]

My go-to here when hunting in northern Michigan is 6.5x55. But I would choose 30-06. I like the option of a heavy 220gr. Factory load for something like bear. With that posdible exception, I would be comfortable with any you have listed, and I have rifles in each of those 3 as well.

 

[Laphroaig]

By my estimate, the cartridge has killed more men and animals on the planet than any other.

I'm not sure about animals, but man-wise I'd bet the .303 British has it beat.

 

[LoonWulf]

I'm not sure about animals, but man-wise I'd bet the .303 British has it beat.

With the popularity of the .303 in other parts of the world, id probably give it animals as well.
But again, the .308s seen its share of mayhem as well......

 

[ms6852]

I was about 9 or ten when I first noticed how blue the sky really was, ever since I have remained loyal to the 30-06.

 

[MacAR]

I'm not sure about animals, but man-wise I'd bet the .303 British has it beat.

With the popularity of the .303 in other parts of the world, id probably give it animals as well.
But again, the .308s seen its share of mayhem as well......

Fair points. The 303 has had a very long service life, and it wouldn't surprise me if it still saw a lot of use in ex-empire countries. Perhaps I should revise that to say " North America". That might be more accurate.

Mac

 

[Plainsman]

You can only choose one caliber gun. It is going to be used for target shooting and possibly hunting. Which would it be and why?
270
308
30/06

Suggestions on rifle to buy under $750.

I have only one of these three; the .308 Winchester!

If I need smaller, I have .223, .25-06; rimfire and PCCs.
If I need bigger, I goto .338 RCM or .444Marlin.

 

[Picher]

You can only choose one caliber gun. It is going to be used for target shooting and possibly hunting. Which would it be and why?
270
308
30/06

Suggestions on rifle to buy under $750.

Check the bores for rust, especially the muzzle end, and get a money-back guarantee, should you "discover" problems when shooting it.

I'm really surprised YOU didn't say 270.

One gun for me would be my 6.5x55.

He gave only three choices and said that it was primarily for range use and possible hunting. Of the 3, the .308 stands out as a range cartridge because it can be loaded down a bit and still be very accurate and have less recoil, which is always welcome when shooting lots of rounds downrange.

Funny, though...I've never owned a .308 because there are less-recoiling and equally accurate cartridges for the range and better hunting cartridges for my needs. (Less drop while retaining energy, like...here it comes, hold onto your hats: the .270 Win!!!) You didn't think I'd let you folks get away without mentioning my fav, did you?

 

[Jack Hinson]

https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/reloading/reloading-the-flexible-and-forgiving-30-06-springfield

When it comes to powder and bullet combinations, few cartridges beat the grand old .30-06 Springfield.

• Like its applications, the .30-06 Springfield’s reloading potential is incredibly versatile.
• Its bullet section is vast, additionally, it might be compatible with the widest varieties of powders of any cartridge.
• Given these factors, the .30-06 is open to a lot of experimentation.
• Generally, the neck tension is good enough that it doesn’t require crimping.
• The author has had the best results with Federal Gold Medal Match GM210M powde

 

[Mark Mahler]

If you haven't already bought one, in think I've still got an old one....unless I've already given it away which is possible....

Wow thanks! I’ve got one that I found on eBay. She’s at my local gunsmith shop as we speak getting the upgrade. Then I can really do an apples to apples comparison between the two rifles.

 

[Mark Mahler]

I really like the 1903 in the fajen stock

Ok I gotta know - how could you tell that it was a Fajin stock? I’m more than a little impressed by that.