Recommend me a 30-06 hunting rifle?

I have a quality collection of beloved milsurps, yet I do not have a designated bolt action hunting rifle and would like to start looking into one. What have you guys personally used and loved?

Requirements:
• 30-06 (it's big, it's popular, it's American)
• I want a laser beam. Something I can group tightly up to at least 600yds. (I know shooter, ammo, and optics also heavily affect this, but I need a stable platform to build from).
• synthetic stock. I love a nice wood stock as much as the next guy, but they require extra attention compared to a synthetic stock, and can lose lock up.
• won't break the bank

I love the idea of a scoped M1A for hunting, but everything I've read places a stock M1A's accuracy "okay." Upgrading to match M1A's helps, but that's some big bucks and requires allot of maintenance.

Thanks for looking!

Feel free to throw in the optic and ammo used as well!

Why don't you build your own then?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Why don't you build your own then?

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As a college student, I rarely have time to go to the range and hunt, much less take on a project like that. An AR is one thing, but that is a whole new beast. Plus I don't have a place to set up shop. Trust me, I'd love to, but at the moment it's just not a reasonable option.

Well, as a start you could look up the Remington 700 PSS or Sundero. It would make sense to start with something that was ready to run from the box.

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Originally Posted by garrettbragg12

Requirements:
• 30-06 (it's big, it's popular, it's American)
• I want a laser beam. Something I can group tightly up to at least 600yds. (I know shooter, ammo, and optics also heavily affect this, but I need a stable platform to build from).
• synthetic stock. I love a nice wood stock as much as the next guy, but they require extra attention compared to a synthetic stock, and can lose lock up.
• won't break the bank

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Check out the Remington Model 700 Long range. Don't know about requirement #2 but it fits the others spot on.

So far the general consensus is:

• M700
• Savage

And I really like the idea of an M70, isn't that what Hathcock used?

I'm going to start hitting the local stores to see what's around. But honestly it sounds like I can't go wrong with any of those 3.

I hate asking this question but, I've seen allot of people recommend .308.... Is there really that noticeable of a difference?


Thanks to all who have chimed in, you guys are great!

My recommendation for good affordable hunting rifle would be the Thompson/Center (Smith & Wesson Corp) Venture WS 5537 in 300 Win Mag and a Leupold VX-I 3-9x40mm scope.

It’s also available in 30.06 Springfield. The 300 Win Mag is just a more modern American cartridge and has more energy, velocity, etc.

T/C Venture™ Weather Shield® - Thompson/Center

Are you taking the girls hunting?

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Originally Posted by garrettbragg12

I hate asking this question but, I've seen allot of people recommend .308.... Is there really that noticeable of a difference?

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When reloading, you can make your ammo do just about anything you want. If you buy factory, you might as well go with .308. When it came out in the '50s, it was supposed to supersede .30 cal... .308 will work fine. To make .30 do what you want, you'll need to load your own. Some of the new magnum loadings from factory may come close.

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Originally Posted by garrettbragg12

So far the general consensus is:

• M700
• Savage

And I really like the idea of an M70,

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Originally Posted by garrettbragg12

it sounds like I can't go wrong with any of those 3.

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They've served me well for over 20 years.
Top down: Savage M10, .308 with factory barrel, McMillan A1 stock, Sharpshooter trigger and Leupold Mk.4 M1 scope in MSP base/rings.
Vietnam era SSA commemorative Remington M40, .308 straight out of the box w/ Leupold Mk.4 M3 scope in Redfield base and rings
Post '64 Winchester M70 target/varmint(mfg 1974) in .243 w/ Burris scope in Redfield base/rings. Only mod is the palm swell on the very slim wrist.
Nary a 30-06 in the bunch but none critters I shot with them were able to tell the difference.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

Nary a 30-06 in the bunch but none critters I shot with them were able to tell the difference.

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Agreed.

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Originally Posted by Vincent

My recommendation for good affordable hunting rifle would be the Thompson/Center (Smith & Wesson Corp) Venture WS 5537 in 300 Win Mag and a Leupold VX-I 3-9x40mm scope.

It’s also available in 30.06 Springfield. The 300 Win Mag is just a more modern American cartridge and has more energy, velocity, etc.

T/C Venture™ Weather Shield® - Thompson/Center

Are you taking the girls hunting?

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My son and each have a TC Venture, not in 30-06 but both are great shooters and would highly recommend one.