Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

B

Burton

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 11, 2005
98
0
Michigan
#1
Hello,

My father-in-law has been wanting to get a new deer rifle in .308 or 30/06 that delivers sub-moa groups. I have made some suggestions to him, but he is a very particular person. What kind of bolt action deer rifles do you fellas have in .308 or 30/06 that produce sub-moa groups? He is a classic walnut stock sort of guy with a bad shoulder, so he isnt looking for anything "tactical" or super heavy. I think he will spend up to $800 or so on a new rifle. What do you guys think?

This is also posted in the hunting/fishing forum, but since I am looking for a bolt gun, thought it would be appropriate here as well.

Any suggestions?

Thank You!
 
#2
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Savage American Classic in .308 if he likes nice wood with low recoil. For out the box accuracy at the best price, a Savage will be hard to beat.
 
#4
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Weatherby vanguard is guaranteed sub moa out of the box and typically do better. Very well built action too, much better than what you get from remington or savage these days.
 
#7
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Do it to it then man. The new vanguards have a two stage trigger and pretty good aftermarket support. I doubt you're going to find a better shooting rifle for anywhere close to the price and you would basically have to drop $1000+ on a Sako or MKV to beat the quality.
 
#9
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

If all he ever intends to shoot are deer then get the .308 lower recoil then the 30.06 and still has enough power to put down a deer. If he might want to do some larger game hunting like bear the 30.06 might be a better option.
 
#12
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

M700 or Winchester M70. Both would probably be sub-moa accurate if new guns. For recoil, the 308 is noticeably less than the 30-06. My 7-08 has even less felt recoil, and would be excellent for deer.

s
 
#13
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

He got his hands on a Tikka and thought the bolt was kind of sloppy. I think he is leaning towards a Weatherby Vanguard, or a TC Venture currently.
 
#15
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

I have a TC Venture and it is accurate. I really like the 5R rifling. The one thing
I did was fill the forend with some epoxy and cleaned it up with a round rasp so the barrel was still free floated. That's my only bitch, is the stock is crap. hopefully somebody is going to start making a good aftermarket stock.
 
#16
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

With a bad shoulder, why .308 or .30-06? Does it really need to be sub-MOA? Is he capable of sub-MOA in the field?

That said, I'd look into Sako, Tikka, Remington CDLs.
 
#17
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Seems like .308 or 30/06 has pretty mild recoil, and is therefore easier on the shoulder than something larger, yet offers lots of loadings with typically good terminal ballistics.

He has pretty solid fundamentals, and is quite accurate from un-supported and other positions typically encountered in the field.

Why not get a rifle capable of sub-moa groups, if one is available in the price range?

Thanks for all the reccomendations thus far. I think we are going to take a field trip to Cabelas and handle a bunch of rifles.

--> tomf. I agree there is a shortage of decent stocks on rifles under $800. I would rather just buy the barrelled acion for less money and find my own stock!
 
#18
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

.30-06 or .308 may be easy on the shoulder compared to, say a .338 Lapua, but by all means, on a sporter rifle, its hardly "easy" on the shoulder for a guy with a bad one. Its just white tail, they don't need massive bullets to kill them. Considered .243? .25-06? .260? .270? Easier on the shoulder, better trajectory, what's not to love?
 
#19
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

I am a Remington fan but I have a Vanguard in .300 Weatherby that does 1/2 MOA and I got it new a few years back for under $400. It doesn't get better than that for a hunting firearm. With the money saved get the best scope you can afford. For deer a .308 is more than ample.
 
#20
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Burton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seems like .308 or 30/06 has pretty mild recoil, and is therefore easier on the shoulder than something larger, yet offers lots of loadings with typically good terminal ballistics.

He has pretty solid fundamentals, and is quite accurate from un-supported and other positions typically encountered in the field.

Why not get a rifle capable of sub-moa groups, if one is available in the price range?

Thanks for all the reccomendations thus far. I think we are going to take a field trip to Cabelas and handle a bunch of rifles.

--> tomf. I agree there is a shortage of decent stocks on rifles under $800. I would rather just buy the barrelled acion for less money and find my own stock! </div></div>

For an upgraded stock from the tupperware models, my Winchester Extreme Weather is excellent. When I ordered the rifle I had plans to change it. Once it arrived I was most pleased. Sometimes it is better to pay for the deluxe models as you have less to change down the road.

On my Remington XCR, the fit and finish of the metal is excellent. I have heard of some SPS models being very rough. Perhaps Remington makes sure that their high end models is excellent in every way.

For moderate recoil, I would go with the 30-06. 125 grain to 150 grain if the shoulder is sensitive, or 180 grain + if not.
 
#21
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Does it really need to be sub-MOA? Is he capable of sub-MOA in the field?

</div></div>

cool.gif
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I was at the range earlier this week, bitching about the groups I was shooting and a BR shooter next door said "it's not the arrow, it's the Indian".

How true. Even with a sub-moa rifle, a hit may still be an issue of chance if the shooter's "accuracy challenged" in the field.

(BTW, my groups sucked because the scope base loosened up. I guess I'm just "maintenance challenged".)
 
#22
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Since I can push a 178HPBT from my 308 as fast as a 180 in 06 Id go for the 308, Weatherby Vanguard or Remington SPS. My 308 looks like this, the sporter version that is. Bottom rifle is the 308.
IMG_0144.jpg

IMG_0580.jpg

And this is how it shoots at 200yds.
 
#23
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

The new FN/Winchesters are very nice. However, I would recommend
a Savage 14 stainless in. 308 It's imo the best deer (white tail)
round you can use. It has the right amount of kinetic energy.
Out of the box Accuracy you will not beat a Savage.
 
#24
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulL01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Out of the box Accuracy you will not beat a Savage. </div></div>

Not always true. Perhaps in certain price ranges. My 5-R Remmy seems to out shoot most Savages hunting rifles that I see at our local range.
 
#25
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulL01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Out of the box Accuracy you will not beat a Savage. </div></div>

Not always true. Perhaps in certain price ranges. My 5-R Remmy seems to out shoot most Savages hunting rifles that I see at our local range. </div></div>

I agree, its a complete wash. I've seen just as many savages that shot like crap as I have seen remingtons. I would give the nod to remington for consistently making more accurate guns. Sorry but I've just never seen a savage that would shoot as good as a lot of the remingtons I've seen shoot or had. I've had remingtons that were one holers, and I don't mean one ragged hole.

I haven't owned many savages though, only two centerfires and a few rimfires. The centerfires didn't shoot bad but weren't anything to write home about. The rimfires shot like crap, I bought three 17HMR's just trying to get one that shot. Two thumbhole heavy barrels and one wood stocked heavy barrel, none of them would shoot better than 2MOA. Also had a TRR in the boyds that wouldn't shoot better than 3-4MOA. Two friends ordered a pair of TRR-SR's despite my warning, put them in boyd's stocks and one shot 3-4" at 50 yards and the other shot 1.5-2" which isn't anything great.

Don't even get me started on the accutrigger people rave about.
 
#26
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: redneckbmxer24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Don't even get me started on the accutrigger people rave about. </div></div>

grin.gif
grin.gif


Same here. If I wanted a "French Tickler" on a trigger I'd buy a glock
eek.gif
eek.gif


Don't own one of them either.
 
#27
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

RUGER AMERICAN

Really good accuracy, synthetic stock <span style="font-weight: bold">W/ innovative bedding system</span>, short lift bolt, great trigger and an excellent price for all the advanced features.

(But I'm sticking with my .308 Savage 99 C lever gun. Best deer rifle ever made - IMHO.)
 
#28
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

I think that a sub-moa gun is important. I am not under the guise that a sub-moa rifle will make every shooter shoot sub-moa groups. I do however think that one should have the most accurate and precise rifle that they can get within their price range, provided it fits and handles well. If a shooter is not capable of sub-moa groups, then a rifle that is less accurate is only going to magnify any in-accuracy that is caused by a shooter or equipment problems. The effects will stack.
 
#30
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Burton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think that a sub-moa gun is important. I am not under the guise that a sub-moa rifle will make every shooter shoot sub-moa groups. I do however think that one should have the most accurate and precise rifle that they can get within their price range, provided it fits and handles well. If a shooter is not capable of sub-moa groups, then a rifle that is less accurate is only going to magnify any in-accuracy that is caused by a shooter or equipment problems. The effects will stack.



</div></div>
Maybe for a sniper rifle or long range competition but for hunting????

Whatever happened to the days when hunters really were hunters. They learned how to approach game with stealth and a rifle with open or "iron" sights was more than adequate.

I guess the only real hunters left are those who use black powder rifles or are Bow Hunters. The rest are merely "Game Snipers".
 
#31
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KOTM-Direct</div><div class="ubbcode-body">whatever he gets it sounds like a brake would be appropriate to reduce felt recoil. I have had good luck using the Vais brake on one of my hunting rifles. </div></div>

A brake on a hunting rifle? If you need a brake on a hunting rifle you need a different rifle or caliber.



OP if you do put a brake on it make sure he has good health insurance that covers hearing aids.
 
#32
Re: Reccomendation on a 308 or 30/06 bolt gun for deer

Easiest answer is the savage 10PC.

Fairly light, accu-stock is a good stock with a nice recoil pad. Easily sub-moa, closer to 3/4 moa capable.
 
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