I have a Remington 700 adl .30-06 black synthetic but I'm thinking about switching to a new caliber, how much is this rifle worth? I'm not a big hunter I mostly fish so I don't know to much about guns. The rifle has not had more than 40 rounds through it. Any recommendations would be great I've been doing a little research and have found that people love tikka's and sakos but I'm just not sure.

I'm going to be mounting a vortex viper 6.5-20x50 glass on the next rifle. I was thinking maybe a .270 or a .308

Thanks

There's no need to change calibers. Ig I was in your shoes and wanted a change, I'd buy a better scope, upgrade your trigger, and bed the action.

Agreed.

X3

Why are you thinking about switching cartridges? On another note a 6.5-20x50 is overkill for a 30-06 unless you will be shooting at animals way way out there.

what is it about the 30-06 you don't like? its a great all around caliber, but if recoil bothers you, get a 7mm-8

You've got a classic there, that'll do pretty much anything for North America. You don't "need" to switch to something else, but switch if you feel like it. I second upgrading the trigger and bedding the action if you keep it. Look at handloading, that can make a mediocre rifle turn into a great rifle.

Based on factory Center Fire Rifle ammo sale rates, the 3 calibers you are trying to decide between are probably the 3 most popular calibers in the US. Either or any one of them will do what youv've ID'ed as what you seek to be able to accomplish.

Like Boo said, I also think the power ring on the scope selection is a little over kill. What others have said about bedding & triggers yadda yadda are spot on and worth paying close attention to.

As has been said elsewhere I also think it was...trigger time once you get the hardware issues settled, is critical, and why I learned to reload going thru this same kind of what if this or why not that'un and why is that'un over there more better??'s in 1969....and still not 1000% satisfied 'cause I still like to pick the fly poop outta the pepper just for funsies.

OBTW Ask Chad about what he found in the unknown differences in Factory Ammo from small batch lot to lot, regardless of bullet/ammo brand or caliber and it's Effects on a rifles accuracy. By learning to reload you take away that a large % of that unknown factor, based on the level of your craftsmanship and willingness to keep an open mind and keep experimenting past a proven recipe. Chad's info is an eye Opener for sure.
Ron

There are NO flies on the .30-06 so if you're thinking there's something wrong with the cartridge and that is why you're considering other calibers, then you're on the wrong track for sure. If it's just a desire for a change, then I get it.

I don't believe I'd put a 6.5-20x on a rifle chambered in a big game round. A 2-7x, 2.5-8x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x, or even a 4-12x or 4-16x would be sensible.

I would go another route.

I don't know what you hunt or where, but a lighter kicking rifle might make shooting more fun. Consider a Tikka T3 lite stainless in 260 or 6.5 Creedmore, with a 20 inch barrel. Light rifle, light recoil. Consider it a sort of 270 Lite. I really like the one I have.

Get a good recoil pad, if it kicks to hard down size on the bullet grain. I don't use anything larger than the 150 grain. Now if you going for elk I up to 180. Everything here in Texas the 150 is fine.
If you like the rifle you have do the mentioned upgrades. The 06 is a good all around caliber.

I like 700 ADL's by the way. I have a .270 and the stock is pretty cheesy. I've thought about replacing the stock a couple of times but stopped at the last minute because the rifle is very accurate as is.

270 30-06 308 are all great rounds for hunting.

the 30-06 offers you more options than the others do from 125 grain to 220 grain.

308 and 270 will be fantastic hunting rounds also just not as many options in grain size.

Sako's are sweet and so are Tikka's.

I love my Sako 30-06 with a 3-9 X 40 which is perfect for anything under 400 yards. I prefer the 150's because they do not kick much.

My T3 in .30-'06 is my main go-to rifle.

With a caveat.

When I first got the rifle, I did NOT like the factory synthetic stock on it at all. Recoil was pretty harsh. Replaced it with a B&C stock,and now it's like a completely different rifle. Fits me perfectly, MUCH better barrel float which contributed to the improved accuracy, and the perceived recoil is reduced as well. I handload for it and she's a tack driver that I can pretty much hunt wherever I want to with. Did the exact same thing with my T3 in 7mm-08 Remington with the same results.

My point is, your Remmy 700 '06 is an excellent and versatile platform for a multitude of different hunting situations and game. You might try a upgraded stock with a good bedding job, DEFINITELY UPGRADE TO AN AFTERMARKET TRIGGER IF YOUR CURRENT ONE IS FACTORY (I recommend a Timney, ymmv). A QUALITY 3-9 or 4-12 scope will pretty much cover most hunting situations you'll encounter. Mine wears a modest 4-12 Nikon Buckmasters BDC (I know, I know... ) SF. Not a super long distance rig, but for me it's perfect for anything inside 300 yards.

Lastly, hand load ammo for the rifle. If you don't, then go see Chad on here for the good stuff.

ETA: One of my other go-to rifles is in .270 Win. (Browning XBolt), and it's a great round as well.

Why can't those bullet weights be loaded for .308 Win?

I should just keep the 700 it was after all my first rifle, the recoil does not brother me I was dazzled by the idea of a tikka in stainless lol. What type of scope should I mount on my rifle? I walked into the Cabelas here recently and I felt like a female at an auto part store when I was looking at the scopes, I have no idea where to start. The Vortex was given to me by my brother I guess I save it for a long range build. I Really don't want to spend more than 200 on a scope because of college payments I have coming up.

The trigger on my 700 is crappy to say the least I would love to replace it but I just can’t ATM. I would like to learn how to hand load but I just don't have the time I have to balance school and work I have enough trouble balancing the two already.

I usually get invited to go on hunts usually South Texas or Central Texas. My brother and I are looking for a place to lease but have not had any luck every lease we find is just outrageously priced. I love South Texas hunts but I haven’t been able to find something.

Like I said I’m very new to the hunting scene to I’m not too sure where to look for a lease where the best deer populations are. If I do find a place, I don’t know what to look for in a piece of land shows that there is a decent population of deer other than taking someone’s word for it.

Ill tell yall what though, im ready for dove season

Go back to Cabela's. There are several good scopes in the $200.00 range there.
Burris Fullfield II
Vortex Diamondback
Nikon ProStaff
Leupold VX-1
Pick the one you see the best out of. Cabela's will mount it for you at no charge. As to the trigger I would save up and get an aftermarket one. I like Timney but there are several good ones.

Welcome to a reality check of living on a beginners budget in a world of options that all cost more than your budget allows.

Your Remmy 30'06 is a good beginners place to start from, albeit it probably does need a new trigger. The scope IMO is main issue to address, so set the bigger than necessary piece of glass back in the closet for the moment, well wrapped in a towel, and lets see if you can find a non budget busting alternative to hunt with than too big for the application Vortex Viper.

Decide right now how much money you can afford to spend on a piece of glass without getting hurt. That's ? #1. ?#2 is what can you buy for that $$. I'd be thinking something used one of of the mid/low level brands in a 3x9x40, tons of critters have been killed for lots of years with that scope power range in way cheap pieces of glass over the last 50-60 years but you never know whats out there when you want to buy. IMO Some of the older scopes made in Japan are better made than their current Chinese made similar brands ...I saw somewhere in my wanderings on the 'net last week a Charles Daly brand Japanese made 3x9x40 in great shape for $50 for example that would do the job, as it probably was made in the same plant as Burris ....ya find'em where ya find'em. Couple years back I picked up a Jap made Sightron S1 3x9x40 with a lifetime warranty for about that same money with some minor dents in the tube, that I still use...just not for Long range precision applications obviously...but it has been on several 22lr's, and is now sitting on a 270 of about the same quaity as your Remmy ADL and shot sucessfully,with no Issues, out to 200+ yards which speaks more to the Rifle Ranges I shoot at than the capability of the gun or scope.

Look at SWFA's Sample List to learn max retail price ranges on used major name brands, shop THF and other Hunting web sites classifieds, stay away if possible from the off brand names of the world or anything you see in WalMart or some other Big Box retailers plastic peg hanger type packaging. CameralandNY has a Demo List of bargain markdowns, with some Minox ZA 3's at $150 right now + some Vortex scopes too in their Crossfire II series...dunno if they've still got any CF II 4x12x44 @ $140 with a Lifetime "No Fault" Warranty on the Demo List but that'd be about perfect IMO for your your needs, if it won't bust the budget....'cause I started to replace the $50 Sightron with one, but am holding off to see what my consignment guns will bring to Fund the Play Toy Budget with.

Keep Looking...and it'll all work out. Remember the Only Dumb ??? is the one you did not ask. Now is unfortunately the worst time to buy right before Hunting Season. Have Fun,
Ron

Agree on the 30-06. You're not over gunned, you're over scoped.

Upgrade the trigger and change to 130 grain. You will be amazed how much more you enjoy shooting the gun. That load will kill any big game in Texas you desire to hunt.

You CAN load 180, 200 and 220 grain bullets in the .308 - but when you do, the smaller than 30-06 powder space becomes even smaller, so performance issues arise. The extra bullet length has to go somewhere, so it goes into the case.

A .308 can come close to, or even equal a 30-06 with the lighter bullets up to 165 grains. With the heavier bullets though, not so much.

Cabelas has the Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 with 30mm tube marked down to $300 right now. They also have the same scope except 2.5-10x44 at $250. I don't think you'll find much more bang for your buck anywhere.

I think 2.5-10x would be about perfect. So would a 3-9x. Personally, I'd go looking for a used Leupold Vari-X II or a VX-2. They van be had for around $200 and you would be well equipped and never have to upgrade until your disposable income increases, but you could just stay with it and be fine.

Not everyone loads and I have never seen that range of bullets on the shelf for a 308.