So I'm in the market for a nice deer rifle. Currently have a Mossberg 30-06 and my Grandpas Marlin 30-30. I'd like to stay in the 30-06 caliber but what brands should I research? Accuracy, brand quality, recoil reduction and nice wood are things I'm interested in. Browning, Savage, Mossberg - what else?

You can pick up some nice older Winchester model 70's for a good price usually. Or anything that was made under a department store name brand like ted williams, glenfield, westernfield. All considering price as a factor

Forgot to put Price, I'd go up to $1,000 but would like to get a nice gun with a decent scope for $1000.

In that range id look at sako, tikka, browning, and CZ

TIKKA for the win

This would be the easy choice for me.

That's kind of a burn there brother-in-law lol

Tough to beat a Browning for a wood stock. Sako is super nice but you aren't getting a wood stocked one for $1000. Tikka has a nice wood stock model and the Savage American Classic is pretty nice also.

No doubt about it.

If buying new, I would stay away from Remington and Marlin. Their quality control has just about hit rock bottom the last couple of years. Savage and Tikka both have good reps for out of box accuracy with factory ammo. Bergara is starting to pick up some good reviews and Browning always makes a nice product.

I think the overall trend right now (and I agree with it) is towards shorter heavier barrels, detachable magazine feeds, and a more "tactical" type stock with some type of full length bedding block and a more vertical grip. A threaded barrel is also nice if you want to add a brake or suppressor later.

Don’t buy anything until you pick up and shoulder a Winchester M70 Featherweight.

It is apparent that every responder only hunts deer at longer ranges and you have received some great suggestions. However, if your hunting might be at ranges under 150 yd (more deer are killed within 150 than farther out) the Marlin might be the answer, leaving you plenty of $$$ for ammo, some quality gear, etc. Heck, many an elk has fallen to the old 30-30 at closer ranges. If you doubt this, go to archery forums and look at ranges game are taken. JMO

Winner:


Pick This One

Walmart sells an almost identical Vanguard Series II for less than $700. Same high gloss stock and bluing, action, and sub MOA guarantee. Only difference is the thin inlays near the end of the forearm and stock knob.

Still, I consider my "nicest" gun to be my Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. However, the Walmart version of the Vanguard Deluxe Series II is the most accurate.

They're ugly but I bought 2ea T3 light's 4 years ago and they are the most accurate guns Ive eve owned. I kept the 22-250 and gave the 243 to my niece. Paid $450 each for them. You won't find anything more accurate.

Model 70 and don't look back.

I have 3 recommendations. Tikka, Tikka and if you can not find one of these, then get a Tikka.

welcome to the tikka forum

home of the 2 moa guarantee

Epic fail... Sorry Buzz but I have seen it in person.

If your talking about Kyle's build I may be understanding though

I would go Browning. But also would add a different caliber if you already have a 30 06.

Thanks for the replies. I like the Tikkas and will look at them further. I'm leaning toward American made though. So Browning, Savage, Winchester depending on if they are still made in the US. As far as caliber, I like the knock down power of the 30 06 and the fact it can handle what I hunt.

Don't buy a Savage.

They shoot, but they give trouble feeding, and will eventually stop ejecting.

I have never had those problems with any of the 6 Savage actions that I have, and I shoot the crap out of them.

So I'm just making it up?

I'll see your 6 and raise you 60.

The 66 I've owned or shot or had customers bring out. What's shoot the crap out of? Have you rebarreled any of them? Any time you're in my neck of the woods you are welcome to chamber an empty .22-250 case, in mine, and then try to eject it. It won't. It'll pull the case out of the chamber, and the case will remain on top of the magazine. Every time.

I have not fixed it, because it is actually handy for that rifle, as all it does is shoot prairie dogs for 3 days a year. Because it doesn't eject, I don't have to hunt down any brass.