Next rifle...hit me

Keep in mind, this is a 99 percent a deer rifle w a 300 yard max. Most are under 150, last years buck was a hair over 200. This years was 75-80 yards.

I shot 2 hogs this year w a .17 hmr, i felt it was kinda like bow hunting. 40-50 yard head shots. So, it's a whitetail gun...
Here's where I am at.

I hunted with a .270 now for years but feel like I want to get back to 30-06 but 7-08 it's pulling me hard.

If it's a bolt gun, it will be a Tikka.

But, in the back of my mind I want an AR-10 variant.

$1500 gun and scope is my budget.

What way y'all goin?

I really like the 7mm-08 especially if you reload. Tikka 7mm-08 would be my choice. But never owned a 30-06. going AR10 you can get a 7mm-08 but might be getting tight on the budget

If you Have a 270 3006 is terrible.
Anything but a 3006 or 3030

AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Or 7mm-08. Either one checks lots of boxes for you.

either the 6.5 or 7mm-08. I have an AR-10 in 6.5 and it is a good shooter. My Tikka 7mm-08 is also a good shooting rifle. Can't go wrong with either.

30-06 is terrible vs a 270? Not sure what makes that so. 06 has more bullet selection rifle selection and kills just as far and probaly killed more animals than any other round in existence.... although the Creedmoor will probaly hold that record by next week

.260....

Based on your OP, any quality large frame AR is going to eat your budget, leaving no room for a scope worth it's salt.
A Tikka bolt gun allows for mounts and decent glass.
Any short action cartridge based on the 308 case has plenty of gas to kill deer well past your expected maximum range. Bullet and placement mean much more than headstamp.
7-08, 6.5 Creed, 260 or 308...maybe even in that order...is where I'd be looking. I shoot all 4.
No physical need for any long action cartridge in a deer-specific rifle.

I used to hold that opinion of the '06 until I recently picked one up. While boring, it is a versatile cartridge and mine is a soft shooter. Could be a one gun battery for all of North America.

Like you though, not a 30/30 fan or lever gun fan in general. Different strokes....

Ar ten to me is heavy I love my six eight buddy just bought a lwrc six eight in burnt bronze IT is sweet and

#1 7mm-08. Good availability of factory ammo. Great performance. Good on deer and elk to your max range and probably farther.

Very Close #2 6.5 Creedmoor. Factory ammo becoming more and more available. Good on deer and elk to your max range and probably farther.

both shoot 140 gr with authority. Can go down to 120 in both of need be. Can go up a little if need be, but the 140 gr shines in both.

Can't kill a whitetail with ANY of those. You need a .340 Weatherby.

A 7mm-08 Tikka is a great choice and will meet all of your criteria while leaving budget for a fine scope.

I think BIL (aka Princess) must have had a bad experience with 30-06.

FTFY

All it is for him is that it is old, and common, nothing exotic or "cool" about it.

It's a feeling rather than a thought.

Why is there no love for the oldies?........

I see that some hype the availability of ammo on some newer cartridges. In the real world you have cartridges that have been around a long time, the 30-06, 270 Win, 308 Win come to mind. Those three old but very effective cartridges can be found in every nook and cranny store that sells ammo in North America. For a 300yd deer rifle they will do anything a 6.5CM and 7-08 can do and then some. I guess their coolness wore off after 50-100 years.

If you already have a bolt gun and want an AR, then get a Savage MSR 10 or DPMS Recon GII. .308 would be cheap to feed and if you needed the rate of fire for a sounder you would have it. Shop hard, put a Leupold VX2 or 3 on it and you can likely still be under $1500.

Why do the .30-06 and .270 get no love? It's the Age of Hype, that's why.

My reasoning is he already has a 270. I know 3006 is well rounded and I've had one for 30 years

Here's a good start!!

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6989733

AR10 6.5 Creedmoor upper

Remington R25 7mm-08.

What kind of reliability have you saw out of that?

I've read a few times of feeding issues. Just wodnerin

Never had an issue. I shoot hornady 139sst and 140 rem corelokt.

300 yard max gives lots of options. You don't need a 30-06, 6.5 Creedmoore, or an AR10 variant. Lots of AR15 calibers available and would leave you with more money for glass and a much lighter rifle. 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, and maybe 224 Valkyrie is where I would start. Even 300 blackout would work.
Personally, I'd go 308 instead of 30-06 if you are leaning that direction.