New guy from NC/VA

[N2Fire2003]

You might give Grey ghost outfitters a call, out in Raton New Mexico--we had very good luck with them in October of this year. 30-06 is a great rig, I personally love a SAKO 85 right out of the box with factory Sierra 165 tipped game King, Leopold VX6HD 3-18X44 or 50 mm objective. That combo will shoot as good as any custom and will save you about 2K on top of that. Any of the heavy medium cartridges will put down an Elk at Range. Nothing wrong with that .308 to about 500yds. My last two elk were at 500 and 550 yds respectively with a 7mm Rem Mag and when my rifled failed (this year) I had to borrow my buddies 6.5 Creedmoor (which would not be my go-to Elk rig) and dropped the bull at 550 yds, one shot DRT. last year I knocked down a big muley in CO at 475 yds, one shot DRT with a 7mm-08 (Fierce Custom-Barnes 145 LRX bullet). I have a bunch of big 30s and 33s but I just don't use 'em that often anymore. You might also take a look at the 6.5 PRC or the 6.8 Western...I just picked up one of each recently and I love their performance, light weight, lack of muzzle blast and recoil. That 6.8 with 165 gr bullet hits with the same energy as a .300 win mag at 500 yds, still has 1200 ft lbs. at 800. For that long range gig, optics is the key, good quality dial turrets and practice off the sticks. FWIW, I'd really like to shoot 'em closer, but the shots presented have all been a "fur piece", so I was glad to have equipment that could do it.

I will absolutely look into the Sako, I don't know much about them. Thanks for the tip. If I could find an area to practice a bit out to 500 yards I would love it and try to make my comfort range a little father then. Optics wise I am looking at Leopold, Zeus's conquest V6, and some others.

 

[GuroChris]

Hello to all, I visit the forum a bit here and there. I am researching now for a trip that I have planned next year 2024 in CO for a combo ELK/Mule deer trip. I am looking to get a new rifle as all I have now is an old REM 700 5R in 308 and then several smaller rifles. I am looking to get something in 30/06 so trying to research that a bit and find the right rifle for the trip and to use around home and glass. Also open to guide recommendations for out west. I am sure I will find quite a few through using search though.

Welcome aboard, also from Virginia

 

[GuroChris]

Well reason for 30-06 is fairly easy, while I do own several rifles most are AK's and ARs like I stated the only rifle I really have for hunting is 308 and I rarely use that for multiple reasons. 1st it is a heavy pig, just under 12lbs. I use to have properties to hunt that I sat in a stand most of the day. Well they have been sold or hunt clubs have thrown crazy money to lease them. So when I do have places to hunt with a rifle around here I want a lighter rifle.

Ammo availability, 30-06 just easy to find.

Recoil, yeah I can manage a magnum power rifle but I don't mind less recoil either.

I want a rifle that I can use more here and not focus on one trip. Around my area 200 yards is hard to find, we just don't have huge wide open areas. Another strike against a magnum powered rifle. I have a field I can shoot just over 300 yards in, but that is a place I am allowed to target shoot only. So I also figure my max comfortable range will be 400 yards. I know to most that isn't crazy long distance, but to a mid Atlantic coastal plains person that is getting out there for us..

Honestly I thought about 280ai, as I do have a reloader. However I am a simple man with 4 kids and rarely have time for extracurricular things at the moment lol. So 30-06 seems simple, will work out to my comfortable range, and I figure just checks the most boxes for me. However I always like to read others opinions and facts who have been around and learn. So here I am!

Also I am from the Hampton roads area of Virginia just outside of Suffolk.

Looks like we're sorta neighbors. I spend a bunch of time in Virginia Beach and Moyock NC

 

[Huntsman66]

Welcome from Northern New Mexico

 

[N2Fire2003]

Looks like we're sorta neighbors. I spend a bunch of time in Virginia Beach and Moyock NC

Awesome, I grew up in Gates County. Moyock has changed so much, I have killed quite a few ducks out in the Currituck.

 

[GuroChris]

Awesome, I grew up in Gates County. Moyock has changed so much, I have killed quite a few ducks out in the Currituck.

I'm not much of a wing shooter. but I have chased whitetails from the eastern shore to the Kentucky line from Martinsville to Charlottesville. Now I have a small place near the Blue Ridge Parkway that's all mine. But next year I'm taking a guy out to the big woods in Wise Co. near Pound Reservoir. Haven't hunted there in a few years but it's in the elk restoration zone so I'm hoping to hear some bugling.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

Well reason for 30-06 is fairly easy, while I do own several rifles most are AK's and ARs like I stated the only rifle I really have for hunting is 308 and I rarely use that for multiple reasons. 1st it is a heavy pig, just under 12lbs. I use to have properties to hunt that I sat in a stand most of the day. Well they have been sold or hunt clubs have thrown crazy money to lease them. So when I do have places to hunt with a rifle around here I want a lighter rifle.

Ammo availability, 30-06 just easy to find.

Recoil, yeah I can manage a magnum power rifle but I don't mind less recoil either.

I want a rifle that I can use more here and not focus on one trip. Around my area 200 yards is hard to find, we just don't have huge wide open areas. Another strike against a magnum powered rifle. I have a field I can shoot just over 300 yards in, but that is a place I am allowed to target shoot only. So I also figure my max comfortable range will be 400 yards. I know to most that isn't crazy long distance, but to a mid Atlantic coastal plains person that is getting out there for us..

Honestly I thought about 280ai, as I do have a reloader. However I am a simple man with 4 kids and rarely have time for extracurricular things at the moment lol. So 30-06 seems simple, will work out to my comfortable range, and I figure just checks the most boxes for me. However I always like to read others opinions and facts who have been around and learn. So here I am!

Also I am from the Hampton roads area of Virginia just outside of Suffolk.

N2, I like your logic. I guessed your intent was to have enough rifle for the Elk on the one trip, but also have something more tailored for back east day in and day out...great logic and fwiw, I completely agree with the logic for your situation. FYI, my son has rem 700 mountain stainless rifle, laminate stock, jewel trigger, etc. lt is light weight and he loves it. I bought it for him for Christmas on his 12th birthday. He is now a wildlife biologist, agri-business consultant and the manager and guide on a big south Texas ranch and he still carries that rifle a lot.

 

[ghklr67]

Hello to all, I visit the forum a bit here and there. I am researching now for a trip that I have planned next year 2024 in CO for a combo ELK/Mule deer trip. I am looking to get a new rifle as all I have now is an old REM 700 5R in 308 and then several smaller rifles. I am looking to get something in 30/06 so trying to research that a bit and find the right rifle for the trip and to use around home and glass. Also open to guide recommendations for out west. I am sure I will find quite a few through using search though.

Welcome from "South West" Virginia

 

[Dot_3]

Honestly I thought about 280ai, as I do have a reloader. However I am a simple man with 4 kids and rarely have time for extracurricular things at the moment lol. So 30-06 seems simple, will work out to my comfortable range, and I figure just checks the most boxes for me. However I always like to read others opinions and facts who have been around and learn. So here I am!

Also I am from the Hampton roads area of Virginia just outside of Suffolk.

Awesome, I grew up in Gates County. Moyock has changed so much, I have killed quite a few ducks out in the Currituck.

Bossman I'm about 35 minutes from you across the border and I might be the only one on this board who knows what you mean when you say "Gates county." That covers a wide swath and it don't matter whether you live in gates, gatesville, Eure, you're from Gates county. Shoot me a PM when you get enough posts to do so and I might be able to get you out to 1k.

Oh and btw, I'll always have a 30-06 in my safe. Well, let's be honest, it won't stay in the safe.

 

[RANGER 1]

Welcome from east tn