Buying first scoped rifle

[Boss .300 winmag]

Tikkas great guns, my son bought one in .300wsm.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,242233.msg3243193/topicseen.html#new

[b23]

I'm going to buy a new rifle in the next few weeks and would appreciate anyones input. I am looking for a gun and scope. There are ton of choices and prices. I buy all 4 big tags, usually only fill the deer tag but want a caliber good for all 4. I am leaning toward 30 06 but am open to others.

I like what I read about the model 70s, but the savage with a scope is so cheap its got me thinking.

I have only shot with a scope a few times, and have hunted almost exclusively with muzzleloader and lever action. But I would like to do a mule deer hunt in 2020 out of state and want to make the most of it. Seems lile a scope will really help, I have never hunted mule deer though.

Thanks

Before we all get too far over our skis with suggestions, what's you budget on this purchase???

[Buckhunter24]

Thanks guys, sounds like im on a good route with 30 06. Leaning towards the savage with leopould scope. Going to go up to cabelas soon

I considered 308 and 7mm also.

Budget is up to 1k but I like the sounds of 600...

[Bofire]

30/06 is a fine cartridge, go handle all the guns you can. I would rather have a great scope on a good rifle then a cheap scope on any rifle.
Carl

[opdinkslayer]

Buy a tikka. Cost a little more but it has the nicest action & trigger of the entry level rifles not to mention accurate. It is also very customizable with stocks,bolt handles, trigger springs, magazines etc & is a great platform to build a semi custom if you ever desire to. They are also desirable in the resale market. 

[jdb]

30/06 is a fine cartridge, go handle all the guns you can. I would rather have a great scope on a good rifle then a cheap scope on any rifle.
Carl

the wisest thing said on the internet tpday

[Bob33]

Some package scopes are just fine.  I have a Savage 7mm-08 that came with a Nikon scope that has killed lots of critters and the scope has never lost its zero, even when being shipped halfway around the world a few times.

If you haven't shot big game calibers before I would advise starting with reduced recoil ammunition or at least lighter bullet weights like 150 grains in .30  caliber cartridges.  Developing a flinch will make accuracy a difficult objective to achieve.

[Buckhunter24]

Thanks Bob. Neither my 30 30 or muzzleloader have much kick. Shot my dads 7 mag a few times and it kicked pretty good! I will look into a couple boxes of lighter rounds to get started with

[Buckhunter24]

I have been using 150 gr in 30 30 fir deer for as long as I remember, is that what most do with the 30 06 as well?

[Mark251]

30/06 is a fine cartridge, go handle all the guns you can. I would rather have a great scope on a good rifle then a cheap scope on any rifle.
Carl

the wisest thing said on the internet tpday

 

[CP]

I have been using 150 gr in 30 30 fir deer for as long as I remember, is that what most do with the 30 06 as well?

Put a brake on it and shoot whatever weight your rifle likes best.

[MADMAX]

Got a pretty sweet rifle available on the classified board
Great for mule deer and close to your budget

[brew]

my how the times have changed...folks talking about buying rifles now for around 3K and with brakes on them and this super scope on them and that built in range finder scopes on them etc., etc.....the very first scoped rifle I bought was in 1986 and it was a savage model 110 in 270 caliber with a crappy tasco 3x9 scope from the store I worked at.  all together it cost me around $350 (which they took out of my next 4 paychecks).  Boy did I put a hurtin on the blacktail population around here with that unit.  You don't need to spend a lot of money to have a big game killing rifle

[Lumpy Taters]

I would go and handle as many different makes and models as I could then decide which one I liked the best and try to find one to shoot first.  I really like the Ruger American in 7mm 08 that I bought my wife.  It might make me get one of my own.  No matter which gun I liked I would try to get the best optic I could.  Even the best riffle in the world wont hit a thing with bad sights.   

[Bango skank]

This is from my savage model 11 lightweight hunter in .308.  The day i put the scope on, and was testing out different factory ammo.  This was my first 4 shots at 200 yards.  4 shot 1/4 inch group.  Not bad for a setup that came in right at about 6lbs and $1000 for everything, rifle, scope, rings, rail, muzzle brake.  Absolutely awesome gun.  Topped with a leupold vx2 3-9x33 ultralight scope.  That group was shot with 165 grain hornady superformance gmx.  Great shooter, super light weight, just a fantastic rig.  Cant recommend it enough.  The new version of the gun is the model 110 storm.  I believe its just the same, but with their new accufit stock.