Best (bang for the buck) $300 .30-06 "dream" rifle.
 

IS it possible?

I'm thinking about a build of a .30-06 from an action, or barrelled action (and probably a very basic synthetic stock). This will be a project that my Dad (83) and I will create together. Very basic. Probably a basic synthetic stock. Maybe also Good for Moose/Elk at 200yds +/- (maybe 300). Possible Arizona zombies at same (never know). And for sure lots of time at the range shooting up old .30-06 for fun.

If YOU were going to build up a 30-06 (from scratch) what exactly would you use, and who would be your best sources for the action or barrelled action? Or would you just try to sporterize an old military -06? Or would you maybe convert something else? Mauser? It's gotta be 30-06 when I'm finished...whatever I start with. I also like a shorter barrel "brush gun" in a bolt actin...so it will end up with a fairly short barrel for a bolt gun. Maybe a 22?".

So, what MOST BASIC action/barreled action should I get Dad started with? Does anyone have any good advice/sources? A good CF Mauser action would be great, if not to much $$$. Or better conversion ideas.
Or ANY good ideas/advise on a .30-06 project for Dad at age 83, who's still sharp and good in the shop.

We've Gotta do this while we still can together. :)

AG,

Go to WalMart and look for a Remington 700 ADL, should be in the $375 range. Comes with a synthetic stock and is a modern action that doesn't need any real tinkering until you want to get match rifle performance out of it...

BTW: This saves you a bunch of work collecting an action, barrel, trigger and stock and then putting them together. Not to mention the cost of then bluing the metalwork when the assembly is completed.

MVP

We raffled off a Remington "Buckmaster" 30-06 a couple years ago. I found the gun online for about $390 dollars, had a camoflague synthetic stock, sporter barrel. Pretty nice gun for the money, and the stock 700 action is relatively reliable and accurate. Also, you can use the 700 action to build on later if the fancy strikes you.

If I were building a gun for elk/moose, I would not pick a 30-06. An elk just absorbs too much wallop before he goes down. My choice for that would be closer to a .300 win mag/win short mag, 7mm mag, .338, etc.

Remington is definately the way to go for something new. If you want something a little nastalgic you can still get sporter'ed 1903a3's pretty cheap.
Not sure about elk but it always worked good on white tail.

AG - Good luck finding the right project; I understand your motivations perfectly. Now for the bad news: Not sure you can make your price range short of catching somebody in a divorce who is selling assets to piss off/on the other party. Buying a Mauser action from SARCO or similar (usually around $125) and building a sporter 30-06 will cost far more than $300 by the time you add barrel, stock, trigger, and optics. So will buying a functional Mauser and re-barrelling it to 30-06. The cheapest LA bolt action I could find in my latest CDNN catalog is a S&W I-Bolt (in 30-06 coincidentally) for $349.99. Everything else goes up from there. For those rifles, the only project is mounting optics (or Krylon Camo!). Not sure that meets your intent. Again - Good Luck!

Project: Truck/Bush Gun
 

Great posts! I like the idea of sporterizing an older mauser, but I don't know what to look for or if they are available in 30-06. I like the option of just getting a Rem700, but that doesn't satisfy the requirement for a "project" for Dad and I to "build"...unless we just build a new (laminated walnut maybe) stock for it.

I appreciate the thoughts for sources, as this is where I'm lost.
SARCO, etc. ANY other good ideas/sources please let me know.
Great input, and it starts to give me more possible ideas.

The main reason I like the 30-06 as I intend to get (another) Garand soon also (while a person still can) and it'll be nice to share training ammo, etc.
In fact I'll just buy FMJ for both...then a Box of Nosler Partitions for hunting.
TOO simple.

I'm comfortable with the -06 for anything short of Alaska Browns...and there's always the 12ga/slugs for close backup/safety needs for that. But with good partitions the -06 will be fine also. Shot placement and all. :) And I'll get LOTS of paper practice.

Yup, I'd love a nice "sporterized" (short barrel) bush gun Mauser/30-06(truck gun)...but just don't know where to start with trusted sources, a good mauser action, etc. I don't want to just buy on Gunbroker...this one has to be done as a summer "project" leading into the fall. Scrollwork on the stock, proper bedding, etc.
$300 for the proper action would be fine...I just mean $300 to get started. No $1800 cadillac "custom" actions...as it will NOT be a museum/safe queen. "Project: Truck Gun".
:D

Fng13, do you know a good source for this? Can you sporterize the old 1903's down to a 22" "bush" length? This could be a GREAT option for getting started quickly. Dad would like that, and he could concentrate on the action/barrel/etc. and I could work on the stock. That could be a good option...and any trusted sources would be great.

Anything like that or a mauser action in -06 would be Fantastic. :)

fng13

If you have a line on 03s under $300, I would like to see it, sporterized or not.

TR

Take a look at Marlin's XL-7. They are getting great reviews for their accuracy. The barrels use the Savage 110 system so you can switch barrels at home.

CD

Agreed! Where can I find one?

AG - Now that I understand your price structure a little better let's try again. SGN has adds for Mauser actions all the time. Mauser because it's a long action, you don't have to do any bolt work, and aftermarket components are readilly available at reasonable prices. NTM - Custom Mausers are still winning National Championships. (And leave the 03s alone - unless you find one already sporterized or you're restoring it.) SARCO is one of the reliable sources. You also need a Brownell's catalog and the American Gunsmithing Institute CDs. Both will point you towards other resources (so I don't have to keep typing!). When you're finished both of you need to "sign your work" as it'll be something for future generations to treasure. Good Luck.

Sorry gents not under $300 but not too long ago I was at the gun store I use in Altoona he had one he was selling for $375 No rear sight, had already been drilled and tapped, in some cheapo stock. Next time I went in it was gone, but I was under the impression this was a reasonable price. I've seen them go close to 400 hundred at gun shows. I know that his starting price was 300 but I didn't think this was too far off for a quality rifle.

I don't worry about it much. I got mine for free, Pap knew what was good.;):p

I just recently began putting it back to its original look. Pics to follow.

edited to add: CMP was selling barreled actions a while back it might be worth while to call and see if they have any left or will be selling more. These are reactivated drill rifles. Also try here, I think most of these are also reactivated drill rifles but from what I heard they make good shooters. and they sell actions only for $250.

http://www.gibbsrifle.com/1903-a3_parts.html

Thanks everyone!
 

Thank you for all the input. Turns out a buddy of mine has a Rem700 in 30-06 that he said just sits in his safe, and is already on it's way to my FFL. And, he won't take any $$$ for it. I have a VERY high caliber of friends. :) What I will do is pay it forward someday.

But, I still think this is a worthwile thread with great posts.
I'll Probably still want to build a .30-06 from scratch someday.
I guess with this one I'll still do up a laminated stock for it.
So, still a good project. We'll still have to learn proper bedding, etc.

So, please continue to post any good sources for 30-06/ Mauser type actions, and any cheap 1903 sources also?
Good information for everybody.

AZ,

I know what you mean. I've got a pre WWII Czech BRNO Mauser 98 action in the safe waiting to be built into a 9.3x62mm. One of these days when I'm ever home it will be my winter project.

CD

Exactly! I'm just starting to fall in love with the mauser type actions, the more I learn about them. Controlled feed, and just really rugged...and still reasonable priced compared to many "modern" actions.

But, I guess I can't argue with the Rem700, since I can't beat the price (free), and it does give me something to get started with Dad.

I've got to still find a mauser (or 1903) for myself sometime soon.

*

Mauser action length
 

AZ,

Many years ago I attended the 2yr resident gunsmithing program at Utah Technical College and we built a bunch of sporterized Mausers and Springfields. We did that because they were cheap and we were poor. Both actions are relatively strong but the quality of the Mausers went down significantly as the end of WWII approached and there were many manufacturers. There are a couple of action lengths and if you plan to build a sporter you need to make sure you have the stanard Mauser length, not the shorter Yugoslav M48. As I recall most M98's would not accomodate full-length 30-06 and needed feed ramp / magazine work for 30-06. If you use the short one it will require a special action length stock. Of the Springfields, only the A3/A4 has a good solid foundation for a scope mount. Regardless of which action you choose you will need to plan on bending the bolt or welding on a new bolt handle to clear a scope. There is just so much work it really isn't worthwhile when you can buy a used 700 and then customize the crap out of it if you want a "project". In the end you will have a much better gun with less work and at a lower cost.

If you really like the Mauser design take a look at the CZ Model 550, it has all the features of the M98 plus an improved trigger and safety without the receiver weakening "thumb-cut" in the left receiver wall. It also has integral scope mount bases machined into the receiver eliminating the weak interface between reciever and scope rings.

MVP

edited to add: CMP was selling barreled actions a while back it might be worth while to call and see if they have any left or will be selling more. These are reactivated drill rifles. Also try here, I think most of these are also reactivated drill rifles but from what I heard they make good shooters. and they sell actions only for $250. [QUOTE]

The CMP reactived '03 actions are affordable but will require a little work. When they are deactivated the bolt cutt-off/release levers are welded to the receiver so that the bolt can't be removed. I was lucky in that the one I bought wasn't that bad. I used a dremel tool and a jewler's file and after I was finished it looked pretty good. I then sand blasted it and parkerized it and afterwards you could hardly tell. Anyway, if you buy one take a good look at it and be prepared to do a little work.

I was told it has a 2 groove barrel?[/QUOTE]

Thousands of Springfield M1903A3 rifles were rebuilt during WWII. At first four groove barrels were used but then two groove barrels were later used because it took less time to manufacture them. From what I've read they provide just as much practical accuracy. I don't think that you'd notice a difference between the two unless you were shooting a very long distance.

I bought a used Rem 700 chambered in 30.06 for $331 on gunbroker. It included a entry-level scope. Add $30 for shipping and $20 for the FFL transfer.

If you don't need it this week, you can watch the auctions and wait for a good deal. There is another post on here regarding buyer beware with gun broker but if you buy from someone who has a lot of sales already and a good ranking, you are safer.

$20 for an FFL transfer? I'm moving to Colorado. Here in the Golden State you pay $100.

Correct on Gunbroker. I've bought there before and checked out sellers before doing so. Haven't had any problems there.

It's either $20 or $25 here in Texas...$100 a transfer sounds terrible!

Thanks MVP! I DO really like the mauser design. I'd like to come across a still "new" or lightly used Rem798 (interarms mauser type)...for a reasonable price. That CZ is pretty sweet too!

Other good Mauser type actions.
 

AZ,

If you really want a mauser-type action you should also watch for Modern Husqvarna's and FN's. Generally the prices are really good and the quality quite high. I once owned a coupe of FN 30-11's and they were good rifles within the limitations of the Mauser design. A lot of the post-WWII Yugoslav rilfes I have ssen had relatively skinny looking bolt handles. I'm sure they were/are strong enough but look rather odd to me. As I recall S&W imported rifles from Husqvarna at one time that also used mauser type actions.

MVP

You guys wouldn't believe my Buddy. I may have mentioned that he found an old Rem700 and sent it to me for my project (arrives tomorrow or friday), and wouldn't take any $$$. Well, I get an email today that he said: (wait I'll quote him exactly):

That's the kinda friends I have folks. I just wanted to post this...because I've been so cynical lately, and was kinda just losing faith in people in general. Then something like this. 2weeks ago I was looking for a 30-06 action to build on...now...I'll be paying it "foreward" somehow.

Life is still pretty darn amazing sometimes.

Remington has a light weight 30-06 single shot (Russian made), that is reportedly a good shooter. I have seen them, they are nice but never shot one.

I'm not familier with that one, Hollis.

I'll tell you though...this waiting for the UPS guy is worse than being a kid at Christmas.

I'll post some pic's when they get here.
Here's a couple pic's my buddy sent of the converted mauser.
Not tooo fancy...but it fits the bill. I'm happy with it. (can't beat the price!)
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...3928271671.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...3928271437.jpg
The barrelled action/setup will get a new handmade (walnut) stock. :)

I'll probably follow his suggestion and just leave the Rem700 pretty much alone.

One of best 06's, but they are going up in price, is a Winchester P17. Seems to be more accurate than the 03's.



UPS, deliveries makes everyday like Christmas.

The M1917 Enfield is a good, solid shooting rifle. There were actually more of them used by American soldiers in WWI than the Springfield. The only reservations that I have with them, if I remember correctly, is that the rear sight is not adjustable for windage.

Thanks everybody for the great input, and for letting me share my 30-06 adventure. This may actually get here in time for Father's day. :)