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.