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

[arizonaguide]

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.

[MVP]

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

[craigepo]

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.

[fng13]

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.

[Peregrino]

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!

[arizonaguide]

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".

[arizonaguide]

Originally Posted by fng13

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.

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.

[The Reaper]

fng13

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

TR