America — the land of apple pie, the world’s best cheeseburgers, and the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
The .30-06 was created for America’s new, Mauser-inspired M1903 rifle and replaced the .30-40 Krag. While the round was designed for military use in the M1903 and later the M1 Garand, it became a hugely popular round in the commercial market.
Now, well over a hundred years later, the cartridge is still around. As a 15-year-old, I harvested my first big buck with a round of .30-06 fired from a Winchester Model 70 (Pre-64).
To this day, it remains a popular cartridge for hunters. It’s very powerful, flat shooting, and can push heavy bullets deep into all manner of game.
It’s a versatile cartridge that might be showing its age, but it still has staying power. Let’s look at the best .30-06 rifles on the market.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best Semi-Automatic
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Most Affordable
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Best Lever-Action
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Fastest Bolt-Action
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Best Classic-Style Rifle
Table of Contents
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How We Picked the Best .30-06 Rifles
I’ve spent a lifetime shooting, starting with a family that hunted every season they legally could. From there, I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent five years as an infantryman.
In the middle of my Marine Corps career, I began writing and have never stopped. I soon earned my NRA instructor certification and used my knowledge to help guide students.
I love shooting, and I love guns — weird guns, old guns, new guns, tactical guns, you name it. I’m a continual student of firearms, and I strive to educate myself to provide the best information possible to the readers of Pew Pew Tactical.
All of the products recommended are ones that the PPT crew have used at the range or in the field and are determined to be the best for most people.
Best .30-06 Rifles
1. Editor’s Pick – Bergara B-14
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Extremely accurate
- Smooth action
Cons
- Standard hunter model doesn't come threaded
- Non-detachable magazine
I love Bergara because they make some of the finest rifles I’ve ever gotten my hands on. The B-14 series is one of their more popular bolt-action rifle configurations, and it comes in a few different options.
The B-14 Hunter is my personal favorite. It provides a sleek, accurate, hard-hitting hunting rifle that is an absolute dream boat of a gun.
This Spanish-built machine comes from a company that was renowned for its barrels. They took that expertise and went full bore with their rifles, creating some very accurate rifles.
The Hunter is no exception, and sub-MOA is not a problem. It features a synthetic stock that keeps things light and ergonomic.
The real star of the show is the super slick action. It’s superbly smooth and cycles with absolute ease. It utilizes a two-lug system with a sliding plate extractor for maximum reliability.
It’s a joy to operate and use. The downside is mixed availability, but for under a thousand bucks, I think this is the best hunting option out there.
2. Best Semi-Automatic – Benelli R1
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Fast follow-up shots
- Soft recoil
Cons
- Not as accurate as bolt-actions
I love Benellis, and when I say, I mostly mean their shotguns, but the R1 Big Game rifle sneaks in there.
Maybe it’s because the R1 uses the same ARGO system that the Benelli M4 shotgun uses? Or maybe it’s because the Italians recognize the superiority of the .30-06 and chamber the Benelli R1 in the all-American round?
The Benelli R1 is a semi-automatic hunting rifle with a gas-operated, two-piston system known for being very lightweight and simple.
It features a detachable box magazine that holds four rounds and is available in both synthetic and wood stocks.
Iron sights are standard and mounted to the barrel in a safari-style setup for quick and accurate shots on target. It’s drilled and tapped for a rail, so adding an optic is always an option.
One of the best things about the R1 is how much sting it takes out of the .30-06 cartridge. Being a gas-operated semi-auto already gives you recoil reduction, but the recoil-reducing Comfort stock takes it to the next level.
The rifle uses three-beefy locking lugs and a near lunch box-sized extractor for reliability, and while I wouldn’t call it sub-MOA, accuracy hovers right around an inch.
The R1 is a capable platform with some excellent controls and features. It harnesses the power of the .30-06 without thumping your shoulder.
3. Most Affordable – Savage Axis II
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Affordable
- Good accuracy
- Great trigger
Cons
- Action isn't as smooth
- Base model isn't threaded
When it comes to budget-ready and beginner-level bolt action rifles, you’ll have a really hard time convincing me of a better option than the Savage Axis II.
The Savage Axis 2 is a bolt-action rifle that comes in seemingly every caliber under the sun. For less than $500, the Savage Axis 2 provides a somewhat bare-bones but fundamentally brilliant bolt-action design.
Time and technology have made sub-MOA groups possible on budget guns. Of course, you’ll need the skill and ammo to get it done, but if you have that, then the Savage Axis II won’t let you down.
The Savage AccuTrigger is one of the highlights of the rifle. It provides a very crisp and short trigger pull without compromising safety.
While the Axis functions and fires reliably, don’t expect an action that feels like polished ball bearings. It’s a little rough and prefers a decisive hand for consistent extraction and ejection.
The rifle comes with a single detachable magazine and a nice sporting stock made from polymer. There is no wood and stainless steel here, just a simple setup and layout that only tips the scales at a light 6.3 pounds.
It may not blow you away in terms of features or style, but the Axis II is a solid, dependable, and accurate bolt action rifle that comes in one of America’s favorite cartridges.
4. Best Lever-Action – Browning BLR
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Amazing looks
- Good accuracy
- Faster than most bolt-actions
Cons
- Trigger isn't the best
- Can be hard to find
Browning is a name that still lives on and will likely never fade away, but they are still producing excellent rifles.
The BLR, or Browning Lever Action Rifle, is unique in its ability to chamber spitzer-type rifle rounds. Most lever guns use a tube since stacking bullets point to primer isn’t a great idea, but the BLR gets around this by using a detachable box magazine.
Browning makes a ton of BLRs, including a Lightweight 81 model, the pistol (curved) grip Lightweight, a shakedown, and stainless lightweight.
Every one of those configurations is available in .30-06 because, gosh darn it, this is America! Really, though, it is because lever action rifles are popular for brush hunters because they are quick to shoulder and offer a great rate of fire, and .30-06 is versatile.
A lever action .30-06 is at home in tight and dense forests, hunting big North American game. Despite not being a bolt-action, the BLR doesn’t sacrifice accuracy and is capable of achieving sub-MOA groups.
The gun’s lever is smooth, even though the entire trigger mechanism and guts swing out with it. It is a reliable action with excellent extraction and ejection. A rotating bolt design with six locking lugs ensures durability and longevity for generations to come.
The BLR is a great rifle, but a pricey one, and one that can be challenging to find at times, likely due to its laborious design and production cost.
5. Remington Model 700
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Huge aftermarket
- Proven design
Cons
- Trigger is good but could be better
- Dated design and feel
The Remington 700 is back, and it’s been back for a year now.
After Remington’s dissolution, the fate of America’s favorite bolt action rifle was effectively in the air. Luckily, we can now get our hands on a wide variety of Remington 700 rifles again.
The Remington 700 was the rifle picked by both the Army and Marine Corps for a modern sniper rifle, and it continues to serve both forces. It has proved to be one of the most accurate and reliable rifles out there.
Model 700s are still very accurate and capable rifles, and due to their long-running popularity, they are highly customizable and relatively affordable.
This makes the 700 series perfect for a wide variety of tasks depending on the model and accessories, whether it be a hunting rifle, a precision competition rifle, or a tactical rifle.
Going with a .30-06 variant of the Remington 700 yields a perfect medium to large game hunting rifle. Models like the 700 CDL SF are beautiful guns that perform at a high level.
The Remington 700’s famed three rings of steel close the cartridge case head and provide excellent strength. These are rifles that will last through all the fully powered .30-06 you put through it.
The Remington 700 series rifles aren’t the lightest or smallest rifles, and they might feel a step behind lots of other designs, but it’s tough to find a more proven bolt action rifle.
6. Fastest Bolt-Action – Savage Impulse Hog Hunter
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Fast-cycling straight-pull action
- Excellent trigger
- Great accuracy
- Adjustable stock
Cons
- Price can vary widely based on retailer
Savage makes the list once again, but this time with their newest bolt-action design, the Impulse.
The Impulse ditches the traditional lift and pull turn-bolt for a straight-pull bolt-action design.
Using ball bearings instead of traditional locking lugs, cycling the bolt on the Impulse is not only smoother, but it allows for the action to be cycled almost instantly.
Savage offers various trims of the Impulse, but the 20” barreled Hog Hunter is a great fit for the .30-06 cartridge.
Features included a threaded medium-contour barrel, the Savage AccuStock with adjustable length-of-pull and comb height, a 4-round detachable box magazine, a 20 MOA integrated scope rail, and the excellent AccuTrigger.
If you are looking for a quick-handling, smooth-operating gun that is well-suited for brush work and small hunting blinds without sacrificing bolt-action accuracy, the Impulse Hog Hunter is tough to beat.
7. Best Classic-Style Rifle – Tikka T3x Hunter
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Super smooth action
- Classic styling
- Great accuracy
- Good trigger
Cons
- Hunter model can be harder to find
- More expensive than some other options
Sometimes you want that classic style and feel in a no-nonsense, straightforward gun, but you don’t necessarily want to be cheap about it.
That is where the Tikka T3x Hunter comes in.
Hallmarks of the T3x include its notoriously buttery-smooth action, crisp triggers, and outstanding accuracy.
The Hunter model features an ergonomic and elegant oil-finished walnut stock, a single-stage adjustable trigger, a 3+1 detachable box magazine, and a 22.4-inch barrel.
Weighing in at only 6.7 pounds, the T3x Hunter won’t bog you down in the field, even with an optic added to the drilled and tapped receiver.
Its simplicity, elegance, and performance have helped make the T3x extremely popular in the last few years, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any downsides to a rifle of this quality.
Final Thoughts
While many people have moved on to cartridges like .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and other rounds, the .30-06 has remained a staple of store shelves and in gun cabinets alike.
Its lasting popularity has ensured that most manufacturers still chamber rifles for it, which means options are aplenty for those who still want a rifle in the old-faithful .30-06 Springfield.
The key is finding one that fits your needs, wants, and budget. Luckily, there is a bit of something out there for everyone, and we hope this list helps get you started.
Do you have any experience with any of these rifles? Are there other ones we missed? Let us know in the comments below! Already have a rifle or got one picked out? Be sure to check out our article on the Best .30-06 Ammo!
27 Leave a Reply
Tacticool is wack
Informative article, but as usual ignoring a specific audience; left handed and/or left eye dominant shooters. In this list, only the Savage Axis II and the Tikka T3x are available in a dedicated southpaw action. The Impulse pays lip service with a reversible bolt handle. The Bergara Hunter B-14 Hunter is right hand only. However, the B-14 Timber is offered in a left hand action, in '06 and a grab bag of other good chamberings. Call me Fud if you must, the Timber is a much more attractive rifle than the Hunter.
Know anything about the Tyrol “Made in Austria” fire arms? Have one but cant find any info on them
Not sure how the Springfield Armory M1A failed to make your list.
In the late 1950’s my father built a rifle for my
10th birthday. It was a beautifully crafted 30-06
customized 1903 A3 Springfield. Dad started with a blank walnut stock which he hand checkered, inlaid exotic wood and carved a
deer head near the butt. I loved the rifle and
shot it regularly at the local gun club range.
I took my first antelope with that gun. the 06
caliber has with stood the test of time and still
is an excellent hunting choice.
So you picked 30-06s that looked like what hunting rifles are supposed to look like...old, fudderific. Savage Axis 2 Precision? Bear Creek Arsenal Bc-8? When you keep putting the 30-06 in the same skins, younger people are not going to want to play.
You forgot my favorite: the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan chambered in 30-06 in satin stainless with a gray Monte Carlo stock finish. The zero-creep trigger gives great feel and it's insanely accurate to 800 meters with match grade rounds between 150gr and 180gr.
Mine is an 03-A3 made in 1943 by the old typewriter company, and you left out the Garand. More enemy combatants killed buy a 30-06 than any other caliber in WW I &II.
You left out the Browning BAR semi auto. I've hunted with one in 300 Win mag and one in 7mm rem mag with no problems for years.
Ohio Ordinance Works make an updated version, the HCAR. Great rifle.
I have four .30-06 rifles, none of which are on your list, but I think they are great rifles, and all have been manufactured in the millions. I have two M1 Garands (1944 and 1953), an M1903A3 (1944) and an M1917 Enfield (1918). But then I am a collector/shooter of military firearms more than I am a hunter.
You hurt me. Where's the Win 70? Did you even consider it? Did you review it, and it came in too expensive, or less accurate or something? I consider it far superior to the Rem product, and its action is not subject to those dangerous misfires named "Remington moments".
For the price and accuracy and just plain enjoyment the Remington 700 can't be beat especially with a shoulder "Saver" on the butt stock, takes out 70% of recoil.
Great article! Glad to see the ole Remington 700 in there! I have used my Remington 700 for 30 years and that SOB is MOA after sitting dormant for years + many times! Go with the 700 for your money!
I just bought my son an 03-A3 for Christmas chambered in 30-06. I know we'll have to use the cartridges for that or the M-1, but they are still readily available. It has an amazing trigger for being a military rifle.
Hoping into my wayback when time machine i'm fresh out of the army 1986. My uncle and i had the opportunity to fall elk hunt and after research of various 30.06 rifles i went with the savage 110. At our local gun range after firing different rifles from the various manufactures the 110 was a natural fit and shoulder placement- for me -spot on w/ no conscious self ,adjustment to align sights. Over the yrs two constants have never changed 1) if your not on target/sighted - haven't dropped/jarred etc be spot on from when ya stored it last yr- by the third shot your gonna regret if you need five cuz the recoil is straight back and i've never fired more than five rounds in one session as i don't l wanna feel sore shoulder stiff three hrs later, and 2) have never been to a gun show, sporting goods store, or dept store (that sells guns or ammo) etc and be told no 30.06 ammo available. Final imopi i wouldn't be truly confident hunting moose w/ a .270 (no shade, i hunt mulies w/ my .270) but a 30.06 no qualms.
Blasphemy!
No M1
Love the ‘06, although my “newest” configuration is a ‘43 Garand! Have a Remington 1917, sporterized probably in the ‘30s and a Winchester 1917 completely stock (American Enfields). Nothing wrong with the new stuff, I just like the old ones, never failed me.
Tikka is the best rifle on the list, hands down.
Nice to see an article on the 30.06, since I'll be on the market for one the next deer hunting season. Being new to rifles as I moved from NY to KY, an previously hunted with the 12 ga. shotgun. Entered the local gun shop here and was told the 6.5 Creedmoor would do what I wanted. Did okay but it surely didn't drop deer like a 12 ga. slug does as most of my shots are/were 100 yards or less. Going to 30.06 this year.
Can't beat classic, high quality Remington Model 700 BDL's. I have acquired numerous LH 700 BDL rifles with the goal being to own one in every caliber ever made..
I'll stick with my Rem 700BDL left-hand been taking game for over 40 years with it.
.270 Win does every thing the .30-06 does and shoots flatter.
Not really
Specifics please.
It just doesn't... I can't have handle the heavier pills, I can't penetrate at range the way a 30-06 can... I know there's nothing I could possibly say to change your mind so specifics don't really matter....
...just like, 8mm Mauser can do anything 30-06 can do...., right?
So why stop at 270? Did not say/imply one should.
Why not say that 25-06 can do anything a 30-06 can do? And can a 270 do any a 338-06 can do? Does 6.5-06 have the same ability, as a 270? All can depending in what the intended use is, just as much as they cannot depending on intended use, and the firearm being used.