A Beautiful Trio Of Modern .30-06 Deer Rifles
All Hail The .30-06!
Forget about the rumors you might have heard around the interweb forums. The .30-06 chambering is still, and will always be a tried-and-true deer caliber. Like world-class firearms and optics writer Wayne van Zwoll recently wrote at Springfield Armory’s thearmorylife.com, “The .30-06 went to Alaska when miners were still plodding the Chilkoot Trail. It predates Ford’s Model T and Browning’s .45 auto pistol, the paper towel and the curtain rod, candy apples and fortune cookies, Idaho’s Big Burn, and San Francisco’s earthquake. The Titanic had not yet been built. The .30-06 pulled the U.S. through two world wars. It arrived in hunting camps before Coleman lanterns.” Without further ado, here are three great modern rigs to consider adding to your rifle collection.
Christensen Arms Evoke
With its great looks, sub-MOA guarantee, and sub-$1,000 price, Christensen’s new Evoke is one for the ages. The Evoke features a proprietary Christensen Arms action with a six-lug bolt and 60-degree bolt throw, detachable mag, hybrid grip angle, premium adjustable trigger, 416R stainless steel suppressor-ready barrel with an RFR-style brake, integrated Picatinny rail, swivel sling studs, and an adjustable cheek riser. Four models include the Evoke, Evoke Mossy Oak, Evoke Hunter, and Evoke Precision. Multiple finishes and all popular chamberings are available.
MSRP: $899 (christensenarms.com)
Ruger American Gen II Predator
The latest Gen II Predator, with its burnt bronze Cerakote finish and 22-inch, free-floated fluted barrel, is a head-turner right out of the gate. And its sub-$800 price point makes any type of hunter want to write a letter to Santa. The Gen II’s durable, splatter-finished stock allows for adjustable length of pull and comb height. Other features include a three-position tang safety, threaded barrel, detachable mag (types and capacities depend on caliber choice), and a Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger. MSRP: $729 (ruger.com)
Savage Arms 110 Trail Hunter Lite
If you’re in the market for the perfect all-around, tag-filling rifle, the time-proven Savage Arms 110 platform is tough to beat. The new 110 Trail Hunter Lite was created via a collaboration with Hogue. The full-coverage Hogue rubber overmold on the stock provides the user with a superior hold on the rifle in all conditions. Other features include a tungsten Cerakoted barreled action, notoriously excellent Savage AccuTrigger, a threaded and button-rifled barrel (18- and 20-inch available depending on caliber), two-piece Weaver-style bases, detachable box mag, and a three-position tang safety. MSRP: $669 (savagearms.com)
Top .30-06 Ammunition Picks
Hornady American Whitetail
Now that you have your .30-06 game busters, it’s time to load up with solid ammo. Hornady’s American Whitetail .30-06 Springfield 180-grainers loaded with InterLock bullets are ready to shine. Out of a 24-inch barrel, these loads sport 2,293-fps velocity and 2,101 ft/lbs of energy at 200 yards. Available in boxes of 20. MSRP: $32 (hornady.com)
Winchester Power-Point
The legendary whitetail cartridge deserves classic packaging. You get that and more with Winchester’s Power-Point .30-06 Springfield 180-grain pills. The exposed lead-tip Power-Point bullet is constructed with a copper jacket, featuring strategically placed notches around the jacket mouth, which initiate quick and uniform expansion for massive energy release. They’re available in boxes of 20. MSRP: $30 (winchester.com)
The Perfect Youth Model For Those on Santa’s Nice List
Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam
Let’s face it, Christmas is for kids! Get your youngster set with a rifle designed to grow with your child. The best bet here is the Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam Scoped Combo. The Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam boasts all the features you’ll find in Mossberg’s full-sized Patriot but with features to fit smaller-statured users. The Super Bantam stock design includes a removable 1-inch spacer to allow for customizing length of pull. Features include a drop box magazine, recessed match barrel crown, fluted 20- or 22-inch barrel, spiral fluted bolt, patented LBA user-adjustable trigger (2 to 7 pounds), and a streamlined bolt handle. It’s available in .308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win, and .350 Legend. Several synthetic stock finishes are available. MSRP: $529 (mossberg.com)