Hello all. Great forum and I'm glad to participate. I'm pretty intersted in an A-bolt in 300 Win MAg or 30-06. The X-bolt will also be amazing when it comes out. I think I'm sold on a Browning over a 700 as a larger big game / longer effective range rifle. With the BOSS barrel weight it's said that this single gun can adjust and shoot various factory loads without the complexities of reloading.

So in this fantasy world where we have a rifle that will put up great groups across the spectrum of it's designated caliber I arrive at this question...There are ballistics that say some of the heavier 30-06 loads could really be bruisers...But can the 30-06 really compare to the power of a win.mag? I do like the broader range of affordable factory 30-06 loads, twice that of the 300. So those are some facts I'm juggling. What do you think. Thanks

It's tough to beat an 06 for the sheer number of loads available. The 300 is way more than you need for deer sized game. It's advantages show up at exceptionally long range, beyond 300 yards. The high energy loads for an 06 put it very close to a 300. The A-bolt is nice but try a Tikka T3. They shoot exceptionally well and have a great trigger. By the way, welcome aboard.Hello all. Great forum and I'm glad to participate. I'm pretty intersted in an A-bolt in 300 Win MAg or 30-06. The X-bolt will also be amazing when it comes out. I think I'm sold on a Browning over a 700 as a larger big game / longer effective range rifle. With the BOSS barrel weight it's said that this single gun can adjust and shoot various factory loads without the complexities of reloading.

So in this fantasy world where we have a rifle that will put up great groups across the spectrum of it's designated caliber I arrive at this question...There are ballistics that say some of the heavier 30-06 loads could really be bruisers...But can the 30-06 really compare to the power of a win.mag? I do like the broader range of affordable factory 30-06 loads, twice that of the 300. So those are some facts I'm juggling. What do you think. Thanks

Read up on the BOSS. The T3 is a slick rifle. Not to be denied and never far out of my mind. However, the "idea" with the BOSS is that it can rebalance the barrel to attempt a sweet spot at different loads where as and in general you have one rifle/one barrel/one favorite load= best accuracy. My currenty 06 is that way. Tight groups at 15ogr and looser groups at 180. That's usually the MO of most hunting rilfes don't you think?

Once you find a load that your rifle likes why would you change? I don't think the change in bullet weight is the sole reason your group size changes. It may shoot one brand of 180's really well and another brand not so much. It's a pain in the rear/shoulder to shoot a lot of different loads to find the one your rig likes. But I feel its good to have one load to do it all with. My rifle happens to like Accubonds and Accubond CT's. I know this bullet will handle a lot of different sized game. It keeps it simple. The Boss is nice no doubt, but you will still have to do a lot of shooting to find the sweet spot for the Boss system. I liked the A-bolts when I was shopping for a gun. The opportunity came up to try a Tikka and I was hooked. I paid 569 for a stainless/synthetic model which is way less than an A-bolt was. Plus, with above mentioned bullets it shoots under an inch if I do my part. Good luck and happy hunting.

I'm hearing you and thanks for the good regards. This goes round and round in my head some days. I seek the "one gun" for my set. Shooters end up nursing their "set" I think. Pursuing a rimfire or a pistol to compliment their other interests in shotguns and a good big game rifle that they can trust in harsh circumstances. The big game rifle in my set is the one that hasn't been soiidified yet. I juggle a 243savage(keeper, good gun) and 30-06HAndiRifle (Also a shooter but I'll trade it in. It's in the way of my "1"). The Abolt probably has a couple sweet spots. Thats just a Bonus IMO. In the end the most critical things are quality and accuracy. After that, with guns that are so similar, the size, stocks+/- bedding, bolts and of course the price. Possitive opposing reviews like yours will weigh heavy on the decision. thanks for the help Teach.

Hi MAngo.

So whereabouts in Washington are you? I spent four years in Eastern Washington, and I don't think you really need anymore range in 30 caliber than a good -06 can give you. My friend that I hunted with a lot in Washington had both a 308 and a 300 Win Mag. The 308 was his "go to" gun (a beautiful pre-Garcia Sako Lever Action). I only saw him bring the 300 Win Mag out of the safe once, and I think it was a Browning.

I own a Winchester with the BOSS system in 270 Win, and it is a very accurate rifle with 130 grain Factory Power Points (consistently under an inch for 3 @ 100 yards). In truth, I never adjusted the BOSS from the starting setting in the manual. With that said, I also have handloads from 90 to 130 grains that will put 5 shots inside of an inch consistently, and I use the same BOSS setting for all of them.

I also have a Sako 75 (pre-Beretta), which is a very high-quality rifle with perfect fit and finish. It's a 308, and with my 165 and 168 grain handloads, it is also very accurate. With 168gr Ballistic Silvertips and near-max loads of Varget, it typically puts 3 shots into .3-.7" groups at 100 yards. Needless to say, I have a lot of confidence in both rifles.

With the exception of the plastic around the magazine area of the Tikkas, they are very nice rifles and have many features in common with the Sakos (both made by the same company). Based on my experience with my CZ 452, I would also recommend that you take a look at what CZ has to offer as they are affordable rifles with very nice fit and finish as well.

amndouglas

It's fun to discuss rifles/guns. Everyone has an opinion on what is best. I'm a little surprised you haven't given Savage a look. Their accutrigger is supposed to be really nice. I have a Savage Striker pistol in 308 and the gun flat out shoots. It's just as accurate as my rifle, even with it's crappy trigger. My buddy has a savage rifle in 223 that shoots cloverleafs all day. In truth there are a lot of really good rifles out there. I chose the Tikka for it's trigger and it's unbelievably slick action. Also, you don't see them at the range that often. The fact that it shoots very well is the icing on the cake. Happy shooting to you. I'm hearing you and thanks for the good regards. This goes round and round in my head some days. I seek the "one gun" for my set. Shooters end up nursing their "set" I think. Pursuing a rimfire or a pistol to compliment their other interests in shotguns and a good big game rifle that they can trust in harsh circumstances. The big game rifle in my set is the one that hasn't been soiidified yet. I juggle a 243savage(keeper, good gun) and 30-06HAndi(Also a shooter but trade in. It's in the way of my "1"). The Abolt probably has a couple sweet spots. Thats just a Bonus IMO. In the end the most critical things are quality and accuracy. After that, with guns that are so similar, the size, stocks+/- bedding, bolts and of course the price. Possitive opposing reviews like yours will weigh heavy on the decision. thanks for the help Teach.

I have a Model 70 BOSS .30-06. Great rifle, but don't get a BOSS unless you plan on doing a whole lot of shooting and recording of results. That is the only way you will be able to find the right setting for each load. If that is your desire, I'd get a .30-06 over a 300 Mag. The 06 is easier on your ears, shoulder, pocket book and barrel for high volume shooting and it has plenty of range.

If you don't want to test shoot that much, just get a standard barrel (in either cal) and find one or two loads you gun really likes and don't change (as someone said above).

If you get a BOSS, make sure you get a CR plug.

BirdDogII=Why do you prefer the BOSS CR?
Teach=Got a Savage in 243. keeping it. Love it.

If I get an A/X-Bolt I'd shoot it plenty and tabulate all of it. There's such potential with the 30-06 I'd feel remissed not to. I hunt all over washington State but in the future I could find myself hunting with some family in WI and CA. MidWest and Eastern WA are my primary types of terrain. Very different here east to west which is why WA hunters either pick a preference or embrace the challenge. That can mean not taking a deer sometimes but that's ok for me. Complacency earns no rewards and I don't hang it all on a deer for the year. I'll keep shopping around. I'd like a little more muscle in the safe.

The noise from a muzzle braked rifle is unbelievable to unprotected ears. The CR plug eliminates that.

BirdDogII=Why do you prefer the BOSS CR?
Teach=Got a Savage in 243. keeping it. Love it.

Teacher nailed it on the BOSS. The standard BOSS is great at the range since it largely eliminates the recoil and you have hearing protection. Once you get your load dialed in, you screw the standard BOSS plug off and replace it with the CR plug. It has the same vibration dampening (thus tuning) properties as the standard plug, but no recoil reduction and no huge noise/blast.