The 30-06 is one of the best and most beloved rifle rounds in history. 30-06 has delivered exceptional performance from the battlefields of World War II to being used as a hunting round in the backwoods of the continental United States.
This long history means that there are a lot of potential winners in the race for the best 30-06 rifle. So we sorted out the best of the best for you. That way you can find the best 30-06 rifle for you with less Googling.
Our Best Choice
Savage Arms 110 Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle
SPOILER—the Savage Arms 110 Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle is the overall best 30-06 rifle you can get right now. It’s an incredibly affordable and capable rifle that offers more creature comforts than most similarly priced competing rifles.
If you’d like something a little different, keep reading. We’ve got a whole bunch of the best 30-06 rifles lined up for you.
Top 30-06 Rifle on the Market Today
Best 30-06 Rifle Reviews: One of the Best of All Time
The overall best 30-06 rifle is up for review first. The best 30-06 rifle from each category will be reviewed in order of price.
Best priced 30-06 rifles are up first.
The most expensive rifles (that are definitely worth the money) are near the end.
Read the reviews that fall within your budget.
1. Savage Arms 110 Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle - Overall Best 30-06 Rifle
The Savage Arms 110 Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle is a really affordable rifle that comes with some features that you typically find on higher priced rifles. There are a few standout features that make this rifle special.
First, this model is fitted with the Savage AccuTrigger. The trigger is adjustable. And you can set the pull weight as low as you’d like.
The AccuTrigger has a trigger safety tab which ensures that there are no safety issues if you set your pull weight super low.
The only downside is that you can feel the trigger tab when you press the trigger. Some shooters don’t like the feel of the safety tab. But, once you get used to it, it’s hardly noticeable.
Additionally, the action is bedded in an adjustable polymer stock. The stock uses spacers to adjust the length of pull and comb height. That way you can set the dimensions of the stock where they fit your arms and place the optic in your line of sight when you shoulder your rifle.
Lastly, this model is fitted with a carbon steel barrel. Carbon steel is exceptionally rigid and hard. So it produces excellent precision. And it lasts for a super long time. This rifle will deliver perfect precision for decades.
Overall, this is an impressively affordable rifle that delivers the sort of performance that you’d usually pay more to get.
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2. Thompson/Center Venture II Bolt-Action Centerfire Rifle - Budget 30-06 Rifle
Thompson/Center is one of the most underrated rifle manufacturers out there. But they make solid rifles. The Thompson/Center Venture II Bolt-Action Centerfire Rifle is a super affordable rifle that delivers more performance than you’d expect from looking at the price.
First, this model is equipped with an adjustable trigger that you can set anywhere from 3.5 to 5 pounds. It’s a good adjustment range for a hunting or precision rifle.
The main complaint about the trigger is that it tends to be a tad heavier than 3.5 to 5 pounds. Most shooters find that the trigger comes in closer to 4 to 6 pounds. But that’s still totally manageable.
Then, the barrel is rifled with 5R rifling, which reduces bullet deformation for higher muzzle velocity. But the rifling still stabilizes the bullet just fine.
The barrel delivers excellent precision with reliable ballistic performance at all ranges. This rifle is capable of producing 1 MOA groups at 100 yards, with proper ammunition.
Additionally, the polymer stock is fitted with Hogue grip inserts. The grip inserts make your rifle much more comfortable. And they offer excellent grip traction, even when your hands are wet or sweaty.
Lastly, this rifle is finished with Thompson/Center’s WeatherShield coating to ensure that your entire rifle is as corrosion resistant as possible.
It may not have a ton of creature comforts. But this is a super affordable rifle that delivers more performance than the price tag implies.
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3. Winchester XPR Scope Combo .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle - Budget 30-06 Rifle Package
The Winchester XPR is essentially an upgraded Winchester Model 70. So the Winchester XPR Scope Combo .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle is an incredible value.
With the XPR, Winchester adopted the successful design elements from the Model 70 and applied more efficient manufacturing processes. That way you get a rifle that performs just as well as the Model 70, but is much more affordable.
The barrel is almost the same exact barrel that you’d get from a Winchester Model 70. It’s a super rigid steel barrel cut with traditional rifling for predictable performance.
Additionally, the trigger is the Winchester MOA trigger system. The trigger is one of the best non-adjustable triggers on the market.
There’s almost no travel or overtravel. And the break is remarkably clean. The trigger is amazingly easy to press without disturbing your point of aim.
Lastly, the bolt slide is finished with nickel teflon. The nickel teflon finish produces an incredibly smooth and reliable action for faster cycling and follow-up shots.
On top of all that, you get a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm BDC scope. The scope has incredibly smooth glass, with a super capable reticle that helps you get accurate hits with or without over or underholds.
Also, the scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty, which is one of the best warranties in the industry, bar none.
There are more things to love about this rifle. But those are the key points.
If you want an affordable hunting or precision shooting platform that’s ready to shoot, right out of the box (just zero the scope), this Winchester 30-06 rifle package is the way to go.
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4. CZ-USA CZ 557 American Synthetic .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle - Budget 30-06 Rifle
CZ is known for building super reliable guns with incredible triggers. Those are two of the most important things to have in a bolt-action rifle. Therefore, the CZ-USA CZ 557 American Synthetic .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle delivers on the most important aspects of a hunting or precision rifle.
First, the trigger.
This rifle has a fully adjustable trigger. But adjustable triggers are kind of table stakes these days.
The thing that makes the trigger special is the movement and the break. There’s almost no travel or overtravel. And the break is incredibly crisp. It’s one of the sharpest clicks from a trigger ever.
Then, the action is incredibly well-polished and smooth. The action is not only super fast cycling. But it’s also super reliable. The extractor has a strong spring that pops empty casings out even if you cycle the bolt slowly.
The trigger and action are bedded in a polymer stock with a rubberized coating. The exterior coating is super comfortable and durable. And it delivers incredible grip traction, no matter what. That way your rifle is easy to handle and comfortable to shoot.
My main complaint about this rifle is that it has a fixed magazine. I prefer detachable magazines. Detachable magazines make your reloads faster and make your range time more efficient, since you can prefill your mags.
But that’s a small issue. Many bolt action rifles use hinged floorplate magazines.
So, even with that small shortcoming, this CZ model is still an amazing rifle for the money. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, this rifle will make the most of your budget.
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5. Savage Arms 111 Lightweight Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle - Lightweight 30-06 Rifle
The Savage Arms 111 Lightweight Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle is one of the lightest 30-06 rifles on the market. But Savage has done an great job of ensuring that this rifle delivers excellent performance, despite the low weight.
First, this rifle is fitted with the Savage AccuTrigger. It’s a fully adjustable trigger that can be set to any pull weight you want, without any safety concerns.
Of course, some shooters don’t like the feel of the trigger safety tab. Though, you’ll barely notice it, once you get used to it.
Trigger safety tab aside, the AccuTrigger has almost zero travel and overtravel. And the break is super crisp. It’s an excellent trigger for precision shooting.
Additionally, the bolt body is fluted to save weight. However, the fluting also helps keep the bolt body cool during extended shooting sessions, which extends the lifespan and helps retain your rifle’s point of impact as it heats up.
Then, even though this rifle is built on a classic walnut stock, it takes detachable magazines. That makes for faster reloads and more shooting during your range time.
Lastly, the big deal: this rifle weighs just 6 pounds. Most other manufacturers don’t even come close to this weight with their lightweight models. This rifle is super lightweight.
If there’s any complaint to make about this rifle, it’s that it only has a 20-inch barrel. That’s perfectly adequate for hunting and even most long-range precision shooting.
However, extreme long range precision shooters may find that the barrel doesn’t deliver quite enough velocity to get the right performance at extremely long distances.
But, if you’re looking for a super lightweight rifle with an incredible performance to weight ratio, this is the rifle to get. Bonus: it’s a reasonably priced rifle, too.
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6. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Bolt-Action Rifle - Value 30-06 Rifle
It may seem a bit odd to classify the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Bolt-Action Rifle as a value 30-06 rifle. But it’s relatively affordable. And the performance is legendary.
The Model 70 is known for its reliable action. It has a blade-type ejector and a huge claw extractor. And all the springs are quite powerful. So this rifle is incredibly reliable. Also, the action is super easy to run for quick follow-up shots.
Additionally, this rifle is equipped with the Winchester MOA Trigger System. It’s not adjustable. But there’s zero travel and zero overtravel. Then, the break is super crisp. There absolutely no creep or mush.
The break is a perfect snap. It’s an incredible precision shooting trigger.
Lastly, this rifle is fitted with a slim walnut stock that’s both lightweight and easy to handle. And it weighs just 7 pounds. This rifle is super easy to haul around in the woods.
Unfortunately, this rifle sticks with the classic design elements with the magazine. The magazine is a hinged floor plate. I’d prefer a detachable magazine. But that’s not a deal breaker.
However, if you’re looking for a super reliable rifle that’s impressively lightweight, with almost zero compromise in performance, this is the rifle for you.
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7. Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle - Long-Range 30-06 Rifle
Weatherby is one of the oldest and most respected names in bolt-action rifles. And the Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry .30-06 SPFLD Bolt Action Rifle reflects Weatherby’s outstanding reputation.
The big deal with this rifle is that it comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. Weatherby guarantees that this rifle will shoot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards with quality ammunition. Almost no other rifle comes with that sort of confidence.
Additionally, this rifle is fitted with a 2-stage adjustable trigger. The trigger breaks the overall pull weight into two super manageable stages. That way you can easily press your trigger without disturbing your point of aim. Then you can make the most of that sub-MOA guarantee.
Also, the stock is a gel coated Monte Carlo stock. The stock has a slightly raised comb to bring your optic up into your line of sight when you present your rifle and give you a consistent cheek weld.
The stock has a super thick recoil pad, too. The rubber is fairly dense. But it does a good job of soaking up recoil forces for more shooting comfort.
The gel coating also makes the stock super comfortable. And it gives you super secure grip traction, even when your hands are sweaty or oily.
All of this is fitted to a cold hammer forged steel barrel that enables Weatherby to guarantee that this rifle can shoot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards.
This rifle would be nearly perfect if it came with a detachable magazine. But it utilizes a hinged floor plate magazine. I prefer a detachable magazine. But a fixed magazine is certainly not a deal breaker.
This Weatherby rifle is creeping toward the high-priced realm. But it’s an incredibly high performance rifle. And it’s easily worth more than the price tag in terms of shooting performance.
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Shooting Classic Rounds
A 30-06 rifle is a great firearm to have in your collection. Maybe 30-06 isn’t the perfect round for everything. But it’s good enough for any sort of shooting that you’d do with a bolt-action rifle.
So why not get the best 30-06 rifle you can afford?
If you want a great 30-06 rifle that’s affordable for almost anyone, get the Savage Arms 110 Hunter 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle. It’s a really well-priced rifle that has several features that you’d ordinarily have to pay a higher price to get.
But, no matter what, you can’t go wrong with a good 30-06 rifle. So get one. And experience that legendary performance.