My "All American" rifle

[USMarine1108]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm a sucker for wood and metal. I'm a big fan of the original M40 "look". I'm also a fan of 30-06 as I think it's an underrated chambering with a lot of potential. Sure, it's not the most effecient but with handloads you can really make it scream with a large variety of bullets. I wanted to put together a hunting rifle with these characteristics but wasn't going to spend thousands to do it. When I ran across a deal on an action I knew it was time to start this build.

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Savage 110 30-06 - $349 new from Gander Mt
Obermeyer 26" AMU 1/11.25 blank - $280
EGW 20 MOA base - $32
Accutrigger polished and adjusted to just over 2 lbs
Barrel channel opened up for the larger barrel
Bedded with pillars and JB Weld - $9
Tactical Works bold handle - $46
MILSCO 1917 repro sling - $15 gun show buy
Rings and SS glass are from another rifle for now, I'm trying to decide what glass to go with.

Sierra 170gr FN Pro Hunter @ 2.96
Fed 210
RP case
47.5gr IMR-4895
.29 MOA

Hornady 220gr Interlock @ 3.230
Fed 210
RP case
41gr IMR-4895
.4 MOA

Not bad for $731 (not including glass, rings and barrel machining done by a family friend). I'm going to try some 178gr and 208gr A-Maxs for some paper/steel shooting. I think it'll do pretty good.

[Samdweezel05]

Awesome lookin rig. I like my wild and crazy paint colors on my bench rifles but I don't think there is anything that is nicer than a simple well put together "hunting" rifle.

[JReed]

Very tasteful. ;D

I think Gunny Hathcock would have loved it. I know I do.

[rez187]

wow .2 with the sierra 170! forget any other bullet invest all you can in that combo! nice set up my first gun i ever bought was a savage lh 110 270 win wich i still own and love to death.

ps United States Air Force rules!!!!!!!!

[big honkin jeep]

Classy, An all American rifle begs for an all American scope. Go with a Leupold. Congratulations on a fine shooting rig

[Dirknar]

Nice! I saw your post on the hide as well.

How do you like that tactical works bolt handle? Im thinking on odering one soon.

[JReed]

You know the original M40's came with 3-9 power Redfields.

[rez187]

a gun that shoots like you say deserves a leupold cds or similar sorry redfield just wont do it justice. the redfield made by leupold is vx1 level glass and coatings that just cannot compete with the vx3 tubes. go big or go home!

ps Air Force Still Rules!!!!!!!! usmc not so much :o

[USMarine1108]

wow .2 with the sierra 170! forget any other bullet invest all you can in that combo! nice set up my first gun i ever bought was a savage lh 110 270 win wich i still own and love to death.

ps United States Air Force rules!!!!!!!!


I was pretty suprised by those groups too. It's the same bullet I load for 30-30 so I tried them, turned out pretty good. I shot 3 5 shot groups with that charge during load development and all were right there. I wasn't sure if the 220gr would stabilize but they did. I'm pretty happy with that!

[USMarine1108]

Nice! I saw your post on the hide as well.

How do you like that tactical works bolt handle? Im thinking on odering one soon.


I like it a lot, it's the best I've tried so far. The problem is them being in stock! I'd like to order another for my wife's rifle.

[USMarine1108]

You know the original M40's came with 3-9 power Redfields.


I do. This isn't an M-40. It's just "M-40ish".

[USMarine1108]

a gun that shoots like you say deserves a leupold cds or similar sorry redfield just wont do it justice. the redfield made by leupold is vx1 level glass and coatings that just cannot compete with the vx3 tubes. go big or go home!

ps Air Force Still Rules!!!!!!!! usmc not so much :o


I've got a couple of Leupolds and am a big fan. I'm going to try a couple of them out on the gun before I dedicate funds to new glass for this gun. Whatever I do, I think it'll be a variable in the 5-20 range. I'd really like to see what this rifle will do with better bullets at longer distances. I've got plenty of 155 Scenars laying around but I think I'll pick up something a little heavier for it.

(Your Air Force quotes are pretty standard "little man syndrome", it's alright. We see it all the time. ;) )

[TonyBen]

That's a sweet shooter! Congrats on a nice budget build!

Tony.

[rez187]

i love the services rivalry! you want a bullet sponge call usmc...... you want someone who can think and talk in complete sentences you call the USAF! i only tease cuz it's true.

god bless ALL of our men and women in service.

that's a great shooting gun and one that demands you shoot as often as possible, life is short shoot, shoot and shoot some more.

[fivesomewhere]

Money well spent! Do you have any sub-moa recipes for 30/06 utilizing Varget?

Thanks,
Red