TIKA 25-06 - great rifle. Can usually pick up with a scope for $500-$600.
Will kill anything a 30-06 will and very little recoil.

I, too, am an 06 shooter. But if I were looking for lighter recoil I think a 257 Bob or 250 Savage in either a bolt or 99 would be interesting.
In a self loader the 6.8 SPC has alot going for it in an AR or the rare mini14.

This was my experience with a Savage 110 in 270 as well. I had a recoil pad put on it and it still kicked the crap out of me. I sold that gun to the gunsmith/store who put the recoil pad on it.

30/06 Long Live the King. Winchester model 70, Wood Furniture. I have no regard or interest in synthetic or stainless steel anything. Anywhere hunters gather the used and abused classics are where it’s at. Tell a story

You will always be able to get brass for a 260. It's as simple as running a 243,708 or 308 through a sizing die and trimming them.

I thought their was some differences between the vanguard and the Howa. Particularly in the action and stalks

just get you a 6.5 creedmore. It's what all the cool kids have now. It comes with a mail in ballot and a guide to man bun care !! WIN WIN

Yes sir I dont know about the stocks. Gunsmith made my wifes stock and put a new howa barreled action on it. I bought the Vanguard complete. If there is a difference in the actions I am unaware of it. My wifes rifle and mine both are old enough you can adjust the trigger pull. I don't think you can on the new ones. maybe there are some differences today I am unaware of.

use 30-06 reduced recoil rounds , this is basically a 30-06 loaded to 308 velocity's or with a lighter bullet

or get a muzzle brake

my 30-06 load is for an M1 and a 742 so it is already needing to be 308 velocities for the M1 I just run it that way for both , deer never notice but you will in the recoil.

the bullet being identical a 308 max load is basically identical to a 30-06 starting load in most powders that work for both and also with the velocities

the 308 case is 51mm long and the 30-06 case is 63mm long there is just room for more powder

weight will help but make a beast to carry , if you drive to your stand and climb up in and never move no issue , but it you hike in , or walk a good portion of the day it does make a difference.

and you won't even notice a hardly any trajectory difference in 150-200fp between the typical 308 velocity and the 30-06 velocity with the same bullet

it is a 1.1 inch difference at 300 yards between the same 150gr bullet at 2750 and 2900 and since you never shoot game past 200 yards it is a 0.2 inch difference at 100 yard not enough difference to make a difference

if you want less recoil from a 30-06 and don't want to change cartridge , Muzzle brake can reduce felt recoil by 50%

buy a threaded barrel gun , may not be a lot in 30-06 , lots of 308 are coming this way now

my 308 jumps a bit it is fairly light 8.2 pounds ready to hunt however with the brake t took almost all the jump out I am still looking through the scope to watch bullet impact on steel

you have to get the muzzle out of the blind , or holy pressure wave batman

Thought about a muzzle break— the gunsmith talked me out of it. Likened it to putting a new motor in a Ford Ecsort…. Sure you can but for the money why would you. ….. still on the fence on this one.

Glad I’m not the only one tired of the recoil with 110’s……

The gun I have now has killed a bunch of deer and I’m not mad at it. Just looking at options especially as I’m getting older.

Good info guys— I appreciate the offer input.

Silencer is what you're looking for. Best money I have spent on gun related purchases hands down

I'd buy a 7mm-08 and call it good. Tikka, Browning, etc. Heck brand doesn't matter. Low recoil, kills deer dead in a hurry.

Suppressor, not a silencer. Silencer is what the anti gunners like to call them.

Sako with beautiful walnut.
Blaser with beautiful walnut.
An older Remington 700 with beautiful walnut.
Remington model 7 in .308 may interest you.

Order with high grade black walnut or have a custom stock made.

I have never liked the .30-06 cartridge. Had one rifle in that cartridge and never bonded with it.

There are some very good rifles that are not bolt action. Take a look around. Consider an older rifle that is worth a makeover.

Well I guess I was short changed on mine I did not get a copy of the Guide to Man Bun Care I reckon they took one look at the top of my head and could plainly see IT WOULD BE OF NO USE TO ME !!

Lol I’m like you West Side …… more hair on my back than on my head.

I’m not opposed to an older gun either. Heck, does anyone still manufacture guns with wood stocks anymore

I am by no means a authority on rifles, just sayin. But why a 06 for a designated deer gun, isn't that a bit much? If your not in brush and have the longer shots, why not a 243? Less recoil and gets it done. Just wondering why an 06 for deer.

Look at a Boyd's stock. They list 5 different options for a Savage 110 footprint... And there are 10 different configurations to choose from. They make a nice laminated wooden stock and it might add a bit of weight to mitigate recoil.

Mike

Under 100 yards with little recoil I'd look at some of the 350 legends. As a bonus that ammo is available almost every where

I’ll look into those stocks Mike— appreciate it

Catch— I like the ‘06 as it is versatile for nearly everything I dream about hunting. Where I hunt now is 100 yards or less. But someday I may go to the big farmland or orchards and shoot longer.