Ruger Guide Gun

I am interested in purchasing a 30-06 Guide Gun.
20" barrel and option to use muzzle brake or capped barrel seems like it might be a good setup
I was wondering who all owns one of the Guide gun models. I think 30-06 is the only non-belted cartridge model and holds 4 rounds vs 3 rounds for the magnums.
What kind of prices should I expect to pay for one?

The Guide gun in 300 RCM and 338 RCM are beltless as well. Both excel in a 20" barrel and are housed in a short action where the 30-06 loses a lot in a 20" barrel and requires a long action. Bob!

rangerbob said:

The Guide gun in 300 RCM and 338 RCM are beltless as well. Both excel in a 20" barrel and are housed in a short action where the 30-06 loses a lot in a 20" barrel and requires a long action. Bob!

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Please elaborate on how the "30-06 loses a lot in a 20" barrel".
gramps

Gramps, let me just say that I believe the 30-06 is at its best in a 24" barrel. As to the original post, the current dealer price for the guide rifle in 30-06 is in excess of $900. CDNN or one of the other Internet sites may some at a lower price. I mentioned the other calibers as they are being discounted at prices far below the current dealer costs. The savings would buy a lot of ammo or components if one was inclined. Bob!!

You are right about the price. Checking the 300 RCM is running $600-700 while the 30-06 is running ~$1000 or a bit less. Most of the factory 30-06 loads seem to be optimized for 22in or longer barrels. But I would hesitate to invest in a discontinued cartridge.

Grobin and gramps, I've been reloading for so long that I hardly think of the term obsolete. The 30-06 should have been gone long ago, being 113 years old, as the 7.62 Nato(308) replaced it 60 years ago in military service. Handloading wise, the only difference between the 30-06 and the 300 RCM is the brass. Same bullets, powder, and maybe magnum primers. I know I'm in the minority for not being a fan of the 30-06, but the first new rifle I ever bought at age 17 in 1968 was a M70 in 30-06, as it was pretty close to state of the art with that K4 Weaver on top. Lately, I've been in the market for a new Ford F-150 regular cab with an 8 ft. bed. I must have looked at over 500 trucks in 6 states on the Internet. What amazed me was that 40 to 50 percent of them had V8 engines instead of the more economical and powerful 3.5 L Ecoboost. Then I realized that some folks have been buying V8's since WWII and never even considered a V6. The same thing with rifles I guess. Certainly the 300 RCM is more powerful than the 30-06 and it's new technology with its short fat case housed in a short action. BTW, the regular cab trucks are far and few in between, especially an 8 ft bed, 4x4, in the XLT trim. I'm just proud to live in a country where we have the freedom to choose. BTW, gramps, I think the 7mm-08 is as fine a deer cartridge there is. Bob!! :mrgreen:

I have the guide gun in 300 wm. I was surprised and impressed by the sub moa accuracy. I use neither the brake or the weight, preferring the thread protector. Overall a excellent rifle. I swapped out the stock for a Hogue, but that was strictly aesthetic. Both stocks gave excellent results and grip, with the ruger stock being more versatile in length.

rangerbob said:

The 30-06 should have been gone long ago, being 113 years old, as the 7.62 Nato(308) replaced it 60 years ago in military service.

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The .308 is simply a shortened 30-06. I'm not convinced that the 30-06 is obsolete. I own both and like both. Furthermore, the 270 is simply a necked down 30-06, and no one is claiming the 270 is obsolete.

Don,
I have the Guide Gun in 338RCM. Felt recoil using the brake is less than my American in 308. Mine is very accurate and an all around fun and dependable rifle.


I would have bought one in 308 if they made it. I agree the 300 and 338 RCM guns are gpoing cheap right now, around $700. The 30-06 and the 375 Ruger seem to go from $989 and up. Cabelas here has one in 375 for $999.00, and it is tempting. I think it would be great in 06.

Guide guns are kinda neat, a bit heavy but handy. Versatile. Robust. A great selection for power.

But a thousand clams for a laminated stock Ruger. Whew, the times they are a changin. No doggone wonder they've been selling Americns like hotcakes.

gunzo said:

Guide guns are kinda neat, a bit heavy but handy. Versatile. Robust. A great selection for power.

But a thousand clams for a laminated stock Ruger. Whew, the times they are a changin. No doggone wonder they've been selling Americns like hotcakes.

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Funny you should mention that.

I was set up at a gun show last weekend and among the left-handed rifles I had for sale a customer was looking at an American in 30-06 for $375 and a Hawkeye stainless/laminate in the same caliber for $795. After much deliberation he asked me which one would I choose and why. I replied do you want a Ford Ranger or a F-250? He bought the Hawkeye.