Reminton or Ruger would be my coice. Never used the Savage but don't doubt it''s a quality firearm also.
My son has a Remigton BDL in 30.06. No modifications at all. Right out of thebox it was and continues to shoot amazingly tight groups.

30.06 in undoubtably the most versatile calibre, capable of taking any animal in North America. Great choice.

Thanks.

Savage offers an accu-trigger that allows you to adjust the trigger pull. Interesting, but I have never shot one so I don't know if it works well.

I have a Ruger .357 that I like, but that doesn't mean their 30-06 is a good choice.

Thanks again.

I have had the opportunity to shoot one of the new savages and the trigger is excellent. The savage rifles have an on-going reputation for being the most accurate out-of-the-box rifle and that was before the improved trigger. I am a die hard remington fan and you would love it if you settled for them but for the money the savage is very hard to beat.

Went to Cabelas in KC today and checked out 30-06s. I really liked the Remington XCR. Sharp looking and feels real good.

I would have to agree with Hammer....either a Remington or a Ruger. IDk much about Savages but will tell you that Remington also has an Adj. trigger. As far as your caliber selection...never better.....30-06 has been around along time and will prolly be around longer than me. I would say that your choice for the XCR is a damn good idea.

I bought my first rifle last year and it is the XCR in .270. Very happy with it.

Thanks everyone. Reddog, thanks for posting the pic - damn good looking rifle.

It would be damn hard to impossible to buy a bad rifle other than the occassional bad one with any brand. Find one that feels good and looks good to you.

Last fall, my wife and I purchase a new Remington 700 SPS Stainless 30-06 as a gift for my son's earning the Eagle Scout Award.

Rifle was $469.00 from Sportsman's Warehouse in Utah and included a 24" stainless / parkerized barrel and Limbsaver Recoil Pad.

FYI:

The blued version was discounted to $398.00, but we liked the stainless at $469. (Note: The 2005 Stainless version retails for $613 and has replaced the 2004 BDL's Stainless. The 2005 SPS in blue ($520 retail) has replaced the 2004 ADL line which was dropped.)

We Piller Bedding the action / Free Floating the Barrel, and Adjusted the Trigger to 2 3/4 lbs. So far, results have been 7/8" MOA after the first 12 shots through the barrel and now 5/8" groups after another 100 rounds.

Rifle wheres a Weaver Classic 4 to 16 scope and loves Winchester Supreme 180-gr. (Nosler) Ballistic Silvertips and Federal Vital Shock 180-gr. Solid Base rounds.

cvc'
The xcr looks like a super choice. It would be great up here on our deer hunts as we travel and live on a couple of crab boats and use a skiff to get around to different places and the rifles take a beating in the skiff and the salt water and the abundant rain we get here.