Headed To CA for a bit: I dont have a legal gun for 'yotes!

So I will be headed to 29 Stumps for a few months. During this time I will be able to knock over some songdogs. Problem is my predator rig, and my kids' rigs are all AR based. My deer gun is an old Mauser (try finding ammo for a .257Roberts!) that I won't be able to load for out there. Taking a shotgun for the open desert is not my thing either.

Add to this that I will also have my DL650 (motorcycle) that I would not mind giving it some off road time, and I need a rifle I can break down and pack away in the side cases. Enter the memory of my first stint spent out there and the NEF Survivor in .223 that I dropped over 100 yotes with in that year. Man, I miss that little gun! And I could break her down and fit her in a duffle bag if i wanted to.

So I am on the hunt for a rifle I can give my younger daughter next Xmas for her deer rifle. A .243 (A round I can reload for later on as well) Handi Rifle. I figure I can throw on a Boyds Stock to match her H&R Ultraslugger and she would be ecstatic! She loves that tank of a gun ad the thumbhole style stock. Making sure it was safe to fire would be a chance I will grudgingly take on while away. Lol.

Now that they are out of business the rifles sell for more than they did new! Ouch! $350 for a used one of the synthetic sporter weights???? Crazy. None the less, the hunt goes on and I will be sure to let you all know how it turns out.

I might pick up enough supplies to throw together a couple hundred rounds for a range test before I go. I need something to use the IMR4320 for. Too bad I converted all my .243 brass to my .260Rem (also AR based) and loaded them.

Anyone looking to knock over some predators out there is welcome to join me. I will let you know when I get out there. The date is still up in the air a bit. You know how the military works if you have ever served.

danez71 said:

I'm guessing military? 29 stumps (lol) isn't really a vacation spot.

You could bring a non pistol gripped AR with no more than 10 end mags.

The Mauser is fine.

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The Mauser might come, and I am not castrating an AR for the trip. However, it is a chance to add a new gun to the family. If I can find one.

jeepnik said:

H & R makes a variety of single shot break open rifles. You can usually find them for under $300. Most models come setup for scope mounting. Heck, you'll likely spend more on a decent scope than on the rifle. But, with chambering like .223 or .243, of if you really want a challenge .22 Hornet, there's bound to be one that fits your need. They even have youth models.

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That was until they shut down. They still have a web site, but Remington killed them.

ontarget said:

I have a Handi Rifle with laminate stock in .243. Sorry but you can't have it LOL. Seriously, enjoy your trip and good luck with the dog hunting.

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LOL. I will try to.

hdwhit said:

It's not a take-down, but I have found my Savage Axis to be very satisfactory for a $250 rifle.

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There is a .223 version of that sitting in my oldest's gun rack. She banned me from borrowing it though.

Those are pretty. No one can get one in yet around here.

redbullitt said:

I would take the 257 roberts and buy a lee hand press. Boom, reloading kit that will fit inside a shoe box.

I have loaded a lot of rounds on one and it does it just fine for 308 class cases etc. Wouldnt want it for case forming or big mags though I dont think.

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I have 2 hand presses already.

I picked up a short little H&R in .243. It isn't exactly a tack driver (2"@100yds with factory fodder), but it will work and double as a X-mas gift for my son. I just need to borrow it in the spring. The training got pushed from October to March. Now to work up some loads.