forestdavegump
Member
Savage Hog Hunter in .308, I wish I could call mine a beater. I can't afford too.
HR Pardner 12g behind seat truck/beater/do all goto
HR Pardner 12g behind seat truck/beater/do all goto
Beater/Truck rifle?
- Thread starter SOTSpro21:31
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wyohome
Member
I use my 760 in .308 for such duty. I don't fancy myself as Rambo or some action hero, tossing stuff behind the seat and going on a daring rescue. I have a gun rack behind the seat, allowing the use of a reasonably good weapon with a scope. The jetpack, scuba gear, and James Bond outfit ride in the back of the truck, I trailer the Batmobile.
cal30_sniper
Member
I get where you're coming from huey, and I have been known to play the devil's advocate a time or two for certain. That's why I wasn't saying the .308 bolt was a bad idea, just maybe that there were better options out there for the dollars spent to get an all around truck and beater rifle.
Truth be told, I sold my SKS Paratrooper back in '09 for a hefty profit, and turned part of that money into a Springfield Armory M1A Bush Rifle after the scare prices went back down. I don't always carry a gun in the truck, but when I do, that's the one I use now. Whether I'm camping a few miles North of the Rio Bravo in West Texas, or 12,000 feet up in the pines in Colorado, I've never felt outgunned with that rifle within sprinting distance. Have I ever had to use it in anger? No. Will I ever? Probably not. But it sure feels nice to know it's there. So, I definitely get the .308 Rifle thing, I've always had one, and always will. Heck, when we were taking trips as kids, my dad wouldn't be caught anywhere without his .308 M1 Garand Tanker somewhere in the car. I guess I came by it honest.
The OP said he was working under a budget, and I get that. We all are in some way or fashion. I see the SKS as a poor man's M1A. It will do just about everything the M1A will inside of 200 yards. It's less powerful, less accurate, and holds fewer rounds, but the same basic idea is there. Honestly, the main critters I carry a truck gun for are varmints, both the four-legged and two-legged kind. Neither one are that hard to kill, and the 7.62x39 has a long history of working well on both. The beauty of the Marlin in .30-30 is it will do all of that as well, and is still in a package that doesn't draw gasps of fear if the ignorant public eye catches a glimpse of it. That also could be a very valuable feature to have in this day and age.
Truth be told, I sold my SKS Paratrooper back in '09 for a hefty profit, and turned part of that money into a Springfield Armory M1A Bush Rifle after the scare prices went back down. I don't always carry a gun in the truck, but when I do, that's the one I use now. Whether I'm camping a few miles North of the Rio Bravo in West Texas, or 12,000 feet up in the pines in Colorado, I've never felt outgunned with that rifle within sprinting distance. Have I ever had to use it in anger? No. Will I ever? Probably not. But it sure feels nice to know it's there. So, I definitely get the .308 Rifle thing, I've always had one, and always will. Heck, when we were taking trips as kids, my dad wouldn't be caught anywhere without his .308 M1 Garand Tanker somewhere in the car. I guess I came by it honest.
The OP said he was working under a budget, and I get that. We all are in some way or fashion. I see the SKS as a poor man's M1A. It will do just about everything the M1A will inside of 200 yards. It's less powerful, less accurate, and holds fewer rounds, but the same basic idea is there. Honestly, the main critters I carry a truck gun for are varmints, both the four-legged and two-legged kind. Neither one are that hard to kill, and the 7.62x39 has a long history of working well on both. The beauty of the Marlin in .30-30 is it will do all of that as well, and is still in a package that doesn't draw gasps of fear if the ignorant public eye catches a glimpse of it. That also could be a very valuable feature to have in this day and age.
LS240
Member
A 16" Mosin Nagant?
I second this notion. Doesn't get much cheaper or more "beater" than a Mosin. I love my Mosins and would not feel outgunned at all if one of them was all I had with which to arm myself, especially my M1944 carbine. If you want something more handy than a full size M91/30, cut the barrel to your desired length and reattach the front sight.
ThomasT
Member
I love truck gun threads. Thankfully they come up pretty often. Its fun to see what everyone thinks is the best gun to have and the extent they will go to to promote their choice.
My longest running truck gun has been a S&W model 65 that has been in my truck for at least 5 years. I have also had several other handguns for truck guns.
Over the last 30 years I have carried a Marlin 357 mag, a Marlin 30-30, an H&R Tamer 20 guage with a full sized replacement buttstock, a ruger 10/22 and a Winchester model 255(?) 22 mag lever action. And thats all I can think of right now. The point is almost any gun will do for truck gun duty.
If I could find a Henry 22 mag for a decent price i would buy it and give it a turn as a truck gun. I really, really like 22 mag guns.
My longest running truck gun has been a S&W model 65 that has been in my truck for at least 5 years. I have also had several other handguns for truck guns.
Over the last 30 years I have carried a Marlin 357 mag, a Marlin 30-30, an H&R Tamer 20 guage with a full sized replacement buttstock, a ruger 10/22 and a Winchester model 255(?) 22 mag lever action. And thats all I can think of right now. The point is almost any gun will do for truck gun duty.
If I could find a Henry 22 mag for a decent price i would buy it and give it a turn as a truck gun. I really, really like 22 mag guns.
That's enough chest thumping and bravado for one thread.
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