Bolt Action Bug-Home Rifles

[Ugly Sauce]

You live in the country, things go bad in the city, roads clogged, crowds going wild, social upheaval, you got to get home! Yeah yeah, I hear everyone now, "you got to have an AR!! "With flashlight, and a scope, and a red-dot, and a night sight, and ten other doo-dads hanging off the rails!!!" Or AR10! OR FAL! M1A!! Semi-auto, magazine fed! 400 extras magazine and a donkey cart to carry them in!!!

I'm taking another route, and have set up two of my bolt-guns for bug-home duty. My FR8 and M44.

Are they not cute? I chose these two as they both have bayonets, and are stripper clip fed. Why bayonets? I can't really explain, but I just think that a situation could arise where some people could be driven off at the point of a bayonet, rather than the threat of being shot. Some might think: "oh he won't shoot", but getting poked/poked at will get one's attention. Or? Maybe not. I just like bayonets. The perfect way to take a knife to a gun fight.

One requirement I self-imposed was a light load for getting out of the city, less muzzle flash and blast. With 35 grains of RL7 and a 125 grain bullet, the FR8 did "okay" or "good enough". 50 yards, city distance. The light loads (about 2400fps) shot to about the same POI as full power 7.62X51 ball ammo. The ball went a bit to the left. I carry two full bandoliers, mostly ball with 25 being the light load.

The M44 kind of surprised me. Dang, not a good picture. But, looking at the top left target, the light load (same 35 grains of RL7 but with a .310" 124 grain FMJ Gave me a tiny four shot group, but low. I was aiming for the center of the target. So I set the sight on 300 yards, (top right plate) and I put them right where I wanted them. All it took was two shots. Then I put the sights back on the lowest range, 100 meters, loader her up with Hungarian Light Ball, and wow, tiny three shot group exactly to POA. I'll take it. Pin-point accuracy for both city and country shooting. Ammo load out the same, two full bandoliers, 25 of which are the light "city loads".

I like the action on the FR8 better, I like the safety better. But I sure like the accuracy of the M44, so I think it's my favorite. I like having the bayonet on the rifle. A good feature I think, a curiosity to most others.

The muzzle flash from the FR8 isn't too bad with full power ammo, but as most of you know, full power ammo from a Mosin-Nagant carbine is....horrendous. (possibly intimidating to mobs or others who want your stuff?) Certainly no one would wonder where your position is after one shot. But with the light loads it is not any worse than a .762X39mm, which it is ballistically.

I might set my No.5 "Jungle Carbine" up the same way. It is magazine fed, which is "not bad". I don't have a bayonet for it though.

Okay, ready for the big bug-home adventure. Hopefully most people won't behave too badly, history shows that generally, social breakdowns, breakdowns in transportation don't result in instant mass insanity. Even from CDA Idaho I think I could walk home in two days and some change. We'll see!! What's in your bolt-action bug-home bag?

"Here lies Ugly Sauce, on the side of the street. He didn't have an AR."

 

[WestKentucky]

I really like the FR8 and wish I had bought one when I had a chance.

 

[EMC45]

A man after my own heart… Although mine is an FR8 and an M38 Mosin.

Stripper clips at the ready.

 

[Mosin77]

Any gun is better than no gun, and back in the day the Mosin was the best answer to “how do you arm 5 dudes for 400 bucks.” Definitely seemed to have its place as an impromptu militia rifle for social upheaval and the like.

Now an AR is cheaper and better for same purpose.

My AR, however, doesn’t excite me. My Mosin does. Can’t say I carry it anywhere enough to make it a realistic gun to help me get home in a crisis, but its military heritage is unmistakable and nobody would mess with you unnecessarily if you’re humping a 10lb, bayonet-kitted, cannon.

 

[horsey300]

I don't have one, or really, much of a use for one, but for such a case, I'd like the ruger american ranch/savage hog hunter (#1) or a Marlin 336 (#2), I'm gonna wanna be quick and portable if I'm trying to get to home base without one of my ar-15s at hand. Really, a short compact lightweight bolt action that can utilize a larger capacity mag is what would check my boxes.

 

[Beck]

You live in the country, things go bad in the city, roads clogged, crowds going wild, social upheaval, you got to get home! Yeah yeah, I hear everyone now, "you got to have an AR!! "With flashlight, and a scope, and a red-dot, and a night sight, and ten other doo-dads hanging off the rails!!!" Or AR10! OR FAL! M1A!! Semi-auto, magazine fed! 400 extras magazine and a donkey cart to carry them in!!!

I'm taking another route, and have set up two of my bolt-guns for bug-home duty. My FR8 and M44.
View attachment 1182627
Are they not cute? I chose these two as they both have bayonets, and are stripper clip fed. Why bayonets? I can't really explain, but I just think that a situation could arise where some people could be driven off at the point of a bayonet, rather than the threat of being shot. Some might think: "oh he won't shoot", but getting poked/poked at will get one's attention. Or? Maybe not. I just like bayonets. The perfect way to take a knife to a gun fight.
View attachment 1182628
One requirement I self-imposed was a light load for getting out of the city, less muzzle flash and blast. With 35 grains of RL7 and a 125 grain bullet, the FR8 did "okay" or "good enough". 50 yards, city distance. The light loads (about 2400fps) shot to about the same POI as full power 7.62X51 ball ammo. The ball went a bit to the left. I carry two full bandoliers, mostly ball with 25 being the light load.
View attachment 1182630
The M44 kind of surprised me. Dang, not a good picture. But, looking at the top left target, the light load (same 35 grains of RL7 but with a .310" 124 grain FMJ Gave me a tiny four shot group, but low. I was aiming for the center of the target. So I set the sight on 300 yards, (top right plate) and I put them right where I wanted them. All it took was two shots. Then I put the sights back on the lowest range, 100 meters, loader her up with Hungarian Light Ball, and wow, tiny three shot group exactly to POA. I'll take it. Pin-point accuracy for both city and country shooting. Ammo load out the same, two full bandoliers, 25 of which are the light "city loads".

I like the action on the FR8 better, I like the safety better. But I sure like the accuracy of the M44, so I think it's my favorite. I like having the bayonet on the rifle. A good feature I think, a curiosity to most others.

The muzzle flash from the FR8 isn't too bad with full power ammo, but as most of you know, full power ammo from a Mosin-Nagant carbine is....horrendous. (possibly intimidating to mobs or others who want your stuff?) Certainly no one would wonder where your position is after one shot. But with the light loads it is not any worse than a .762X39mm, which it is ballistically.

I might set my No.5 "Jungle Carbine" up the same way. It is magazine fed, which is "not bad". I don't have a bayonet for it though.

Okay, ready for the big bug-home adventure. Hopefully most people won't behave too badly, history shows that generally, social breakdowns, breakdowns in transportation don't result in instant mass insanity. Even from CDA Idaho I think I could walk home in two days and some change. We'll see!! What's in your bolt-action bug-home bag?

"Here lies Ugly Sauce, on the side of the street. He didn't have an AR."

I think this might fall under SHTF territory and will likely be closed. So I'll be brief and say, nice rifles, good shooting, and good thinking on your part.

 

[Beck]

PS: I've got a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 I would use in this type situation. I load my x39 handloads hot, following C.I.P. pressures rather than SAAMI. My 125gr to 135gr loads can exceed 2500 fps... very close to your light M44 loads. 200 yards is almost too easy for my CZ, and 300 yards is comfortably within range.

 

[someguy2800]

I bet Kyle Rittenhouse is glad he didn't have a bolt action with 5 round stripper clips. Just sayin. Cool rifles!

 

[ThomasT]

I like the action on the FR8 better, I like the safety better. But I sure like the accuracy of the M44, so I think it's my favorite. I like having the bayonet on the rifle. A good feature I think, a curiosity to most others.

I really like the FR8 and wish I had bought one when I had a chance.

I like your way of thinking and yes I would love an FR8 if I could find one for a decent price. Just curious how much does the bayonet change your POI if you remove it? The Ruger American in 7.62x39 would be good rifle for this role. If I wanted to do the same as you are doing I would use my old model 700 made in the mid 1960 chambered in 30-06 with reduced loads. Like a Hornady 170 flat point loaded to around 2400-2500fps. If I had a 308 I would do the same thing with the same bullet. Sort of make a super 30-30.

My old Remington 700 doesn't have a scope on it. I removed the rear sight and installed a Williams Guide Sight and drilled our the aperture a little and can still remove it for a ghost sight. I bought this gun in rough shape for $200 with the shiny finish flaking off and redid the stock and left the metal alone. I wanted an old military gun like a 98 Mauser but those things are heavy to carry. This is better by a couple of pounds. I love being able to carry the gun and wrap my hand around the stock without hitting a scope.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

In Pa were not allowed loaded rifles in the vehicle. I think it's a dumb law. They have it because of poaching. A poacher don't follow the law.

 

[ThomasT]

In Pa were not allowed loaded rifles in the vehicle. I think it's a dumb law. They have it because of poaching. A poacher don't follow the law.

Thats where something like the inexpensive Savage Axis rifles would come in. They use a detachable magazine and it takes just a couple of seconds to load it in the rifle. Have 2 or 3 loaded magazines and another 20-30 rounds in a pouch for reloading the mags if needed. Then add a low power optic. I like 2x7 scopes. One thing on the Savage is that you will most likely need to replace the scope bases. They are too far apart to be able to move the scope back far enough. Its a common complaint. I did it with my Axis in 243 and added a multi slot scope base and that did the trick.

 

[Navy87Guy]

While I love my MILSURP’s, I don't consider them the most practical choices from a caliber and capacity standpoint.

I have a Ruger GSR Scout in .308 Win and an American Ranch in 7.62x39. Ammo is plentiful and ballistic performance is more than adequate.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I wouldn't feel outgunned with my FR8 against anyone unless they were packing a minigun.
That said, an AR would still be my first choice if I knew I was going into a gun battle.

Still, for a walking-home gun, every ounce is a pound. I'd rather go quiet, go fast, and evade than engage- so a high cap handgun is my current solution to the problem.

I'll spend any extra weight allowance on more water and protein bars.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My RAR in 7.62x39 would be handy. I have 5,10 and 20 round mags for it.

 

[trackskippy]

I agree with NIGHTLORD40K, and wouldnt have any problem with the FR8. They are handy and accurate, and that straight bolt makes them fast and easy to work quickly and makes for a nice, natural carry handle at the balance with the bolt locked.

The stripper fed guns are a lost art to a lot of people these days too. They are faster to load than a mag fed gun (of equal capacity) and lock open on empty so you know to reload. It's a lot easier to carry a bunch of loaded strippers than mags, and a lot cheaper too.

 

[ThomasT]

My RAR in 7.62x39 would be handy. I have 5,10 and 20 round mags for it.

I really want one of those. I had one on my watch list on GB for a long time but ran across a deal on a NU+IB Axis 243 with wood stock and bought that. The fact that I have 1200 243 bullets on hand for reloading helped me to decide.

I may still pick one up if find a deal on a used one.

 

[chicharrones]

You live in the country, things go bad in the city, roads clogged, crowds going wild, social upheaval, you got to get home! Yeah yeah, I hear everyone now, "you got to have an AR!! "With flashlight, and a scope, and a red-dot, and a night sight, and ten other doo-dads hanging off the rails!!!" Or AR10! OR FAL! M1A!! Semi-auto, magazine fed! 400 extras magazine and a donkey cart to carry them in!!!

One thing is for sure. If the roads are clogged with vehicular traffic a firearm won't magically clear the roads. You'll just be stuck in traffic like everyone else.

Might as well book a couple of nights in a hotel and wait it out.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Thats where something like the inexpensive Savage Axis rifles would come in. They use a detachable magazine and it takes just a couple of seconds to load it in the rifle. Have 2 or 3 loaded magazines and another 20-30 rounds in a pouch for reloading the mags if needed. Then add a low power optic. I like 2x7 scopes. One thing on the Savage is that you will most likely need to replace the scope bases. They are too far apart to be able to move the scope back far enough. Its a common complaint. I did it with my Axis in 243 and added a multi slot scope base and that did the trick.

I'm not sure about the legality of a loaded rifle in the trunk here, I'm thinking it would be frowned on. But, takes very little time to load with a stripper clips and I keep all my ammo on them. I don't leave my trunk-gun loaded.

 

[ThomasT]

Thinking about what the OP has in mind and the mention of stripper clips and the 7.62x39 round I did a head slap and remembered I have two SKS rifles, one with 16" and the other with 20" barrel and a big handful of stripper clips. That would probably fill the same role the OP has in mind. One of those and a pouch with 10 loaded stripper clips should do the job.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I agree with NIGHTLORD40K, and wouldnt have any problem with the FR8. They are handy and accurate, and that straight bolt makes them fast and easy to work quickly and makes for a nice, natural carry handle at the balance with the bolt locked.

The stripper fed guns are a lost art to a lot of people these days too. They are faster to load than a mag fed gun (of equal capacity) and lock open on empty so you know to reload. It's a lot easier to carry a bunch of loaded strippers than mags, and a lot cheaper too.

Yes, ammo on stripper clips, rather than in magazines, does save some weight. Saves a lot of bulk.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Thinking about what the OP has in mind and the mention of stripper clips and the 7.62x39 round I did a head slap and remembered I have two SKS rifles, one with 16" and the other with 20" barrel and a big handful of stripper clips. That would probably fill the same role the OP has in mind. One of those and a pouch with 10 loaded stripper clips should do the job.

Yes, that's what I like about the SKS. One can carry quite a bit of ammo, more comfortably than having the same amount in magazines. But, as mentioned, there is a compromise between how much ammo you want to carry, and how much food and water.

 

[adcoch1]

One thing is for sure. If the roads are clogged with vehicular traffic a firearm won't magically clear the roads. You'll just be stuck in traffic like everyone else.

Might as well book a couple of nights in a hotel and wait it out.

But that doesn't give us excuses to talk about our favorite guns, practical or not!
I really like the fr8, and I regret not buying the first one I saw, but that ship has sailed... I would use my CZ 527 or my Ruger American 300 blk(before I converted it to 221fb) for a "get home" bolt gun. In fact, except for the stripper clip options I think these Americans are one of the best little utility rifles ever. Hard to beat an old smle though...

 

[jmr40]

If things ever truly go south, I have, and prefer an AR. But I also have bolt rifles that would suffice. I have one set up in a "scout style" configuration. If AR's were not an option, I'd rather have a bolt gun set up properly than a lever or pump action.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

One thing is for sure. If the roads are clogged with vehicular traffic a firearm won't magically clear the roads. You'll just be stuck in traffic like everyone else.

Might as well book a couple of nights in a hotel and wait it out.

Truth. But if traffic comes to a long-term stand-still I'll want the option of walking home. But it may be 20 miles or so. The car may be stuck in traffic, but not I. If there's a major power outage, the hotel may not be doing business. !!!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Also, you don't need a walking-home rifle if you can't walk home.
A pair of good boots is legal to keep in your trunk in all 50, just sayin'.