Ideas for a Utility/Trunk gun.

[Inebriated]

I like the wealth of information I'm getting!

For clarification I do have an SKS, Yugo M59/66. as well as a MN91/30.

Both are great guns. Both have alternated as my Kit gun. However the first problem with these is that they are my only fighting rifles. Losing either one would hurt me more than a bit. Although the Mosin is currently with my Misc. tools in the back along with a Chinese chest rig of 200rds or so, it is a rifle I'd really like to keep safe as a back up fighting rifle if things ever get bad here in Idaho.

On a second note, although theres been a little dispute of whether or not MilSurps are horribly clumsy, I'm sure we can all admit that they are usually LONG AND HEAVY!

Now I'm a well built guy, but if I had to lug my MN or SKS 30 or so ish miles along with a survival pack AND a comfortable supply of ammo I wouldn't be the happiest camper.

Its no lie that American made guns are usually lighter than the MilSurp competitors, which is what I'm leaning towards.

It's also not supposed to be able to hold off a crowd or do street fighting, but should be able to hold its own against an attacker or two. I'd rather it not attract un wanted attention with my weapon. I don't need to look like anything tactical or intimidating. I'm not likely to encounter wolves or black bear on my way to my countryside home. So it only needs to do a good job of stopping a two legged attacker.

I like the .22mag bolt action idea. Don't like the loss in stopping power though.l

So you want a rifle that is lightweight, has good power for defense against two-legged predators, and costs around $300?

Savage Axis in either .308 or .223.

Both can get cheap Wolf and Tula (.308 is about $0.35/round with Wolf, and .223 is something like $0.25/round with Tula), and premium hunting/defensive ammunition. The rifle is lightweight, it comes with a scope, and you can treat it as a blind mag or take advantage of the detachable box mag, and carry a couple magazines. .308 would be my pick, but .223 would be just fine if two-legged predators are your biggest concern.

 

[PhotonSD]

Even though I would normally recommend a shotgun it sounds as if you are interested in something very light weight and relatively inexpensive to shoot. Have you looked a the Kel-Tec SU16? I have been looking to find a good used one myself.
Pluses
1) Foldable, to conceal in a small back pack.
2) Light weight, for hiking over broken terrain on the way home.
3) Relatively inexpensive, well they were when I last looked, coming
in at about $350.
4) Semi auto, well that is an arguable benefit.

Minuses
1) 5.56/.223 caliber, guess I am gonna avoid that argument and
admit it doesn't have the knock down power of a 30-06, but it is
more lethal than a .22.
2) Older models were finicky about ammo.
3) Magazine fed. Did you state that was a definite problem?

Hope all this "Opinionating" helps. Good Luck.

 

[TexAg]

.30-30
Quality hunting ammo for about $12/20
You'd pretty much have to go milsurp to get cheaper than that.
Used Marlins are available for cheap and they come with irons.

 

[mac66]

Some more ideas....

I have a friend who cuts every long gun he owns down to minimal legal length. All his rifles are 16" and his shotguns are 18. He has dozens and dozens of guns. He is like the island of misfit toys, except for guns. He buys old beaters, single shots, bolts or whatever and "repurposes" (his word) them into short, light and easy to handle guns for grab and go purposes.

He has a lot of single shot bolt guns but he also has some repeaters in 223, 243, 22 hornet, 22 mag, 308. He even has a bolt in 30-30. Long before Ruger started making their "tactical" Mini 14, he was cutting the barrels down to 16", trimming the stocks and/or making folders out of them. They are slim and trim with the flush fitting 5 round factory mags. I actually had him cut down my Mini 30 the same way.

He has done the same thing with SKSs. Cut an SKS to 16", put it in a lightweight Choate plastic stock, or lighten the wood stock. Cut the 10 round mag down to 5 rounds and you have a pretty robust, trim woods walking gun that is quick reloadable with stripper clips. I have a 16" so called "paratrooper" SKS which I did the same way. Pretty handy little package that doesn't look like a military rifle anymore.

He likes to put scout/pistol or low powered scopes on his rifles because of his vision. I put prefer peep sights on most of my grab and go rifles, usually Tech Sights.

 

[CoyoteSix]

@Mac66

I was actually just considering going to my local pawn shop, or Gun store, and seeing if I could find a beat up single shot 12 gauge. I'd cut down the barrel 18 inches and probably refinish the stock or Krylon on some desert brush camo and throw it in a Mall ninja shotgun scabbard.

Does anyone know what tools are needed to cut down a shotgun barrel?

 

[PhotonSD]

I have cut down a shotgun barrel using the following items: Masking tape to protect the portion you want to keep, hacksaw, dremel tools can be used if you take your time and don't super heat the barrel. To finish sand paper on a sanding block to square the end, then inside and outside of a funnel to crown the barrel and remove burrs. It did not take long and please be sure you don't cut off too much and violate the law. I cut mine to 19 inches. It is legal and it balances nicely. Go slow and enjoy.