Ideas for a Utility/Trunk gun.

[bainter1212]

I would go for a mosin nagant m44. Cheap, easy to get surplus ammo, .30 caliber bolt action, should be able to get one for less than $200. Great beater gun.

"One Fish" Bainter

 

[BoilerUP]

For $300, you're looking at a 22LR or something milsurp...or maybe an el-cheapo pistol carbine or pawn shop special deer rifle.

IMO, Ruger 10/22 with tech sights and call it a day...

 

[MistWolf]

Federal, Winchester, Hornady, and Remington make hunting loads with SP's and BT's for the same price as any .30-06, .308, .243, etc. Practice with Wolf/Tula/Surplus, sight-in, load, and hunt with the SP's.

Might as well stick with the 223/5.56 & 308 then

 

[Inebriated]

Might as well stick with the 223/5.56 & 308 then

Reason?

 

[Rat Robb]

You never really explain on what you plan on doing with it, just what you're not going to do with it. Also, don't be afraid to call a spade a spade and just say that this is some sort of a "Bug-Out"/survival kit. Anyone with half a brain has some sort of contingency plan/kit/bag, I congratulate you sir.

Now, my first suggestion would be for you to save your dollars a little bit more, I feel for $400-500 you really open up more choices and some nicer quality firearms.

I would suggest either a CZ bolt action .22 (best ammo choice hands down) or go with a pump action 12 gauge, Mossberg or Remington will do.

-Robb

 

[wgaynor]

I use a ruger 10/22 and other times swap it out with a single shot 20 gauge and a box of buckshot and slugs.

 

[tahoe2]

Mosin or a 30-30. both are powerful enough for big game and can take small game with a head shot @ 100 yds or less, if you do your part.
A mosin in a carbine model is about the size of a 10-22 and also the size of your average 30-30 carbine.

 

[MistWolf]

Reason?

Because, due their popularity, you can still find 223/5.56 & 308 ammo appropriate for hunting for less than most of the other calibers.

The only reason to own an SKS or Mosin is that they are cheap to shoot. Both have poor ergonomics and the bolt of the Mosin is very awkward to operate. While my Finn ancestors used the Mosin to great affect killing Russians in the Winter War, I'm glad I have much better rifles to choose from. With hunting type ammo in the Russian calibers costing as much as any other, I'd stay with the more effective 223/5.56 and/or 308 and have a better rifle to boot

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I think the SKS is perfect for this task. $300, semi-auto, powerful enough for hunting most NA game, super cheap ammo, relatively quick reloads w/ stripper clips, bayonet, tough as they come, etc. I really can't even pick a 2nd choice... nothing comes close.

 

[Pacsd]

VA took the words right off my key board. I picked up a Marlin 783 .22 Mag here awhile back and that's my truck gun. Accurate little rifle. However, some of the older .22 mags in decent condition are gettin hard to find and probably built better the the new stuff on the shelf now.

 

[snakeman]

look into the savage model 42.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

mini 14

 

[snakeman]

another one would be a henry 22 mag.

 

[TrickyDick]

I would go with a Mosin Nagant carbine: Ammo is plentiful, cheap, and powerful. The rifle is fairly inexpensive and you won't shed a tear if it gets dinged up. Not to mention the ease of maintenance.

 

[blindhari]

I think I understand what you are looking for. My choice to handle these conditions was a Win Trapper 16" barrel chambered in 357 mag. As I grew more prosperous I added a 357 S&w giving me a great many alternate loads, including my reloads to cover different situations. However at your price point I would recomend a henery survival rifle. This is not a great rifle for anything but it is a self enclosed rifle that will do almost anything. I can buy it from Davidson's here for under $250. Mine came with two magazines and I picked up a couple of extra magaines for each. Mine are also from the original AR7 Airforce survival run. I bought them at an estate sale about 1970???. They ride in the jeep and van here where we live in Az. as a backup. You should be able to buy this gun, avoid the Charter Arms?? yeaar and a brick of CCI stingers for your price point. Mine have been in continuous use since I bought them with no misfires I remember to include training an awful lot of Scouts how to shoot over the years. I can afford anything I want in the back of the jeep. These old AR7s are the gun that is as much a standard as having air in the tires.

blindhari

 

[kingcheese]

What about single shots? Like a handi rifle or a shotgun? Cheap, accurate, can be light weight, and its hard to screw up, although i had a bad encounter with a Rossi and the fireing pin breaking, but that leaves you with the ability to get a 44mag, a 270, a 223(my choice) or anything in between, i also shot a squirrelwith a mossberg 817 about 3 hours ago, scoped the gun cost me 250, and it shoots the 17HMR, and its hard to beat that gun

 

[Sharps-shooter]

For me, a ruger 10/22 fits this bill pretty well. $200 or so; very versatile, good for small game, varmints, and the like; cheap to shoot; usable for self defense or killing hogs should the need arise. Plus you can keep 500 rounds in the truck's glovebox with no trouble.

 

[meanmrmustard]

^ He's right, they can't sell ammo for pistols. .45, 9mm, .357, .38... they're not inherently pistol calibers just because the majority of guns chambered for them are. I always got ammo when I just said it was for a rifle.

But anyway, I don't suggest 9mm or .45 or anything for a truck gun, with so many other options out there.

You could get an 870, an SKS, one of the many Mosin Nagant carbines (M38, M39, M44), a Savage Axis in your favorite caliber, or a Rossi .357/.38 lever action all seem like excellent choices. The Rossi would be a little over $300, more like $400, but would serve you well.

Personally, I would put an SKS back there and call it a day. Reliable, cheap ammo, a fighter if you need it, a hunter if you need it, and can be picked up for $350 at the gun shows around here. In fact I plan on getting an SKS specifically for my Jeep once I finish this last semester, so I don't have to bother taking it out/putting it back every couple days (high five for being in nearly the same position... I turned 21 this year).

I turned 28 last week, have four kids, and I assure you, I'd trust that all to an SKS. Good choice, good suggestion, happy birthday.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Because, due their popularity, you can still find 223/5.56 & 308 ammo appropriate for hunting for less than most of the other calibers.

The only reason to own an SKS or Mosin is that they are cheap to shoot. Both have poor ergonomics and the bolt of the Mosin is very awkward to operate. While my Finn ancestors used the Mosin to great affect killing Russians in the Winter War, I'm glad I have much better rifles to choose from. With hunting type ammo in the Russian calibers costing as much as any other, I'd stay with the more effective 223/5.56 and/or 308 and have a better rifle to boot

Ammo for .223 that is hunting worthy is far more expensive than anything soft point or hollow tipped in 762x39. I know, cuz I hunt with both. That being said (which you did, thank you) the capability of the 762 is superior to the .223 past 200 yards, and in the SKS or long-sighted AK, quite devastating.

Not so much when the .308 is thrown in. Good point.

For those suggesting KT sub 2ks: they have a checkered history of unreliability, experienced by myself, and if you suggest it, at least give opinions of what ammo function well in the rifle. By itself, it's not a really good choice, not compared to the 995ts.

 

[Panzercat]

Easy. Levergun in 30-30. Proven action, potent all around cartridge and pretty portable in a 16" format. No ammunition sales hassles and can be found everywhere in any pawn shop across the USA for a reasonable price. My 464 carries 5 rounds in the pipe, 9 on the stock and 20 on the sling.

If you can get one, a Sub2000 would be awesome too, but you have better luck finding unicorn turds at the moment let alone the inflated pricing due to rarity. Su16 As and Bs are still available for reasonable prices and make fine pick up and go rifles in .223/5.56 calibers. Good luck finding the SU16Cs, however.

 

[Inebriated]

I turned 28 last week, have four kids, and I assure you, I'd trust that all to an SKS. Good choice, good suggestion, happy birthday.

Thanks, and happy birthday to you too, man!

 

[IdahoSkies]

A used lever action carbine in .44 or .357 would give some ability to reach out. An SKS does fit the bill though.

 

[lefteyedom]

There is a basic issue about a TRUCK GUN. If it is stolen you should not be ether heart broken or wallet busted.

The other truth is living in a truck is hard on a gun. With that in mind it is best to have IRON SIGHTS and a tough finish.

I have an $50.00 single shot 12 gauge and a $100 Mauser that are my current Truck Guns.

A Mosin carbine is about the best bang for the buck.

Other wise hit your local pawn/gun shops look for the ugliest rifle/shotgun they have on the cheap rack. As long as the bore is good and the weapon is safe to fire. Sandpaper and a couple cans of spray paint can fix a whole lot of sins.

I have built dozens of these types of weapons over the years, heck it is allot of fun salvaging a neglected firearm and giving it a new lease on life.

 

[David E]

Might as well stick with the 223/5.56 & 308 then

Well, that's just silly.

 

[shiftyer1]

I carry a 22 lr and a 30-30 in the truck, sometimes a shotgun. They are not used for defense just truck guns. I use them for everything from coons and skunks up to hogs.

An sks would fill the role of the 30-30 just fine.