Truck/Backwoods rifle

[JohnnyCal55]

Im looking for a rifle that can tag along in the truck when i am driving in the hills, out hunting, or on the ranch. I would like it to be hunting accurate, in that i could probably take a coyote at 200+ yards, because i am seeing more and more coyotes running around. Also, i would use this rifle as a last minute deer and possibly elk rifle, or a backup rifle in case my savage 99 goes down. I would like a do it all rifle, and so far ive been thinking about the sks, MN91/30, Saiga .308, Springfield 1903. Any suggestions about a do it all semi or bolt rifle and what caliber i should get?

Thanks!

 

[WNC Seabee]

200+ yards? Coyote --> Elk?

Sounds like a Savage Arms .30-06 is what you need. Inexpensive, very very accurate and with .30-06 you have plenty of options for variety in your loads to take small game on up to the Elk.

I suppose the 1903 would fit the purpose as well, I just personally don't like them.

 

[Coyote3855]

For a coyote at 200 yards, I need a good scope. My do it all rifle is a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 with 3.5x10 Leuopold. Any good 150 grain bullet will get it done. I"d recommend something with a synthetic stock and maybe stainless steel if would get rough treatment in a ranch truck. I have an SKS, no scope, 100 yards with my eyes and iron sights. Springfield 1903, issue would be getting a scope on it.

 

[Mainsail]

I would suggest the Keltec RFB. It's short enough to make getting in and out of the truck easier, and .308 should be enough round for the range.

 

[Art Eatman]

From a budget standpoint, any good used bolt-gun in .308 would work just fine. A decent fixed 4X scope would work okay. Most any 150-grain ammo will work.

A couple of my bolt guns have never lost zero in a few thousand miles of really rough 4WD in the back country over some thirty years of ambling around "just looking". Muzzle on the floorboard, leaning on the passenger seat. Never boogered a stock, that way. (Now, an "oopsie", sliding down a mountain, that'll hickey a stock a little...)

 

[JohnnyCal55]

I forgot to mention that my dad has an older model700 in 270 with a wood stock and a 4x bushnell scope. What do you think about this?

 

[Sock Puppet]

I forgot to mention that my dad has an older model700 in 270 with a wood stock and a 4x bushnell scope. What do you think about this?

The .270 is a fine round. One could argue that it's a bit heavy for coyotes and a bit light for elk, but if you do your part it should fit the bill.

 

[Legionnaire]

'ought six. Or .270. Bolt or pump action. For a truck gun, I'd look for an older Remington 760 in .30-06 ... maybe a carbine. Put a good fixed 4X on it and it would be 'bout as good as it gets.

 

[dubbleA]

I often carry a short carbine of some sort while running the ranch roads. This is a 223 which is good for hogs,coyotes and deer if desired. If I had possibilities of elk I would simply move up to a AR10 chambered in 308 win.

 

[blitzen]

a nice little bolt gun in .260 Rem. a 2x7 scope. = range, accuracy, and bullets that penetrate and kill much better than you would think.

 

[Water-Man]

Remington 7600 Carbine 18" barrel in .308 or .30-06.

 

[EHCRain10]

almost any full power rifle would do what you want but the 270 30-06 and 308 would seem to be a good balance of power for elk while not blowing coyotes apart

 

[JohnnyCal55]

I'm not worried about preserving the coyotes, more dispatching them. So a larger caliber rifle would definately be the preference

 

[06lover]

if you are looking for something inexpensive, i'd suggest an m91/30. you can get them now starting at $85. Caliber is 7.62x54r which is somewhere between .308 and 30-06 powerwise. I hear they hunt brown bears with it in Russia and it is still used as a sniper cartridge. 200 yard shots are well within its capabilities.

you might want to spend another 30-40 dollars and get one that has an excellent bore.

it's a long rifle so you should consider chopping 6-7 inches off the barrel and stock. There are kits to convert the bolt so you can use a scope and there are scope mounts readily available. if you're at all mechanical, you can make most of the modifications yourself with a drill, a dremel and a sawzall.

i've done all the above and ended up with a nice handy shooter. just my opinion.

 

[S. Hill]

Your Dad's rifle sounds fine. Like many others have said, it hits that middle area between varmint and heavy game. Works pretty well for both.

You might find that the cross hairs on the scope will completely cover the vital area on a coyote at 200 yds., so upgrading the scope might be necessary. Considering that you are saving money on the rifle, you can buy a high quality scope that will stand up to the level of abuse that it is likely to see as a "truck gun".

You might also decide at a later date that you wish to upgrade(?) the stock to a synthetic. Your zero might shift because of changes in the humidity or moisture that has impregnated the wood stock. There are a lot of synthetic stocks out there for the Rem. 700, and you can spend as much or as little as you wish. I'd stay away from the Ramline type of injection molded stock, but beyond that, the sky is the limit.

So, my vote would be for your Dad's .270.

 

[jeepguy]

i would say mini 30 if you don't mind buying brass cased ammo, as they don't like steel cased ammo. if you don't want to hunt anything bigger then a coyote i would look at the mini 14, it would also be good for self defense as well. can keep 5rd mags in them & have some twenty rounders handy.