What is the ideal truck gun rifle caliber?

[epijunkie67]

The question isn't asking about platform, just caliber. Even if you don't keep a gun in your truck answer as if you were planning on using one.

I am assuming by the definition of "truck gun" that it is a long arm of some kind and not a pistol. No specific focus, just a rifle you plan on keeping in your vehicle at all times to be used "as needed". Define that as you wish.

I have tried to include the most common calibers I hear people talking about for this kind of weapon. If you have chosen something different then explain why.

 

[Abel]

30-30 Winchester.

 

[BrocLuno]

I'm with Abel as it should be short, light, slim and easy to carry in hand once out of the tool box scabbard or seat blanket, or whatever. Should be pretty impervious to dirt and rain and offer a fairly quick follow-up shot. If not a 30-30, how about a Win 94/22M - either would do.

More all purpose would be a 20 Ga pump. But that would not work for situations over about 50 yds. Fine for a close to truck problem, but what about that 'Yote running off with the lamb?

 

[nathan]

Rugged and idiot proof SKS in 7.62 x 39.

 

[cleardiddion]

Can't go wrong with a lever gun in 30-30

 

[courtgreene]

I chose .223 because it CAN (not should but can) cover a wide range of uses. If you break down and are stranded, it can feed you, because you are stranded and don't mind tracking a deer for an hour or so. if you need to defend yourself from a rabid dog or something, you are covered there. I would have chosen 12ga, and almost did, but i remembered how hard it is to get one of those long barreled things out from behind the seat compared to a mini14 with a folding stock and changed my vote.

 

[CoRoMo]

A few good options IMO...

A Hi-Point pistol, a used S&W M64 police trade in, a short 20ga. w/top folding stock, a Kel-Tec Sub 2K.

 

[FoMoGo]

Mine is a .45-70 in my Marlin 1895STP.
Short, rapid follow up shots, and can kill afore mentioned truck.


Jim

 

[Ballistics]

My vote goes to the .30-30 cartridge... a good example would be a Marlin/Glenfield lever action with iron sights.

Can take a beating, pretty short frame, inexpensive (so no regrets when it gets marred in the back seat) and powerful out to 125-150 yards.

Can be found for $250-$350 most of the time.

 

[mcdonl]

I keep my Hi Point 9mm carbine in my truck when I am out and about on weekends. It is good for up to 100 yards with dead on accuracy, takes a beating and is small enough to put behind the seat.

 

[Gelgoog]

30/30

It will run your gambit from manstopper to moose stopper.

As a truck gun you really have no need to reach out past the range of a 30/30 in the first place.

Besides a cheap $300 marlin 336 is about as versitile a weapon as you realistically need. You really do not want to invent much more then that in a truck gun anyways in case it is stolen.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I don't carry a long gun in my truck, but if I lived on a huge piece of rural land, and felt the need, I think I'd use my Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum.

Where I live (Northwest Oregon), the giant fir tree forests are so thick, clear open shots rarely exceed 150 yards in any direction. The 1894 offers a lot of firepower (10+1 capacity), non-threatening "cowboy" looks, a rugged design that can take a beating, and the .44 Magnum can kill anything within 200 yards.

Around here, if you are taking shots beyond 200 yards, you're either on a gun range, standing in clearcut of a logging operation in State Forest land, or on private farm land.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Hmmm, either a .308 or 30-30, both extremely good, but I'd go for the .308, just because I like the cartridge better. 12ga. is nice, but it has its limits.

 

[c-bag]

I voted 7.62x39mm, but I think its a tossup with .30-30. Basically anything that can kill a deer or a human, is affordable to buy and shoot and can deliver a shot out to 150 yards will do. my choices:

SKS
.30-30, .357, or .44 lever action
autoloading pistol cal carbine (hi-point, marlin camp-9 or 45, ruger PC-9, etc)
12 or 20 gauge pump w/ rifle sights and a sampler platter of slugs and shot.
milsurp bolt such as Mosin, m48 Yugo, Lee Enfield.

 

[UniversalFrost]

would have voted, but you left out one of the most common chamberings

30/06

 

[AndyJ]

I have a 3 gun holder behind the front seat of my Suburban. Been there for years.

It has:
Marlin 60 .22
870 Wingmaster 12ga
Remington 7615 pump in 223

They all get used occasionally out in the boonies. You know which one has been used the most often? The 22

 

[mljdeckard]

The rifle in my truck right now is my tricked out SKS in 7.62x39. This works for ME, I cannot speak for everyone else's circumstances.

 

[philpost]

I keep a 12ga 870 in the trunk, mostly because I have an extra. If I need to pull it out, odds are it'll be for social work purposes, but I'm sure it could dispatch a rabid animal as well.

 

[brandon_mcg]

hard to beat an sks. rugged, reliable, and accurate.

 

[Tomcat47]

1st choice Marlin 30-30

2nd choice Winchester 30-30

3rd choice Savage 30-30

..........I made my point I guess.........


But I confess I did think Remington 700 30-06....but it was missing!

Funny .223 and .30-.30 are kinda neck in neck....

who would have thought it...........

 

[madwell]

I voted for the .22 because when I had a truck thats what I always has behind the seat. Most of the time there was a shotgun of some sort in there to but always a .22.

 

[mokin]

I carried a sporterized No. 1 Mk.III SMLE in my vehicle for many years. It was accurate (enough), fairly fast, very rugged and I only paid $50.00 for it. I figured I had a pretty good rifle and if I lost it I wouldn't be out much. I paid more for the ammo than the rifle.

Aside for that I would go with any of the above mentioned.

 

[Cob]

That 12 gauge is the most versatile action you have listed... You can spray the neighbor's rabid dog with 8-9 shot, shoot the other neighbor's chickens with 6 or 7 shot, get the wild hogs with 4 shot or larger, get the buck with slug or buckshot, plus interchange the barrel - from slug gun to bird shooting... If i were on a desert island with only one gun...it would have to be the 12 gauge.

 

[Col. Plink]

Simonov's w/ big mags still probably rule the roost for all-around dependability and price (or get good with stripper clips!).

 

[oldfool]

no big surprise, I guess that the "AR/AK" rounds are leading the poll
as little as 15 years ago, I would have bet the 30-30 and 12 gauge would make a better showing
"trends of our times" you know

me, I would go with 357 lever action