View Full Version : good truck rifle
hey yall im new hear and this is my first post. I've been reading along for some time and i enjoy alot of what is said hear. I just want yalls opinion on what yall think would make a good truck rifle. I live in TN and do a lot of side work with local farmers and I would like a rifle that can take banging around in my truck which is why i don't want to use my deer rifle cause i just got it hitting the way i like it to. so i would realy like it if yall would point me in the right direction. the only bolt action gun i own is my deer rifle all the others are semi-auto so what should i check for in a surplus gun? thanks to everyone that gives there 2 cents
Welcome.;c
Not a surplus gun but his is the one I'de pick.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895GS.htm
Squid.HM2
02-15-2005, 19:59
well if you could give some info as to what your looking for ie. price,action,Cal it would be helpful
bachchoy
02-15-2005, 20:06
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/3192/26912DCP_0821-med.JPG
MrMurphy
02-15-2005, 20:50
An SKS or a Marlin .30-30.
Either will take a lot of abuse and run about $200.
I've been an M44 fan for a long time. WWII-era, Soviet manufacture usually (look for the hammer & sickle on top of the receiver - there will also be a mark to determine which factory it came from). M44's in good shape can be found for around 100 bucks at most gun shows. It's a bolt-action with a 5 round internal magazine. It's also a big cartridge - 7.62x54R (also cheap at shows - 440 rounds of surplus ammo for less than 50 bucks last time I bought). Fun to shoot, plenty of power and accuracy.
The only issue is the ammo that you use - much of the surplus stuff is corrosive, so you have to clean it well after each use. But I clean all of my guns after shooting anyway, so.....
Sorry i guse you were right Squid.HM2 i was not very spacific. I would prefer a bolt gun in a common caliber something like .303 Brit, 7.62X54R or a good 30-06 it will be requierd that it can group at 200yrds that will be about the longest shot i will have to make and maybe something that is quick handiling someone already sugested a leaver gun and i had not thout about that i will be on my way today to try one out I already own an sks its a great gun but i find it lacks the power im needing to bring down the wild pigs im shooting sometimes and yes i put them right in the boiler room thanks for the sugestions keep them comeing.
MrMurphy
02-16-2005, 13:22
A Marlin 1895G Guide Gun in .45-70 will drop anything on the North American continent including grizzlies, and the .45-70 cartridge can be effective out to 1,000+ yards with the proper load, barrel and sights. The Guide Gun can easily do 200 yards as-issued.
A Marlin 336 in .30-30 will hit anything out to 200 pretty hard and drop a deer or pig easily.
stumpy11
02-20-2005, 21:01
I have a Chezk mauser 8mm. Cost $100 and is a good reliable rifle. I think it would reach out quite a ways, and has good knock-down capabilities. I use it as a wet weather deer rife.
RMTactical
02-20-2005, 21:09
An SKS or a Mauser would be a good truck gun.
Originally posted by MrMurphy
A Marlin 1895G Guide Gun in .45-70 will drop anything on the North American continent including grizzlies, and the .45-70 cartridge can be effective out to 1,000+ yards with the proper load, barrel and sights. The Guide Gun can easily do 200 yards as-issued.
A Marlin 336 in .30-30 will hit anything out to 200 pretty hard and drop a deer or pig easily. do you have any idea how fast a 45-70 bullet will be traveling at around 1000 yards?? effective for a prairie dog maybe...
Originally posted by jem375
do you have any idea how fast a 45-70 bullet will be traveling at around 1000 yards?? effective for a prairie dog maybe...
Fast enough:
http://www.researchpress.co.uk/targets/sandyhook.htm
Hauptmann6
02-25-2005, 12:39
Originally posted by jem375
do you have any idea how fast a 45-70 bullet will be traveling at around 1000 yards?? effective for a prairie dog maybe...
Do you ever have anything positive to say?
Originally posted by Hauptmann6
Do you ever have anything positive to say? of course I do, when there is something positive to say about some postings..the original poster wrote that he was interested in a bolt rifle in 303, 7.62x54, or 30-06, not a lever action 45-70 or a 30-30....I mentioned an SKS but he already has one, to me that would be a good truck rifle.......
Originally posted by jem375
of course I do, when there is something positive to say about some postings..the original poster wrote that he was interested in a bolt rifle in 303, 7.62x54, or 30-06, not a lever action 45-70 or a 30-30....
Too bad your supposition was wrong.
Originally posted by CZ-75A
Too bad your supposition was wrong. and where was I wrong..??
Originally posted by jem375
and where was I wrong..??
Does the link not work?
Originally posted by CZ-75A
Does the link not work? did you read it yourself...one rifle had an oversized case...2.4" compared to 2.1"..the target was 22'x44'....and even then they could barely hit the target..like I wrote, interesting article for those days, but I reload for the 45-70 with 300 gr. JHP's for 2 guide guns and 1000 yards is being a little unrealistic with all the other calibers out there........
Originally posted by jem375
did you read it yourself...one rifle had an oversized case...2.4" compared to 2.1"..the target was 22'x44'....and even then they could barely hit the target..like I wrote, interesting article for those days, but I reload for the 45-70 with 300 gr. JHP's for 2 guide guns and 1000 yards is being a little unrealistic with all the other calibers out there........
No doubt the holdover would be quite hard to gauge in a .45-70 at 1000yds., but the bullet, contrary to your estimation is still quite lethal. Additionally, the test indicates that there was little difference between the charges of blackpowder, despite the case length. The major factor would seem to be bullet weight, at 500gr. vs. 405gr. Little doubt exists that the round is still deadly well in excess of 1000 yards.
Originally posted by CZ-75A
No doubt the holdover would be quite hard to gauge in a .45-70 at 1000yds., but the bullet, contrary to your estimation is still quite lethal. Additionally, the test indicates that there was little difference between the charges of blackpowder, despite the case length. The major factor would seem to be bullet weight, at 500gr. vs. 405gr. Little doubt exists that the round is still deadly well in excess of 1000 yards. maybe, but this has gone on long enough since he doesn't want a 45-70 anyway....
Originally posted by glock83
200yrds that will be about the longest shot i will have to make and maybe something that is quick handiling someone already sugested a leaver gun and i had not thout about that i will be on my way today to try one out I already own an sks its a great gun but i find it lacks the power im needing to bring down the wild pigs im shooting sometimes and yes i put them right in the boiler room thanks for the sugestions keep them comeing.
Sounds like he is is thinking of a lever gun, the 45-70 will do fine at 200yrds, and would work great on stopping those pigs.
jesse485
02-25-2005, 21:47
Powerful gun, inexpensive, accurate: what more could you need? Just picked up a mint 91/30 Russian, and it is a flat-out great gun. Ammo is cheap too.
I have a M/N M44 and the only problem is a rumor if you pull the bayonet off the point of impact will change a lot....I haven't shot it with the bayonet off yet, next time at the range will see if that happens..........it is compact enough to make a good truck gun...
Originally posted by jem375
I have a M/N M44 and the only problem is a rumor if you pull the bayonet off the point of impact will change a lot....I haven't shot it with the bayonet off yet, next time at the range will see if that happens..........it is compact enough to make a good truck gun...
How's that a rumor? It's a well-known bit of info that rifles shoot different POIs w/ and w/o a bayonet afixed.
Originally posted by CZ-75A
How's that a rumor? It's a well-known bit of info that rifles shoot different POIs w/ and w/o a bayonet afixed. the only problem is that it is supposed to shoot the best with the bayonet extended, and not all rifles shoot different with the bayonets removed as my Norinco SKS's I have owned did not...I am getting ready to remove the grenade launcher and bayonet on my Yugo SKS and will see how that one shoots afterwards also...........
jack19512
02-27-2005, 00:44
Posted by jem375
"I have a M/N M44 and the only problem is a rumor if you pull the bayonet off the point of impact will change a lot....I haven't shot it with the bayonet off yet, next time at the range will see if that happens..........it is compact enough to make a good truck gun..."
My friend and I shot our M44's the other day and although we didn't remove the bayonets we did try shooting with and without the bayonet extended.
Without the bayonet extended the group was shooting to the left of the bullseye and with the bayonet extended the group was shooting to the right of the bullseye.
I like my M/N's but accuracy seems to be a hit or miss with them. Without actually being able to shoot the rifle before buying you might end up with one that does not shoot that well.
Originally posted by jack19512
Posted by jem375
"I have a M/N M44 and the only problem is a rumor if you pull the bayonet off the point of impact will change a lot....I haven't shot it with the bayonet off yet, next time at the range will see if that happens..........it is compact enough to make a good truck gun..."
My friend and I shot our M44's the other day and although we didn't remove the bayonets we did try shooting with and without the bayonet extended.
Without the bayonet extended the group was shooting to the left of the bullseye and with the bayonet extended the group was shooting to the right of the bullseye.
I like my M/N's but accuracy seems to be a hit or miss with them. Without actually being able to shoot the rifle before buying you might end up with one that does not shoot that well. It has been awhile since I have shot my M44, but I seem to remember that it also shot to the left with the bayonet folded, I haven't shot it with it extended or off, will try when the weather warms up......
Originally posted by glock83
Sorry i guse you were right Squid.HM2 i was not very spacific. I would prefer a bolt gun in a common caliber something like .303 Brit, 7.62X54R or a good 30-06 it will be requierd that it can group at 200yrds that will be about the longest shot i will have to make and maybe something that is quick handiling someone already sugested a leaver gun and i had not thout about that i will be on my way today to try one out I already own an sks its a great gun but i find it lacks the power im needing to bring down the wild pigs im shooting sometimes and yes i put them right in the boiler room thanks for the sugestions keep them comeing.
I got one of the Indian made Enfields in .308 for $75. Crude looking, but tight bore and very accurate for a service rifle. I would recommend one of these.;D
AZWildcat
03-03-2005, 21:39
One other rifle you might consider is the Swiss K31 Carbine. It uses 7.5 Swiss ammo, which is in the same ballistic class as the 30-06 and 308. The rifle comes with a nice trigger, is very accurate, and in the right hands will outshoot an "03". Yes it has a slightly unusual bolt action, but it is very quick (faster than a standard bolt). The ammo is slightly harder to come by than 303, but it is available both in surplus and commercially. The rifle price is right: $100 to $150 in military surplus right now.
I have heard it said that the K31 would cost $1000 dollars today to manufacture, given its quality and accuracy; indeed these used to go for about $500 before they became available thru milsurp. If you want, you can put a scope on this rifle fairly easily, either in a scout setup by removing the rear sight, or a regular scope setup -- mounted slightly offset over the bolt with the iron sights still available.
When you consider the combination of price, accuracy, and quality, the K31 is indeed a great buy. I have three and believe that the only other readily available military surplus rifle to be as capable or as accurate to be the Swedes (also have three of these). And the latter generally cost several hundred more, although I recently picked up a sporterized Swede carbine for $150 (very accurate).
If you don't like the Swiss bolt action, then as indicated above I would probably go with a Russian M38 / M44 (about the cheapest). And a Marlin 30-30 at about $200-250 used would also be a good choice, esp considering ammo availability (slightly better ballistics than a SKS). The Marlin 45-70 is a neat little rifle, but is sort of a specialty gun: great for a brush or bear gun, but rather expensive for a knock about truck gun. Good luck in whatever you do!
maarten221
03-07-2005, 13:21
When you mention "truck rifle", would you prefer a large rifle or a stubbier design? Personally, in Nort America, I would have something like a hi-point carbine in 40SW or one of the excellent kel-tek (sp) units. OTherwise, get an SKS with a folding sotck. Around $200 out the door with folder and all...
AZWildcat
03-07-2005, 21:50
Originally posted by glock83
-- I would prefer a bolt gun in a common caliber something like .303 Brit, 7.62X54R or a good 30-06 it will be requierd that it can group at 200yrds that will be about the longest shot i will have to make and maybe something that is quick handiling someone already sugested a leaver gun and i had not thout about that i will be on my way today to try one out I already own an sks its a great gun but i find it lacks the power im needing to bring down the wild pigs im shooting sometimes --
Maarten221 -- I think he is looking for something with a little more power!!
maarten221
03-08-2005, 09:55
Yeah, I figured he'd want something bigger, but the .303 enfields are fairly long and makes carrying them around in a truck a bit difficult - same with most weapons in 7.62x54R. How about a folding stock CETME - they can be had for around $300 (granted it is friggin Century arms pos). The only other options I can think of is to take a conventional surplus weapons like an SKS, enfield, MN or such and grafting some sort of folding stock onto it - to cut down on the OAL...
Sehr gut Glock
03-23-2005, 10:05
Originally posted by Soldat
Welcome.;c
Not a surplus gun but his is the one I'de pick.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895GS.htm
Welcome!
What he said. It was the rifle I was going to suggest when I saw your thread. Mine is blue, and it's in the Suburban frequently.;f
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