I really like my little 243 Montana but am looking for something that can be left in the pickup 24/7 without ANY worry. Odds of theft are slim but I would be really pissed if some jackass stole the Kimber.


And I want something quieter so a new rifle is needed....


Thinking....

.223

Mid to heavyweight 20" barrel.
(give or take and don't care about twist)

The ability to load from the top down.
(not sure if the Tikka and Ruger American will work?)

Under $500-600.

Wood or plastic, blued or stainless doesn't matter...



What would you guys go with?

Quiet, 22 hornet.
Cheap, handi rifle, or Ruger American. So nobody will want to steal it, Savage Axis.

This brand new Ruger M77 Hawkeye all weather stainless/synthetic in .243 is hard to beat, for $550.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=416779

RAR Ranch 5.56 w suppressor. Take the suppressor in at night so theft don't become federal.

A Howa isn't a bad move. Pretty decent quality, feeds from the top and you should be able to get one pretty easily under your budget.

Sam, I bought a 223 in RAR a couple years back for exactly the same reasons you are looking to buy.

A little trigger work, barrel channel opening, and a new mag provided by Ruger and I'm pretty happy with this beater. I think they have the kinks worked out with the mags now and the new stocks on the RAR's are more rigid compared to the one I purchased.

Cheapest ammo I could find that wasn't FMJ

I am not a real big fan of the Howa but they are a good value for the dollar. This one from Whittaker does not quite fit your barrel diameter wants but for $330 it would make a dandy truck rifle.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/276

drover

Howa is a possibility....


Can you load the Ruger American from the top down?
(through the receiver?)

The Ruger American uses detachable mags, but I have single loaded rounds and put them directly in the magazine. Not easy with the smaller ejection port.

But I don't consider that a negative. These little rifles are proving to be a great value. Between my brother and I we own 4. All shoot great.

Two Predators in 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor
One Ranch in 5.56 (this is what I think you want)
One Compact in 223.

I've been considering a Savage Axis just for that.

Years ago I went with a .222 to have less of a noise signature when hunting groundhogs. I found if someone is put off by a 243 they are t going to tolerate a 223 either and even my 218 bee wasn't much of a help. It isn't the decibels it's the gun shot period.

Why do you want something you can load from the top as a truck gun ? I've carried alot of different rifles as "truck guns" and always considered ones with detachable magazines the best for that purpose. Keep a loaded mag in the center console and you can pop it in and chamber a round more quickly, with less fumbling than you can load a single round in a top loader.

Howa 1500 is a no brainer. .223.

No. But you can single load from the top.




Dave

He doesn't live in that schit hole you do, you fugkin' moron.




Dave

CDNN has the last of the Marlin XS7s in 243 on sale for $250.

CDNN also has some RARs on sale for around $350.

I have a few of the Marlin X guns and like them as issued, but a plus for me is that they have the same barrel specs as the small shank Savage 110 series, so swapping barrels is always easy and usually reasonably inexpensive.

Pm me I have exactly what you are looking for.

Derek

Thank you all for the informative replies.


Given that you are in a pickup when the dogs are spotted chances are they spotted you first and are on the run.


Time to start blazin' away!


I bought a heavy barreled AR for that very reason but it just doesn't make sense for a daily beater truck gun.


If there is a KNOWN problem then yes, but otherwise no.



Maybe a couple extra loaded mags sitting in the cup holder would be the way to go?


Ruger Predator is a heavy 22" 223.


Shorten(rethread) later on and add a can?

Clark........

tell us how you really feel............

Another vote for Howa although if it were me it would be a CZ 527 Carbine. They're a little more money and magazine fed but they're one sweet little utility rifle.
18.5" barrel and a tich under 6#'s.

Oh yea.....the double set trigger is amazing.

You don't need the Predator. The Ranch version has the same barrel profile in a threaded 16" barrel. I see them locally for $389 OTD. You can add a can if you need to.

My brother has this rifle and I'd have gone that way if it had been available. I bought one of the Compacts when they 1st came out with the standard weight 18" barrel. I later ordered a full length stock. Both of those guns will easily keep 5 shots under 1" at 100 with either 223 or 5.56 ammo. Using quality ammo of course. Expect 2" or so with cheap 55gr FMJ

I didn't expect much, but we've been buying Fiocchi 50 gr ammo loaded with V-Max bullets at Cabelas. 50 rounds @ $25. They shoot great even with the 8 twist barrels. I chronographed them at just under 3000 fps from my 18" barrel.

Damn......

As cheap as AR's are at this time I was gonna say go that way. Then I saw that you tried that. What didn't you like about the AR, Sam?

Told ya so....

How much louder would the 16" be without a can versus the 22" without?


Out the window...

Sam, I handled one of those CZ's.. It was awesome.. Still kicking myself for not buying it.. If I were looking for a short barreled truck gun that is the one.. Other wise buy any 223 of your choice and have the barrel lopped off.

One of my old pals is pretty sick now.. He most drives around and has a few blinds he watches out of.. But he cut off a heavy barreled .22-250 to 20 inches.. Sounds like a mess, but it was super accurate and easy to get out the window.. He also had a varmint .223 done the same way.. They have killed a pile of game.. I have a couple rifles with fairly heavy barrels cut off to 21".. They are just great for the purpose you describe..

I would also go with the.223.. Ammo is CHEAP!

That's a gorgeous stick of wood! I'd foresee lots of guilt banging that around in the truck. Open sights are going to get caught on everything, especially the front. That said, I'd buy that one in a heartbeat.

Another vote for the 222

Charlie and WCH, I would be more worried about someone stealing the CZ than the Kimber!


This needs to be a...don't give a chit rifle....


AR's shoot brass all over the cab and windows.

Hey Sam.....it's a mag fed Tika but if you can live with a 222 Eurooptics is closing out the wood stocked T3 hunter in 222 for $499.
I shot mine for the first time today.....I'm impressed.
22" barrel, 7#'s, comes with rings.

http://www.eurooptic.com/JRTA311-Tikka-T3-Hunter-222-Remington-JRTA311-with-Rings.aspx

Sorry for straying off topic but you know good and well that if you come around here looking for a good steak house you'll soon learn that what you really want is pork chops.

Howa mini for 329 from Whittakers.
no top load but may I ask why that's a prerequisite?

Don't worry about it Sam, that stock doesn't look anything like the one you'll receive.
CZ burned through their fancy wood pile a long time ago.

Sam,

Whittakers has the Howa Mini for $329.00. 10 rounds are handy.

And you can get 200 Fiocchi's loaded with the 50gr. V-Max for $100 per 200.




Dave

Dude270, for whatever reason I've just always preferred blind magazines. Or a few floorplates.

No mag to lose and fiddle with if you have to take out to top off again.

Have a couple Sako's and extra mags are expensive.

But the RAR mags are no doubt way cheaper and as far as reloading would be quicker.

I'm with you on the no removable magazine. I'm still hunting a 1/2 dozen 10/22 mags that I know I have.

It isn't terribly difficult keeping track of magazines if you aren't a dumbf*ck.

I still see no downside to topside loading.

(that's what she said...)

What's really sad is that this used to be a family friendly website.


And now we have guys recommending Howa and Savage.


Somebody just PM'd me with Mossberg ATZ(?) in 257 Weatherby for $225.



Really gone hill.

The downside to toploading is unloading, if you intend to keep the rifle unloaded in the truck.

If there was a perfect application for a detachable magazine, it would be on a truck gun.

Why would one keep a rifle unloaded in the truck? Unless of course if you live in one of those dumbphuck states, like Blackheart and I'd assume Merryland.

Keeping a rifle loaded in the truck is perfectly acceptable here and I'm assuming in Montana, based on past experiences there.

My 243 hasn't been unloaded in months.

I'm sure it's easy keeping track of your shiet when you're living in a van.

I always preferred blind magazines for my big game rifles too but somewhere along the way I evolved.
Of the four center fire rifles I have left, two have detachable magazines, one blind, and one floor plate.

Sam,

The Zastava M85 might do the trick. aka Remington 799.

- Bob

Sam, do you have a Walmart near by? The one closest to me always has the M700 ADL packages for around $370 + tax. The youth model in .243 has a 20" barrel and 12.5" LOP, which should make for a fairly handy truck rifle.

The Howa's and Vanguards are the best value going in a push feed.



Dave

I'm kinda looking at the same thing as Sam. I've a Montana in .223 that lives on an ATV and tractor. Carried everyday, aside from my main CC gun it is the most used gun I own. Hasn't been inside anything besides a metal building in years. I really need to get a RAR to sit in it's place. I'd be an angry mother if it was stolen....

Amen, Travis.

Howa Ranch in cartridge of your choice. A truck gun is one place that hideous Hogue rubber stock might be a plus.

MT, TN and 17 other states have no prohibitions against loaded long guns in vehicles. 31 states prohibit loaded long guns in vehicles.

A $200 Ted Williams post 64 30-30 fits the bill for me. Equally good for deer, coyotes, hogs, or people out to reasonable ranges with a serious caliber. If stolen, I will scour the pawn shops for its replacement.

Actually, I already have its replacement. A $150 Bubbaed 1943 Mauser with a 2.5x Weaver in the even more serious caliber of 7.92x57.

With Ruger AR's running $475 and coyotes running Mach IV I'd throw brass all over the windshield.

Pretty sure The Ranch bbl is thinner than the Predator. We have both, the Pred in .308 is 18-in. V. 22-in. for other cals. All are threaded.

Sam, I know you're in the Great Wide Open, and suppressors will definitely save whatever you got left of your hearing.

They are a bitch to get out a truck window, unless you drive with it positioned out the window which is only cool on private property.

I'd say 5.56, /250, or .243 Preds would work well.

Those Fiocchi 50 grainers punched a .253 group w shots 4-6 in that new Ranch I just got.

Even so, I've got a locking Montana Sky Rack for my old Silverado I need to install.

And Sam lives in Montana, so he doesn't give a hoot how it's done in Merryland. Nor do I.

Along the same lines, I've seen 700 Stainless ADL's in 223 at a couple of local Sportmans Warehouse locations for $499. They have the 24" barrels, but you could easily cut this. I like the barrel profile on these, and have one in 243. Accurate and no frills....

My truck gun is a 20 inch barreled Howa Lightning 204 with a Redfield 4X12 scope. It stays in my truck 24/7. I've killed coyotes, a bobcat, crows, and other assorted critters with it. I am not a huge fan of the 204, but this rifle is scary accurate, and I have a bunch of 32 grain VMax's on hand, so I use it. I think, if I were getting another "truck gun", I'd look at the Howa mini action. Whatever I'd get, it would be in 223.

Based on the fine recommendations of the 'Fire I did a little research and found what I may be looking for.



Weatherby Vanguard H-Bar

20" #3 contour barrel threaded for a suppressor(if I ever get one...).

Hinged floorplate, only 40" OAL for the rifle which is an inch shorter than the Montana. Sounds about perfect and I see they go for under $600 on-line.

http://www.weatherby.com/products/rifles/vanguard/vanguardr-weatherguard-h-bar.html

Then all you'll need is one of these:

Racken Rest

Savage hog hunter. 375.00

Everyone likes what they like but my vote still goes for the CZ Carbine.

I know you say magazines give you heartburn but the CZ comes with two.
I can't see how changing magazines is any more cumbersome than feeding a few more rounds from the top.

Two magazines, controlled round feed, 9 twist, hammer forged 18.5" barrel well known for accuracy, 37.4" OAL, fully adjustable double set trigger, and under 6#.

That's a lot of rifle for the money as far as I'm concerned.


Course the Vanguard does have a "Griptonite" stock so there's that.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/626128121

If I was to get a replacement for my Remington 788 in .222 I would get the Howa in .222.

I purchased a Remington 788 in 1973 new for, as I remember, $99.95! I fitted it with a discontinued Japanese 8x scope I purchased for $19.98. I specifically purchased it for a pickup/knock around firearm. It proved accurate and reliable. Amazing enough for me the scope is still on the gun and worked out to be pretty rugged and maintained its zero after rough use. I've use the rifle for varmint hunting, mainly for ground squirrels at range and rock chucks on local ranches. Even popped a few 'yotes and jack rabbits with it. Worked out a load with various 50 gr. bullets and various makes of brass and 20 gr. of H-4198.

you will be happy in the long run with a stainless truck gun...

Yep!

Cdnn has lh RA's at $299.oo

Sam'oseph,

Tough to find. PM Shortactionsmoker. He found me one.

Good choice.



Dave

My Ruger Hawkeye compact 223 is about 36" OAL. 16.5 inch barrel is easy to move around in a truck cab. Just about perfect for what you are wanting.

Charlie, regardless of the wood that CZ still might be too nice, it does look sweet!



Travino, I take it you like yours?

What cartridge?

Local store orders most of the their stuff from a Billings distributor so maybe they have one down there. Probably not though so thanks for the heads up.



And thanks to all for the good replies.

i'd go with the ruger american but its a magazine gun so not sure about the top loading requirement. i'd put the vx 1-4x20 scope on it but if you're shooting longer ranges then i'd go with a bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40 so as not to have a bunch of money in the glass just in case. i'd also go with the 308 vs a 223 but thats for deer. if this was a yote gun or some such then the 223 would be it.

I bought one in 243 about that time. Hauled that thing a million miles around in a gun rack behind the seat of my truck. No telling how much I shot with it. For some silly reason, I sold it. That's one I wish I had back.

Haha! Don't know! Not in my hands yet. But every Vanguard and Howa I own, I love. So I'm not too worried.

.223.



Travis

Sam,

Your next question will be "Which truck glass for my truck gun."

I got an answer for that too...




Dave

I've got a 30-40 Krag that lives on the back seat of my pickup...and is NEVER unloaded. I think you're probably looking for something a little more practical though. It is nice to never have to worry about a scope getting knocked off, though I have had an occasional peep get bent or come loose.

Maybe a plain-jane Rem 700 is what you're looking for. Nobody would think of stealing it, so you'd have that going for ya.

Where are you seeing the Weatherby Vanguard H-Bar for less than $600? There's plenty of regular vanguards in that price range, but it looks to me like the H-Bar is more like $1000-1200.

Gunbroker

You're thinking of the one that comes with the B&C stock.

He's referring to the Weatherguard.




Dave

Oh, OK. I found some.

They're fugly, but do look practical.

Sam,

I doubt you'd be disappointed with the Howa. You might also look at the Tikka 22-250 that Darrik. They're twisted and priced right.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/626845891

Looks like a win!

What glass should I stick on it?



Just mailed off a wonked out Leupold 6x36LR and was planning on using it when it comes back.

Perfect....

I was kinda thinking the same thing...

Tough to beat that.

But if you want something you don't care about, I was going to recommend a Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9X40mm with the BDC.




Travis

Looks like a scope for peasants....


I might like it.



Do these peasant rifles take M700 bases?

Yes they do.




Dave

Word.


BTW, have you tried Deschutes 'Pinedrops' IPA?

Yeah. I don't like that brewery.

Bent Nail and Big Sky are my staples.




Dave

I like it better than the Big Sky version.


But it is from Bend so negative points automatically applied.

Cold smoke and summer honey is what I get when I'm out yalls way.

Ruger Scout in .223. Stainless. On sale @ North 40.

Dare I?




Dave

Might be the best suggestion yet...

John

Keep the Montana and spend the loot on beer and bullets.

I love the .22-250, but unless you are doing lots of shooting beyond 300 yards, the .223 is cheaper.. Lately, I have just been picking up 50rd boxes for my AR, easier than reloading.. Great thread.. Right now my truck guns are an AR .223, a .22-250, and a .25-06, plus pistols and often a shotgun..

Sorry boys but I just finished a scientific comparison of the two breweries....four beers from each.
They were all pretty good but there were three I wouldn't buy again. I'd drink em if you were buying though.
Two were from Big Sky but only one from Deschutes.
I also tried Fat Tire and Shinner Bock.
Surprisingly Flat Tire was right up there at the top along with Moose Drool/Big Sky IPA from MT and India Red/Black Butte from OR....Flat Tire's dam good. I liked the Shinner too but I think it'll be better in the summer.

Charlie, it looks like you bought the same sampler pack that I did!

Chilly, snowy and windy today which are the makings for a Porter afternoon....



I'd go with a 22-250 but am patiently waiting for Kimber to figure out how to twist one right for the Montana.

This is gonna be a 'short' range gun that will probably shoot mostly factory ammo. That Fiocchi V-max deal looks good.

Yea....I bought one from both breweries plus a six pack each of Shinner and Fat Tire.
I'd never strayed to far past Porters and Stouts in the fancy beer world before.
Turns out I like em all. That doesn't really come as a surprise though. HA

I think a 223 with the right twist is an excellent choice for your intentions. Good luck with it.

a lot.

Nice selection of beer there guys.. Montana brews are tough to get here. Bent Nail is my fav.. The wife likes Moose..
We get the Oregon stuff it is good.. Red Lodge Porter is our favorite all time dark beer.. I think it is only on tap..

The porters are tasting good right now.


Something about dark beer on a chilly day....


The peasant rifle is on the way.


Thanks again for all the good advice. I actually ended up buying one off of GeoW's link.

What was your choice????

The ugly one....




http://www.gunbroker.com/item/626845891

I like the Monte Carlo comb, but those grip inserts are butt ugly.

Nice score Sam. I'd considered that model in .308 for awhile but ended up with a 700 AAC - then couldn't leave well (and cheap) enough alone. *grins*

betting it will shoot, outta the box.

Bent Nail is the reason I wake up most weekends. And weekdays.



Dave

You probably know this but that one isn't threaded.




Dave

That's why the indians invented paint.

One of the reasons anyway.




Dave

Every now and then someone looses a post that make me giggle myself silly. This is one of those posts.

LMAO

Yeah and it's a 22" rather than the 20".

I didn't even know they made one like that but evidentially they do.

Yours is so long.

Hope it fits through the hole/window easily.




Dave

Wise choice. Wait'll you try that trigger😊

You should do a review for GQ.

Sounds like the start of a "Brokeback" weekend....

The Howa varmint model has (or had) a varmint model with a bullish barrel @ 20"

Now and then SW has clearance sales on Vanguards for less than your price range. My VG2 in .223 shoots well.

g

The Long Ranger is in the heezey!

Looks good..

What do you mostly shoot in that part of Montana???? If you are shooting factory, I guess it isn;t gophers and p. dogs..

That was quick!

(That's what she said)

22" ain't gonna fly out the window. More Goose, then hacksaw.

Roll film please.




Travis

Wyo, I haven't shot p-dogs in years, the random gopher with a 22lr once in a while. Few coyotes and few deserving semi-feral dogs which will be the purpose for this rifle.

Bought a couple boxes of Hornady 55 grain Vmax's and don't plan on reloading for it.




Flave, uber fast delivery!


It is maybe 1/2" longer than the 243 MT(which was fine) so the hacksaw idea may or may not happen...


Looks aside I actually like the stock.

Looks aside I actually like the stock.

The stock is why I chose the S2 over the cheaper Howa. Had a .308 with the rubber Hogue and didn't like anything about that one. The S2 stock looks a little goofy, but fits really well.

Cut it to 16-inches, thread and put KAK blast cone on it till ya get a compact suppressor!

That's what I'm gonna do to the Mizzus' 20-in. Wby. VG.

Piggyback a MRDS on the 6x36 for quick/close shots.

thats what she said (maybe)

lemme hold that IPA

How's the trigger Sam?

2 stage...right?

Charlie, yeah two stage and I'm not messing with it.

Feels like 2-3lbs and breaks real nice.

Anytime I am down there I tried to find Faceplant. Bent nail is worth trying out huh?

And just buy a Kimber hunter you cheapskate.

Rick, I remember Faceplant from the Bozeman days. That was pretty good beer!


I've never handled a Kimber Hunter but the plastic trigger guard and mag just made me go with the Weatherby.


$542 with shipping...



The stock reminds of the funky Sako synthetics. Looks like hell but feels(grippy) and shoulders nicely.

I agree Sam. I would've done exactly the same thing.

I do have a couple buddies whose opinion I trust who have Hunter 243s and really like them, so who knows. A lot of money to have tied up in a truck gun though.

Not for The Sam. He makes it rain up in this bitch.

Sam,

Bing and Bobs has the 200 count Fiocchi with 50gr. V-Max for $95.00. Drive over and grab one.




Dave

How do you spot a farmer at the club?


He's the one tossing nickels up on the stage.



I do have a credit card though, makes buying stuff on the internet seem like it's free!


Blizznatch here, I shan't be driving your way...

Finally got around to shooting this thing.



The good...

It is quite accurate and not overly loud.

In a hurry and only shot at 100 yards but it planted three 55 grain Vmax right at 1/2". Bipod only, didn't have a rear bag so I was obviously happy.



The bad...

If you load 5 down the top cartridge will pop up and out of the magazine well/receiver when cycling the bolt. Gay.

The next 4 cartridges cycle great so I guess I have a 4 down rifle.

I saw that CDNN has dropped the price for the Marlin XS7s in 243 down to $239.99 and they have dropped the shipping cost to just the $4.75 adult signature fee for the next couple of days.

I think that a person would have to look long and hard to find a better small bore CF knock about rifle for an equal or lower price.

My dad passed away 8yrs ago. A couple of his rifles still have ammo in the internal box that he loaded in there. Just haven't had reason to shoot them and we can leave ammo in the belly sans case whilst driving about. As it should be.

As tothe OP, I haven't read them all but a Rem 700 SPS tact 20" makes for a handy-dandy knockabout rifle that gets out the window quickly and withstands some extended shooting should you come across an unsuspecting field full of PD's.

I saw a used version of this rifle at the Brownell's store out side of Grinnell Iowa. They have a nice selection of used rifles and this one caught my eye. I suppose you could call them and ask if it's still on the shelf if you are interested. I thought it was just a tad heavy with the thick barrel for a truck gun but you know what you want.

Ooopps never mind. I see you got one.

kwg