i need a few suggestions

[quickshot]

Hey all. I need some ideas for a truck gun. Ya'll know the type:rough and tumble, reasonably accurate, strong, cast friendly. This is the type of rig that will see the most action/abuse of all my long arms. It will be used for anything from informal 100yd matches to blasting song dogs and bambi. So what do yall think? What would you all reccomend in a good surp that is cast friendly? I was thinking mosin but I can't find one with a bore that is less than .314. K31 sounds nice but I would hate to ding up that wonderful piece of art (unless I could find one with a beaver chewed stock) I would like to stay as cheap as possible (sub $200 would be great) Any Ideas?

[TNsailorman]

Widener's in Johnson City. TN has the Model 24/47 8x57mm mausers for $119.00 and they are in very good to excellent shape . Some of them look like they have hardly been used when they are cleaned up. That's a downright bargain these days. I was over there yesterday and though I didn't take one off the rack(I have two of the 24/47's), they looked far better than the mosin-nagants that were on the rack beside them. The metal on mine is almost new and the bore is too. James

[4570guy]

My 2-cents: buy a used Marlin 336 in .30-30.

[Kraschenbirn]

Uhmmm...Moisin M44 should be good or how 'bout an SMLE Mk4 in either .303 (#1 or #1*) or a #2 (7.62 NATO)?

Bill

[Scrounger]

SKS would be perfect.

[EMC45]

Mosin or SKS

[Four Fingers of Death]

Lever gun, thin, flat sided, will fit anywhere and not hang up when you are trying to get it out in a hurry. Rossi trapper (or even 20" carbeen) 6 shots of 44mag, as quick as you can work the lever, gotta love that.

[pumpguy]

Unless you have your heart set on a milsurp, I think 4570 has the right idea. Buy a used 336 in 30-30. The ammo is relatively cheap and you can find one cheap. I bought my last one for about $125. With 311041s over 17gr of 2400, it is good for inch and a half to 2 inch groups at 100 yards.

[MT Gianni]

Col. Jeff Cooper wrote once of the perfect assult rifle. 30 cal min., multiple fast aimed fire, 180 gr bullets @ 200 yard capability. He then said he was describing a 30-30. It still is a good choice. 357 or 44 mag and 45 colt in a 92 are also good choices. Gianni

[4570guy]

The reasons I suggested the .30-30 were just that: inexpensive, cheap, easy to find ammo in a pinch, short and compact. I bought one off of Gunbroker.com a couple years ago for $160. I stripped it and refinished it similar to that described in this link --http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/58

This is how mine turned out. As you can see, I didn't cut the barrel or the stock. Unfortunately, the previous owner put the swing swivel through the Marlin bullseye. I still need to fix that. The browning on the barrel, mag-tube and receiver does not show up so well in the pic's, but they give the rifle an "old timer" look.:Fire:

[Four Fingers of Death]

I meant to mention the 'Appalacian Assault Rifle,' that is the 30/30 in a lever. Marlins bring decent dollars here, but Winchesters are much more plentiful and a whole lot cheaper. If it's going to be a truck gun you can pick up ones which are a bit pitted on the action, knocked about cheap, but still very serviceable. I saw a near new Trapper 30/30 the other day which tempted me as the only 30/30 I have at the moment is a 26" heavy octagonal barreled one, nice, but I need a carbeen as well. Maybe I should trade my 44Mag 1894 Marlin for it. I have had that for a year or more and haven't fired a shot through it. Sorta looks wrong or something. Never been all that taken with Marlins, although I have had several, including a 444S at the moment. They don't really press my buttons.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Another gun worth considering is a Mosin M38 if they're available there. An M44 without the bayonette. I have one in like new condition, shoots as accurate as one could ask if loaded properly.

Any of the above suggested rifles would also work. I'd make my decision based on brass availability and what I'd likely to shoot with it. Some guns are great, but if you can't get brass or ammo, they're just clubs.

Regards,

Dave

[quickshot]

I was trying to stay in the milsurp arena because levers are hard to come by and they bring good money when they do. I have thought about a mosin IF I could find a bore that is less than .314-.315is range. But that yugo mauser 24/47. centerfire has a good used one for $100.00. I just don't know.

[MtGun44]

Most K31s have 'beaver chewed' stocks, really. Apparently the Swiss boots
tore them up or something, because nearly all have the buttstock really gouged
up from about 2" fwd of the buttplate for about 6" more.

If you really want the match part of your assigned tasks, the K31 is the way
to go. If match accuracy isn't as critical, I'd use the Marlin 30-30, although
mine will shoot under 1" at 50 yds with good handloads, and about 2" at
100. The K31 will do under 1" at 100 when I am shooting well, with good
handloads. I put a cheap 2-7 pistol scope on a mount that replaces the
rear sight on one of my K31s and it works great.

Also, you will get a K31 for ~$160 nowdays and even a fairly
rough Marlin 336 will go at least ~$275, at least around here, they will.

Bill

[Bret4207]

This is surplus, it's cheap and they hit like a ton of lead- Steyr 95 in 8x56R, plus it's short. Yeah,you need the clips, but for $90.00 they're a steal!

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Austro-Hungarian_M95__Stutzen__8x56R_Mannlicher_Carbine.h tml

[dmftoy1]

I've bought two Mosin's in the last 2 months and both have been less than .314 . . . .and both shoot really well with .312 boolits. FWIW. (one at a gunshow, and one mail ordered from Aim Surplus $79)

That being said . .if my choice was between a 24/47 with a good bore and a Mosin I'd buy the 24/47 . . you can make your own 8mm brass from 30-06 . . . 7.62 x 54R will run you $40 per 100!

Have a good one,
Dave

[Lumpie]

I've bought two Mosin's in the last 2 months and both have been less than .314 . . . .and both shoot really well with .312 boolits. FWIW. (one at a gunshow, and one mail ordered from Aim Surplus $79)

That being said . .if my choice was between a 24/47 with a good bore and a Mosin I'd buy the 24/47 . . you can make your own 8mm brass from 30-06 . . . 7.62 x 54R will run you $40 per 100!

Have a good one,
DaveI find that all the above mentioned rifles have their place. When you were at my place the other night, I mentioned that I felt you should get your self a Pattern 17 endfield. If the barrel is non shootable I have a cardboard drum of good barrels. I can put you a good barrel on one of those puppies,while we are bsing. These rifles are something,like making a silk purse,from a sow!s ear. There is no better rifle ever made to convert,if you have excess to a buddy that has the fixtures, and grinding jigs. I told you at that time that I could build you one of these.One small problem. Do not leave it in the pickup. One okie to another,you know what will happen. Carl