Truck gun choice....

[viking499]

I am a fan of the 243. I currently carry a 1968 model 70 along with me most days on the farm. Nice gun and still in great shape. As my son getting bigger, he now wants to be the one to get the 243 out to shoot at the groundhog or yote we see along the bean field or crossing the hayfield. Problem is, he is not as "coordinated" as I am. As I picture this, I see the model 70 leading a little more "rougher" life than I would prefer.

So, I decided to pick up a cheaper 243 to allow for life's bumps and bruises. Went to the LGS and he had 3 options on the shelf. A Ruger American, Savage Axis, and a Stevens 200. All blued, synthetic stocked. All priced within $20 of each other. All seem to be good rifles in one aspect or another.

To me, if I ranked them, I would go Stevens, Ruger and then Savage. Stevens stock was camo, but had no floor plate or magazine. Ruger stock felt better than the Savage.

I never had owned any of the three. So, for those of you with experience with one or more of these, give your opinion, good or bad.

I will end up with one of these next week, just don't know which one yet.

 

[greenlion]

I've always been leery of leaving scoped guns bouncing around for months in the back of a car/truck. If the scope/mounts/screws were not perfectly solid, I would worry that the sight would be off when I needed it.

CVA makes a scout rifle (single shot) in 243. It has a stainless 20" barrel and you can order it with fixed sights.

 

[natman]

Take a look at the Marlin X7.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a couple cheapo Stevens 200s, 7mm-08 and .22-250. I took the ugly stocks off, put Boyds walnut stocks on them and Nikon Buckmasters. both can shoot dime groups at 100 yards all the time.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I agree with the Stevens 200 as well. If it's for your son, the Stevens 200 is a nice platform for him to upgrade if he ever wants to. The gun + scope shouldn't be more than $300.

 

[viking499]

Take a look at the Marlin X7.

That's not in stock locally. Going to buy locally and support my LGS.

 

[back40]

i agree that the stevens would be at the top of my list. the other two are a wash for me. you could always let you son handle them and see which he prefers.

 

[jmr40]

Buy the Ruger.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=516765

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524653


You won't have any trouble with scopes or mounts if you use quality stuff and mount it correctly.

 

[viking499]

I have just about ruled the Savage out.

Down to the Ruger American and Stevens.

Wish the Stevens had a floor plate or detachable magazine. Wish the Ruger stock was replaceable.

 

[hang fire]

Just my opine, but would not overlook pre-bubbaed (sporterized) milsurps.

I got a 1937 (prewar) Tula 7.62x54 MN for $25.00, barrel and wood had been chopped. With very little work, optics and aperture sight, this is the result for my accurate truck/ATV gun: http://hstrial-rchambers.homestead.com/early.html#

 

[jim243]

Savage Axis in 223 would be the perfect gun for him, only problem is that after YOU try it he may not get to shoot it. (LOL)

Jim

 

[Abel]

I like the Stevens option because of the availability of plenty of aftermarket parts to upgrade the trigger, stock, whatever. It's essentially the same as a model 10/110?

 

[yzguy87]

If I had to choose I'd say an AK as long as it could shoot decent.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Field and Stream did a big review on budget rifles late last year or early this year. Worth poking around on the Internet to find.

 

[Jackal]

Going to buy locally and support my LGS.

Marlin XS7, hands down.

So have him order one.... Or buy online and have him transfer. Either way, still supporting LGS. Transfers are $25-$30 usually and often a good LGS doesnt make much more than that on the sale anyway (20% markup tops).

 

[Archaic]

Mine is a beat up Winchester 94 in .32 Win. Special. One of the ugly ones from the 70's with that unblueable black enameled receiver. The stock looked like it had ridden around under a pile of bricks for a few months. The front sight had been installed with a 4 lb hammer and a cold chisel. The rear sight was bent like a taco shell. The bore however was spotless.

I put a Lyman Peep Sight on it and an uncle Mikes elastic shell holder on the stock with a canvas sling and viola! Hog buster. It rides around in one of those soft sided cases behind the back seat and so far, its held zero well enough to bring home some bacon.

 

[Casefull]

Kind of depends on what you are shooting.

 

[MinnesotaFats]

I would rank them the same way. I got my stevens 200 down to .5" groups at 100 yards. Best bang for the buck imo.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I go with a. 30-30.

 

[JRs12Valve]

My go to truck gun is, and always will be an iron sighted lever action, weather it be in .45 lc or .45-70.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I've used all 3 of the rifles you are looking at, and I think the Ruger would be best choice for your intended use. The biggest advantage is the adjustable trigger, which makes it a bit easier to shoot. My Axis has a very heavy trigger, and it is going to take some fiddling around to bring the pull weight down to something reasonable. The Stevens is a great base to customize from, but the stock leaves something to be desired and trigger is not easily adjustable.

You really can't go wrong with any of them, but the Ruger is the best rifle out of the box, IMO.

 

[firesky101]

All three are good choices, and as you noticed the Stevens, and the Savage have a much larger aftermarket. If you will be changing things right away get one of those. If you "might change something down the road any of the three will work as the Ruger is a new rifle, and at the rate they are flying off shelves and aftermarket will come.

 

[Loosenock]

I agree with Hang Fire. My truck rifle is a cheap Bubba'd Mosin Nagant . Bubba ground the bayonet lug off added Mojo Sights and bent bolt (a good thing).



Not pretty, but a perfect little truck gun for around a "C" note from my local pawn shop.

'loose

 

[WCraven]

If i was hunting big foot then the 45-70 should do the job..lol

 

[Cee Zee]

Up until recently I would have suggested the Stevens without hesitation. That was before the introduction of the Ruger American. It seems to have a lot going for it but I've never shot one. I did handle one and it seemed ok but the trigger was blocked so I couldn't try it. Still it is an obvious copy of the Savage (and Marlin) triggers. It has other features that have been copied from other guns too that should be good. Still I couldn't suggest one without trying to shoot at least one. I've been a Savage shooter for a long time. I have a 110 which is basically the same as the 200. Mine is pre-AccuTrigger. It's a fine gun. Mine has had after market sights mounted on it which is a big plus IMO. You don't have to worry that your scope is off which can happen a lot riding around in a vehicle. I had a .22 Marlin make me look stupid because it got the scope knocked out of whack between home and the church men's campout and retreat. I couldn't hit anything with it until I adjust the scope again and I didn't have time to do it at the camp out. I know people thought I couldn't shoot for squat. Oh well. My Savage is a 30.06 though which is perfect for a truck gun for me since we have lots of black bear around. But we can't carry a long gun loaded in my state. So my truck gun is a S&W 629 with a 8.5" barrel. It has good range and plenty of power for a black bear.