truck gun

[Tommy Kelly]

For a truck gun it would be hard to beat a 45-70 guide gun. Short great handling and awesome for power. What it lacks in range it makes up for in power.

[Chuckbuster]

I have always thought that some variation of the "SMLE" would be great for this but never have figured out which one.

[Old Guy]

My choice would be a 303 Jungle carbine because they are clip loaders. The down side is they are too expensive now. From$200.00 to $ 500.00 at gun shows
I remember buying one mail order from Kliens in Chicago for $17.00 , but that was a looong time ago.
My second choice would be a Rem. pump carbine in whatever caliber.

[Wayne Smith]

Daniel, where you are I would want something that would put down anything that I need to. I don't think I would want a single shot, either. Your 'truck gun' is, by definition, not your hunting rifle. It isn't necessry to use it for super accurate, long range shots. It is for those necessary close in situations where your need to defend yourself or clear the road.

For me, where you are, it would be a toss up between a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 and a Remington 870 12 guage. Both rugged, can take abuse, and more than adequate to deal with whatever appears within 50 yards.

[Eagle15]

Mosin Nagant 7.62X54. They are inexpensive, reasonable accurate, ammo is cheap and plentiful right now. I am considering this in the near future.

[use enough gun]

I carry my BFR in 45/70 in the front seat with me. I've also got an A-bolt in 25/06 in the back seat of the truck. Generally the first thing I reach for is the BFR, if it's WAYYYYYYYYYYY out there I can reach out and touch it with a 117 spire point BT. Dave

[mikeb82301]

CZ-52 Pistol (TECHNICALLY VZ-52) - Potent as all hell, accurate, and the BANG that it makes will scare the feces outta most anything. And, it'll punch clean holes in Class II body armor.

[wildbill49]

Truck Gun! I don't have the cold to contend with here in California, but have found that my Big Sky overhead rack (http://www.bigskyracks.com/) works well for me. It is out of sight, but quick to get the rifle or shotgun out and into play. As for the rifle, the Contender, in 45-70, with heavy loads, should do the job. My setup with the overhead rack has let me kill several coyotes that were after our calves. These guys are real gun shy and will spook when the see a vehicle stop, so speed of deployment is utmost to get a kill.

Good luck,

[versifier]

I have seen those racks and similar ones in use by several hunting buddies and I like them in full-sized trucks and SUV's. With others, especially mini pickups, I am too tall to keep from bouncing my head off of the rifles every time the vehicle hits a bump, and that gets old very quickly. I am no big fan of the "steal-my-rifle" rear window racks for pickups that are so popular, much prefering the "behind the seat" style.

I have several old loaner rifles and a shotgun I don't worry about leaving in the vehicle during hunting season that would be no great loss if they grew legs. It's always better to have something handy for just in case.

[farky]

I was surprised that no one mentioned a good old pump shotgun. 18" barrel
5 rounds of slugs in the gun and 5 extra's on the elastic holder on the buttstock.
3" shells in my 870 should take care of any problems from moose to mayhem.

farky