What say you? A spare rifle nearly identical to what you carry hunting, or a cheap but reliable rifle/scope in a common caliber in case you need more ammo at wherever close? My spare is a Savage Axis 308 with a Leupold VX-1 2x7. Not a huge loss if it gets stolen in my truck at the trailhead, but shoots good. I can't buy a gun out of state and there is a waiting period in CA.
Spare Rifle in Truck
- Thread starter ElmerFudd
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wweaver79
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Anytime I leave town for a hunt I bring two of whatever. I think more important is a bow, easier to break if you eat s#$% and fall on it. Muzzleloaders maybe the exception since you have to own like 5 now depending on what state your in. You hit it on the head something under a grand scope and rifle together that is also not your dads or grandpas old gun that is sentimental. Mine is a CDL 700 30-06 I got used a long time ago from a friend, paid $450 for it. Nice gun but would not cry to bad if it was gone one day.
Captain_coues
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I carry my 270 Winchester a lot but not 100% of the time. It’s a Browning Stainless Stalker A Bolt with a Nikon 3-9 and it’s nice and compact compared to others. The issue that’s kept me from keeping one in there full time is that I have a 4 door truck and with work stuff and friends in there a lot, the rifle risks being screwed up somehow even in a case. Some of my friends don’t have the respect needed to treat guns softly. I have another regular cab short bed 4x that I’m trying to figure out a nice rifle holder for behind the seat and attached to the back of cab to carry a rifle. I’m starting to use the truck as a getting around vehicle more than the 4 door.
Chesterwyo
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If we’re talking about going on a hunt, I always take two rifles. If talking about truck guns. Mine is a Ruger American 22-250.
I always take a 2 nd backup rifle ready to go & extra ammo too - things can happen to anyone anytime . Be prepared! Always ! Next hunt could be a big one
- you never know. Jerry Gold
Weiserbucks
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If your rifle and optic aren't reliable, definitely bring a spare cheaper less reliable rifle and optic to leave for tweekers to steal while you're away from the truck
Bluehair
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Are you from NM? That’s the only place I’ve had someone break into my truck.
Weiserbucks
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Negative, but tweekers gonna tweek no matter where you go.
Most likely scenario is a fall that bends a scope or breaks a stock. Neither is a reliability issue. I have bent a scope by slipping and falling. Guess you could carry a spare sighted scope in rings, but still should check it. A broken stock would be a bigger problem, but you probably could rig it somehow. A spare in the truck would be good to go instantly.
CHWino_1
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For decades I kept a Savage model 24V in my truck. .222/20 ga. was always the right gun. I worked on ranches and vineyards for 40+ years and had many occasions to dispatch skunks, raccoons, rabbits and other predators I won't mention. I kept the gun behind the seat and was pretty easy to get at.
As to taking a backup gun on a hunt....if there are two of us on a trip, we'll take three rifles. If there's four guys, four guns are enough. I have a muzzy elk hunt coming up and will probably take both of mine.
As to taking a backup gun on a hunt....if there are two of us on a trip, we'll take three rifles. If there's four guys, four guns are enough. I have a muzzy elk hunt coming up and will probably take both of mine.
BrianID
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It never hurts to have a backup, especially if you are on an out of state hunt. I would hate to be 10 hours from home and have a problem with my gun and have my backup in the safe at home.
Breaking into a hunters truck would be a risky move. You know every hunter is armed and likely capable of shooting you from extended distances. Criminals are generally not the smartest people though.
Breaking into a hunters truck would be a risky move. You know every hunter is armed and likely capable of shooting you from extended distances. Criminals are generally not the smartest people though.
