Backup Rifle in the truck?

[ChrisAU]

How many put a backup rifle in the truck just in case you need to trek back for it? I get one week a year where I get to go out west and hunt, granted this year will only be my second hunt. I'm thinking a backup would be good considering if the starter goes down its game over?

Problem is, in recent years as a whitetail only hunter I kinda became a one rifle guy. I have my Cooper 92 in 280ai with a Vortex AMG on it...I think most can see why I am one rifle guy ha. Currently debating on changing bullets for that rifle, got another thread on that though.

The only other rifle I have that could be considered for backup duty is a Savage Stevens 200 in 270 Win...first rifle I ever bought, and its not going anywhere. It has a 6-18x50 Bushnell something or another el cheapo on it. Killed a pile of deer with it at the beginning of this decade. It also has a really heavy Boyd's laminated stock on it. I'm thinking about getting the black webbing paint out and putting a nice web finish on the OEM tan/FDE stock, and then popping a fixed SWFA 6x on it for a solid backup on a budget. It does shoot very well...annoying well as I compare it to rifles I've dumped piles of money on over the years ha. Should put it around 8.25 lbs.

 

[MuleyFever]

I have never even considered a back up rifle. I also try to make sure I don’t leave anything more valuable than my Coleman coolers at the truck. Probably much more likely to get the gun stolen than to ever actually need it.

 

[ChrisAU]

I have never even considered a back up rifle. I also try to make sure I don’t leave anything more valuable than my Coleman coolers at the truck. Probably much more likely to get the gun stolen than to ever actually need it.

We'd be 12-15 miles up a forest service road and it'd be behind the back seat, not visible from the windows, but that is a good point. Which that is also where my wallet was last year...not sure I can plan for a truck break in.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I had my shotgun go down twice in a dozen years of an annual fly-in pheasant hunt. The first was a finicky 1100 that failed the 2nd year and caused me to borrow a gun to finish the hunt buy a Benelli when I got home. The benelli runs like a top but the recoil pad dropped off year before last. Luckily it fell out in the truck and I found it later that day and was able to tape it back on. Now I try to make sure someone in the party had two guns and bring my own spare when possible. I have loaned my spare out twice in 3 years.

Getting a gun stolen would suck and you gotta take precautions. However, there are certain pieces of gear like a pack, boots, weapon, that if they go down are probably going to end your hunt. It feels better to me to have a select bit of redundancy where and when it is practical.

 

[choovhntr]

We'd be 12-15 miles up a forest service road and it'd be behind the back seat, not visible from the windows, but that is a good point. Which that is also where my wallet was last year...not sure I can plan for a truck break in.

Sounds like you aren’t hunting solo, so there is always the option if one rifle goes down to hunt together and share the other. While not ideal, at least the hunt isn’t over and you don’t have to worry about potentially having one stolen out of you vehicle.

 

[ChrisAU]

Sounds like you aren’t hunting solo, so there is always the option if one rifle goes down to hunt together and share the other. While not ideal, at least the hunt isn’t over and you don’t have to worry about potentially having one stolen out of you vehicle.

That is a good point as well. And yeah, that'd be what we do. And even with that plan I think the Stevens 200 with a super chicken would be the 2nd best rifle (thats a dig on my hunting buddy lol)

 

[elkduds]

I have that same Stevens 200 in 270 w factory stock. It ain't a thing of beauty, but you don't have to worry about banging it up. Its light, pretty short (22" barrel), accurate and durable. I'd say that might as well be behind your truck seat as in your safe @ home. I wonder if there is a cable lock that would dissuade less motivated thieves.

 

[N2TRKYS]

It would worry the crap out of me, if I had something valuable in a vehicle that I wasn't within eyeshot of. I only carry one rifle out West.

 

[ChrisAU]

Hmmm. What if we left it with the concierge at the hotel back in town? Last year we stayed the night before we went in and the night after we came out in the town nearest to where we hunted. Hotel seemed pro-hunter. I could see this as a great way to leave a rifle in Colorado as well though ha.

Just talking through this, thanks for the various inputs.

 

[Wrench]

I can recall a few instances where rifles failed. My first and last swarovski scope died on a hunt, another rifle fell out of a scabbard from a motorcycle, my pard laid his scope against my transfer case knob and it rattled the objective lens out of his scope, another pard had the bolt on his abolt fall apart, seen a talley ring break.....and on and on.

I wouldn't go 100 miles without spare parts.....let alone thousands.

 

[LaGriz]

Back up Rifle question,

The idea of having my truck broken into only to loose another favored rifle is unthinkable to me. If you can't justify a spare weapon waiting in the rig, maybe a spare scope pre-sighted in might do in a pinch. While always trying to be prepared for the worse, I have utilized a quick release scope mounts on 2 rifles. After a scope change on my M70 featherweight "jewel" (.358 win.) to a 30MM 1.75X6X Leica, The previously mounted Leopold 2X7X33MM VX-2 became the back up scope. I'm confident that the 1"tubed Leopold would be close to zero if I had to swap scopes in an emergency. Would still however, need to confirm/refine the sight in status before hunting with it. This would of course be all for naught if I had a mechanical problem or a plugged barrel in the M70. Do consider the pre-64 model 70 featherweight to be pretty durable, and I would not expect it to fail for any reason. This gorgeous rifle is my is my 1st choice for hunting Big Whitetails in the Boreal forests of Maine. Not a long range cartridge by any means, I would not feel under-gunned in many Dark Timbered places I have hunted for elk out west. Especially so when the weather is fowl and the shots will have to be close. LaGriz

 

[Reburn]

If i was going somewhere that I had my truck secure such as a private lodge then sure I will routinely take 2 guns. But not for fear of one breaking. Mostly because I like to take to much $hit. If I'm some place public no way. The chance of theft is much higher then my primary weapon breaking. If I'm flying I only take 1 weapon.

 

[eamyrick]

I always take two shotguns on multi day bird hunts but the spare is usually a beater broken down under the back seat. I wouldn’t leave a nice rifle in my truck while gone for multiple days but you may consider a pawn shop Remington with iron sights. You could probably find one for $300 bucks and you would be good sub 150 yards and would feel like you were hunting if your main rig went down. I think precautions and quality gear are better insurance which is why I tape my barrel, torque and loctite my rings with paint pen witness marks, and run a nightforce scope.

 

[MallardSX2]

If I am hunting with someone else, no. If I am hunting alone a long ways from home yes.

But I wouldn't leave it in my truck. Too many scumbags out there.

 

[Mosby]

I have taken back up rifles several times when I invested in some big hunts and had to travel long distances. Would I leave a custom rifle or a Cooper in the truck, no. Would I leave a $300 Remington with a used scope, yea. I bought a Reminton 700 for $300 in a 30-06 when KMart was getting rid of them. I put an old Leupold 3x9 on it. That is my back up gun for traveling. It isn't a tack driver but I am a worst case scenerio guy and I would rather risk the gun than some of my hunts. If I don't bring a rifle, I will bring an extra scope. Easy to pack and the scope is normally what breaks.

I always carry a small screwdriver kit with allen wrench's and a cleaning rod, with oil and patches. I had a bullet pull out of a case once when I emptied the chamber and had gun powder everywhere. Having a cleaning rod really saved my butt. Cleaning a rifle and wiping it down a couple of times when hunting in rain or snow can really save a gun, as well. My brother brings absolutely nothing extra. He knows I do and figures he'll just borrow my stuff.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have that same Stevens 200 in 270 w factory stock. It ain't a thing of beauty, but you don't have to worry about banging it up. Its light, pretty short (22" barrel), accurate and durable. I'd say that might as well be behind your truck seat as in your safe @ home. I wonder if there is a cable lock that would dissuade less motivated thieves.

I was thinking along those lines. Take it down, put it in a small soft case and put a cable lock through the action and around the seat support, etc. That would slow a thief down enough to make them think twice about whether it's worth the work.

That far in on a FS road, I think this is a safe bet and I also think taking a spare rifle is good insurance, considering the investments of time and money we all put in to these hunts every year.

 

[Newtosavage]

My brother brings absolutely nothing extra. He knows I do and figures he'll just borrow my stuff.

Apparently this is a "thing." LOL I have a brother like that too.

 

[ianpadron]

I'd never leave anything of value in my rig at a trailhead.

Too many horror stories.

You've got 2 rifles anyway with your buddy. Hell, I know a few duos who only pack 1 rifle between the two.

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[ChrisAU]

I'd never leave anything of value in my rig at a trailhead.

Too many horror stories.

You've got 2 rifles anyway with your buddy. Hell, I know a few duos who only pack 1 rifle between the two.

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We won't be hunting together is the thing. Camp together, but not hunt together. We have two other buddies accompanying who will split off with us. So, at worst, one of us is down one day then we hunt together.

 

[robtattoo]

I have a little old .44mag Marlin 336 that's been tucked under the rear seat of my truck for 10 years. It's reliable, accurate, light & not worth a great deal.
No, it's not a replacement for my '06 or 6.5 & it's really a sub 100yd proposition, but if I ever have a fall, accident or something else goes awry with my main rifle I know it's there & I'd rather have to stalk to 50yds than drive 800 miles home.....