Im working on a plot for a story and it involves the hero being forced to survive with one companion in the Alaska bush while also being hunted by bad guys. I'd like to make a poll of which long gun you'd pick for our hero to pack along with him. If you have a good idea that isn't in the list provided, post what it is and a brief 'why' you choose this. Thanks!!
I have a 581 series, I think, in any event it's a new style Ranch Rifle with the heavier barrier and better sights. It shoots very nice groups very consistently. I can routinely hit soda cans at 60 yards using the irons on it. I think Ruger did a really nice job on them. It gives you about 90% of what an AR can do without the "assault rifle" look. I just wish it too AR mags. I don't think that would be possible given the Mag well design.
I apprecite all the responses. My character might have a couple Robarized guns. Not sure yet. That's the great thing about fiction writing! You can make it up as you go!
Here's a nasty twist. He comes loaded for bear (literally) with a really nice arsenal, then gets ambushed and loses all his cool gear. He is left with a knife, and then has to rummage for whatever he can, to survive.
He comes across a cabin owned by the local curmudgeon, and all he can find is a beat to hell Mosin Nagant and 10 rounds of ammo. He improvises, adapts, and overcomes. And makes an amazing shot from 400 yards out, against all odds. With iron sights, and all the experience he has gleaned over the years. Think hostage stance, and the heroine is saved, right at the last minute.
Based on my time in Fairbanks working part-time at a gunshop in the early 90s, every cabin in interior Alaska has at least one SKS rifle and 1-2 spam-cans of copper-coated steel-core surplus 7.62x39mm ammo in it.
I really used to hate the days when UPS showed-up at the shop...
I have a 581 series, I think, in any event it's a new style Ranch Rifle with the heavier barrier and better sights. It shoots very nice groups very consistently. I can routinely hit soda cans at 60 yards using the irons on it. I think Ruger did a really nice job on them. It gives you about 90% of what an AR can do without the "assault rifle" look. I just wish it too AR mags. I don't think that would be possible given the Mag well design.
I apprecite all the responses. My character might have a couple Robarized guns. Not sure yet. That's the great thing about fiction writing! You can make it up as you go!
I had an M&P15 issued to me for four years and shot a bunch of AR's prior to that. I have to say, I actually prefer the Mini. Clearing malfunctions is easier and the rifle is a lot easier to clean. A bit more complicated to take down, but easy to do if you follow the directions. Shooting it at close range is so much nicer because there isn't as much "fist" rule with it. I found calculating the "fist" rule inside 25 using my Aimpoint was slow and took a lot of thought. The Mini is aim and shoot.
CZ 527 in 7.62X39 with a 1X - 4X power scope. Lightweight; easy to pack around and fire offhand.
Nice set trigger.
Shooter can fire a hundred consecutive accurate rounds without flinching. Ammo is readily replenished when the people hunting you are carrying AKs.
Good luck with the story.
Check out the books I have written if you'd like. http://chronosscifi.com/
How similar is the M1A to the Mini 14? I have never put hands on one and I want the references to the items in the story to be authentic and not regurgitated information I found on the internet.
I'm talking about small nuances, like not being able to load a full capacity Mini magazine into a closed bolt rifle. Any information is appreciated. I would pick the Mini, but I'm afraid that won't be realistic for use in Alaska.
I'm also a writer and know the importance of properly matching the firearm to the hero.
Could you imagine James Bond carrying a S&W J-Frame?
Or Dirk Pitt with a PPK?
Rule out the AR-15; if he's going to be in the Alaskan bush and has an IQ higher than room temperature then he won't be packing a such an inadequate caliber.
I could see an AR10 variant, but think a Ruger GSR would be a better choice...
I know some Alaska state troopers that carry 45-70 lever action rifles for when they are in the bush. One of my friends had asked most of his co workers and locals what he should get for survival duty and that was what they told him
My experience with Alaskans tells me that they will carry just about anything and everything. The 30-30 is well represented even if not a great choice.
The 45-70 is also widely used by more knowledgeable folks .
If he was older, I would possibly suggest a .30/30, either Winchester 1894 or Marlin 336. A 30 something that is somewhat "into guns" and with recent Metropolitan LE experience would not likely pick these as his first choice. If your character did grow up in Montana, on the other hand, he might have experienced these through his father/grandfather/other mentor, and chose it because of comfort, experience, or nostalgia. The guide gun .45/70 or "Copilot" custom version is more of a new age lever action that is both realistic and suitable for the purpose.
I also like the short bolt action .308 for this story. The Steyr Scout is basically designed for this scenario, as is the Ruger Gunsite Scout. The Ruger is available in 6.5. These would lend a slightly exotic, "gun guy" element, though the blush may be off the rose just a tad as a Nuevo nuance.
The Ruger Hawkeye in the short lighter versions is a good possibility, as would be the similar models from Remington, Winchester, or Browning.
An AR is not out of the question, depending on how you build the backstory, again because of familiarity.
The rifle is a good choice, imo. Is it produced in that caliber? I don't see your guy buying a custom rifle to bang around in the plane, but it is a story.
How common is that caliber? Does he handload? If it is a daily tool that he carries in his plane, he would want something easy to maintain ammo for, either by common availability or his own handloading.
Its definitely not as common as .308, but it gives a flavor of uniqueness to the story. He could easily have any .308 based Hawkeye rebarelled by a gunsmith. I don't think the Hawkeye was ever factory produced in .338.
What are you trying to do to your readers with the weapon?
In Harley Davidson and the Malboro Man, one of them had a .454 revolver. Not the right tool for the purpose, but the depiction of how it would be used in the scenario was fairly believable, and it was a unique effect.
I'm not really going for symbolism as much as I am realism. I've thought about having him bring a 5.56mm along to show a touch of arrogance and cockiness that nothing bad will happen to him.
The character was a cop, so he's used to having a gun on his hip. He's a gun enthusiast in Alaska, but not one to run and get the latest thing. Why wouldn't he have a handgun on his hip? Something like a S&W 29 or 629.
Now for a long gun. Taylors 1892 Alaska takedown 20" .44 mag.
The character was a cop, so he's used to having a gun on his hip. He's a gun enthusiast in Alaska, but not one to run and get the latest thing. Why wouldn't he have a handgun on his hip? Something like a S&W 29 or 629.
Now for a long gun. Taylors 1892 Alaska takedown 20" .44 mag.
It's hard to make realistic suggestions if the character changes. Maybe nail down the basics and start a new thread. There are plenty of us who are willing to throw out ideas.
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