A small "Do-All" rifle, (but not a scout)?

[mcwoodduck]

If you get a Russian SKS with the blade Bayonett would that be your sickle?
 
I'll shut up now.

[jmayton]

Yeah, the spike bayonet on the M44 doesn't qualify...guess i need to go shopping.

[mcwoodduck]

You left the spike on the rifle?  When I had one the recoil would have it stab me in the finger.  after rooting around in the truck for a couple of minutes the side fold mono pod (Bayonett sounds evil) came off only to be reattached when someone wanted the gun more than I did and showed up with  more cash than I paid for it.

[jmayton]

No, it's not on there.  I didn't really see the point in keeping it on the rifle....unless I emptied my gun and the deer/pig/perpetrator was still alive.

[mcwoodduck]

When I first started hunting it was in upstate new york and one of my dad's friends kids friends had just bought a 98K and had the bayonett.  He shot a deer and then ran up and stuck the deer.  It stood up and ran off with his rifle.  He said all he could hear was the wack of it hitting trees. 

[jmayton]

I'd have paid money to see the look on his face 

[auk1124]

My two cents, for everything you are trying to do with one rifle, it is time to bite the bullet and save up for an AR. 

[mcwoodduck]

The little fold in half kel tech guns are not too bad either as long as you use some sort of optic.  They take AR Mags.
Having shot a bunch I would try to add some weight to the front hand guard/ Bi Pod and settle the front end down a little.
One of these may also be in your budget.

[jmayton]

mcwoodduck, I've thought about those.  They really look interesting.  I think they would make a great truck gun....and they could share mags with my AR.

[mcwoodduck]

They would make a great truck gun.  they are a little light for me, I tend for heavier guns and like how they stay still or will swing for me.
The little Kel Tech with an optic will do what a Mini 14 will do.  The sights are OK but with a low power scope they work well, like the Mini.
a small objective 2-7, 3-9 or fixed 4X would be great and compact.
Yes they share the AR mag and are as handy as an M1 carbine in size and style with a flat shooting round.  The only thing that has stopped me from getting one is when ever I had cash for one the shop was out and they had something else on the shelf that I wanted instead.  So some time the stars will allign and I will end up with one.

[outdoor_sportsman]

Allow me to present my latest purchase...

Ruger Hawkeye Compact


Caliber: .243 Win.
Capacity: 4 Rounds
Finish: Matte Blued
Stock: American Walnut
Barrel Length: 16 1/2"
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:9" RH
Overall Length: 35 1/2"
Weight: 6 lbs
 I topped mine with a 2-7x28 Leupold Ultralight scope and it weighs in right at 6.5 pounds.

THE CHECKLIST....
   1.   Informal target shooting to 100 yards. Yep
   2.   Varmint rifle to 150 yards (groundhogs and up). Yep
   3.   Plinking rifle, cans etc, to 100 yards. Yep
   4.   Self-defense, shtf rifle, in a pinch, to 200 yards.  (So, it must be a repeater, with detachable magazine.) Nope
   5.   Large game (up to and including deer) in a pinch, to 100 yards. Yep
   6.   Walk around, knock about rifle, just for fun. Yep



And pics....


Side by side it it the same length as a Ruger 10/22 Carbine.

[jmayton]

That seems to fit the bill nicely.  Can you get a detachable mag conversion for the Hawkeye?  I think I may need to get me one of those.

[Empty Quiver]

Except for the bolt action you are sorta describing a M1 carbine.

[SHOOTALL]

Ruger frontier in 308 . 708 or 243 . yep it has a forward mount AND conventional bases also just remove the forward rib if you like . has the shorter bbl . Hard to beat a ruger scope mount with less moving parts .