I've followed the post by SKSShooter on his desire for a "Beater". Obviously Beater means different things to most of you than it means to me. I'd thought about doing a Poll, but then I realized the definition/options for a Beater are much wider than I could fit into a decent Poll

For example,
1. If a "Beater" got a scratch - it wouldn't bother me - at all. (Probably because all of my $$$HIGH$$$ rifles have scratches anyhow!)
2. If a Beater got dropped in the mud/sand/creek/swamp, got rained on, etc., I'd just hose it off, use the air hose to dry it, clean the Bore and Trigger Assembly, but not be overly concerned.
3. If a Beater got stolen out of the truck, it would bother me, but not nearly as much as having a $$$HIGH$$$ rifle stolen.
4. If a Beater shoots twice as large as my $$$HIGH$$$ rifles at 100yds, it would not be a concern.

Though I'm not a Mouser fan, when I looked at Vapo's alleged Beater in SKSShooter's thread, it looks better finished than I envision a Beater.

5. If the rifle was HEAVY, it would not be considered a good Beater for me.
6. If the rifle had a l-o-n-g overall length, where it would catch on limbs if I'm in dense understory, then it would not be considered a Beater for me.
7. If the rifle was chambered in an Inadequate Cartridge, it would not make Beater status for me(or $$$HIGH$$ status either).
8. If the rifle looses Sight Alignment when subjected to Jolts, Vibration, falling over when leaned against a tree(non-loaded of course), then it would not be a Beater I could rely on.

I'm still pondering on Single Shot vs. Multi-Shot capability. I'd not want to be in Dangerous Game country with a Single Shot(though some of you might), nor in Hog country with one due to the number of Hogs which can appear quickly. However, a Single Shot would not concern me where Deer are expected.

Though I prefer Stainless & Synthetic, constantly Rusting Blue(headed toward a Brown external patina) and an ElCheapo Plastic Stock would be fine for a Beater. If I wanted to "Paint" it, wrap it with Camo Tape, or just let it get to the eventual Brown exterior, that would not bother me on a Beater.
-----

So, what are the physical"characteristics" of a Beater rifle for you?

quote:

What makes a "Beater Rifle" - a beater???

If the rifle falls into snow and mud and gets run over by the following ATV and you go "Oh well".....then it's a beater.....

quote:

Though I'm not a Mouser fan, when I looked at Vapo's alleged Beater in SKSShooter's thread, it looks better finished than I envision a Beater.

I did put a little work into it.....but darn little.....it's as described above.....as a matter of fact, if the barrel was bent it just might be a good thing.....then I'd put on a new one in 6.5 X 55.....and smile once again!

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

1. If a "Beater" got a scratch - it wouldn't bother me - at all.
2. If a Beater got dropped in the mud/sand/creek/swamp, got rained on, etc., I'd just hose it off, use the air hose to dry it, clean the Bore and Trigger Assembly, but not be overly concerned.
3. If a Beater got stolen out of the truck, it would bother me, but not nearly as much as having a $$$HIGH$$$ rifle stolen.
4. If a Beater shoots twice as large as my $$$HIGH$$$ rifles at 100yds, it would not be a concern.
5. If the rifle was HEAVY, it would not be considered a good Beater for me.
6. If the rifle had a l-o-n-g overall length, where it would catch on limbs if I'm in dense understory, then it would not be considered a Beater for me.
7. If the rifle was chambered in an Inadequate Cartridge, it would not make Beater status for me.
8. If the rifle looses Sight Alignment when subjected to Jolts, Vibration, falling over when leaned against a tree(non-loaded of course), then it would not be a Beater I could rely on.

-----

So, what are the physical"characteristics" of a Beater rifle for you?

Seems mine would meet those 8 criteria:

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
1. If a "Beater" got a scratch - it wouldn't bother me - at all.
A scratch? Just one? Scratches, rust, bluing worn off, dusty and dirty.
2. If a Beater got dropped in the mud/sand/creek/swamp, got rained on, etc., I'd just hose it off, use the air hose to dry it, clean the Bore and Trigger Assembly, but not be overly concerned.
It gets dropped, but not cleaned very often. Maybe I might knock the most of the junk off it.
3. If a Beater got stolen out of the truck, it would bother me, but not nearly as much as having a $$$HIGH$$$ rifle stolen.
It would bother me....it is my favorite most used tool/rifle.
4. If a Beater shoots twice as large as my $$$HIGH$$$ rifles at 100yds, it would not be a concern.
I have no idea how good/bad it shoots I check it year to year with a big rock some distance away.

Though I'm not a Mouser fan, when I looked at Vapo's alleged Beater in SKSShooter's thread, it looks better finished than I envision a Beater.

5. If the rifle was HEAVY, it would not be considered a good Beater for me.
Yea me too.
6. If the rifle had a l-o-n-g overall length, where it would catch on limbs if I'm in dense understory, then it would not be considered a Beater for me.
This doesn't bother me.
7. If the rifle was chambered in an Inadequate Cartridge, it would not make Beater status for me(or $$$HIGH$$ status either).
.270 Win.... you had to know didn't you?
8. If the rifle looses Sight Alignment when subjected to Jolts, Vibration, falling over when leaned against a tree(non-loaded of course), then it would not be a Beater I could rely on.
This happens sometimes but it doesn't loose its sight very bad....remember I check it with a rock.

I'm still pondering on Single Shot vs. Multi-Shot capability. I'd not want to be in Dangerous Game country with a Single Shot(though some of you might), nor in Hog country with one due to the number of Hogs which can appear quickly. However, a Single Shot would not concern me where Deer are expected.

Though I prefer Stainless & Synthetic, constantly Rusting Blue(headed toward a Brown external patina) and an ElCheapo Plastic Stock would be fine for a Beater. If I wanted to "Paint" it, wrap it with Camo Tape, or just let it get to the eventual Brown exterior, that would not bother me on a Beater.
-----

So, what are the physical"characteristics" of a Beater rifle for you?

Rusty, blue worn off here and there. Dusty, dirty, LIVES IN MY TRUCK 365.

.270 Remington 700 ADL Black Plastic with a Leupold VariX II 3x9x40 scope held in place by dual dovetail mounts.

HC, I also check zero from time to time on groundhogs and coyotes....it is a .270 after all.

I have beaters then I have bad weather guns. My .308 I built on the Mauser action I have posted pics of is a bad weather rifle. I don't care if it gets rained on, put down in snow, covered in dirt or run through the brush. I don't want to see it bouncing off rocks or falling off my ATv though.

Right now the 8mm I am starting to fix up is my beater. It is hunting accurate was cheap and if the barrel got bent I would just have a reason to put a new one on it. Same with breaking the scope or stock. I have a single shot 12 gauge and a single shot .22 I feel the same way about.

Just a little thought provoking, HC.The only beaters I have are Mil issue as is. In fact one of them sold for $350.00 yesterday.
Others may consider most of what I got to be beaters but over the years I'd agonize if I picked up a ding, scratch or have the stock fall off.
Never gave the expression serious thought before.

On second thought maybe some of the Stevens 200s that I've yet to work on could be considered beaters. but definitly not any of my scouts. roger

a beater gun, to me ... shoots okay.. say, no more than 3" at 100 yards ... and i just don't shive a git if it gets rusty, scratched, dented, or dropped ... wears cheap glass, and is useful for killing HOGS...

sks's 10 years ago, when they were 99 bucks .. or a vz24 with a 30-006 ab barrel ...

Thanks for the definition of what a “beater” is. I’ve never owned a beater gun.

A Stevens 200 makes a perfect Beater rifle with accuracy added.

My beater rifle has a krylon finish. to me thats a sign of a truck/beater gun. It shoots decently and I have less than $200 into it.

Good thread HC.

I'm looking for a beater rifle at the moment, mainly for when the weather is filthy, for general use on deer.

To my mind a beater rifle is a perhaps already slightly rough, definitely inexpensive and quite probably second-hand rifle of mass manufacture that nevertheless shoots, or can be cheaply fettled to shoot, MOA with it's preferred ammunition.

I agree with your comments as to calibre, it should be large enough to take the largest commonly encountered game one goes after.

If I were to buy tomorrow ~I might end up with something like this archetypal beater rifle .

Wood and blue won't bother me if I keep them oiled, the PH action is a rock solid mauser, I realise you may have one or two observations on this point, and the calibre well up to all the UK species. The trigger is *very* similar to the Timney unit. I therefore think that for the equivalent of about $400 it's about the perfect beater rifle.

The thing is though; I think I might get attached to it if I took it hunting enough.....

Make a Google search on "Nachsuche Waffe"

I'd think a $99 Mosin Nagant, preferably cut down, would meet those requirements. To me, price comes in there somewhat in the "beater" department. Lots of sporterized military rifles found cheap at pawn shops would be even better from Mauser to Enfield. I had a rebarreled 1917 that I picked up for $125 a few years back that was about perfect for that role. Wish they'd left the sights on rather than grinding them off and drilling and tapping.

Every one of my rifles and shotguns get treated like precious, delicate jewels when I hunt. It only takes a little more effort to make sure they don't get scatched or damaged.

I guess I don't have what you'd call a beater 'cause if I own it, I'm gonna take care of it. Not obsessively but it ain't gonna have no rust on it, etc.
By the same token however, any rifle I own is going to the woods. Perhaps I hunt in different places than others but shit happens and the rifle is gonna get a ding or two or a scratch. I don't abuse my equipment but I don't angst over a ding or scratch anymore than I get upset if I get mud on my boots.

I just cannot have a "beater". As others have posted I take good care of my equipment.

I do have rifles that I would not take on a "rough duty" hunt, for that I have so called "Utility" rifles...

But I still take care of them.

And since the success of the hunt, or MY LIFE, might depend on one of them, they are a Quality gun...

My favorte beater is the Weatherby Alaskan. Take it out and live with it in the weather for days out of a case and not worry about metal finishes or stock appearance, but still a VERY good shooter. As long at it gets cleaned within the month no worries. Outside of weather my rifles get great care. Dropping a rifle or useing it for a paddle or climbing tool just not going to happen. "Without me my rifle is worthless, Without my rifle, I am worthless."

In my view... any rifle you are willing to take with you as a tool and not a show piece.

All tools need to be maintained but they don't all have to be babied.

I guess all I have are beaters… but I do love them

I have found a few rifles for cheap deals for the soul purpose of abusing them in thick brush and sandy muddy conditions. I found a Savage model 340C in 30-30 that was rough around the edges and I talked the store owner down to 100 otd. I also have a fairly nicely done sporterized long branch .303 enfield for the same purpose. I have picked them up cheap enough that I don't mind if they get a few scratches or other damage.

My primary approach to constructing rifles is the "practical" build.

I suppose it's close to the "beater" you're talking about. They have synthetic stocks, 22" barrels, and usually have weather resistant finishes like GunKote.

They are, however, done reasonably well otherwise. Usually done on Mauser actions, Douglas barrels, Timney triggers, and have custom mounts that I machined. I try to get them to sub-MOA. Are usually in decently powerful chamberings.

Actually pretty decent rifles that I don't mind taking up the hill in nasty weather ... but two have actually been to Africa.

My old SKS qualifies.

Used it as a truck gun for years, and then gave it to Dad. With his recent health issues, I got it back again.

Ugly gun, and not the best on accuracy. But it works and has killed many a coyote and feral dog. Though since it was Dad's "Beater" gun, it is worth more to me now.

my beater gun is a 450 marlin GG I got it because it is an inch shorter then the rack on my atv and i hate gun boot that stick out the side and get hung up on stuff, bungee it to the rack and clean it when i get home.

Here's a rifle that started as a beater. It's real light weight for carrying while hiking and fishing, etc. Chambered in 35 Whelen.

It was pretty expensive for a beater, but it was built one step at a time, so I didn't notice the cost so much. Initially it had sights, but later I removed them and started using a scope.

I was going to sell it, but this discussion about beaters got me thinking how well it serves for that purpose. Then I removed the scope bases and found the MAUSER banner under the front base. I had forgotten about that. Now I'm thinking about putting the sights back on, and using it as originally intended, with the military flag safety and all.

KB

I have an M1 Garand which was a Greek return that fully qualifies as a BEATER .

It isn't pretty and after several days of bore cleaning isn't hateful as a shooter .

So you might ask what makes it a beater ; The tank tread marks across the stock and gouges out of the stock .

Not to mention the link marks on the receiver . Must have been used as a pry bar for throwing a track back

onto the drive wheel . Just goes to show Garand's were built tough , they took a beating and kept on clicking !.

quote:

I guess I don't have what you'd call a beater 'cause if I own it, I'm gonna take care of it. Not obsessively but it ain't gonna have no rust on it, etc.

+1
I've stocked or re-stocked most of my hunting rifles. Several of them have Fancy walnut. I have about 100 hours into each of them --bedding, checkering, and finishing. They also get used. My .257 AI has over 30 seasons use, taking 1-4 animals each season, and has been to the top of many sheep mountains in Montana and Canada. My .30 Gibbs has about 35 seasons in the mountains of Colorado, Montana, and Alaska, with about 20 of those in a leather saddle scabbard.

However, I do have a plastic stocked Rem 870, my "Ugly" shotgun, and a plastic stocked, stainless Rem 700 in 7mm Rem mag. The 7 RM has been to Africa, the Canadian Arctic, eastern Montana prairies, and SW Montana mountains.

These are the guns that I use when the weather is bad. But I don't use the scope on the 7 mil as a carrying handle, and I don't use the stock of the 870 as a canoe paddle.

And regardless which gun I take hunting, they all get a little TLC and cleaning at the end of each day in the field.

I know I'm going to catch a heaping pile for this, but I couldn't resist! So "what qualifies for a beater"? Get a pile of money, go buy a Kimber in your favorite caliber, open the box and wha laa..there's your beater..

that is how i feel about my kimber 325 wish it would hold a better group then it would get some use,

quote:

Originally posted by WhatThe:
... Get a pile of money, go buy a Kimber in your favorite caliber, open the box and wha laa..there's your beater..

I didn't know the rifle was all beat up and thats a Beater Rifle. I take care of my rifles.
Not to let them fall. Or drop them into the mud.

While on the subject I think a hunting rifle (or any rifle for that matter) is as simple as a good tool. It needs to be maintained and cared for like any quality tool. With that said, I have hunted with guys who won't lean their rifle against a tree but rather put down a towel or cloth from their pack to rest it on, wrap it in a plastic mummy in foul weather, scream if anyone touches the bluing and spend 2 hours cleaning it at the end of the day even if they fired no rounds! Then they store it in a weather proof custom carpeted case in an area that is warm. Then they have the berries to tell me I treat my rifle like a beater. If I can't lean my rifle up against a tree, carry it in the rain and simply wipe it down with an oil cloth at the end of the day, I don't want it! My Savage American Classic (.308) has taken many deer, elk and even a big fat black bear over many years and has never chewed me out for leaning her up against a tree while I dress out my game. A show gun belongs behind glass, a working gun belongs in the field!

20 years ago,I built a back-up rifle out of a mex m-98 action.I chambered it in 7x57.
I was streched for time when finishing the stock and only put 7 coats of tru-oil on it.
The thought was when I returned I would go back and finish it up right.You know make it pretty.
Well every year I look at and think this is the year for it to get done.
The rifle shoots so good that I just can't bring myself to take it apart.
I look after it just like my other rifles but when the weather gets nasty the 7x57 gets the call everytime.

All my firearms are cared for the same so I'll take the Jeff Foxworthy approach.

You might have a beater rifle if:

A box of shells costs more than you paid for the rifle.

You can leave it in a unlocked vehicle overnight and no one will steal it.

you ever used it as a crutch, walking stick, or canoe paddle

you are afraid of ruining the finish if you put oil on it.

It shoots better if you don't clean it

you use it as a club to finish off your quarry

now that's funny, I don't care who you are.

I heard of a guy who had a Purdy shotgun he used for upland stuff. Around 20K.

It was his "beater"; the wood and reciever on the underside were so messed up from using it to hold down the top of barbed wire fences while he stepped over them.

For me it's the pitted Mauser rifle action I got for free on which I first practiced welding a bolt handle, lapping lugs, hand reaming a short-chambered A&B barrel, rasping a bolt notch and glass bedding for the first time (man does the action and barrel sit up high). I drilled and tapped it for a scope. It came back from heat-treaters a muddy gray and I was afraid at the time I might polish through the case, so I spray-painted it.

The gun shoots okay for 3 shots and then groups fall apart (though I've tried a fair amount of load development over the last several years).

I couldn't possibly sell it (both because nobody would buy it and because I'm attached to it). I'm not sure I can make it significantly better, though I find myself thinking about re-barreling, swapping the stock, or stripping paint, polishing, and bluing it.

That's my beater.

In my opinion a beater deer rifle is one that you don't really care about or what happens to it. This is a rifle that you would freely loan out to a friend, not be afraid to use as a paddle or tent peg and would rarely clean it. By definition the rifle should be available as a club when bullets are scarce.

This is far different from and should not be mistaken with having an older seasoned rifle that shows some battle scars from years of faithful service.

This beater is going to be cheap to say the least. Probably some curio fodder from the former soviet block. You wouldn't invest in any sort of modification because that would only serve to elevate it's status.

The one rifle that comes to mind is the Mosin Nagant M38 carbine. Everything else seems to have more value IMO.

I think that it is clear, based on definition, that I do not own any beater deer rifles and doubt that many do.

spray it down with exhaust paint, put the scope back on .. its a beater