I think the M44 is just about the ideal truck or tractor gun. It’s tough and compact; it hits as hard as a .30-06; ammo is cheap (<$.50 a round for Combloc surplus, at least for the time being); best of all, short of running over it you can’t really hurt it, and if by some strange chance you actually do ruin it, replacements are cheap and plentiful (also for the time being).
I was just reading about the carbines. A 36 inch rifle like this Mosi would be the ticket! In 30.06 or .308 is ideal. I think a butt pad would be in order though ... I intend to shoot it regularly at the range if I can acquire or build one. Going to read up on the Mauser now ...