Ranch rifle recommendations

Not sure what your local laws will allow.
I immediately thought of 3 of my rifles.
1. Henry in 45 Colt - Find ammo that lives on the higher end for bears.
2. AR-15 - Just cuz they're so versatile & you can find almost anything you can think of or need.
3. Mosin-Nagant - They hold 5 rounds & can takeout black bears & 2 legged coyotes with ease.

I reload all 3, so I can taper my loads for each purpose.
But please keep your local laws in mind.
I'd hate to hear that you took out a threat only to find that you
were arrested for using the wrong firearm/caliber etc.

Armored farmer said:

This ranch rifle is in 7.62x39.
I use it in the role you described.
View attachment 934955

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I have one in .300 BO that is really wonderful.

I think Ruger got it right with this gun and when on sale is a great value.

As someone else said, slicker and more portable than an AR.

cdb1 said:

Are you saying panthers and cougars are different animals?

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I really don't know much about them. I did look on Google and it seems that there are black panthers but no dark colored cougars. But I have never studied them and just don't know what species of cat I saw. It was over very quick and to say I was surprised would be an understatement. It says here there are no cases of black cougars. So Its anyones guess. I just assumed it was a panther that had came up from Mexico. Why not? Borders don't mean anything to them. They just chase food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_panther

Remington model 7 308 , 30-06, 270
Winchester classic sporter
Lever action 30-30

ThomasT said:

I really don't know much about them. I did look on Google and it seems that there are black panthers but no dark colored cougars. But I have never studied them and just don't know what species of cat I saw. It was over very quick and to say I was surprised would be an understatement. It says here there are no cases of black cougars. So Its anyones guess. I just assumed it was a panther that had came up from Mexico. Why not? Borders don't mean anything to them. They just chase food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_panther

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Panthers, cougars, mountain lions, and pumas are all the same species. The black panther people think of from "The Jungle Book" was a black jaguar.

I have heard first and second hand accounts of giant black cats up here in NE Kansas for 20 years, even from my father. The only giant cat I've seen was the beige variety.

BigBlue 94 said:

Panthers, cougars, mountain lions, and pumas are all the same species. The black panther people think of from "The Jungle Book" was a black jaguar.

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Bagheera is actually a leopard, not a jaguar.

cdb1 said:

Bagheera is actually a leopard, not a jaguar.

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Oh great now I gotta go look up the difference as I thought those were the same... Lol

In India panther is another name for leopard.

The most common way I’m aware of people mistaking another animal for a black mountain lion is they see a black cat and the cat is much further away than people realize. This causes an optical illusion.

I guess we all need to agree to disagree because I don’t believe black mountain lions exist.

cdb1 said:

In India panther is another name for leopard.

The most common way I’m aware of people mistaking another animal for a black mountain lion is they see a black cat and the cat is much further away than people realize. This causes and optical illusion.

I guess we all need to agree to disagree because I don’t believe black mountain lions exist.

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Jaguars used to extend up into the SW US. Perhaps a few wander up this way still. But only the black ones..! Lol.

I cant prove the stories ive heard as true. It is what it is. My dad says he saw one running through a cut corn field. A tail two rows wide isnt on a house cat. Maybe it was wet and dirty, who knows. Maybe he had a couple too many beers. But regardless, he saw a 60+ lb vary dark cat with a 4ft tail.

But i do understand and acknowledge the fact that the ML cant be mechanistic.



As for the rifle, I just dont see the need for a rifle made for an extended magazine, that just wants to catch on the seat belt or whatnot. Its not like he has a pack of insurgents skirting his ranch! A large bore pistol would take care of 90% of truck gun duties. In the end, it needs to be a gun that can be tossed in the truck. It needs to be able to get muddy. It needs to be reliable and go boom every time. It needs to be accurate, but not sub-moa. It should be light in case you need to carry it for a while. It should be easy to use, in case someone else needs to use it in an emergency.

For what the OP wants, a bang around truck gun that will get scratched and abused a little I think one of the Ruger American or other variation is his best bet. And they come in enough different calibers to satisfy everyone. I know the 243 American I bought last year is head and shoulders better than the Savage plastic stocked 223 I bought several years ago. The cheap plastic stock was so flimsy I ordered a Boyd's laminate to go on it. Then I had around $550 in the gun and the comb on the Boyd's stock was so tall I couldn't use the open sights on the rifle anymore. I got disgusted with it and sold it at a loss and never wanted another.

I don't like the plastic magazine on the American that much. One chambered for the 7.62x39 with metal magazines would work better for me. A 5 round or even a 10 round mag would be plenty for a truck gun. Then a top grade scope and your in business.

If it was me and I had to use what was in the safe, 336-30-30, 336-444, 94-44, Ruger 77 Frontier 308 (#1 on the list).
Now, thanks to Mr. Armored farmer I'm going to have to get another Ruger, in a caliber I don't love but do respect, 7.63X39.

PapaG said:

If it was me and I had to use what was in the safe, 336-30-30, 336-444, 94-44, Ruger 77 Frontier 308 (#1 on the list).
Now, thanks to Mr. Armored farmer I'm going to have to get another Ruger, in a caliber I don't love but do respect, 7.63X39.

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Your Ruger Frontier Scout is the best of the bunch. Thats a rifle I have tried to find for a long time. But they are rare and very expensive when you do find them. I don't much care about the scout set up, I would mount the scope over the receiver myself but the 20" heavier barrel on those guns should make it a very good shooter. Perfect for wht the OP is asking about.

ThomasT said:

Your Ruger Frontier Scout is the best of the bunch. Thats a rifle I have tried to find for a long time. But they are rare and very expensive when you do find them. I don't much care about the scout set up, I would mount the scope over the receiver myself but the 20" heavier barrel on those guns should make it a very good shooter. Perfect for wht the OP is asking about.

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Mine has both receiver mounts and a quarter rib on the barrel with rings also. 3-9 on receiver right now. 308, 16", laminate stock. Going on the block in Sept.

Hog huntin Harry said:

Concerning what animals I might encounter, I've seen with my eyes a mountain lion cub in a pecan orchard on the San Antonio river.
Every full grown bobcat I see is 30-50lbs, much more than the 15-20lbs Texas parks and wildlife claims.

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See, or shoot and weigh? The largest official bobcat on record is just shy of 50#.

995 TS is the poor mans ranch rifle. More than a 22, light and handy and +P rated. Other options include 45ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, and 380ACP.

I like mine, but I don't have bear issues in Arizona.

Blue Brick said:

995 TS is the poor mans ranch rifle. More than a 22, light and handy and +P rated. Other options include 45ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, and 380ACP.

I like mine, but I don't have bear issues in Arizona.

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For use as a ranch rifle, I'd definitely go 10mm. Not having to worry about recoil as much as you do from a handgun, that 10mm from a carbine length barrel should be pretty formidable and relatively easy recoiling.

AR in 6.8 SPC of 6.5 Grendel.

or

Browning BLR in 243 Win

I would lean towards an AR due it being a tough platform that I wouldn’t be worried about getting banged around riding in a truck. A nice BLR would cause me some worry as to how I carry and use it, in attempts to preserve its condition.

Hog huntin Harry said:

I'm looking for a ranch/truck rifle that I'll keep within arm's reach all the time (when possible). I'd use it for everything from coyotes to black bear at maximum 250 yards.

I'm leaning towards .270 Winchester but 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester are also possible options. I'd prefer a stainless steel receiver but regular blued steel is fine.

I'm thinking a Ruger American rifle, Savage Axis XP2, or a Remington 700 SPS would fit the bill. What rifle and other possible cartridge would y'all suggest ?

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Ranch Rifle

When you need a real rifle, only a real rifle cartridge will do. I have nothing against the 7.62x39 or .44Mag, but rifle calibers are in another league. If you don't want the thump of the .308, the .270 or slightly lower is a good suggestion. I like my 6.5x55, but I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.

I've never had any luck using a bolt action as a "truck gun." Invariably if you need to bring it out with any kind of speed the dumb bolt gets hung up on something. My own "ranch rifle" wouldn't work for you as it is far too underpowered. With what you mentioned I believe I would use my Grandfather's Garand. It travels well and the 30-06 will bring down just about anything in the main 48.

valnar said:

When you need a real rifle, only a real rifle cartridge will do. I have nothing against the 7.62x39 or .44Mag, but rifle calibers are in another league. If you don't want the thump of the .308, the .270 or slightly lower is a good suggestion. I like my 6.5x55, but I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.

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Somebody better tell all the AK toting militaries their rifles aren't chambered in a rifle caliber...

Officers'Wife said:

I've never had any luck using a bolt action as a "truck gun." Invariably if you need to bring it out with any kind of speed the dumb bolt gets hung up on something. My own "ranch rifle" wouldn't work for you as it is far too underpowered. With what you mentioned I believe I would use my Grandfather's Garand. It travels well and the 30-06 will bring down just about anything in the main 48.

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Bolt's aren't dumb.

BigBlue 94 said:

Jaguars used to extend up into the SW US. Perhaps a few wander up this way still. But only the black ones..! Lol.

I cant prove the stories ive heard as true. It is what it is. My dad says he saw one running through a cut corn field. A tail two rows wide isnt on a house cat. Maybe it was wet and dirty, who knows. Maybe he had a couple too many beers. But regardless, he saw a 60+ lb vary dark cat with a 4ft tail.

But i do understand and acknowledge the fact that the ML cant be mechanistic.



As for the rifle, I just dont see the need for a rifle made for an extended magazine, that just wants to catch on the seat belt or whatnot. Its not like he has a pack of insurgents skirting his ranch! A large bore pistol would take care of 90% of truck gun duties. In the end, it needs to be a gun that can be tossed in the truck. It needs to be able to get muddy. It needs to be reliable and go boom every time. It needs to be accurate, but not sub-moa. It should be light in case you need to carry it for a while. It should be easy to use, in case someone else needs to use it in an emergency.

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In the mid 2000s my wife and I were on our motorcycles riding to the Birmingham area for an event. We always ride secondary roads, scenic highways, etc., to get to our destination. We were on the Talimena scenic byway on our way when we came around a bend and right into a large, tall, skinny legged BLACK cat crossing the road. I stopped to watch it until it disappeared into the vegetation. No idea what it was, and have seen many cats in the wild and captivity, before then and after. about 2ft plus at the shoulder, more of a dark slate color than jet black, yellow eyes, thin, and unconcerned about us....

We all have opinions sure enough but let’s do some comparison shopping through a few of mine.

No secret I like the AR primarily for its adaptability when I have kids ranging from 4’ 10” to 6’ 2” (and all still growing). So I’ll take kid #4’s rifle, a basic 16” barrel, 5.56, compact stock model and see how it stacks up to a few other suggestions.

The Ruger Ranch in 350 Legend. Heavier and longer by comparison, 5 rounds vs 5-60 (let’s just standardize though on the 20 rounder inserted).


.357 Magnum lever. Heavier and longer, 10 rounds vs 20. Ever work a lever when hanging it out a window? Picturing it.


T/C single shot, multiple caliber availability (24 in. 350 Legend shown). Heavier and longer, this one with an adjustable LOP. 1 shot vs 20.


Ah, reach for the Remington 783. Heavier, longer, 4 rounds vs 20.


You like the 700 suggestion? Feast your eyes! Also heavier and longer. 4 vs 20 rounds.


Maybe you’re thinking 870? You know the drill; heavi...


But they make a shorter and lighter Turkey Special...still heavier and longer.



When you factor in weight, dimensions, capacity, adaptability, (lighting up those dogs or mounting a bipod in a few seconds flat), follow-up shots, threaded barrel if you go suppressed; it all adds up to not the worst you can do.

To me, truck gun also implies the one long arm you’re likely to have with you outside of your home. Break down on a back road and have to hike out? Run into an outlaw biker gang? Maybe a drug deal in the sticks. What would you choose then?