Ranch rifle recommendations

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I would never use a 30 rnd mag in an AR for that application so the unwieldiness of a long mag is a non issue. I would probably use a 10 rnd.

I have used an AR as a truck gun on a ranch before (maybe that is where ranch rifle came from) and the only disadvantage I found was the .223 cartridge. I like coyotes to fall where they are at if I make a body shot and that didn’t happen often with the 223.

The OP states bear as a possible target so something with a little more and faster effectiveness would be good.

I’m not really trying to convince anyone of an AR anyway. I find them infinitely boring. They are ubiquitous however. Plentiful and cheap and easy to work on. Ranch use (by my definition at least) is hard on guns. Breakages will happen. ARs may be more susceptible to breakage than a typical bolt gun but are easy and cheap to get back up running.
 
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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Hard to beat a Rem 700, .270 Win, 7mm-08, or .30-06. The 7mm-08 is a short-action, saving about 1/2" off the action, and barrel may be around 20 inches, or so. That combo, with a 2-7X scope might be a great rig. My first deer rifle (30-06) had a 2.5X scope and I shot varmints out to 400+ yards with it.
 
You could choose any of a hundred different bolt or lever action hunting rifles and they would do what you want very well. If I were you I would visit the local gun shops and see if there’s a rifle in stock that’s a particularly good bargain or that really appeals to you in some other way.

FWIW I’m about to make my $124 Walmart Savage Axis 270 my new truck gun as soon as I get it sighted in.
 
Well, what you state its for, would lead me to say a ruger 96/44 or deerfield carbine. Although 250 yds is pushing it for a 44mag.

Both are super light and short. Detachable rotary 4rd magazine. Accurate enough. I carry the 96/44 when walking through especially thick brush on the final day of deer season.

The Rem 700 sps is another nice choice. The short barrel makes it handy.
 
Hog huntin Harry said:
I'm interested in the Mossberg Patriot Cerakote Chambered in .270 Winchester, what do y'all think of it ?
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I’ve held one but not shot a Patriot. I liked what I saw. Reviews I’ve read are more positive than negative, I’d take a chance on one. The Patriot has one feature that almost all economy bolt actions don’t have, a normal size loading/ejection port. I can’t stand the tiny ports that almost all budget bolt action rifles have.
 
I have a stainless steel savage axis 2 xp and it can really shoot. Same with my ruger american, I'd take either over a 700 personally but I did most of my firearms research during the dark times of Remington so theres some internal bias there. The axis 2s trigger is better and it only weighs about 7 lbs with the scope so if you need to do some walking thatd be my choice. I've also had better luck finding the stainless steel savages at a good price to the rugers. Get what the best deal is.
 
A Ruger Mini-14 in 7mm TCU is my main truck gun. Hogs, javelina, deer and coyotes, plus a few other vermin thrown in for good measure. Accurate as all get out, and it'll put a thumpin on anything that needs thumped! ;)
 
cdb1 said:
The Patriot has one feature that almost all economy bolt actions don’t have, a normal size loading/ejection port. I can’t stand the tiny ports that almost all budget bolt action rifles have.
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I used to have a Savage Axis XP1 chambered in .308 Winchester, it had a habit of not wanting to eject spent cases. When I'd operate the bolt a little too slow or fast the cases would hit the frame of the ejection port and end up backwards on top of the mag.
 
Hog huntin Harry said:
In what ways would an AR be superior to a bolt gun for my specific application ?
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A couple things I have come to appreciate about an AR15 that might be applicable to you.

It’s the best darn varmint gun you can get at any price. They can be extremely accurate, you can get great triggers for them, and they offer fast follow up shots on running yotes. I have found being able to get off 3 or 4 fast accurate shots off to be a game changer.

They are relatively compact in 16” barrel configuration and even more so with a collapsible stock. With a short 20 round mag I also don’t have to think about grabbing extra ammo to put in my pocket, one mag is more than enough.

They are also modular so you can change furniture to suit your liking, you can change optics, or put iron sights on it. You can put single point slings on them which makes for really handy carry in a field. A front rail also allows you to quickly clip a flashlight on it for nighttime adventures. You can also have multiple upper for the same lower, you you can have a 223 or 7.62x39 upper for varmints and deer and then pull two pins and clip on a 450 bushmaster upper on it for hog or bear hunting. You can even get a drop in 22lr adapter to go in a 223 upper. It’s kind of the universal firearm.

Oh and they are impervious to the elements and don’t mind being banged around. I deer hunted with my 358 yeti in the rain all day once and forgot it in the soft case in the back of my truck for a week. Was no worse for the wear.
 
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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 ?
Click to expand...
I'll take a random stab and assume you don't intend to shoot black bear at 250yds, much less at ranges over 100.. Also assuming you are open to actions other than strictly turnbolts i'd reccomend an X model Henry in 44 magnum. Toss a reasonable piece of glass on it and away you go.
Or maybe if you want lighter weight you could try one of their single shot offerings.
They also have their Long Ranger in 308 but to me that's a tad much for an everyday truck rifle.
Maybe a look at some of the Mossberg bolt actions is in order...

Just a few options to toss out there.
 
"I'll take a random stab and assume you don't intend to shoot black bear at 250yds, much less at ranges over 100.."

I'll most likely never run into a black bear in my life (much less in South-central Texas), but I like to prepare. Although I know I could take shots at yotes and hogs out to 250 yards.
 
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I keep a ruger american predator , 22-250 in a bell & carlson stock in my truck . Same in 6.5 creedmoor with a good 129 ,or so ,bullet should shoot flat out to 300 yards or so .Reasonably fast handling and holds steady. Plenty tough for every day rigors of ranch life.
 
Hog huntin Harry said:
"I'll take a random stab and assume you don't intend to shoot black bear at 250yds, much less at ranges over 100.."

I'll most likely never run into a black bear in my life (much less in South-central Texas), but I like to prepare. Although I know I could take shots at yotes and hogs out to 250 yards.
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Where exactly are you located?
 
308 is kind of overkill for coyote, but if you're not wanting to preserve the pelt I suppose that doesn't really matter much. I wouldn't want to go much lower than that if you're looking at black bear as a possibility, though. I actually think 6.5 Creedmoor would be a good compromise. Less recoil, plenty powerful for black bear and plenty of people use it for coyote.

A Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor would be a nice inexpensive solution and probably one of the best bangs for your buck. A other option in the same price range as the others you listed is the Thompson Center Compass II.
 
Had a Savage Axis.
Trigger job, stock stiffened, cheek riser.
Yup, it shot good.
But it was a long action for a short cartridge.

Went back to Remington 700 ADL synth.
Gre Tan pin and shroud ( bye bye J lock ).
Stiffened stock, and swapped to steel trigger guard.

Nicer looking and feeling rifle. Almost as good shooting as the Savage. Both needed work.

If one is gonna beat the hell out of it, go cheap.....but I am much happier w my 700 than the Savage
 
Saw a Spanish Mauser carbine full stock today. That seemed like a decent non optic rifle by size/ weight. And i could actually see the sights LOL.

Maybe I should work OT this weekend....
 
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