What is your preferred "ranch" rifle?

[FullEffect1911]

This isn't a "best" thread. But I am curious about some opinions on the subject. I live in the country and was recently thinking, "if I were going to be walking around the property with a rifle, which one would it be?"

Well seeing that I own two good carbines it was between a marlin 1894c and a Stag AR15.

I think once I put a scout mount/scope on the 1894c I would choose that hands down.

So I would pose the question, What is your preferred Ranch Rifle?

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Well I don't live on a cow ranch, but if I did probably whichever one would end my life the quickest!

 

[Tallinar]

Similar to your 1894, I'd be a big fan of the model 92 carbine in .44 magnum or .45 Colt for such a purpose.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Well I don't live on a cow ranch, but if I did probably whichever one would end my life the quickest!

We used to have them when I was a kid. They certainly can test a person's patience, but they taste do darn good.

 

[zfk55]

For a long time this place was a horse ranch till my father was injured. Now it's a big empty place with a lot of hay ground and wooded areas.
He always used a 44-40 lever action and a matching 44-40 revolver.
So do I. Same pair in fact.

 

[303tom]

My Henry in .357 !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dr. Leaky]

I think a ranch rifle is a lot like a truck gun - it needs to be rugged, powerful enough to deal with most anything you're likely to encounter and something you don't mind getting a little dirty or even a little banged up. That said, the one I have with me in the truck and on my land in N. Arizona is an SKS.

 

[Fiv3r]

I don't live on any kind of ranch or farm, but I would say that a 30-30 lever would get the job done. Easy enough to handle, inexpensive to buy and feed, plenty of range for most every shot, and could put enough thump on the target be they two legged or four.

I would guess most of your non-small vermin targets would be coyotes, dogs, or deer. Might be a little overkill for prairie dogs and rabbits and whatnot...but I guess that's why they make .22's

 

[FullEffect1911]

I would guess most of your non-small vermin targets would be coyotes, dogs, or deer. Might be a little overkill for prairie dogs and rabbits and whatnot...but I guess that's why they make .22's

no more overkill then .223 or 7.62x39 etc. I suppose it depends on if you want to eat those bunnies or just get rid of them.

 

[Quiet]

AK in 7.62x39mm.

 

[henschman]

Just some sort of light weight carbine that you are comfortable toting around. You would be fine with either of the ones you have. I have a Marlin 1894 in .357 mag, a Winchester 1894 in .30-30, and an AK-47 in 7.62x39. They all weigh about 6 1/2 lbs. and are about equally short and handy. They all work fine for that role. But if I'm just walkin around with a rifle lookin to pop some critters, I usually just carry a .22.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

We used to have them when I was a kid. They certainly can test a person's patience, but they taste do darn good.

I'm a vegetarian except for the game I kill myself...so those critters don't even have that going for them.

 

[MtnCreek]

Depends on what I'm doing. An M4 type with a good sling rides well while on the tractor. I typically have it 'slung', but resting just above my lap, so all I have to do is shoulder and shoot. If I'm walking, I typically carry a Marlin 25n (.22lr) or a Marlin 25mn (.22m). Either one is a more accurate than the little carbine and plenty enough gun to kill a coyote.

 

[EmbarkChief]

Our standard is the Winchester 1894 in .44 Mag, holds plenty of rounds, easily handled while inside a vehicle and packs enough punch for day to day use. Typically it's loaded with Double Tap's 330 grn hard cast. We refer to it as "Thumper".

 

[husker]

Just that,An over priced 197 Ruger ranch rifle.

 

[Dr T]

It depends on the season. My current winter (read deer season) truck favorite is a Ruger Frontier in 308. In jackrabbit season, it will be either the CZ452 FS or one of the 10/22s. If there are a lot of varmints about during Lambing season, it will be the R-15. If I am walking out a fence line, it will be one of the lever guns.

I am not sure I could get by with just one...

 

[Sheepdog1968]

My favorite rifle bar none is a 336 Marlin lever action in 30-30. If I were going to carry a rifle around, I would carry their 336Y models (16.25" barrel, 12" LOP) with a 2.5X scout scope on it.

 

[Leadhead]

If I had a big Ranch I'd probably use a Ranch hand.....

Lever action's feel nice in the hand walking and lay flat in a scabbard.

 

[FullEffect1911]

I notice a trend here. If it's wanted for walking around a lever action seems to be preferred. If it rides along in a truck or tractor a semi auto carbine gets the nod.

Not surprising really.

I am surprised, however, so few people use a bolt action for this task.

 

[klutchless]

lee enfield or mosin nagant cheap and accurate and don't weigh a ton .both were designed to be carried all day if you can get a sporter version they can be great shooters and are very reliable.

 

[Tentwing]

You cant call it a farm unless you have a lever action 30-30 hanging on the wall above the fireplace.

I personally prefer the Marlin 336 , but the Winchesters are nice and handy too.

Tentwing

 

[mavracer]

I've got several lever guns that do duty as my dinking around the farm. 22, 357, 38/40, 45 Colt and rifle cal too 30/30, 38/55 and 45/70. But if I just had to pick one for everyday anywhere it'd be my trapper length stainless Rossi 44 mag. light 44 special level 215gr SWC to rip snorting 300gr will handle about any need in a light fast package.

 

[MtnCreek]

I am surprised, however, so few people use a bolt action for this task.

I think most of us w/ bolt actions have nice rifles w/ delicate optics. I want something that can bump the finder on my tractor, lay down in a plowed field, get knocked over when my crazy dog spots a critter along a fence line, get covered w/ dust....... My little carbine is no safe queen. One of my Marlin bolt .22's has gone everywhere with me since my parents bought it for me when I was 11 yrs old and sports a tasco 4x32 that I bought with grass cutting money. The other Marlin 22 (mag) was purchased from a pawn shop about 6 yrs ago for $75 and sports a $40 3-9x40. I got a good deal on it because the previous owner had carved his name in the stock. Sanded that out and refinished the stock, so it looks good, but I don't mind a few scratches.

 

[CraigC]

I don't live on a "ranch" but we do have acreage and raise cattle. My favorites are a Marlin 1894 Cowboy 20" .44Mag, a Ruger 10/22 and sometimes a 110yr old Winchester 1894. The Uberti 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle .38WCF also sees a lot of use and there is always a sixgun on the hip when outdoors. I've killed copperheads, foxes and coyotes on the way to get the mail.

 

[Kendal Black]

Lever carbine in .30-30, receiver mounted Williams peep sight, hooded front sight. This is compact, handy and will stand a fair amount of banging around without losing its zero.