The all arounder/utility/truck rifle

[wvbuckbuster]

When going to my cousin's farm to mow the cemetery I throw in my Ruger American 223 in case I encounter a coyote or something. Dan.

 

[BK]

I've been thinking about building a handy 25 Souper AI for all the things under mule deer. Maybe on a 700.

I'd whack a cow or spike elk with that...

 

[possum]

For a truck gun I just have an old H&R Handi Rifle in 243WIN topped with a Vortex Diamondback 4x12x40 . It doesn't have to be pretty or expensive to work.
I picked up both items for a song at auctions

 

[BK]

I've kinda become enamored with the 6mm ARC lately. A 16" AR so chambered would tick off a lot of boxes for a truck gun for me. If it gets a little beat up, who cares? It's an AR. It's supposed to be a little scruffy. Throw on a relatively small suppressor, I'd think that would be mighty handy. It's not like I'm going to be relying on it to take a moose or elk. An LPVO in the 1-8x or 1-10x range works for a lot of guys who have a lot more stringent needs in a serious gun than I...

 

[Vince2]

I’d throw a 45-70 in the truck and call it good.
You could substitute a pistol cartridge lever gun for the aforementioned ground squirrel gun.

Vince

 

[KinleyWater]

I’d throw a 45-70 in the truck and call it good.
You could substitute a pistol cartridge lever gun for the aforementioned ground squirrel gun.

Vince

I thought the 45-70 was a ground squirrel gun. Or was that a gun for making ground squirrel?

 

[grry10]

My choice is any rifle that you can load fast, feel comfortable shooting, holds zero well, and is in a caliber with a bullet that is adaquate for the game you plan to target. All of these are variable and subject to personal preference, as you can see from the responses you're receiving.

 

[35 Whelen]

I have a 22/250 under the seat of my truck. 8 twist loaded with 90 gr bullets @3000.
On wing strut of the Cub I have .243W but sometimes I reverse which gun is where. Both work equally well on winter Coyotes up to 50lbs.

 

[SJB358]

I have really become a fan of the Tikka CTR 223 with 75-77 grain bullets. Plenty of oomph for deer on down. I know folks will get twisted about using it, but if you have never tried it, a good 223 with a 77 TMK is very impressive.

Next would be a 6 ARC. Love that little case alot and again, with 105-108's is just a ripper. Either with a 20" or so barrel is really handy and offers alot of performance.

 

[cloverleaf]

How did I miss this one? I'll bet by quantity, there are more 243's bouncing around in trucks than any other. Of course the best choice would be a 250 Savage,,,! Sorry had to... CL

 

[cloverleaf]

I thought the 45-70 was a ground squirrel gun. Or was that a gun for making ground squirrel?

A 45-70 is a ground squirrel gun. When he disappears in the hole, just aim at the base of the mound.... we call it the 45-70 Excavator!

 

[salmonchaser]

I have a 22/250 under the seat of my truck. 8 twist loaded with 90 gr bullets @3000.
On wing strut of the Cub I have .243W but sometimes I reverse which gun is where. Both work equally well on winter Coyotes up to 50lbs.

Loved flying around in a cub. They are slow but you can land them on top of a tree. Every one I was ever in had a gun strapped to the strut.