Rifles are no longer seen as only for hunting or mountain-side standoffs. Today, long guns are frequent flyers as home defense guns. Truck guns are also a thing, and although you yourself might not be in a position to need one, many farmers, ranchers, and outfitters benefit from having them. So, how do you know which caliber to select for your defensive-use rifle? That depends on the gun’s specific use and your own comfort and skill level. It also might depend on what guns you already have on hand, because it’s not always doable to run out and buy a whole new gun for self-defense. These are our suggestions for the top five defensive rifle calibers, and why.
223 Remington
Yes, there’s more to life than 223 Remington for defensive purposes. Even so, it’s a good idea to consider this cartridge. This is especially true in home defense situations where shots taken are likely to be at relatively close range. If you’re concerned about over-penetration with this round, let us put your mind at ease: 223 Remington is really no more likely to penetrate than standard handgun rounds will. In fact, it’s highly likely to stop faster than many defensive handgun bullets.
Something to keep in mind when you’re worrying about over-penetration in your home is that every cartridge out there is capable of going through doors and walls. There’s no magic answer other than careful shot placement and the fact that the odds are stacked in your favor.
AR-15s chambered in 223 Rem are a solid option for home defense. Using an AR with a carbine-length barrel makes the gun more maneuverable, lighter weight, and easier to store in smaller spaces. A semi-automatic like an AR-15 is recommended over a bolt-action for the obvious reason that the AR platform is semi-automatic and that comes in handy during a fight for your life. Take care to select 223 Rem ammo specifically designed for self-defense purposes and spend some time practicing with it. There’s really no reason you can’t use a 223 Rem for home defense or as a truck gun.
7.62x39mm
It’s easy to focus on AR platforms when it comes to self-defense. However, AK-47s can be fantastic defensive-use guns and shouldn’t be forgotten. More specifically, the AK is a nice choice for use as a truck gun when you’re a farmer, rancher, or other large-property owner who needs a capable rifle to tote around all day. 7.62x39mm offers reliable performance and good range, so if you’re interested in running an AK, what’s stopping you?
Although we started this by mentioning it’s okay to think outside the AR world for defensive guns, it’s true that there are hybrid ARs out there chambered in 7.62x39m. That means you don’t have to run only a classic AK, you can pick up a hybrid AR platform. Hybrids are like the gateway drug of the AK world. Once you have one, you’re going to start looking for some actual AKs with wood furniture and unknown but sordid histories. Overall, 7.62x39mm will get the job done whether it’s used as a truck gun or a home defense rifle. The choice is yours.
308 Winchester
It’s true. You can use 308 Winchester for everything from home defense to hunting to defense against predators. And although this cartridge does come in the AR-10 platform, there are a lot of bolt-action and lever-action rifles out there as well.
The AR-10 is a heavier platform than the AR-15, and that’s something to keep in mind when using one for self-defense. Getting a carbine designed for tactical use will cut that weight down. For example, the Wilson Combat Recon Tactical has a 16-inch barrel that weighs about eight pounds empty. Although eight pounds is certainly not light, it’s also nowhere near as heavy as rifle-length AR-10s. So, why use a 308 Win if it’s heavier and a little more difficult to maneuver?
It’s simple: 308 Win is an amazing performer whether it’s being used for defense against a two-legged or four-legged threat. If your focus is having a gun that can handle angry predators and pests like charging hogs, it’s well worth considering a 308 Win. This is the kind of all-purpose rifle that’s nice to have on hand because it quite literally does it all. A gun chambered in 223 Rem can technically take down an angry predator, but it’s not as consistent as 308 Win. In cases where 223 Rem might suffice, 308 Win will do it. Some will claim it’s too much gun, but there’s really no such thing as too much gun. If your strength and skills are up to it, a 308 Win is an excellent defensive option.
243 Winchester
The 243 Winchester is one you might have sitting in your gun safe already. It’s popular among hunters, especially those who call coyotes, but it can drop deer, too. This is a case of a gun you might already have available that can do double duty as a defensive rifle. There are 243 Win loads designed for self-defense, too, like Underwood Ammo’s 85-grain Monolithic Controlled Chaos. This is a cartridge capable of performing at longer distances, making it great for dropping varmints and pests on your property at longer range, but it’s also great for closer-range defense against violent attacks.
It’s possible to get an AR-15 chambered in 243 Win, but if we’re talking about guns you already have on hand, odds are good it’s a bolt. There’s nothing wrong with using a bolt-action rifle for self-defense. Our suggestion is that you take the time to train enough with the platform to be able to run the bolt smoothly and rapidly without breaking your cheek weld.
Rifles like the Ruger American are magazine-fed and have a Picatinny rail atop the receiver, so you can add a red dot to the gun if you like (red dots have the obvious advantage of faster target acquisition). It’s a good idea to think outside the box when it comes to defensive rifles. You might not have the funds to put together an entirely new setup dedicated to self-defense, but there’s a good chance something you have will do just fine.
30-30 Winchester
Speaking of guns you might already have, there’s the 30-30 Win. This is not a cartridge people tend to gravitate toward for defensive purposes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used. Although lever actions are slow to operate in the hands of the average shooter, they can still get the job done. A little practice goes a long way toward speeding things up, too.
Generally speaking, 30-30 Win is a perfectly good cartridge for a wide range of uses. Hunters have known it as a reliable round for well over a century and it was, in fact, one of the cartridges the famous levers of the Wild West were chambered in. If a cartridge is part of the guns that “won the West” that seems to imply it might be right for defense against an immediate, credible threat.
30-30 Win has an effective range on game out of around 150 yards. It’s not a long-range round, and that’s a good thing when it comes to using it for self-defense. After all, if it’s a long way away, it’s probably not an immediate threat. Just like running any gun, practice makes perfect, so invest time in training with your lever action. It doesn’t take long to learn tactical applications for these guns and you might be pleasantly surprised by how well they work. Levers chambered in 30-30 Win make nice truck guns and can also be used for home defense.
What’s your favorite defensive rifle caliber?
This is a somewhat unorthodox list, but you can see why we chose what we did. What are your favorite defensive rifle calibers, and why? Tell us in the comments below.
