20” bolt gun

.308 is hard to beat in a 20in

It would depend on what your largest critters are and what you consider reaching out there and how populated your area is. I have 3 truck guns.(not carried all together) first is a 22 inch 223 bolt that I have never got around to cutting down to 20(but want to). Next is a 16 inch lever action 308. Just picked up a 20 inch bolt 25/06 that I can see becoming an all around favorite for the truck. 223 and 308 have both killed a lot of pigs and other stuff. 223 is quite,no recoil, don't have to worry bout over penetration or rickashay. 308 is quick handling and a hammer. 223-308 and anything inbetween if no bears. Most missed truck gun--folding stock mini14

I'm in south Texas so largest game would be deer and hogs around here. Don't want a 223. I have a 22 cm that's a lightning bolt. I'm really considering 308 with a 175. But hopefully someone will chime in with a fast twist 243 spitting 105s or 115s

21" 7mm-08 shooting 131 gr Hammer Hunters at 2,900.

A 20 inch 308 would serve you well imho. Of course so would anything from a 257 robert s and up. Wasn't impressed with a 243 for pigs. Personally I would buy a used gun for the truck and that would help decide the caliber. Short barreled 25/06 wasn't even on my list,but for what i paid for it, it can beat around in the truck all day long.

Achapa87 said:

been pushing around the idea of a couple new bolt guns. And one I think I NEED lol. Is a 20" bolt rifle in a folding stock that I can keep in my truck at all times. The problem is i can't decide what caliber would be best. Would like to be able to reach out with it so first caliber that comes to mind is .308 and or a .243. Id like to hear from guys with 20" guns what calibers and velocities you all are seeing ?

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It's hard to beat a 20" .308 Win. Had a custom one, shot 1-hole (literally) 5-shot groups. But it got stolen. I'll build another one someday.

You could always buy this rifle, and then sell the factory HS stock for $250-300, and buy a folder for it.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...+gen+2+bolt+308+winchester/762+nato+20+4+1+sy

Or this...

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/46196

huntsman22 said:

a 20" ruger ultralite 7/08 is also a handy one...

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Hey did you caracole that ultra light? I have one in .257 Roberts...nice.

I have a R700 LTR .308. I love it. The R700P stays in the gun cabinet...

ADK, No, it's the factory Target Grey finish

Will be hard to beat the .308 if you are not interested in the creedmore. I went creedmore for my short barrel cause it splits the difference. The more you neck something down or launch bigger Bullets the more barrel length you need to gain FPS. Chances are if it's a truck gun that short you are not gonna be taking really long shots. Creed fits the bill the best imho.
I am a huge fan of the .243 but they need more barrel to get speed than a .308. If you are keeping the shots under say 500 then speed won't be that big of factor and I would rock the .243 with a sledge hammer loaded In it.

i built a semi-custom 260 on a savage action, 129 gr sst's and H4350 pushing around 2750 fps. 20" McGowen Barrel with a brake, shoots sub 2" groups at 300 yds and drops about 6" with a 200 yd zero

Also forgot to mention I'm doing a 16" light weight truck gun in 6.5 Grendel. Not a bad rig for deer and hogs. My brother has taken a red sheep, mouflon, and several pigs. Pigs out to 300 and everything was anchored. Luck of the shot I guess but it worked. I'm doing mine with the 99gr hammers. Should be a lighting bolt.

308 based cartridges work well in short barrels, so I would recommend anything in this case. The 260 rem, 7/08 rem, the 308 win and the 6.5 cm all work well.

The 7/08 would be my first choice because of velocity and bullet choices. (I have all three cartridges) I don't recommend heavy bullets because of low velocity that effects bullet performance in many bullets.

My 7/08 can push 140 grain bullets to 3000+ ft/sec in a 20" barrel without excessive pressure, and 120 s to 3150+ft/sec.

Any of the fore will do a great job in a short barrel so you have choices.

J E CUSTOM

I'd vote for anything that uses the .308 as the parent case and, as for me, either .308 or 7-08 flip a coin.