Rifles worth keeping by the back door on any rural property

This is the list that actually matters. A “back door rifle” needs to be safe to stage responsibly (your household rules come first), easy to run half-awake, reliable when it’s dusty or humid, and accurate enough to make clean hits without drama. It also needs to be something you’ll practice with, because the best rifle in the world is useless if you never shoot it.

Here are 15 specific rifles that genuinely make sense for that role.

Ruger American Ranch (.223 Rem)

Simple, reliable, and accurate enough for real property work. In .223, it’s affordable to practice with and has enough performance for coyotes and similar predators with proper ammo and shot placement.

It’s also compact and easy to handle. That matters when you’re stepping out a back door and trying to get steady fast.

Tikka T3x Lite (.223 Rem)

If you want a nicer bolt gun that still handles well, a Tikka in .223 is hard to beat. They’re known for smooth bolts and good accuracy, and .223 keeps recoil low so you’ll actually practice.

This is a rifle you can hand to a competent family member and feel like they’ll shoot it well without fighting recoil or a rough action.

CZ 600 Alpha (.223 Rem)

CZ makes rifles that feel like tools. The 600 Alpha in .223 is a strong pick for a property rifle because it balances well, runs smooth, and tends to shoot better than most people can hold offhand.

It’s also the kind of rifle you can set up simply—good optic, solid rings—and stop thinking about it.

Savage 110 Predator (.223 Rem)

The Predator line is built around practical hunting use, and in .223 it makes a lot of sense for predators and nuisance work. Many come threaded, which is a nice bonus if you run a suppressor (where legal).

A heavier-ish barrel profile than ultra-light hunting rifles can also help with consistency if you fire a few quick shots on a problem animal.

Howa 1500 Mini Action (.223 Rem)

The Howa mini action is a sleeper for property rifles. It’s compact, solid, and accurate. It feels like a purpose-built small-caliber bolt gun instead of a full-size action adapted to .223.

That compact feel is exactly what you want by the back door. Easy to handle, easy to mount, easy to shoot well.

Ruger 10/22 (reliable setup)

A 10/22 is still one of the most useful rural rifles there is—for the right jobs. It’s ideal for pests, snakes, and small critters where you want low noise, low recoil, and high familiarity.

Set it up with dependable mags and a simple optic, and it’s the rifle everyone on the property can run comfortably.

Marlin Model 60 (good-condition examples)

A Model 60 is old-school practical. When they’re in good shape, they’re accurate and easy to live with for small pest control. They’re also common enough that people keep them around and actually use them.

If yours runs well and you keep it clean, it’s absolutely a “grab it and go” rifle for light-duty work.

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II

For a straightforward AR that doesn’t require you to be a gunsmith, the Sport II is a practical choice. In .223/5.56, it’s easy to shoot, easy to accessorize responsibly (light, optic), and easy to practice with.

ARs also offer fast follow-up shots if you’re dealing with multiple pests or a moving predator. That matters in real life.

Ruger AR-556

Same lane as the Sport II: simple, common, supported. It’s a rifle you can keep running without hunting down weird parts, and it’s easy to set up as a true “working” carbine.

If you’re going to own one semi-auto rifle for property use, a basic, reliable AR in 5.56 is a smart answer for most people.

BCM Recce-16 (for the “buy once” crowd)

If you want a higher-end AR that’s built to be run hard, BCM earns its reputation. It’s the kind of rifle that handles weather, dust, and repetition without drama.

This is overkill for some homesteads, but if you’re serious about training and you want an AR that stays boring even when abused, BCM is a solid pick.

Ruger Mini-14 (newer production, vetted for accuracy)

Yes, Minis belong here too—if you’ve got a good one and you set it up right. Newer production rifles have a better reputation for practical accuracy than many older examples, and the Mini can be a handy, reliable ranch rifle.

The key is: prove it on your property. If it groups well and runs with your mags and ammo, it’s a legitimate back-door rifle.

Winchester XPR (in .243 Win)

If you want one bolt rifle that can cover predators and also be a deer rifle, .243 is a clean, practical choice. Recoil stays manageable, and the cartridge is flat enough for real hunting distances.

The XPR is often accurate and easy to live with. It’s a nice “one bolt gun” option for families.

Tikka T3x Lite (.308 Win)

If your property needs more reach or you want one rifle that truly covers predators and deer with authority, a Tikka .308 is a dependable choice. It’s still shootable, still practical, and easier to keep accurate than many cheaper .308s.

Just be honest about the role. .308 is more than most pest problems require, but it’s a strong “do a lot of things” cartridge.

Ruger American (6.5 Creedmoor)

6.5 Creedmoor can be a great “one rifle” option if you hunt and also want a rifle that’s comfortable to shoot. Recoil is mild, ammo is common, and the cartridge behaves well at distance.

For homestead use, it’s more rifle than you need for small pests, but it’s a solid choice if deer and predators are both on the menu.

Marlin 336 (.30-30 Win)

For thick cover, short-range work, and a rifle that carries well, a 336 still makes sense. .30-30 is effective, the rifle handles naturally, and lever guns are quick in close quarters.

If your property is wooded and shots are close, a .30-30 lever gun can be a very practical “grab it fast” rifle.