I’ve enjoyed watching this thread. To the OP, I am in the same situation with similar circumstances stances. Outdoor/on farm work and a rifle that’s handi enough to be around when you need it, but capable enough to use for most of the opportunities you run in to. I’ve got a couple of rifles I take with me and I can say from experience:
- Barrel: 10-12.5 in barrel feels perfect. Small enough to get in and out of vehicles quick, but long enough to get bullets up to speed. Seriously, go shorter than you think. Mine are pistols FWIW
Scope: either an LPVO or a light weight 2.5-10 I would say are extremely effective and into the realm of user preference for “best”
- Caliber: I’ve got 223, 22ARC, and 6arc. They all work, but I reload and tend to use the 223 the most because it doesn’t hurt my feelings when the brass vanishes. 22ARC is my favorite to shoot but thats just personal preference
- Components: I went with the cheapest milspec I could find except barrel and trigger. They shoot pretty good and are cheap enough I don’t feel bad using and abusing them. That means a lot to me
- Other notes: wrap the handguard in something soft. It doesn’t get as cold, clinks less and rests on things like your truck window better. Get some C sized ram mounts with the large clamp and a few straps that have QD sling connectors on them. If your gun doesn’t have a solid place to be, you’ll end up leaving it in the truck and won’t have it when you need it.
Hope this helps and good luck.