I need a truck rifle for quick use to kill coyotes and mountain lions to about 150 yards, maybe firing several shots right away, without any ear protection.

What kind of rifle would probably do the least damage to my hearing, but would still kill these animals? Thanks. adk

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All firearms do damage to your hearing, even the modest .22 rimfire. For mountain lion you're going to need at least a high-velocity .243/6mm and I'd wager seasoned cat hunters would agree that's on the light side. I'd personally feel much better using something like a 7mm/08 or .308. Either will do significant hearing damage over time.

one with a silencer... :)

A 30/30 levergun sounds like what you're looking for.

Agree with Bill Lester - ANY shooting without hearing protection will damage the hearing.

That said, don't think very many folks head for the wilds hunting and wearing protection. Know I don't. For the driving down the ranch 2-track and the opportunity to pot a dog or cat, I'd imagine any but the heavy boomers or something with a really short barrel will work.

The .243Win would probably be the best best. Keep the barrel more than 20" and be sure to get outside the truck cab for noise dissipation, though. Had a Rem 600 in .243 AI that had a real sharp blast with the short 18" barrel.

You could always wear the foam ear plugs when on such excursions, which wouldn't hinder your driving or shooting.

Much of the muzzle blast is created by powder burning outside the barrel, after it passes beyond the muzzle.

Theoretically longer barrels reduce this condition. Likewise cartridges that use powder efficiently have less muzzle blast. So stay away from anything "magnum" and anything that tries to maximize velocity.

I agree that some damage always occurs when exposed to muzzle blast, yours or someone else's, without proper protection.

I agree with rock steady about the 30-30. The report is just as loud, decibel-wise, as a 243, but the sound doesn't seem as sharp. Plus, you can use heavier bullets, and the retained energy at 150yds will still be adequate for big cats, and plenty for 'yotes. For cougars, Federals Premium load featuring the 170gr Nosler Partition would be more than enough. You could probably get by with basic 150gr factory stuff. For 'yotes, if you want to sell the fur, a 125gr HP or Remington's 55gr Accelerator load would cause the least pelt damage. Only problem is because they're pointed, you can't safely load more than one in a tube-fed repeater.

If you want to be able to safely feed the last two loads from the magazine, see if you can find a used Remington 788 or Savage/Stevens bolt gun. The Savage series was the 340 and 840, and the Stevens were the 325 series. All basically the same gun, but different ones are available different places. Hope this helps.

Longest barrel, largest bore, lowest pressure, and least amount of powder burned are factors that will cut down on muzzle blast (but no eliminate it). Whatever you do, don't get a muzzle brake or port the barrel!

Maybe a .35 Rem with at least a 20" barrel, 24" would be better.

I need a truck rifle for quick use to kill coyotes and mountain lions to about 150 yards, maybe firing several shots right away, without any ear protection.

What kind of rifle would probably do the least damage to my hearing, but would still kill these animals? Thanks. adk

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First off learn to carry a pair of earmuffs or better yet, a simple pair of foam earplugs in your truck OK.

I like the 7 x 57 Mauser in a bolt gun with 22 inch barrel and 160 grain bullets.

My other selection would be a lever action 444 Marlin!

CZ makes a 7.62x39 bolt action carbine that would suit your needs within the parameters you mention. The cartridge provides for adequate power at the ranges you mention, with enough bullet weight to get the job done. Fairly inexpensive hunting ammo and cheap practice ammo round out the package. Single set trigger with a good unset pull for shorter shots and the set trigger for the longer ones where you have a little more time to asses the situation. Won't be a long range shooter in this caliber, but I agree with the 30-30 idea...and you won't be giving up anything with the game you seek. Rifle weight is comparable to a 30-30 carbine, not at as quick a follow up shot to be sure, but the accuracy of the mini-Mauser is not in question. Accurate, compact rifle out of the box with a great trigger in an inexpensive to shoot chambering..doesn't sound too bad to me. Shoots plenty flat to 200 yards, like the 30-30, if you give it a 150 yard zero. The difference between a 30-30 and the 7.62x39 are moot when you get to 200 yards.

Grab a pair ear plugs that have a cord between them. Hang then around your neck or on your rear view mirror, it will make little difference which one you choose. Quick to put in if you feel the need, with adequate protection for a shot or three. A short action bolt gun isn't much, if any, slower to operate from the shoulder with some practice...but it will be a little slower.

I keep a set of these hanging on my rearview mirror and shoot whatever I feel like. And when I am hunting, I simply keep them around my neck.

http://www.silencio.com/graphics/products/skw96.jpg
Silencio Dielectric Band-It

RSY

I appreciate the help with this question. I'll get the Silencio Dielectric, and a brand new gun, of course. Thanks. adk

Here is my "dream answer:"

Rem. Mdl. 7 in 6.8 Rem. with a low-end variable scope. I know that there is no such rifle...yet. But we can dream, can't we?

If you can keep your shots within 125 yards, a 44 mag, or even a 357 mag. lever action hits plenty hard. Considering that these revolver rounds are loaded to lower pressure than rifle rounds, the report from these rifles is considerably less- IMO.

Darrel