Shootall,
I do not know how Jamal does it but he asks these generic questions where there is no right answer and hundreds of them.
As we did with the shotgun ammo question. Depending on what you want; rifle and handgun to share ammo, high capacity, compact, ability to hunt with it, Target shoot, and a dozen other factors that I have not thought of.
any rifle would work. A 10/22 with a 25 - 30 round mag would be a good house gun. it is compact, high capacity, reliable with good ammo, able to hunt with and use for varmints like coyote that my come after pets, and can e used at the local club for a 22 shoot. same goes for a 22/center fire lever gun that can be used in Coyboy action and share handgun ammo. AR's, Ak, SKS, M1, M1A, Garand and others for three gun, or hi power shoots, bolt actions like a 98K, No 4 or other WWII bolt would be able to hunt, defend, target, and with the use of stripper clips gives you higher fire rates. If you want a new compact turn bolt rifle the CZ 527 carbine in 223 or 7.62 would fit multiple roles. The other factors you would want to ballance are range, penitration, and Over penitration. Everyone answering this is thinking about their house and what would work best for them based on loacation, possible threats, and if other needs (ammo, capacity, hunting, target) are factors. I think no matter what you pick as a defense home arm ( handgun, rifle, or shotgun) you need to dust it off on a regular basis and use it in a match/ shoot of some kind.