OK FReepers, it's the zombie apocalypse. What battle rifle should I buy?

Me | 24 May 2014 | Me

[Drew68]

There's probably a few threads already but I've been here 14 years and rarely post vanities. So indulge me.

I've got about $1600 +/-$200 to spend. I certainly don't need to spend it all.

I want a good semi-auto rifle.

What to get?

Currently, I have a Maverick 88 12 gauge shotgun. I have a .45 1911. I have some Smith and Wesson Glock copy in .40 cal that a buddy needed money for. I have a Ruger 10-22. I have a Winchester 30-30.

I'm missing something. A semi-auto rifle.

Lately, I've been a strong proponent of something in .308/7.62 NATO and leaning towards a DS Arms FAL or a PTR-91. However, nothing beats a Kalashnikov. And AR-15s are the most popular rifle in the world.

What say you all on this Saturday night?

[Captainpaintball]

Get something in 5.56 or a rifle in .40 cal. Get PLENTY of ammo.

[Drew68]

I like gun p0rn.

[familyop]

Alright, I looked at your page to get a rough idea of what kind of terrain you’re on. Short ranges and visibility compared to CO (as you know). So here’s my answer.

Consider an AR-15 with a 300 AAC Blackout upper. If you get back to CO, you can switch to another upper (or barrel)—5.56mm, 6.5 Grendel (if, for example, the magazine capacity law isn’t repealed by then) or any one of quite a few other cartridge types. Potentially better accuracy, better ergonomics, economics and so on.

If .308 is a must, then AR-10 or FN in that order.

[doorgunner69]

I owned a HK-91 for a few years. Never took a shine to it. Nasty recoil impulse. Bitch to clean the chamber.

I learned shooting on the M-14 and would have gone M-1A had they been finished like mil-spec at the time. They were very rough so I just passed. Had a Colt H-BAR (5.56mm of course) for a bit, loved it, but went bolt action for a spell.

Back to AR now, my own build based on a DPMS receiver in 7.62 NATO, and it is just about perfect with a high quality barrel, JP trigger, open or scope sights as I feel the urge, MI handguard, and ACE buttstock that I like, etc. Barely over 8 pounds.

The modularity of the AR is hard to beat if you like fitting the gun to yourself. I have the caliber I like and a gun that fits and works perfectly.

[Viking2002]

My wife and I are both over 50 now and have so many creaks and groans, it's usually only a charge of petty larceny from the waist down. LOL

[Drew68]

Ammo will be currency. There may be a lot around, but I’m not convinced that would be the case. But you will have to barter for it.

I respectfully disagree. When the SHTF, 5.56, .308, .50 cal and 9mm will be lying all over the streets. Think Red Dawn.

[gwgn02]

imo

FAL if we are talking 7.62 Nato battle rifles. Imbel or DSA. Most reliable, eats all ammo and is proven all over the world. Only downside is getting plenty of mags. PTR is a nice rifle but u have to watch bolt gap and picky with ammo, also bulky. Mags are cheap though. FAL with 1-4x red dot is super ergonomic and handles easy, also will excel in most engagements which likely will take place under 200 yards. .308 or 7.62x51 runs fine in FAL and in shtf it will be around as much as some other common stuff.

M1a Scout squad would be my other go to battle rifle with red dot optic.

In assault rifle category...i’d go with AkM. Bulgy, Russian Vepr...chf barrel, side optic rail and tons of surplus mags.

[ChildOfThe60s]

If you live long enough to go through a couple cases of AK ammo you will be able to find some more.

[RandallFlagg]

YAYS!!


All hail gun p0rn!!

[doorgunner69]

A wise man said once, a pistol’s only purpose is to buy you time to get to your rifle.

[Drew68]

If you live long enough to go through a couple cases of AK ammo you will be able to find some more.

If I need a couple of cases of ammo, I'm in a world of shit.

We are the most heavily-armed country in the world. Guns and ammo will be cheap. Canned food, batteries, flashlights, bandaids, pop-tarts, that's what we'll shoot each other for.

[RC one]

You will never be shooting at zombies. Your $1,600 investment shoot reflect that reality first and foremost. I think the .308 is pretty much the king of the battlefield personally. It has a way of shooting through things that other calibers do not and there is just an abundance of surplus ammo and components laying around.

[ColdSteelTalon]

M1A (.308), AR10 (or equivalent in .308).

[Yosemitest]

First, some things to consider:
Cost of ammo, availability if ammo, and effectiveness of ammo.
Weight of rifle (you might have to carry it for a long walk), concealability of the rifle (should it be a "Takedown" model ), and durability of the rifle.
Availability of spare parts for the rifle, and availability of accessories for the rifle,

This should get you to thinking.

The older I get, the more important the weight ratio to accuracy, and killing ability the rifle has at a distance, and the ability to conceal the rifle in a pack ... becomes.
Also not having to buy a different type of ammo, if I already have several different types of ammo, is a significant factor.

Now all of that considered, you say you have 12 gauge, a .45, a .40 cal, a .22LR, and a .30-30.
I recommend you take a look at the The KEL-TEC SUB-2000 in either .40 or in .45 ACP.

You might also consider a "Takedown" in a BLR Lightweight ‘81 Stainless Takedown .
Now I highly recommend Stainless Steel due to easy maintenance over long periods of bad weather.
And I also recommend it in a .270 WIN. because that's easy ammo to get and it's high speed and accurate at a long range.
The .270 WIN. will have very little difference from the .308, and will have a flatter trajectory.
It also comes in many different calibers, and with the "Takedown" models, it can be concealed into almost any backpack (very important) .

[Drew68]

Most reliable, eats all ammo and is proven all over the world. Only downside is getting plenty of mags. PTR is a nice rifle but u have to watch bolt gap and picky with ammo, also bulky. Mags are cheap though.

I've never fired either rifle but all the forums say exactly the opposite; that the FAL is picky but the PTR-91 has no problems with steel ammo because of the CETME blowback design.

Honestly, I'm "this" close to picking up a cast-receiver Voyager from DS Arms.

I just don't know if I want to deal with an adjustable gas plug. Another selling point of the PTR --no adjustments necessary.

[RC one]

I like my DSA FN FAL but I would be hard pressed to take it over my Armalite AR10t, not when the Armalite shoots .5 MOA. I would be hard pressed to leave that FAL behind though. I think the wife needs to become proficient on it.

[RandallFlagg]

That wise man was correct.

[RedHeeler]

308. great. Ask the next well done beaureguard, to get you a sample sight, of any weapon.

[CurlyDave]

5.56 ammo is half or less than the price of .308.

This is the US. The most common ammo available after any disaster is going to be 5.56.

Maybe there will be piles of it in the streets, maybe you will have to trade six gallons of vodka for one round, but it will still be the most readily available ammo.

[familyop]

"Yep. And everytime I do this, the one weapon that comes out on top is the Kalashnikov."

That's a really good one at short ranges in urban terrain. Beyond about 150 meters for soldiers who are pretty good, sights, ergonomics, etc., get in the way. It'll hit good out to about 250 meters, but slower due to sights, recoil and ergonomics.

An AK also makes for poor fire-and-maneuver in the field, because it requires the user to present more of a target (not laying flat enough) and prevents good use of very low cover. Watch soldiers low crawl sometime. I wasn't in real combat, but I was never hit while training with MILES gear either (never had the beeber stuned). Did quite a few of those exercises. Same regarding the newer AR carbines (hand guards too short) with 30-round mags, BTW--prone position too high.

The only drawback is U.S. forces don't use any weapon that chambers 7.62 x 39, so the opportunity to pilfer ammo in a SHTF situation is nil."

Having some Army and other legitimate experience with ammo and transportation, I can say that Army ammunition would not likely be obtainable outside of proper Army channels. Security is real good and would be much better during uncertain times. ;-)

Are you considering something that might also work well for deer hunting? There are 5.56 mm loads that will work for that, too, where legal (not legal in many states). Otherwise, 300 AAC Blackout would work well for that, too. But if all went to SHTF, deer would very soon be nearly impossible to find (see Great Depression).

But let's say that you want good ballistic performance at the target, and you're only concerned about urban terrain. Why only .308? If you want more terminal performance and penetration, why not a longer, heavier 5.56 mm bullet (say 75 gr. and up with a 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrel)? Is there a reason besides that of the cartridge being very common? Would reloading (cost) affect the decision?

FNs are pretty good, BTW, although Canadian and other forces have gone to AR variants with 5.56 mm since using FNs that fired 762x51 in the past. Wouldn't mind having an FN myself.