Posted on 12/14/2015 1:47:21 PM PST by w1n1
What rifle calibers are you stockpiling?
If you were going to pick a rifle caliber for a long term SHTF situation, what would that caliber be?
For some reason I woke up this morning thinking about my 7mm express / 280 Remington, and how the panic buying back in the first half of 2013 caused a shortage in ammunition supplies.
When I got my Remington model 700 chambered in 280, I wanted something that was around the 270 or 30-06, and that would also work on heavier game such as elk and moose.
In all honesty I put too much thought into picking the 280 Remington. While it's a fine caliber, the price of ammunition has gone up so much that shooting has gotten downright expensive. With a box of 20 rounds costing more than $25, stockpiling is cost prohibitive.
And let's be perfectly honest, there is nothing the 280 Remington / 7mm express can do that either the 270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield cannot do.
There comes a point when survivalists are stockpiling too many calibers. We need to get out of this "buy a new rifle, stockpile a new caliber, buy a new rifle, stockpile a new caliber" roller coaster.
During the great ammo panic of 2013, what calibers were available? Or maybe the question should be what calibers were not available? I'll tell you what, let's talk about both.
30-30 Winchester After its introduction in 1895, the 30-30 Winchester has won a loyal following for its reliability. There is a reason why the 30-30 is considered to be the gun that won the west. Excluding military calibers and the 22 long rifle, if I had to pick a single cartridge for a long term SHTF / TEOTWAWKI situation, it would probably be the 30-30 Winchester.
Why the 30-30 Winchester? Because it has a proven track record of over a hundred years on deer sized game. Chances are no other modern caliber has killed more deer than the 30-30. Read the rest of the story here. What are you all carrying?
Are we talking having only one rifle available for ever.
So many variables so many choices.
There is no perfect rifle or caliber for them all.
Pick one of the common hunting calibers in your area. Here you would be looking at .270, .308 & .30-06 for readily available ammo.
In a SHTF especially long term there will be a lot of it "laying" around.
For sure .308. Meets all needs.
Guns are tools, like kitchen knives. A bread knife is not a paring knife is not a carving knife.
Imagine trying to take down a tasty squirrel with a .308! Or a deer with a .22.
My recommendations, a minimum - shotgun for bird shot and slugs, and a .22 for small game. The shotgun can also be loaded with buck shot for effective self defense.
Just like my kitchen has many knives, my gun cabinet has a variety of tools designed for different purposes.
Easy choice. Long term? Black powder flintlock muzzleloader.
.308 and Sharps .45
.223 and .308. . .300 Winchester Mag as if you can.
.45 ACP for commonality of ammunition.
Yes. Optimal depends on the circumstances and demands.
Yeah right, try finding a box of 280 during a SHTF episode. I put my eggs in on the 30-06. Everybody’s got one or some ammo stashed somewhere.
.556
300blackout is my favorite but not as plentiful.
762X39, .22
.308
Best all around SHTF round for long barrel use!
.22LR subsonic/6.8 SPC in AR platform
.308, .223, .22LR
For later.
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