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?
Well, if I had to go up against a bunch of jihadis carrying AK-47s I’d want an AK-47. That way I could scrounge ammo off their bodies. If my enemy was using AR-pattern rifles I’d want 5.56. If I was carrying something “different” I guess I’d have to scrounge ammo AND a rifle or pull a cart full of my rifle-fodder.
My brother was given an M-16 in Vietnam and he rarely used it, preferring to use an AK that he found in a swamp. His CO bitched about it but didn’t tell him he couldn’t use it. He never wanted for lack of ammo either.
No registration required to build an upper to switch out in an AR platform ...just be sure to change the recoil spring and buffer, too.
Next rifle will be a lever action in .357 as I reload for that already.
Nice!
I don’t know about the rest of the country but in the south, the .22 has been real popular with whitetail poachers and gator poachers since forever.
********************
ABSOLUTELY ,, If the SHTF Gator is my meat of choice... and .22 is ideal. I’m in FL and our deer top out at 80-100 lbs. , my wife hit 4 that bolted in front of her Trooper at about 40mph ,, the truck survived with minimal damage ,, a northern deer totaled my neighbors new Dodge Polara in 72...
I had to go ask but yes, you’re right! The rifles we use are reproductions but Mr. Megan has an original in his collection but he says isn’t safe to fire anymore.
.22 LR
.22 WMR
.243 winchester
.223
7.62 X 39 51 and 54
9mm
.38/.357
.45
12 gauge
.45-70
That covers it
It’s not efficient in my experience
WMR is better but still
In Minnesota I’d prefer a 200 grain bullet
Make it a flintlock and no cap worries. Flintlocks actually fire quite quickly with no "swish boom" when the touch hole is properly size and aligned.
Good idea.....just curious, what is a reloading station going to cost and how much time is it going to take to learn how to load the rounds you're interested in?
With that being said, how about the powder and the brass and the various dies?
How to win friends and influence people
30-06 and 30-30 killing man and beast for well over a hundred years! Nudge nudge wink wink, say no more.
Fantastic!I complement you guys on your excellant choice in rifles.That .45-120 when loaded with a 500 grain cast bullet would kill the biggest grizzly bear that ever walked.
I have a .45-70 rolling block Creedmore model,it’s a nice rifle,but the Sharps is in a class of it’s own.
I like to hit what I am aiming at. :)
Besides you can stock up on a 1,000 caps for about for about $100.00. 10Cents/ea
Widener’s Reloading, Johnson City, TN ... all you would need under one website.
How much depends on which platform and calibers. Barebones about $250 to start with nicer systems going easily to a couple grand with all the pieces.
stockpile any type of ammo you wish. It does not go bad and when SHTF, the black market of trading ammo means someone somewhere will have the caliber you need for trading for the caliber you hoarded.
Think any caliber ammunition = cash in any denomination.
.36 cal flintlock.
Mostly you will be eating squirrels, raccoons, rabbit and birds. The big game will last only a few weeks.
I like the lever actions for tshf due to their reliability and having no magazines to carry or lose. I stock .30-30 and .22. I can’t hit anything past 100 yards anyway.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.