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?
5.56
7.62
One or the other - I have both cause I like to train with both platforms.
30.06 but.308 is a great choice. I live in the wide open spaces and wanted something with better reach than .308 but without the high resource cost of .300WM et. al.
.22
pellet rifle
If I had to narrow it down I would go with 30.06, 5.56, 22 and pellet rifle in .25 cal.
M4 is the only serious choice. .223 Rem / 5.56mm is the cartridge. The combo will accomplish everything that that needs to be done. Ammunition and spare parts are the most available of all the options.
Killing elk at 600 yards is not the consideration. Defending yourself and family is the only important consideration. That recommended combo can do everything else at least marginally well.
.22 rifle, pump.
Oh you *can*, but do you really want to waste ammo or spend hours chasing a wounded deer through the wounds when the SHTF?
You gotta be efficient.
Great question!
Going to consider what one can easily purchase, repurpose military, or consistently reload? If .308, then maybe a Mossberg MVP with a solid, simple single stage or portable reloading setup. Any lever action in 30-30 would be fantastic also. A 300 blackout with the option to use one of the light rifles for hunting, and an AR (with brass catcher) for social intercourse.
GREAT question!
KYPD
It’s fairly economical to stockpile .223/5.56.
A 10mm carbine / 10mm Glock pistol combo would be pretty good for SHTF, and 10mm would be pretty easy to reload as well.
.22LR and .308.
.38/.357 for pistol.
Savage .243 lever action and deadly out to about 600 meters. We are keeping that one and then of course 5.56 and 5.45 X 39.
Agreed. Dropped once and ammo available. Recheck the zero on a suitable target.
Shame about that crazy bird ...
Somebody’s opinion Ping...
Whichever one I happen to have with me when the SHTF.
.308 Winchester is very versatile and, typically, very available. The last time the SHTF (3 years ago today actually), it couldn’t be found however. Shelves were emptied. I saw plenty of .270 and .243 and 30/06 available throughout that panic however.
I’ve got a 1952 manufactured sporterized and custom engraved Belgium Mauser with a claw mount scope in 30-06, an M1 carbine and an M1 Garand that were given to me by my dad and I’ve never fired any of them.
.308 all day every day. It does it all.
Availability will be high as well.
Ever tried to lug around 1000 centerfire rounds?
There’s a reason .22LR is so much in demand.
I have a lot of rifle choices. But primarily .30-06, .308 and .223. I also have a lot of 30 carbine.
A quality pellet rifle would be my first choice, .22 or .25, it really doesn't matter. A tin of 500 quality pellets will only cost about $9 and for $100 you've got 5000 rounds of ammo that can keep you supplied with squirrels, rabbits, coons, possums and any other small four legged game you need to shoot to survive for a long time.
And I still haven’t figured out who did the engraving.
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