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?

[South40]

[2ndDivisionVet]

[ALASKA]

The sound of a rifle just attracts them. I’d get a machete or a shovel/hoe or maybe a big rock. Go for the head only.......

[MaxMax]

Choose the round first, then feel the gun to see if it fits you. You’ll know.

[MHGinTN]

Buy and AK74 and an AK 47 and two thousand rounds for each. You should have money left over and a good start to an arsenal..

[Romans Nine]

Lots of ammo.

Most people do not have enough.

You already have a well rounded gun collection.

If you insist on a gun an AR is the obvious choice. You can pick up a very nice used one for around $600 these days. That would leave you enough money for a few thousand rounds of XM193 ammo.

But seriously stock up on ammo first. Without ammo your guns are worthless in a “zombie” scenario.

[Drew68]

Nyet.

Seriously. I've been leaning FAL and then I read on the interwebs that they don't like steel ammo. They're finicky. The PTR-91s, with the CETME-designed delayed blowback will spit out cheap steel ammo with no prob.

So CETME, right?

Well, when I went to handle one, the salesman put a Serbian Kalashnikov in my hand. 2/3rds the price. Beautiful weapon.

Used to own a MAC-90. Indestructable. But I don't really want a SHTF rifle that is chambered in non-USA ammo. Then again, doesn't really matter because when TSHTF, guns and ammo will be lying all over the place.

Confused....

[glorgau]

Fast zombies or slow zombies?

[glorgau]

> The sound of a rifle just attracts them

Yep, silenced .22 rifle with subsonic ammo.

[Vince Ferrer]

I’d go with an aluminum baseball bat first. Quite, doesn’t need reloading.

[Vince Ferrer]

I’d go with an aluminum baseball bat first. Quiet, doesn’t need reloading.

[HephX51]

308 is a nice caliber, although you listed the AK as a possible rifle, however it isn’t 7.62 NATO (308 win). Other things to consider is 308 ammo is bulky and heavy in comparison to 5.56 (223 rem). I have a m1a myself.

[RandallFlagg]

[Kirkwood]

How much you want to spend on ammo?

[jimpick]

What range are you shooting at. A 308 is good for distance if you practice. If you are 400 yards or less I would go with a 300 aac(blackout). It is a heavy round with good knock down power closer in. It also is the same ar set up as a 223/5.56. The only difference is the barrel.

[RandallFlagg]

I already have my old trusty:

The .45 ACP cartridge is already subsonic.

[Kirkwood]

Posted earlier tonight...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yygqLfK6K8

[umgud]

12ga over 5.56

[Robert357]

You know the options. What I would recommend would either be a ChiCom SKS or a Eastern European MAK-47. 7.62.x39 ammo is not as powerful as NATO 7.52, but it is potent nonetheless. Rather than spending all that money on the rifle, I would buy the MAK or SKS and then spend the rest on ammo. Ammo in the sealed cans keeps just about forever. Ammo is what you really need for your semi, when push comes to shove. Invest in ammo.