Survival Caliber Rifle

If I knew where I was going to be "surviving" then the choice would depend.

If a crisis arose and I had to bug out or I'm out hunting/camping and things go south for whatever reason, I'd already have my AR and my .22Mag anyway.
 
Here in Texas, and talking rifles, the .223 would be tough to beat. If we are talking zombies? They don't require much killin and are surprisingly tastey so wasted meat is a shame, .22 LR all the way there. Personally, I have always said that my SHTF gun would be an M1A. I honestly think that if I encountered a PO'ed grizzly or an angry horde of brain munchers, I would be overtaken while deciding on which of my survival guns would be appropriate for the task.

Just sayin
Chupa
 
If restricted to only one rifle, I'd have to go with my old Marlin .44mag....I can manufacture my ammo with only a Lee hand loading outfit, it doubles with my S&W 29 .44 mag, lightweight and reliable...While a 'little' large for Rabbits and Squirrels, it will take down most anything that comes in a "dangerous" range of me...I have a .22lr pistol for smaller stuff..

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Well for about five years here i used a kel-tec su16a, (.223) for everything. Packs very well at 5.5lbs, uses standard ar mags, will hold two 10rd mags in the stock and folds up to about 24-28" depending on which model you get, plus it fits in a backpack well.

It will make an easy 1" group at 100yds when scoped. I never had a lick of trouble with it and honestly don't know why i quit using it. At that time you could get one for $400. blue
 
I would say 223 for an all around survival gun, ammo is light for this as well, but she has a little more range than your regular 22lr, could come in handy.

Seems to be a good compromise in portability mixed with a bit more stopping power and range.

If more stopping power is needed, I'll take a lever 4570, though a double in that caliber wouldn't be to shabby either, probably nicer to look at... but I digress
 
I would want a small light weight rifle like a Springfield M6 Scout or a Henry AR7
 
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I'd like to take my Savage 24D, 22 mag/20 ga rifle shotgun. I think that would cover it all. From squirrels to bears with a slug.
ob
 
Not totally clear on the details of the question, so:

SHTF situation - Rifle only - I'd have to go 223 at this point I think; probably AR. Lots of ammo available now, parts too, should be in a SHTF situation too, as much as anything - 308 or 7.62 x 39 next.

One gun - 223/12 gauge o/u hands down.

One barrel gun - probably 12 gauge.

Survival situation while the rest of the world ticks along normal - still think 223/12 o/u. Rifle only - 308 bolt - Mauser, Winchester, Ruger - like the CRF.
 
If I were looking at a survival situation in big bear country I'd be looking at something like a 06 with 220 or 35 whelen with 250s snares, deadfalls and fishing can keep you in meat and one big game animal will feed you for a long time you sure don't need refridgeration to keep meat for a long time.

You have to define survival better. Lost in the woods, major disaster, social upheaval, or just head into the woods for a few years to clear the cobwebs out and figure out what to do withe rest of your life. Guess how I know about the last one. It would make a big difference in the selection.

AWS
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunI was assuming that since he said "survival rifle caliber" that shotguns were not an option. Not sure???

Good point. Since this is my topic, let me rephrase the question to "1 Survival Firearm".

The term "In the Sticks" Is anywhere you want it to be. Could be local or out of state.

I'm getting some interesting answers here with some good reasonings behind the choices. Keep them coming.

Tony
 
Availability of ammo should not be your deciding factor on what gun you choose! After all, if you are trying to "survive out in the sticks" I seriously doubt a Cabelas will be right around the corner. Just saying!
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Originally Posted By: RTLOF18918B

If you had to live out in the sticks with no way of preserving game, such as freezing or refridgeration, and had to live day by day, which caliber of rifle would you choose for survival? I know which I would choose, but I'll save it for later. I want your thoughts. Day by day survival only.


I think that one of the biggest determining factors for me would be the ability to pack ammo around. As much as I would like to say that I would carry a 12 gauge or a .308 Win, it doesnt seem practical in my mind to carry something that has ammo that weighs so much. And since the point was addressed that I would have no way to preserve the game that I killed, it wouldnt make much sense to shoot a deer or other large game that might be found in the area in which I am attempting to survive.

Because I am a pessimist, I would assume that I may be stranded for a long period of time. So a .22 LR or .22 WMR would be my primary go to caliber for small game. And since I dont want to be forced to eat only rabbit and squirrel, I would want a 410 shotgun to shoot birds as well (I could also have some buck shot on hand in case I needed to try and take a larger animal). By using these calibers, you are able to have a very large supply of ammo available with minimal weight to carry around.

This topic has been on my mind for some time now. And I have started a small survival pack with a Springfield M6 on its way from gunbroker.com, along with some other supplies that I carry to help me in case of an emergency (flint and steel, a small amount of dryer lint to make for an easy fire starter, a water bottle, a 8'x8' sheet of plastic for both shelter and to make a solar still to collect water, water purification tablets, a lighter, mirror, whistle, a few granola bars, knife, Gerber Hatchet, fishing line, hooks and lures, salt and pepper, and a few other odds and ends).
 
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