What all purpose / survival platform?

MadMardigan

MadMardigan

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Something my ADHD riddled brain has been thinking about. What would be the most ideal SHTF rifle? Right now I am thinking a Scar 7. 308 common ammo, ammo availability, will take any game in the area.

I think a 308 would be ideal for an all purpose rifle. Also thinking maybe a Bullpup option in 308, which a Tavor is likely the winner there.

Scout rilfe? Bolt action less likely to break?
 
MadMardigan said:
Something my ADHD riddled brain has been thinking about. What would be the most ideal SHTF rifle?
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You talking “grab one rifle and that’s it..that’s all you’ve got”?

That’s the case, my 14.5 AR (5.56), LPVO, suppressed.
 
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Everyone will have their own opinion for me - this would be an AK or AR with a low power optic. I lean a little heavier towards the AK - 7.62x39 gives you a .30 cal round and heavier bullet. Both platforms are extremely popular and commonly available ammo, mags and parts. Both are easily suppressed, and I can carry / stock more ammunition
I’ve got enough trigger time with both that I feel comfortable out to 350 yards making effective shots on target, and I can stretch that a little farther if needed, but honestly I don’t see much use in focusing on high precision shots in that type of scenario
 
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My current hunting rifle would be my grab-all survival gun.

Ruger #26965: 5.56 Bolt Rifle that accepts standard AR mags, Nikon P-223 3x9x40 scope, YHM Nitro can.

My most favorite gun I’ve owned or own.
 
AR in 556 plus a 22lr adapter bolt and mags. I'd probably go with an LPVO zeroed for 556 with a piggybacked dot sight zeroed for the 22lr.
 
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MadMardigan said:
Ive got an 18" suppressed with LPVO, so a little better FPS over a 14.5.
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10-4…

Was just looking at a happy medium between, say, one of my 10.3 setups and an 18”-20” rig. As much as my gut would say, “take one of the shortys”, my mind says, “yeah…the 14.5 is gonna be an all-around better choice”.
 
11.5"-12.5" suppressed AR. Good enough for defense, good enough for small-medium sized game, relatively lightweight, easy handling, ammo everywhere, available parts, reliable, minimal velocity loss with shorter barrel lengths without being as hard on parts as the 10.3-10.5" setups.
 
From what I currently own and could only take one, I’d grab my 11.5in with a can. I’d don’t think I’d run into many problems I couldn’t solve with that.

If I were allowed to bring some “accessories” for this rifle, I’d grab my .22lr and 6.5 Grendel upper as well..
 
Depends on what you are surviving.

If you are hunkering at a home in a rural area, a bolt hunting rifle suitable for game appropriate to your area.
If you are having to fight your way to a pre-determined location and carry all your ammo, AR or AK platform.
If you are permanently on your own and constantly having to scrounge for ammo, an Aero Survival Rifle with the conversion kits.

www.tnwfirearms.com

Aero Survival Rifle Multi-Caliber Package

www.tnwfirearms.com
 
7.62X51 rifle would be low on my list for SHTF rifle (I love my M1A so no bias here).
they are :
Heavy
expensive
ammo/mags are heavy
slower follow up shots

Realistically, although “boring” an 16” AR platform is an all around good choice, especially if you go to the lighter side for options,
I would give second place to an AK pattern rifle in 5.56. It beats the AR pattern rilfe for long term durability (3,000+ rounds) over an AR but loose out on weight and eronomics.
 
NKD said:
Likely a .22lr.

In a shtf scenario you are humping your ammo and everything else most likely.

If I don’t have to carry it, I’ll take all the guns and ammo then.
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I always saw that as a huge benefit going to an AR platform.

It is much easier to carry lots of .556 than .308. As a dumb jarhead I always wanted mo bullets!
 
Anything semi-auto, reliable, and in a serious cartridge.

SCAR seems like a great choice.

AK for me cause I don't have a .308.

If you are carrying your ammo on you, you already failed.

Dude, seriously, has anyone saying that ever been on a backpacking trip? Just to survive a week is an exhausting amount of weight. Frick a gun and ammo. I don't care if its a lightweight 10/22.
 
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Big game will disappear. Think about what happened to the wild turkey population during the great depression. Almost wiped them out. Then small game will get scarce. Another problem with taking big game is if you don't have a way to preserve the meat it will spoil if not on the dead of winter. Salt or smoking would be options.

What you need is something that will reach across all size of species. A .308 bolt gun can fit the mill but with planning. A copy of the Lyman cast handgun bullet manual is a good starting place. A set of bullet mounds in .309 or .310 and some gas checks. Hand gun powders like Unique and others. If you can lay your hands on some Trailboss and you would be set. Primers, either large pistol or large rifle. Lay in a supply of lead, lineotype, and some pewter. Work up some loads ahead of time and sight the rifle in.

I loaded up some reduced lead loads for a .30-06 and at 100 yards I had a group of about 3" just playing with session. With the reduced loads you have a quite report of the gun. Manageable recoil so even a 13 year old could hunt if need be.

I also have a .223 bolt gun with bullet mounds for .224 so the same plan can be used for that gun also. This is pretty much what I have as a plan if it come down to where I have to hunt to survive.
 
MadMardigan said:
I've been thinking about the PSA Sabre AR10 with the 13.7" barrel
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That's going to draw a lot of attention if you're trying to stay stealthy. Not to mention the muzzle flash and velocity loss. If I wanted that short of a barrel in .30cal I'd shoot 300blk.

Just my opinion.

I'm in the .22LR camp... Or whatever I knew I could have a large stockpile of ammo or reload for. Even .45Colt in a lever carbine would be an option I would consider. But, I always want to have a .22 regardless. Since in this scenario, I'm assuming Doom Rules apply.
A .22 target rifle with a thermal mounted would be death out of the darkness.
Just sayin'...
 
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georgel said:
That's going to draw a lot of attention if you're trying to stay stealthy. Not to mention the muzzle flash and velocity loss. If I wanted that short of a barrel in .30cal I'd shoot 300blk.

Just my opinion.

I'm in the .22LR camp... Or whatever I knew I could have a large stockpile of ammo or reload for. Even .45Colt in a lever carbine would be an option I would consider. But, I always want to have a .22 regardless. Since in this scenario, I'm assuming Doom Rules apply.
A .22 target rifle with a thermal mounted would be death out of the darkness.
Just sayin'...
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With a Dead Air Nomad on the end of it...

So you thinking like my cz457 or kidd 10/22 with a rugged oculus would be better?
 
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I'm also in the smaller bore camp. I would be absolutely fine in any scenario except a full on firefight with my .308 Ruger American all weather. Light enough to tote all day but will put em where I point when I do my part.

But a modern semi auto .308? It's gonna be heavy. More ammo is more heavy.

I go back and forth between my standard 16" AR and my favorite 10/22.

If I think there will be a fight. 5.56 AR. If I'm realistic. I can carry way more rounds of .22lr and with appropriate shot placement I can take any game and even hold off a small attack. It's a tough choice but I would be in the "avoidance is best camp" and the weight of the kit and amount of ammo generally leads me back to the .22lr.

If I'm roaming from a "home base" I e. day trip or under a 20ish mile range. It could change a load out. But I doubt it
 
Best all around survival gun is the M6 .22/.410 . if you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you.
 
MadMardigan said:
With a Dead Air Nomad on the end of it...

So you thinking like my cz457 or kidd 10/22 with a rugged oculus would be better?
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"Better" is relative. Better for combat? No. Better for long term survival? Maybe. But, I try not to restrict myself with these exercises if I don't have to.
 
I'm of two minds...I agree with the AR line of reasoning...

But I also feel a simple Marlin model 60 or Ruger 10/22 would be a decent choice. Can knock down everything from squirrels to deer, and two legged critters probably would shy away from its sting as well. Remember, in a true SHTF situation there are no quick runs to the ER to get patched up, so no one will want to be perforated. Also can carry 500 rounds of ammo for about the same size of 1 box of 12 gauge.

To be honest, aside from the self-defense aspect of it, I have an old single shot bolt action .22 my dad gave me. It can shoot everything from shorts to LR. When shooting shorts it is ridiculously quiet, so if discretion is required, it isn't a bad choice barring owning a can.
 
For some, it will be the rifle (or the lack there of) they just happen to have in the vehicle. Most people don’t carry a rifle with them in their vehicle so it be whatever rifle they can scavenge.

I think the best rifle with will change over time during a SHTF situation. Depending if you are in the short or long term phase. In the short term, you would still be dealing with societal decay, with a greater threat to human life. So a battle rifle like an AR in 5.56 or 7.62x39 would be my weapon of choice. Something I could use to defend myself and my family, while being able to take medium sized game.

Once in the long term phase of the event (if you are lucky enough to make it that long). It’s likely, some form of stability will have been created. Either through civil agreement or overwhelming force and violence, leaving the dominant group in control. In this phase, while there would still be the threat to human life. Most likely, it would not be as great of a threat one would face in the pervious phase. So a smaller, lighter rifle like a .22lr would be my choice.

With a .22lr, you can carry a large amount of ammo. The large amount of ammo has 2 benefits. 1, more ammo in creases your chances of eating and getting food for the family. 2, having extra .22lr ammo would be good for bartering and trading for other goods while out in the field.

I could be wrong, but I really do think the best weapon systems will evolve over the duration of the event. With factors such as short and long term time phases, what dominant forces are in control, what ammo supplies are available, and what type of game is available for hunting.
 
I'd take my shorty AR, 11.5". I got about 20 loaded mags and a can full of ammo. As a side piece I'd grab my Ruger 22/45, I can carry a couple thousand rounds easily for it.
 
So no one with an AR in 556 with a 22 conversion kit? The CMMG seems to run pretty well, so for the weight of a mag and a BCG you get a small game hunting tool you can carry a lot of ammo for. Stash the 556 BCG and 2-3 mags of 556 ammo in the pack for the times you're not hunting small stuff.
 
I'm in the boonies and I'm not going anywhere. Given the time I have defense in depth. But if I had to move most likely some form of a .22 semi-auto, .22 pistol, and then either a shotgun or a Ruger Ranch in 5.56, given a choice. I imagine they will jam occasionally but I have never seen an RR stop when I needed it. AR's are a bit too finicky for my tastes. Seems like everyone I know on the AR bandwagon is constantly tinkering with them. Like the 1911 crowd. But I have have to admit, I like tinkering with them too. :)
 
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A 40 gr 22lr projectile will go over 1200 ft/s from a 16+ barrel. There’s no other cartridge that allows for these velocities and can be stockpiled without consuming all funds. A 22lr rifle is the clear choice. I’d rather put my $$ to other resources.

Jayne said:
So no one with an AR in 556 with a 22 conversion kit? The CMMG seems to run pretty well, so for the weight of a mag and a BCG you get a small game hunting tool you can carry a lot of ammo for. Stash the 556 BCG and 2-3 mags of 556 ammo in the pack for the times you're not hunting small stuff.
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the CMMG conversion leads the snot out of an AR gas system. The twist rate is usually much less for the short 22lr projectile. I’m not convinced this is better than just investing in a decent 22lr AR like the Tippmann or M&P 15-22.
 
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92G said:
the CMMG conversion leads the snot out of an AR gas system. The twist rate is usually much less for the short 22lr projectile. I’m not convinced this is better than just investing in a decent 22lr AR like the Tippmann or M&P 15-22.
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This ^^^^^^

I have a Colt conversion kit. Between barrel leading and the mis-matched twist rate, it is a novelty at best. Its not very accurate, and it will gum up a perfectly functioning AR.



The M&P 15-22 is a much better choice.
 
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92G said:
A 40 gr 22lr projectile will go over 1200 ft/s from a 16+ barrel. There’s no other cartridge that allows for these velocities and can be stockpiled without consuming all funds. A 22lr rifle is the clear choice. I’d rather put my $$ to other resources.



the CMMG conversion leads the snot out of an AR gas system. The twist rate is usually much less for the short 22lr projectile. I’m not convinced this is better than just investing in a decent 22lr AR like the Tippmann or M&P 15-22.
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I few rounds of 556 after shooting will clean out the gas tube
 
92G said:
the CMMG conversion leads the snot out of an AR gas system. The twist rate is usually much less for the short 22lr projectile. I’m not convinced this is better than just investing in a decent 22lr AR like the Tippmann or M&P 15-22.
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Not for every day use but we're talking some survival fantasy game here, so while an M&P 15-22 would be 'better' it's an entirely second rifle.

If we're doing 22 only, I'll take my 1022 backpacker. I like that little rifle.
 
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