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?
Buffer or extractor - check the spring and bolt carrier for burrs or defects.
Yup. Anything over 900 fps is useful for dropping small game beyond 50 yards (of course, getting past 80 yards is tough for air rifles).
Different calibers for different jobs.
Everyone should have a .22 rifle, or several.
A .22 pistol would be a nice addition too.
Along with about 5,000 to 10,000 rounds of .22 ammo.
I see perfectly fine .22 rifles in pawn shops for well under $100.
Big bore rifle - .30-06 or .308.
Because they can do anything a .223/5.56 can do and they can pick off a .223 shooter far beyond his reach.
A KelTec Sub2000 in .40 might be a good addition to the collection as an option for making use of scavenged ammo.
All my ARs are impingement rather than piston. Even the only one I didn’t build, my old Colt AR15 SP-1 only need ocassional lubrication even after 1000 rounds. I clean the gas tube and bolt anyway after each outing since the test. Very little crud was in the tubes.
It might be my choice of powders? I use Hodgdon Varget and H-335, whether .223 REM or 6.5 Grendel.
I doubt I’ll ever fire 600 rounds through the 6.5 Grendel as I don’t shoot it except at animals.
Seem perfect.
One of my employees’ son in law also has a 6.5 Grendel that did the same and he told me that there was some procedure he and his buds used to relieve the ejection ports.
Exactly. I like the .22 for small game and carry when I am dressed lightly. The 30.06 is my choice for large game, and the Remington 870 for everything else including home defense.
Learn how to make black powder.
The wet method works well for muzzle loaders, not so well for cartridge.
I have a slightly different perspective. It takes a long time and effort to prepare and preserve a deer or a pig. A lot of the time, I'd rather just shoot a single meal (duck/squirrel/rabbit) and cook it immediately, and squirrels are as common as rats but easier to find. For single meals, I'll take a .22 so long as I'm not limited to that single caliber.
You arrogant little prick.
Several custom 1911 manufacturers such as Ed Brown and Wilson still refer to them as “.45 acp”
Do you make an ass out of yourself calling them up and belittling them?!
.30 cals don’t leave much meat on a lizard.
Came here to post a similar thought. Except I went 308 since you can use the cartridges you mentioned and then some to form a 308 case.
I also wanted to mention casting bullets as a way to extend case life as well as using less powder. You can even reuse primers if you are careful and have access to strike any where matches or know the composition of the white tip on the match head.
,223
I have no idea what he was thinking here. 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. Looks like he figured that out for himself.
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.
Welcome to the party. pal. If you can't find it at some little general store in some little town, it ain't a common caliber.
.308
I just got their email today with those 55gr bullets for less than $50/500. I hid the credit card from myself.
Hey Rannug
Yeah rannuG
There was a song written about a bunch of the guys posting here.
What song is that man?
I think it’s called Beautiful Dreamer. Don’t know how beautiful they are, but there sure are a lot of dreamers.
Why you say that rannuG?
East of the Mississippi River 10-.22. It’s good for white tail on down. West of it get a Yugo 24/47. If you want to shoot gophers at 1500 yards, get an 8mm Rem Mag.
Yeah, I know, piss poor prose. Some pss poor ideas too. Only saw one mention of a .25 .06. Shame. It’s a great calibre.
I call it 45acp too.
Only hipster beta males call it 45auto.
Yawn...
There’s always going to be some pedant whingeing about magazine vs. clip.
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