What's your Rifle Caliber Choices for a long term SHTF

Cal Sportsman ^ | 12/14/2015 | K Felts

[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?

[Stanwood_Dave]

This is a For What It's Worth Reply; The last I'm going to say is which caliber is the must have/ stock up on, but what I will say, is back when I was shooting at least once a month, at the range or else where, I had a 25-06, a O1-A3 30-06, and a 35 Whelen wildcat rifle. (Wildcat means you have no choice but to load {make} your own, but now 2015 I believe some of the major manufacturers now offer this caliber.)

The short of it is that all three rifle's above can use the SAME BRASS, if your a hand loader/roll your own. (But of course you have to size the brass to each caliber respectively.)

The .35 Whelen was designed by Colonel Townsend Whelen in 1922 while he was commanding officer at Frankford Arsenal, the huge US Army ammunition plant near Philadelphia, Penn. James V. Howe served as chief toolmaker and gunsmith on the project, but left the next year for New York--at the recommendation of Whelen--to partner with stockmaker Seymour Griffin in forming the famous gunsmithing firm of Griffin & Howe.

If anyone reading this has ever wondered just how many times can you reload a single brass cartridge, I would reload until there was a significant crack in the case, usually after somewhere min 20 times up to approx 25 times or more. It should be noted all of my rifles were bolt actions, and I would only "NECK-RESIZE" the cases, so as to get the longer life out of the cartridge(s.) Also by neck resize(ing)only; the brass was therefore a custom fit to each rifle.

The usual disclaimer here: "I'm not an expert, and don't advocate anything that could be perceived as DANGEROUS." Oh, and also don't try this at home, I think I'm covered.

If you are a semi-automatic rifle guy, you will have to do a full length cartridge re-size(ing), and I have no idea if this will diminish the amount of reloading a brass cartridge. My guess is, that it would diminish the amount of times, just have no personal knowledge reference reloading a single brass cartridge; full length cartridge re-size(ing.)

The .35 Whelen (Built on a Mauser(s) action) is a poor mans 375 H&H (Ballistics's are the same {approx 95 % plus} out to the first 100 yards.) .375 H&H was considered too large for most American hunting.

Some draw back(s) against the .35 Whelen, (if the SHTF) was the muzzle flash in daytime (WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE,) and I was usually the LOUDEST rifle in / at the shooting range (outside no least), everyone would turn and ask "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU SHOOTING, A CANNON?"

Just some thoughts on the subject of when the SHTF, and just maybe a different approach to the subject matter.

And remember boy's and girl's, KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY!!!

[TalonDJ]

All of them.
Why limit yourself?

[Osage Orange]

Thousands of .22 rounds have taken deer here in the states...over the last 100 years..

[Axenolith]

Exactly.

And that steel cased Russian stuff pictured runs on the hot side in an M1A, plus it’s sealed with WFC (weapon fouling compound). :-)

[vetvetdoug]

Buy rifles and weapons made that don't require registration. Krag 30-40 is an accurate and dependable weapon that one can buy without registration. A Winchester 1895 in 30-40 is also in that category. Sure, there are a lot of weapons that are great but if the big Moose limb starts confiscation they won't look there.

[usconservative]

For sure .308. Meets all needs.

Ditto. Most versatile round available, IMO.

[Old Yeller]

I’m going to wait for dead Islamists, and pick up their fully automatic AK-47’s.

[Osage Orange]

Totally agree with this.....38/.357 for pistol.

I have a .38 Special..

I want a .357

[Ancesthntr]

300blackout is my favorite but not as plentiful.

Then reload. .30 cal. bullets in a variety of weights are PLENTIFUL, and you can resize .223 or 5.56mm brass into .300 Blackout easily enough with the right tool. Primers are obviously small rifle.

I don't know what powders are best for .300 Blackout, I don't have an upper (or a dedicated rifle) for that yet. However, I've already started collecting brass when at the range - I have about 60 cases already, and every time I shoot I intend to look for more (and take them, if the shooter gives permission). Worst case scenario, I have extra brass that I could trade to someone for something that I need.

[RandallFlagg]

I’m thinking about building another AR in 6.5 Grendel flavors.

[atc23]

.22 LR - 5.56 - .223 - 30.30 Win.

[ErnBatavia]

Yep - other than our Mossberg for two-legged predators, our larder consists of .22 (one being magnum hollow point capable)....our edible game here in the desert consists of quail, dove and the occasional cottontail.

[Farmer Dean]

Best all around rifle caliber is .308/7.62x51.Completely out classes a 5.56.

[central_va]

For super long term SHTF a black powder rifle, you can make your own bullets from scrap lead and you can make your own powder. You will never run out of ammo. The hardest thing is making caps but you'll get the hang of it.

[Osage Orange]

7.62 x 25mm..can do the same.

[SgtHooper]

They say the hi-hi powered systems run through barrels quickly (1000 rounds then replace), but I surmise that is only for those who want repeatable long distance (+1000 yds)precision.

[Farmer Dean]

Is that a .45-120?The Sharps rifle is certainly an elegant weapon.

[jonno]

chuckles...

[Osage Orange]

Hehehe........

[Blue Collar Christian]

“I’m thinking about building another AR in 6.5 Grendel flavors.”

I have. I really like it. Makes coyotes somersault, crash and burn, long range.