Savage Axis 308
Posted on 03/22/2012 8:55:06 PM PDT by Peter from Rutland
I'm looking for another rifle. I want this one for if the fecal matter hits the oscillating unit, you know basic target shooting at the club, *cough*. Should be high caliber but not ridiculous. I don't want to spend ridiculous dollars for something that looks great but is inferior. It must be semi-auto, not one shot. I can't think of a better place to ask for opinions. Makers, calibers and model suggestions welcome.
The ballistics of the venerable 30-30 aren't much different than the 7.62x39. Great medium range round. Get an AK or SKS. Cheap, fun.
Those are the best prices I have seen on VEPRs in years.
M1A.
.308/7.62x51 is one of the most popular calibers so in a shtf situation, you won’t be stuck with something you have trouble getting ammunition for. Pretty much every manufacturer makes rifles in this caliber but if you are looking for a good value (Relatively speaking) plus something that will last for a century and is easy to fix and maintain, find a Springfield M1A.
I think I personally would choose a model 94 but did not mention it because he was asking about semi-autos. I would also have a Williams or Redfield receiver sight with the standard front one.
Model 94s are so easy to carry and in a fight you can shoot one then load one from loose cartridges in your pockets etc. That way you can always keep a full mag ready.
A model 92 in either .44 or .357 mag might be an even better choice.
“It must be semi-auto, not one shot”
Your choice is not semi-auto or one shot. There are plenty of bolt action rifles with internal magazines. I’m in much the same shape you are and am leaning towards a Remington 700P in .308. I just don’t have the 2 grand to build a decent one just yet.
Ditto on the FAL. You could get a decent basic one for arond 800 bucks the last time I checked. Don’t wait! Prices are going up! I bought my M1A many years ago. The price has tripled in 20 years.
OP wanted something cheap, reasonable power and semi-auto. You’re right, the Mod 92, 94 does all but the semi-auto thing.
DPMS .308 semi auto
Weapons choices are like opinions, they are personal.
Handle a variety, shoot them and choose.
You can do this at many good shooting ranges and gun clubs all over the country.
When the SHTF I would prefer the following.
308/7.62 for distance defense.
223/5.56 for close in defense.
12 gauge slugs or 00 buckshot for home defense.
45 pistol for room defense.
A good fighting knife, preferably double edged, for hand to hand.
God forbid I should ever need any of those.
Buy ammo. And, do it correctly.....I have a few friends who still don't get it, ie: when I ask, "how much ammo do you have on hand?" I get a few answers of : Got plenty, plus 14 guns in the closet. Have 3 or 4 boxes of 12 ga, a couple for my kids .410, couple of boxes each for my 6 rifles, and a bunch of partial boxes for all my hand guns. I tell them that's fine if they can stay in the house and shoot out the windows, B-U-T if they need to run outside and shoot from behind the car or garage, they may find themselves in the do-do. One can only carry a couple of long guns (of different calibers) and a couple of handguns while on the run, along with their ammo. You shoot up those 3 - 20 round boxes of .30/06, 4 boxes of 7mm, 3 boxes of .45 ACP and you no longer have 3 guns....just 3 clubs.
Designate one shotgun, one rifle and one handgun as your primary "social unrest" home defense weapons and load up on the ammo for them. Having 20 guns doesn't do you any good if all you have is a few rounds for each. Kinda hard to watch out the FRONT living room window where the armed looters are moving around and dig through the BACK bedroom closet for more ammo. ("I KNOW I have at least a half box of .270 somewhere from last deer season......where the hell is it ???").
If you can't afford lots of expensive high caliber ammo, get a few bricks of .22 ammo. 300 rounds flying out that window from your .22 rifle and pistol may not drop a 250 lb man, but a wound in the arm with a .22 will slow him down, take him off the attack and put HIM on defense. Plus, with a bucket of .22 ammo, your wife and kid can easily load one gun while you shot the other.
Don't forget magazines / clips. It's great that you have 1 EXTRA mag that came with your favorite deer rifle, B-U-T a total of 2 mags with only 5 rounds each isn't going to last long until you hear "click" and stop shooting to reload them. If you can't get oversize mags, get a sack full of the "regular" ones.
AND, as noted by another FREEPER after my post; Ensure you have slings on your long guns, so you will have at least one hand free when on the move. If you don't want to "mess up the looks" of your beautiful 375 H & H Magnum with swivels and sling, at least have some precut lengths of small size rope or strapping handy to use for an 'emergency' sling. You can always tie it around the stock and forearm (or barrel) and throw it over your shoulder. It doesn't have to be 'pretty', just a temporary jerry-rig that could save your life.
good list. don’t forget the .22LR for small game.
Good suggestion
Thanks-saving for later
Here’s what every hunter and gun enthusiast should have in their arsenal:
1. .22 good for teaching — pump or lever action preferable
2. .22 good for having fun — MP5 clone works well for this
3. .2x caliber high powered that can be used for both varmints and deer if desired or if someone needs a loaner rifle/wants a lighter recoil rifle
4. M4 in .223 decked out
5. Short barreled M4 decked out (requires stamp)
6. AR in higher caliber
7. High .2x/ low .3x rifle (7mm, .270, .308, etc.)
8. Something classic (Win 94, etc.)
I recommend Georgia Arms for Ammunition.A high caliber is a good choice, but make sure you have a good 22LR in your collection.
The 22LR will be the most useful weapon of all. You can buy years worth of ammo now for a small investment. They are accurate, and It will bring down all small game, wild and domestic (there won’t be much big game to bring down after a few weeks). Though they are not the best choice for home defense, after the SHTF, the bad guys will have a hard time getting bullets for their guns in a short time, while you have thousands. Nuff said on that.
The report does not carry far, giving away your position, and all members of the family can use it. Oh, and you can still have your large bore defense weapons if it comes down to “them or you” situations.
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