Hard Times Rifles.

Open Source Survival site ^ | June 10, 2012 | Brother Rat

[Lowell1775]

Well the Big Brown Truck of happiness, dropped off the scope and rings I ordered a while ago. This is what I settled on for the Hard times rifle in the optics department, based on the following Philosophy of the Modern Longhunter and anticipated uses/needs.

Function and Feature priority

A manual action rifle, capable of engaging small game up to White Tailed Deer sized medium game at 25-500 yards.

Magazine or stripper clip fed

Mid range optic capable

Back up Iron sights standard

An easily procurable caliber with lots of reload data

Under 8lb with optic and magazine

Low recoil

Proven action design

Capable of homestead defense in a pinch

What we settled on for the platform was the outstanding CZ 550 rifle, in the FS or Mannlicher Stock variant. The caliber is .243 Winchester.

The optic choice took me several months, trying to decide in the end between Burris, Leupold and Nikon. The Leupold scope won out, the VX-3 1.5-5x to be exact. Its small size fits the rifles profile and shape well. The scope is typical of Leupold in being extremely clear and bright. On 1.5x it is most suitable for close quarters defense if needed and the 5x gives me enough confidence to engage marauding Coyotes out to 500M. I chose the German #4 reticule, having not used one in the past, time at the range this weekend will determine if I like it as much as I think I will.

I mounted the Leupold in Talley CZ specific quick release rings (This was not an outwardly frugal choice, but given the old world quality of rifle and the amount spent on glass I decided to “Buy once, Cry once”). These rings give me the ability to remove the scope in about 15 seconds and go to Irons.

All up weight with sling and 4 rounds of .243 s 8lbs / 1 oz! This is the same as the Ruger Gunsite with sling and empty magazine with no optic or rail! This is an accurate, fast and reliable practical rifle that won’t wear you down. It hits harder and further than the average 5.56 “assault rifle”, and with more magnification would be keeping up with most .308win bolt guns out to 800M.

If your survival plans are concerned more with having multiple use tools than fighting pitched gun battles with hordes of mutant biker zombie U.N Troops, then I highly recommend looking at CZ rifles and Leupold scopes to build your Hard-Times-Rifle.

[Lowell1775]

What's your flavor?

The author has a different take than usual on a "Hard Times" rifle. Good video on a CZ 550 in 243 and a Ruger 10/22 both kitted out for adult sized problems.

Both good ideas for arming yourself without spending $2,500 on a black rifle and optics that make you stand out like Darth Vader at a Cub Scout meeting.

The CZ550 has a barrel length full stock...it is so beautiful it makes my teeth hurt!

More at http://www.opensourcesurvival.com/.

The vids are about 1/2 way down the page.

[mnehring]

CZ makes excellent rifles, although, in addition to easy to acquire ammunition, you should also consider how easy it is to find parts. CZs aren’t as popular in the US as your typical Winchesters, Kimbers, etc. Although the CZ 500 uses a Mauser M98 like action, it isn’t a match to the Mauser so you can’t just swap parts from a Mauser. That isn’t saying I wouldn’t buy one, just a consideration for the ‘hard times’ criteria.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I bought a .243 Winchester at a gun show this past winter in Springfield, MO. It is the Ranger model with a lower cost wood stock.
I mounted a Bushnell 3-10 X 50 scope which is plenty big and bright.

I don’t think the original owner fired the rifle more than five times. There are no scratches or dings in the wood or on the blue steel.

[Yo-Yo]

For a “Hard Times” rifle I’d only consider calibers where ammunition would be obtainable. To me, that means eeither .30-06 or .308 Win, which would be available because of .30-06’s popularity, and .308 Winchester’s military cousin the 7.62x51mm NATO.

.243 Winchester is a great hunting round, but not a caliber you’ll easily find or be able to trade for. It’s nice to plan to do your own reloading, but if you are forced to relocate, you’re not going to pack you Dillon press with you.

[buffaloguy]

The deer will be long gone before you are able to shoot one. Probably three weeks, certainly three months.

Try a pellet gun with 5,000 rounds (20 bucks?) for shooting birds and the odd rabbit or squirrel.

The guys with large calibre muzzle loaders, muskets or rifles, will continue to shoot long after your ammo has run out. .54 calibre flint lock for instance. Large calibres for defense and capable of being used as shot guns.

[Gabrial]

“.243 Winchester is a great hunting round, but not a caliber you’ll easily find or be able to trade for.”

Interesting, down here in Texas I have never seen a sporting goods store or Wal-Mart that does not stock .243 ammo. Of course nothing is as plentiful as .223 or .22 LR.

One of the most accurate rifles I have is a Howa .243 with a Leopold Mark IV optic. I have taken many deer, sheep, and goats with it and never had to take a second shot.

[MileHi]

Agreed.

FTA:

An easily procurable caliber with lots of reload data

For me that would be .308 for that CZ rifle. The .243 is fine, but not that popular or common.

[TheRhinelander]

.243’s are amazingly accurate. I’d love to get one but have my heart set on an M1 Garand.

On another note I brought home my grandfather’s 12 gauge shotgun this past weekend. It’s hard to read the maker but I think it’s Weston Arms. Year: 1910

[gc4nra]

Try this on for size. http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/models.html

[TheRhinelander]

.243’s are amazingly accurate. I’d love to get one but have my heart set on an M1 Garand.

On another note I brought home my grandfather’s 12 gauge shotgun this past weekend. It’s hard to read the maker but I think it’s Weston Arms. Year: 1910

[SWAMPSNIPER]

[CPO retired]

Now you’re talking! Or should I say showing?

Power in between 7.62 X 39 and 308, excellent ammo availability, no magazines or clips, can be “topped-off” while shooting. Light, fast handling, excellent balance.

Or.... $80 SKS in 7.62 X 39 with Williams Fire Sights.

[DesertRhino]

And the ammo found everywhere for that rifle, is almost exclusively soft point, perfect for hunting and defense. 30-30 rules,, and is more accurate than most people would ever dream. Mine was built in the 40’s, and is a tackdriver.

[The Cajun]

Win 94 top eject lever, favorite lever gun for down here.
Can't see over 100yds in woods or swampy woods down here, great open sight rifle in 30-30 cal.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

It's the same here, palmettos and scrub on the hammocks and the swamps are thick. You need to be able to ID the target and shoot fast, you won't see it for long.

I don't think the average snowbird would know how to handle a palmetto patch, LOL.

[Last Dakotan]

Here in deer country a .243 is a “boy’s gun”.

[The Cajun]

Have a .44 Marlin lever carbine, not a bad 100yd rifle either.
Had to have gunsmithing work done on it to drop the trigger pull from 16 lbs however.
Like you said, ain't many open spots in the swamps/woods, got to keep your eyes moving and look at the ground a lot too, lol.

[ansel12]

Both good ideas for arming yourself without spending $2,500 on a black rifle and optics that make you stand out like Darth Vader at a Cub Scout meeting.

My friend was lamenting that of his guns the closest to an AR was his 30-30, I pointed out that since he can't afford to change that, console himself with the fact that it is a fine rifle and nondescript.

Carrying a sexy AR is like walking down the street with 100s poking out of your shirt pocket, when the law is gone and chaos reigns, it stirs lust in the hearts of individuals who normally would not want to prey on you.

Carrying a Lamborghini in your arms could make you a target for an ambush solely for the rifle, from many people who have no other interest in you.

[Sea Parrot]

Little over 20 years ago I made up this scout rifle from a $90.00 FN K-98 Mauser the Israelis had rebarreled to 7.62x51 back in the 1960s.

Casting my own boolits, it is good to go for small game to outsized zombies. For small game, 100 grain boolits at very quite whisper loads at subsonic velocities are accurate out to beyond 50 yards. For large game or the aggressive variety, 200 grain boolits at 2,000 fps are more than adequate. Cast boolits are an overlooked option for most people. but if big brother should suddenly shut down factory ammo or J-word bullets for reloading, cast boolit molds for center fire rifles and handguns could keep one going without a hiccup.

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/TANSTAAFL-2/Scout2.jpg[/IMG]

How I did it, skip the MN (which is my dedicated truck gun) and scroll down to the Mauser at link: http://hstrial-rchambers.homestead.com/early.html#

[Sea Parrot]

Whoops!! Little over 20 years ago I made up this scout rifle from a $90.00 FN K-98 Mauser the Israelis had rebarreled to 7.62x51 (.308) back in the 1960s. Casting my own boolits, it is good to go from small game to outsized zombies. For small game, 100 grain boolits at very quite whisper loads at subsonic velocities, are accurate out to beyond 50 yards. For large game or the aggressive variety, 200 grain boolits at 2,000 fps are more than adequate. Cast boolits are an overlooked option for most people. but if big brother should suddenly shut down factory ammo or J-word bullets for reloading, cast boolit molds for center fire rifles and handguns could keep one going without a hiccup. How I did it, skip the MN (which is my dedicated truck gun) and scroll down to the Mauser at link: http://hstrial-rchambers.homestead.com/early.html#