This one baffles me a bit.
Obviously I recognize the significant advantage of carrying many rounds at one time due to the cartridge small size and the relatively quiet report, however there are some serious downsides.
- The round is seriously anemic, to say the least, against human targets, even more for big game hunting...nevermind wildlife protection if you have to hide in the woods for extended periods of time.
- You cannot reload....with centerfire cartridges and reloading equipment you have much more flexibility..you could even cast your own bullets.
- The round is not used by the military....something to think about in a SHTF collapse of society scenario...supply could become problematic.
I think a more appropriate survival chambering would be the 223 Rem or the 7,62X39...these cartridges are not too big and you can carry many of them on you, used by the military (at least for the 5,56 Nato) and decent power for basically every situation (especially if you have a reliable semi-auto....10 rounds of 7,62 Soviet may stop an angry bear vs. 10 rounds of 22 LR .....)
If you want to increase the "carry as many rounds" factor, you may go down as little as a 9 mm Carbine....still a centerfire round, used by the military, reloadable and with significant more power than a 22.
Other good candidates could be a 30-30 lever, 357 or 44 Lever.
IMHO the ideal survival rifle is an AK with a quick detachable scope.
Opinions on the matter??
Regards
P.S.
Having said that, I still would like to buy an AR-7 (a reliable specimen) someday...even if I do not think it makes a good survival rifle....
Obviously I recognize the significant advantage of carrying many rounds at one time due to the cartridge small size and the relatively quiet report, however there are some serious downsides.
- The round is seriously anemic, to say the least, against human targets, even more for big game hunting...nevermind wildlife protection if you have to hide in the woods for extended periods of time.
- You cannot reload....with centerfire cartridges and reloading equipment you have much more flexibility..you could even cast your own bullets.
- The round is not used by the military....something to think about in a SHTF collapse of society scenario...supply could become problematic.
I think a more appropriate survival chambering would be the 223 Rem or the 7,62X39...these cartridges are not too big and you can carry many of them on you, used by the military (at least for the 5,56 Nato) and decent power for basically every situation (especially if you have a reliable semi-auto....10 rounds of 7,62 Soviet may stop an angry bear vs. 10 rounds of 22 LR .....)
If you want to increase the "carry as many rounds" factor, you may go down as little as a 9 mm Carbine....still a centerfire round, used by the military, reloadable and with significant more power than a 22.
Other good candidates could be a 30-30 lever, 357 or 44 Lever.
IMHO the ideal survival rifle is an AK with a quick detachable scope.
Opinions on the matter??
Regards
P.S.
Having said that, I still would like to buy an AR-7 (a reliable specimen) someday...even if I do not think it makes a good survival rifle....
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