Best all around rifle and caliber for a newbie

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Well not really totally serious about zombies, but my logic is based on a worst case scenario, (i.e. marshall law, riots looting type of events), where I would consider bugging out into the woods perhpas thinking long term requiring hunting for small game for food but having the ability to deter any bad doers that may come along.

as for budget, no i'm not looking at something expensive, more like the $200 range.

Semi vs bolt....I really don't know. I'm thinking the semi is quicker for follow up shots, but would they be more likely to jam? I can see a bolt rifle being fine for hunting rabbits and such but is one better or more reliable than the other?

Thanks
 
An Ar of some sort. Your shotgun will take most of the same game the 22lr will take. An AR is like a 22 on steroids, and with the AR platform its pretty easy on you. If you get a 22, your only going to want to get something bigger down the line. But that's okay too.
 
.223 and 7.62x39 are very close in price of ammo, so if you are looking for a semi-auto it is kind of a wash. If going for a bolt gun, I would rather have the versatility of a .308. Yes it is twice as expensive to shoot as 7.62x39, but IMO it is also twice as effective.
 
A good quality Savage bolt 22 will accomplish all you need if you already have a shotgun and are just interested in small game hunting.

If you are looking to spend a couple hundred bucks, then the Savage 22 will fit within your budget. Get the one with open sights and possibly put on a good peep sight. The accutrigger on the Savage is the best for an inexpensive rifle. if you have money, put a scope on that rifle. With a scope and good ammo you should be able to get under half inch groups at 50 yards. Shooting a 22 rifle a lot will teach you trajectory and wind.

A shotgun that you already have with slugs can go out a decent distance for self defense.

I knew people that survived during the Depression with just a 22 rifle to hunt with. They hunted all sorts of game to supplement their garden and animals they raised. Everything from blackbirds, squirrels, rabbits, coon, ducks were killed with a 22 rifle. Deer weren't around in many areas in those days so those weren't targets of opportunity. I have known people who have killed deer with a 22 rifle up close. Practice enough with a 22 rifle and you can kill a deer too with it if you needed to.

Remember that accuracy is more important than anything. If you don't have accuracy and shooting skills your rifle is just a worthless paper weight.
 
stogiegila said:
Thanks for the input.

Let me ask a dumb question under the SHTF scenario. Would a .22LR HP have any effectiveness what so ever to a person \ zombie when fired from a rifle?

I understand that with handguns I wouldn't consider the .22LR unless I had the gun up to your head, which is why I have 9mm and .45acp.

I like the idea of the cost of the .22LR and small game hunting, but would it be totally useless for zombies? If that is the case, I may look towards the .223

Thanks
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Yes. It's useless because zombies don't exist. I've found myself contemplating guns for z-warfare. It's silly, but at least the genre gets folks into shooting more.

CCI Stingers out of my SR22P at 15 yards go through three water jugs in a row, and out the other side with expansion and good weight retention. Even better out of a rifle barrel, like my Sig 522. If it was me vs several combatants where I had only this cartridge and rifle chambered for it, I would not feel totally outgunned. Accuracy trumps firepower, and a .22 out of a Buck mark (stinger) will do head damage that'll leave your enemy, well, a zombie dead on arrival.

However, .22lr is a dirty round and unless care is given here and there rather than just shooting and having the option to ignore, I do not recommend any .22lr rifle or pistol as a primary arm. For that, Mr. Kalishnakov rustled us up a fine rifle in the AK and is semi auto variants. 7.62x39 is cheap, as is 5.45x39, can be had at Walmart and hardware stores,and while others are having jams or ammo issues with their rifles, you'll be plugging away at Zeds with that ugly AkM. Good luck.
 
200 bucks means .22 for sure. Buy quality ammo for it. I have had great luck with CCI rimfire ammo, both Blazer and the 100rd mini-mags. Federal bulk pack is good as well. Bad rimfire ammo can ruin your whole day. Don't worry about getting bored with "just a .22". You can have a lot of fun with one, especially with reactive targets. Get good with your .22 and spend your next 200 bucks on a Mosin Nagant and ammo, or your next 409 on an SKS and some ammo, or your next 600 on a bolt gun in any number of calibers, or your next 800 on a decent AR and some ammo.
 
Oh, in the 600 range you could get an AK variant instead of the bolt-action, forgot to mention that.
 
1 and 2: 22 lr. For zombies, use hypervelocity and go for head shots.

For 3, I suggest 308. I think that 223 is a bit limited with game over 75 lbs (based on experience).

If you really want to learn to use a rifle: For $200, get a Savage 22 lr and shoot it until the barrel drops off or you wear out the action. 15,000 rounds or so should do it.
 
stogiegila said:
I don't have much knowledge in terms of rifles and calibers and was wondering what would be considered the best all around choice under the following parameters:

1. Ease of use
2. Availability and cost of ammo
3. Usefulness for SHTF zombie defense and general hunting

I already have a shotgun for HD but want something for more longrange use. I also don't have much of an understanding of rifle calibers.

Any advice would be helpful

Thanks
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Having been in your shoes, I was going to just recommend a .223/5.56 AR15 to meet all your SHTF needs, but then I noticed your $200 budget... so I am afraid I got nothing for you. The other guys will probably suggest SKS or something like that to fit the budget, so see what they say. Frankly I think $200 is not a good budget for a rifle and you might just want to buy more ammo for your shotgun including a variety to fit the situation (slugs, buck/bird shot, etc).
 
I don't know if some of you guys know this, but the word ZOMBIE does not mean the undead monsters we see in the movies. In the doomsday culture (end of the world) they use the word zombie to mean PEOPLE who did not prepare for SHTF and thus they have no extra food/water/band-aids and are hungry and desperate and will raid you for your food, water, supplies, etc. And thus those guys will shoot these "zombies" to protect their families. I don't necessarily agree with this kind of mentality and will differentiate between desperate people (who I will try to help within reason) and just plain evil marauders out to steal and pillage. But anyway, I thought this was relevant to this discussion (and others like it).
 
+1 on the 22 cal, then google Project Appleseed and spend a weekend with them, you will be amazed at what you will learn and how well you can shoot after 2 days, after many decades of shooting I went with my wife and my accuracy drastically improved, plus it was a very enjoyable weekend.............. old dogs can be taught new tricks if they keep an open mind
 
With a budget of $200 I would be one of those guys suggesting a SKS. The ammunition is relatively inexpensive, they function reliably and you can begin to stockpile ammunition and MREs. :)

While the rifle has a fixed 10 round magazine capacity they adapt well to some aftermarket 30 round magazines. Figure it this way, it is a battle proven little handy inexpensive rifle. Given a choice between a .22 and 7.62 X 39 cartridge I will take the latter. Additionally in time buy a .22 pistol if you want one as a sidearm.

Ron
 
Let me ask a dumb question under the SHTF scenario. Would a .22LR HP have any effectiveness what so ever to a person \ zombie when fired from a rifle?
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Yes it will kill a person in self defense if needed, and I also agree with getting some type of .22lr to train on, everyone is correct that it is cheap and easy to find. I myself trained off a Winchester model 67 single shot bolt action rifle in .22 cal when I was a child. Another plus to a .22 is that if you begin to hunt small animals for food it wont destroy it like a 7.62 most likely will. So my suggestion is still an "SKS" but also find a good .22 rifle to carry around as well. I know some people have said they have had some issues with another suggestion I will make but I have a GSG522 in .22lr (High-velocity rounds must be used) that has given no problems at all in the 5k rounds I have put through it.--- Good Luck :)

I will however suggest to look at the GSG522's at gun shows and not at the local dealers. Most of the dealers around that I have seen with GSG's sell anywhere from $500-$650. I got mine at a gun show in Austin, TX for $350 NIB.
 
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Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ended up getting a good deal on a Savage Model 11 in .223 and it came with a scope :)

Now time for a little practice.

Thanks again for the assistance.
 
I agree on getting a decent .22LR. It's just so much cheaper to shoot than any centerfire. Even if you're talking about steel case .223, you can still shoot five times as much for the same amount of money. The .22LR has become my most used cartridge in recent years - no one should be without one.

I still think you did pretty well on the used Savage .223 though. You'll get a lot of use out of it, .223 isn't too expensive to shoot or punishing on the shooter, and it's not a bad round for introducing a new centerfire shooter. But trust me here - when it's possible, add a good .22LR.
 
When someone is looking for a first rifle, my advice is always a good bolt action .22. They are relatively inexpensive, usually very accurate and can teach all the fundamentals. After using this for a while, either keep it socked away for recreation and refresher or trade it in toward a rifle that better suits your percieved needs.

To answer your question directly, I'd say you need two rifles, the aforementioned .22 and an SKS or similar. Or stick with the bolt action and go with one in .308 or .30-06 as they are ubiquitous.
 
gbeecher said:
My response is a bit biased. I own a Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 that fires the 7.62x54R cartridge. I've owned it for 2+ years and shot some 180 rounds thru it at a local gun shop/range. The more I shoot it, the more I love it!
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I love my Mosins too, but I have to side with every one else here that the best thing to start with is a .22LR.

I am of the opinion that the only SHTF strategy that makes any sense is to have a real tight knit community with your neighbors, because you aren't going to survive as a lone wolf. And zombies are a TV creation.

So while my Mosins or my other large caliber rifles might be great for bringing down deer my real need will be small game - squirrel and rabbit. The .22LR and 20 ga #6 are the tools IMHO.

And learn to plant a garden if you're really worried about SHTF. I hear zombies don't like broccoli.

MB
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ended up getting a good deal on a Savage Model 11 in .223 and it came with a scope

Now time for a little practice.

Thanks again for the assistance.
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.223 and not 5.56?

Is the scope any good?
 
1. Get a bolt action .22 first. (cz 452 or a savage)
2. Get a centerfire .308/30-06 possibly much much later, prolly a bolt. becoming proficient with .22 should be enough
3. Get a shotgun(if you like hunting/home defense) or a semi(m1a/sks/etc...)
4. Win.
 
Pretty sure you won't find many bolt action sporters with 5.56 cut chambers though. .
 
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