Best bug-out caliber

[Double Naught Spy]

Why would I leave my castle?

Does it matter? The question pertained to bugging out, not in-place castle defense, but if it makes you happy, your castle is uninhabitable because of fire, flood, chlorine gas, manure, and the introduction of plague carrying rats and small pox corpses...in that order. Staying in place is not an option.

I am going to go way out on a limb with the perfect firearm for SHTF.

.357 revolver (preparing for flames)

My rationale:

1) SHTF is not battlefield combat. No need for a 30-06. No need to shoot 400 yards.

It is SHTF. How do you know it won't be battlefield combat?

Arguing specifics for what an unknown situation will not be is a good way to misplan or under plan.

In following the events that unfold with various disasters (regional fires, floods, hurricanes, social unrest), there is a repeated pattern that seems to prevail those that whine the most. The first is that they didn't think it could happen to them. They didn't think it could happen that fast. They didn't think it could happen that bad. As a result, they under prepare and are forced to leave with too little time, at the last moment or after the SHTF without the right gear because they have not prepared properly or actually believed the situation could be as bad as it turned out to be, and then they want to blame everyone but themselves for not getting out in time, getting out with enough stuff, and getting out without feeling like a complete victim.

 

[Tomac]

5.7x28 for me, very flat shooting and effective to 200m (although I get consistent hits out to 300m). My BOV loadout w/5 days rations, FN USG pistol, FN PS90 carbine, spare mags for both, knife, water, compass, water purifier, spare batteries, LED light, etc is right at 34 lbs. Oh, btw, that includes *660rds* of 5.7 ammo which is interchangeable between pistol & carbine.
Tomac

 

[harbinger_j]

It is SHTF. How do you know it won't be battlefield combat?

victim.

I believe the scenario was running alone, and I think it would be foolish to engage battlefield combat as a single person w/o any support.

I like the idea of six shooter and carbine, although I might prefer a pistol w/carbine. In most urban/suburban situations at over 100 yards I would be looking to avoid combat. Conceal your weapons if not in a vehicle and drive fast if your in one!

 

[Thin Black Line]

FlaxD, pick a rifle caliber that by long term history has been easy to get in
your part of the country. Even when the spigot is turned off, there will have
been more of it stockpiled in the past. The midwest always jostles between
223 and x39. There have been times of both feast and famine when one cal
is on the shelves for weeks on end and the other is gone or too expensive
due to scarcity. Other posters have made a good point about using the
same pistol cal.

On THR, we really don't discuss longterm SHTF scenarios and the mods will
shut it off. Shortterm "what should I do just in case" has been OK. You have
to ask yourself how much you can realistically carry if you have to leave your
home by vehicle and what would happen if you ended up on foot. Carrying
around a shotgun, a 308 battle rifle w/ 12 mags, and a handgun is a no-go.
Also, in a short-term disaster, carrying two of those three will immediately
garner you immediate individual attention at the first official checkpoint or
patrol you run into. On the bright side if that happens, you will be placed
in a secure area and provided w/ water and MREs BTW, better to be picked
up by your local friendly nation guardsmen than the common thug who would
relieve you of your pile of guns/ammo that you were attempting to carry
across town, but later collapsed all huffing and puffing....

I am now a bug-in kind of person and there's no problem with being a FOBBIT
if you really don't have to go anywhere. Plan on bugging in if you can by
having enough food and water on hand instead of the extra crate of ammo
which you won't be able to take anyway. A pistol and a gallon of water will
more likely save your life than the latest carbine with rail-encrusted goodies.

 

[Dirty Bob]

I'm for bugging in. We would do what we could to help our neighbors and would benefit from being part of a group in a stable spot, rather than lone-wolfing it.

If forced to leave? A good handgun is essential, a rifle or carbine if you can keep it out of sight. I wouldn't plan on doing any hunting, so a self-defense caliber would do fine. My short-term bugout plan is to find a spot out in the hill country and camp until we can return, keeping a low profile throughout. We have had chemical spills in San Antonio. A coupla' years ago, a chlorine spill from a train wreck killed a few people and drove others in that neighborhood out for a few days.

For a BOB, I'd pick a P-11 in 9mm and a Sub-2000, along with several mags. If I did think I needed a hunting gun, I'd take a single-shot youth .22 rifle like the Chipmunk or Cricket. Small, light and simple, and much more accurate than I ever expected.

My main concerns would be water, food and medical supplies. I think 100-200 rounds of 9mm would be more than enough.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[whited]

.

.357 lever + .357 wheel

 

[mkonops]

.357 lever + .357 wheel

+1

I Agree

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Well, I'd say you have to travel as a group. You must do so (as a pack, tribe) or your toast. Have somebody else on a bolt gun. Someone else on a 12 gauge. You carry a .308 Saiga or FAL. Best overall weapon given the situation.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Forget what caliber you can find at the local gun store. There arent any gun shops open in the aftermath of a huricane. You dont need me to tell you that, you live in South Florida; you already know it. I lived through Katrina, and my local shops here in Jefferson Parish didnt open till months after Katrina hit. There was no way I could have replinished my ammo supply if I needed to. I learned my lesson from that. Stock up from internet suppliers, buy big and cheap. Russian calibers like 7.62x54, and 5.45x39 are cheap online. It also just so happens that Russian guns are cheap as well. Mosin Nagants can be had for under 90 bucks, and Romy' 74's can be had for under 300 bucks. Thats why I voted 5.45x39. I'd also recomend 7.62x54R. If you're bugging in thats what I'd go with. Thats what I did go with.

 

[RH822]

I voted .223, my AR, Mini and some day a H&R varmint rifle are all in .223. I find it more economical when buying ammo to feed several of my guns the same flavor.
RH

 

[Glockfan.45]

.223 for me. If need be a cross draw vest with 6 30 round AR mags, a Glock 19, and 3 Glock 19 mags weighs next to nothing. With a collapsed stock on my Colt Government Carbine, and single point sling I can conceal the whole load out under a long coat if need be. I can be armed to the teeth, lightweight, and low profile all at the same time.

 

[Arcticfox]

It is SHTF. How do you know it won't be battlefield combat?

Uh, cause you can chose to leave, or avoid a battlefield???

 

[darkknight]

I have a question why not a 30-30 for SHTF. The ammo would be everywhere it can take any animal or 2 legged predator. a lever gun is very reliable and good to 200 hundred and may not seem as imposing as an EBR. Dont flame me please Im trying to learn as much as possible about SHTF and whats practical and whats not.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

A vote for 7.62x39...why? just because I like its versatility and power. The .223 would also be a good choice because of weight and bulk, I just prefer a heavier bullet for addressing a multitiude of situations afield. Any of the available choices would be superior to what the average citizen would have available in a SHTF scenario......... ie. NOTHING!

Buy lots of ammo and practice practice practice, no matter what caliber you choose.

 

[greg531mi]

Try a 22 or 25......footer, sailboat, with extra sails, or a airplane....The only way to get out of Florida in a hurry! I have been there, last Chrismas, always come before and leave before the rush, the freeways are packed.
Up north here good sailboats in that lenght does not cost much, too many are upsizing to bigger boats, there is a glut of these boats out there....Learn to sail...or fly! Buy a 308 for the pirates....

 

[Thin Black Line]

Well, I'd say you have to travel as a group. You must do so (as a pack, tribe) or your toast. Have somebody else on a bolt gun. Someone else on a 12 gauge. You carry a .308 Saiga or FAL. Best overall weapon given the situation.

and

Uh, cause you can chose to leave, or avoid a battlefield???

+1. Nothing against Mordechai, but if I saw his little armed group moving around
amidst the hurricane-wrecked ruins I would avoid any contact with them.

The armed pack or tribe will most likely be out to loot and/or ppl who were otherwise
unprepared and lacking even something as basic as potable water.

 

[Revolver Justice]

I picked other since you didn't list 30-30.

 

[greyeyezz]

If your BO on foot you have to think realistically. Walking around with any long arm won't be an option. Sure you would all like to lug around your AR's and 870's but that will just get you shot, arrested or it will be confiscated quickly. I live in an urban area and I've thought this out. A powerful handgun with plenty of mags is the best option. My P229/357 is going with me.

 

[SniperStraz]

greyeyezz

I think you have avalid point, but that's just a risk that has to be assesed at the time of need. In a highly urban it may be just like you said. On the other hand being arrested may not be an issue if for example local LE is busy taking care of looters and opportunistic rapists. It would all depend on where you live and what's going on at the time. I doubt that getting shot due to carrying an AR is a real risk. I doubt the local street thugs would pick a fight with you, and I doubt that local LE would confuse you for a local street thug.

 

[perpster]

.357 magnum revolver and carbine. Versatility extraordinaire.

 

[andy4731]

9mm and .223 because

a) I have all of the free ammo (in these calibres) I want from work,

b) it is the most common in the stocks you may encounter or cached

c) it is light and will definitely do the job

Be safe