Budget SHTF rifle

[Jguy101]

I'm currently in the market for a SHTF rifle, and I'm trying to keep it under $350 or so. I started by looking at the Yugo SKS, but while I could get an excellent-condition rifle for $200, the cost of 7.62x39 around here is significantly higher than that of .223, and since most of that stuff is imported, it could end up being hard to find in an extended SHTF scenario. So, I've started looking at other stuff, mostly in .223.

The .223 Saiga looks like a nice option, but magazines are a bit pricey, and if I convert it for better ergos and cheaper Galil mags, I'll end up costing at least $450 - a bit out of my price range. The Stevens 200 is available around here for $300, but it'd be extra for any optics (either XS ghost ring sights or a decent but inexpensive Bushnell scope, hopefully). And the Marlin 336 .30-30 is around here in that price range too. Unforunately, the Mini-14 and even low-range AR-15s are just out of my price range.

Any other suggestions?

 

[thegoodfight]

mosin
SKS
a used Marlin if you're lucky

 

[jackdanson]

7.62x39 saiga, convert it whenever you save up a little more.

the cost of 7.62x39 around here is significantly higher than that of .223,

Where is this at? 7.62 should be about half the cost of .223. Order it online in bulk if you need to. Don't be too concerned with "I won't be able to find any in a shtf scenario". If s really htf (which it wont') you would be able to loot weapons from the dead... or you'd be dead yourself, either way you'd make do.

 

[hatchetbearer]

I cant ever imagine .223 being cheaper than x39, and all ammo is imported from somewhere, and around here, stores have crates of x39, and nowhere near that of .223

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/wolf_packs.aspx

buy an sks, then stockpile, stockpile, stockpile. dont butcher it with fancy schmancy stocks and junk detachable magazines, scopes, and such. sight it in well, and learn to use stripper clips, you will thank yourself later. about the only modification I'd do to an SKS is ditch the bayonet. just an extra pound of metal thats use is better served with a good Ka-Bar

 

[elmerfudd]

Don't worry about the cost of 7.62x39. You can order a case of it for $180.

You could get an SKS, tech sights, a case of ammo and some stripper clips and you'd be in great shape weapons wise for most emergencies and disasters.

For serious use however, I'd opt for a Chinese, Russian or other SKS over a Yugoslavian one. The Yugo rifles are great bargains and IMO a little more accurate than the Chinese ones, but they're also very heavy. If you strip the crap off of them they do get quite a bit lighter though.

 

[ThomasT]

I would get the Marlin 336 or an SKS. The ammo for the SKS is $200 for a 1000 rounds delivered (unless it has gone up).

The 30-30 can be bought on sale for $10 bucks or so around hunting season for the 20 round box. The 30-30 won't toss your brass away and so it can be reloaded. I just bout 500 bulk 150gr Remington bullets for $110 from midway. I have lots of 30-30 brass so i can shoot and load for a long time.

No SHTF gun battery is comeplete without a 22 and a shotgun. Those two will most likely see the most use anyway.

 

[Hoppy590]

Saiga or SKS and ammo

 

[lee n. field]

I'm currently in the market for a SHTF rifle, and I'm trying to keep it under $350 or so. I started by looking at the Yugo SKS, but while I could get an excellent-condition rifle for $200, the cost of 7.62x39 around here is significantly higher than that of .223, and since most of that stuff is imported, it could end up being hard to find in an extended SHTF scenario. So, I've started looking at other stuff, mostly in .223.

The .223 Saiga looks like a nice option, but magazines are a bit pricey,

The paramount question: any particular SHTF scenario in view?

WASR-10, or SKS. Or Saiga, and spend for extra magazines as you can.

10/22, and a tactical wheelbarrow full of .22LR.

 

[goon]

Don't be too concerned with "I won't be able to find any in a shtf scenario". If s really htf (which it wont') you would be able to loot weapons from the dead... or you'd be dead yourself, either way you'd make do.

Agreed on the first. If you're sitting on 3K rounds of ammo for your chosen rifle, it really doesn't matter much whether or not Wal-Mart carries it. Plus in a crisis sales of firearms and ammo are often suspended anyway - so if you ain't got it before you ain't got it anyway.

On the second, I don't think that "looting weapons from the dead" is such a viable technique. Who are all these dead people who have all these weapons?
Why is everyone else walking right past all these free weapons and ammo and leaving them for you to scavenge?
And if you pop an enemy soldier, how do you plan to get his weapon while all of his buddies are shooting at you?

Incidentally, I also would feel comfortable with any of the standard choices in that range.
I'd prefer an SKS over a 7.62x39 Saiga just because of its use of stripper clips.
I wouldn't shed any tears over a 7.62x51 Saiga with a few extra mags but ammo isn't cheap for those.
I would be plenty happy with a Marlin 30-30. I just bought one of them and I like it.
A Mosin isn't a bad choice. A 91/30 and probably over 1K of ammo should fit into your budget. If you want to go a little "better", look for a used Finnish M-39.
And the 10/22 or any other rapidly firing .22 repeater like a Rossi pump, Winchester or Marlin lever action, Marlin Model 60 or anything else that holds a lot of ammo is a good thing to have too.
Underpowered but also underestimated - the .22 LR with solids will shoot completely through the passenger compartment of an older car and with practice can be walked on to target out to 200 yards. Imagine trying to attack someone through a hail of well aimed CCI mini-mags. You would die. I don't know about a .22 as a primary but I also wouldn't want to be without a good .22 rifle.

 

[guntotinguy]

Saiga or SKS and ammo

+ 1 on that...the best choices I think.

 

[Timradcliffe345]

A used M/39 and 2k of ammo is all you need. I would recommend the lighter 147 gr. loads. Then practice, practice and practice dry-firing and live-firing. The Mosin 7.62x54 cartridge is very capable - it will put food on the table and keep the foes at bay.

 

[Tarvis]

Here's a thought: If S actually HTF or a Katrina-esque disaster came to the sleepy town of Salem, would you want the cheapest rifle you could find, or would you rather have one that was suited to the job, like an AR or a mini-14, even an SKS with a bunch of stripper clips? If you are buying this because you want a rifle and SHTF is a good excuse, get whatever you want. If you are actually trying to prepare yourself, search the pawn shops or try and find a gun store that has LE trade-in rifles. My mini cost me $400.

 

[BoneDigger]

Marlin 336 ini 30-30 can be had for around $300 used at most any gun show or pawn shop. Ammo will be easy to find at pretty much any outdoor store or WalMart.

Todd

 

[FSJeeper]

First of all, I agree with the others, 7.62 x 39 is much cheaper than .223. Go to ammoman.com. Great prices which INCLUDE shipping.

Next, I would ask myself what likely SHTF distances you would be in where you live or will be located during that time. The 7.62 x 39 is good out to 150 yards. After that it is iffy. The .223 is good for longer distances but lacks power. So, if you are in an urban situation the 7.62 x 39 will probably be perfect. If you live in the country or an area where long distance shots with accuracy is needed, then I would look for something with more beef.

As stated before, a 12 guage shotgun shoot be the first weapon on your list as you will most likely be defending your home and most gun related fights occur within 20' statistically. With slugs it is good out to 100 yards. Very versitile weapon.

My SHTF battery starts with M1A's with SKS's as backups. But I expect the 12 guages will see the most use in a SHTF scenario.

If you really really shopped around, you should be able to pick up a SKS and a Moisen Nagant for well under your budget.

And in my opinion, the New England Firearms 12 guage pump that is a Chinese copy of the Remington 870 is the best value out there for a HD shotgun. They are $179 in our local Academy stores.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

You can buy an M44 (Mosin) for around $100, then buy some 300-round cans of surplus ammo for around $50.00 a piece. Softpoints are available, too.

An SKS sounds like a very good choice, too. The fact that there's no magazine to lose is a plus. Just keep some chargers (stripper clips) loaded.

 

[Saiga39]

Which does everyone think is more accurate, SKS or Saiga in 7.36x39??

 

[Wolfgang2000]

Here on the high road in the rifles for sale section, there is a member, in Alaska, that is selling a SKS carbine, (paratrooper) for a very reasonable price. I own several SKS carbines. They are one of the handiest rifles I've ever owned.

You might look into it.

 

[B.D. Turner]

My vote is for the Marlin. The SKS is good too I just don't like the idea of reloading until it is empty. The 30-30 can be loaded on the go.

 

[elmerfudd]

Which does everyone think is more accurate, SKS or Saiga in 7.36x39??

I'd say they're about equal. In my experience both are more accurate than the typical AK, but they're definitely not tackdrivers.

 

[benEzra]

Which does everyone think is more accurate, SKS or Saiga in 7.62x39??

With stock sights, they're probably pretty close. But you can scope the Saiga easily (and cheaply) at some point, and that makes a world of difference in practical accuracy with these carbines, IMO.

As to the question in the OP, my personal preference would be a Saiga over the SKS, and several spare magazines. If finances are tight, you can always leave it stock for now and go the 18 USC 922(r) conversion route later.

 

[Tarvis]

Which does everyone think is more accurate, SKS or Saiga in 7.36x39??

Does it matter what people think? Seems to me that which one actually is more accurate is more important, also that each rifle should be evaluated on an individual basis. What are you getting at anyhow? How accurate does it really need to be? 4 moa is a man sized target at 400 yards.

 

[armoredman]

SKS and Chinese bra, loaded with stripper clips. 200 rounds and ready to bail.

 

[Goblin]

Mossberg 500 12ga $179.00 at Academy Sports. That's an 8 shot BTW. Make the SKS your 2nd purchase.

 

[mbt2001]

I would say a moison m44... They don't come much cheaper than that. Otherwise, you should look for an AK (like the Hungarian AMD).

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

.223 Saiga is the solution. You don't need to convert it. It already has the ergonomics of the Stevens 200 or the SKS. That cannot count as a negative.


Of the bolt actions, the Mosin and Stevens 200 are good choices. MN being cheap and very robust. The Stevens 200 available in .223 will be versatile and lightweight. BUT, SHTF also means self-defense, which in my book mandates semi-automatic.


Saiga is everything you need. It is lightweight. Semi-auto. Is a Kalashnikov action, thus not being needy of constant care and attention. It doesn't care if it is being run "dry" or "wet" as far as lube is concerned. Plenty accurate. Parts breakage is very uncommon. It's the total package. Reliable and robust.


Using the 10 round magazines are fine. Sure, 30 is better. But you're not hurting yourself with 10. If you have to shoot more than 10 rounds in a gunfight, that is a whopper gun fight. In fact, it's a gun battle. Pop in another 10 round mag if you need to.


Only question is ammo. 7.62x39 is a better choice. Better for game and self-defense. A little bit more recoil, but no big deal. Barnaul is a mil-spec ammo that is sealed at the bullet and primer. Making it a better choice for SHTF since you cannot predict the weather or conditions. It is cheaper than .223. I have not found any .223 cheaper than x39. Only negative is, if you are paranoid that an Obama executive order or State Dept will ban its import, then it is better to go with .223 as there will always be domestic production of that ammo. Domestic x39 is outrageously expensive and not plentiful. .223 won't be cheap, but it will be a lot cheaper than domestic x39 and at least you will be able to buy some. If you go .223, make sure your defensive loads are sealed at the crimp and at the primer. This is one of the most overlooked aspects of any kind of SHTF firearm. Katrina and the Midwest floods is all one needs to understand why sealed ammo is important. Even in other areas, heavy rain can cause huge puddles and other water hazards. You never know if you have to get wet or if the rifle will get soaked.

People will spend upwards of $2,500 on some tacticool AR-15 and never think about ammo. That and these hunks of junk end up weighing over 10lbs. Whatever you buy (Saiga) should be lightweight. Saiga is a light rifle. You have to be able to sling it up and not be burdened by it. People don't carry their rifles, which is why they make them so heavy. If they needed to carry it for at least 6 hours a day - they will curse all the junk they attached to it. Especially when they realize that realistic self defense with that weapon will likely occur inside of 50 yards (really 25 yards), at which there's no point in having optics, free-floated barrels with rail systems, and a ton of other crap. A totally stock mediocre weapon will shoot 1" groups all day long at 50 yards. What more do you need?

Your lack of funds causing you to seek a "budget" SHTF rifle has actually put you on the path toward buying a SUPERIOR SHTF rifle....that's MY opinion. Dollars spent does not equate to better SHTF rifle.