Ideal SHTF/TEOTWAWKI AK Caliber: .223 Vs. 7.62x39 Vs. 5.45x39 Vs. .308?

[goon]

IIRC, the SVD is closer to an SKS action scaled up than it is to an AK action.

I would go with the FAL in a .308.
It depends on how big the deer in your area get. I have seen people kill deer around here with the .223 but most use 243, 30-30, 308, 30'06, etc.
The 7.62x39 would do OK but I have never really been able to shoot an AK well enough to confidently shoot at game at most any distance. I like to know that my rifle will put my shot just about exactly where I want it, even when I can't. Most of the AK's I have owned wouldn't do that. The VEPR K I had did but it was a .223.

 

[000Buck]

I always think of Eric Rudolph in this scenario, living out in the woods for months or even years on end with no means to get more ammo, so then I think carrying as much ammo as humanly possible is most important. In that scenario, you wouldnt worry about a clean kill on a deer, so 223 would be fine, just track it until it falls over. 7.62x39 is quite a bit heavier than 223 and not much better if any, so why bother?