One Rifle Poll.

[wrs840]

30-30 levergun. Great compromise caliber with ammo fairly ubiquitous, will work relatively well for most situations.

I also figure they're probably on the LAST list of firearms the MSM and little dictators in D.C. will talk the sheople into outlawing.

Les

 

[Prepster]

How about something in 375 H&H Magnum? It might be overkill, but a Ruger No. 1 or CZ 550 will last forever, most places have a couple of boxes of ammo kicking around, and in a SHTF scenario, most people won't be fighting over an old safari cartridge. Also there's no need for special black tipped "armor piercing" ammo when you have a 375 H&H...

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Since my favorite "Go To" rifle isn't on there, I voted other.

My favorite go-to rifle is my Mosin Nagant M1944 Carbine. More than enough stopping power for man-size threats, cheap(ish) ammo, and strong enough to take anything in the north american continent.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

AK-47 variant of some sort, though HK91/G3 type comes a very close second.

 

[Acera]

Since my favorite "Go To" rifle isn't on there, I voted other.

LJ-MosinFreak-Buck I am sorry you did not see the 11th selection listed, Mosin was the first one listed under bolt action military rifles.


Glad this thread got some more interest.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Context

With no scenario as a basis, I can't offer a clean "one gun for everything" choice.

Post apocalyptic scenarios, where manufacturing has mostly ceased, will dictate a rather different choice from a context where ammo continues to be easily available.

Assuming availability of ammo -- or at least components -- I'd want something that's as versatile as possible.

I can envision a scenario where I'd take a Ruger 10/22 and a truckload of ammo, but it's a pretty narrow case, so we'll let that be.

I have a fondness for the M1 Carbine, despite its limited range and hitting power. It's a fine choice for social work, can take deer-sized game (larger, if you're good), and won't destroy your rabbit/squirrel/marmot if that's all there is. It's a light rifle and carries easily. The ammo is light and compact, allowing for a substantial on-person carry count.

Having said that, a little more versatility never hurt anything, so . . .

The Marlin 1894C permits a wide range of loads, given that it shoots both .38 special and .357 mag cartridges. A down-loaded .38 will do edible rodents, regular .38 will do varmints and social work, and .357 will do big stuff, all the way up to elk. The .38 & .357 family of ammo is available most everywhere, and reloading for it is way more common than .30 carbine.

You give up capacity and speed, and in return you get more flexibility and better range.

Therefore, in a "one rifle only" world, as much as I would love to go with the carbine, I'd have to pick the 1894C lever gun.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I have nine words for you:

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Ping!

 

[snakeman]

i would recommend a remington 7600 in 308 win. This way you can hunt in brush or open field and hunt anything from coyotes to elk with fast follow ups and great accuracy.

 

[Ed Ames]

Are coyotes tasty?

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Coyotes are scavengers. Scavengers are generally not too tasty.

 

[Ed Ames]

Oh. But snakeman is willing to spend bullets on them in a SHTF situation.
Gloves? I'm not following.

Lots of coyotes around my house. I thought maybe they were walking larder or something.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Hard to go wrong with an M1A. It is more versatile than poodle shooters because it has longer range and enough punch for medium to large game. So whether you are hunting, competition shooting, or defending the home(land), an M1A makes a lot of sense.

I'd take a battle rifle of any sort over a poodle shooter, but of the battle rifles, I prefer the M1A.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

One gun for SHTF: AR15 type in .223
One gun for hunting: bolt action .375 H&H Magnum

If my math is correct, that's two guns

 

[Smith357]

I went with my stock answer to this age old question, I chose the Thompson Contender. One rifle shoots .22lr .223 .30-30 .357 and .45-70, if you choose the Encore then there are options like .308 .338 .12 guage et.et. It's the only platform I know of that instantly changes from a squirrel rifle to an elephant gun.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Must not have been paying much attention Acera, lol. But yes, the Mosin is my go to rifle.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Ever heard of Khyber pass?

Guys made AK out of beaten sheet metal and plumbing pipe, with out electricity, my point is that an AK can be built with 16th or 17th tech.

If you can make a knife, you can make an AK.

While the SKS is superior, this is 1 rifle, in post appoc.....

With an AK I can fix it with some scrap metal and a fire and basic tools, or make another one. With the forged receiver of many guns, when broke, stays broke. Also lots of spare parts, everywhere.

 

[Ed Ames]

Khyber pass guns are not examples of how simple the AK is, but how skilled those metalworkers are.

Something about starting to work metal at age 5....

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I certainly don't get why more people chose the AK-47 over the SKS. In semi-auto format the SKS is the superior choice. The only thing that ever made the AK more popular was select fire and low manufacturing costs. The SKS is more accurate and IMO more dependable.

Well, I wont argue your statement of an SKS being capable of better accuracy than an AK. But to say that an SKS is more dependable...... brother, thats stretching things further than Nancy Pelosi's facial skin.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Those Kyhber Pass guns looks like the might have come out of a factory with modern machinery. Very impressive work!

 

[M&PVolk]

I chose a 30-06 bolt action. Great range, versatile loads, and big enough for all North American game. We all know what it will do as a long range package and the rifle itself will require minimal maintenance. A bolt gun will hold up well. It wouldn't be perfect for zombies, but maybe you will allow me a handgun and shotgun for such things....

 

[Shadow 7D]

My point is, that when you are limited to 1 gun, it is going to be a bastard jack-of-all-trades, or the pinnacle of what you want to use it for.

Moderated by parts / ease of repair, accuracy, ammo, etc.

in my mind, the AK meets all these, especially if you get a better trigger and barrel, that said, as I'm just a gun nut and not a squirrel waiting for SHTF, I own an SKS as it is more fun to shoot.

 

[JEB]

i vote for lever action. more than likely a marlin in .357 mag/.38 for versitility between small and medium game and defence against 2 legged preditors

 

[matrdefndr]

Love my M1. A great piece of history and excellent power but when I'm considering a SHTF gun, it doesn't fit. Why? The M1 tosses the clip after firing the last round. Most SHTF situations assume that I'm not going to be able to take a break, drive over to my local C&R store and buy more clips. Assuming the S really has HTF, you now have to be extremely conscientious about picking up the clips off the ground. For me, that would be an extra distraction I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want.

It seems likely I'd eventually lose all the clips. Without a supply of clips, the M1 becomes a single shot rifle.

So, instead I'd pick a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win because it has a good balance of power and accuracy for most SHTF situations I can imagine. Plus the pounds spared on the gun allow for carrying of more food or ammo.

Of course, my BHP would be strapped to my side. That's the one go to gun that will always be on me in any bad situation.

 

[7.62x54mmR]

I have to go with the FN SCAR-H

 

[cz85cmbt]

1894 marlin .357, here in the northeast at least 80% of shots are taken at 50yds or so and 95% or more are taken around 100yds. The .357 can take anything in Maine at that range although a moose would requires some good bullet select and placement. .38 special loads can punch neat little holes in rabbit and other small game. Cheap easy to load for. .38 and .357 magnum widen variety of available ammo, and if you are allowing us one long arm and one handgun I can share ammo with a wheel gun for concealment. If I need something tactical the .357 can get me a corpses rifle.