Crosshair
Member
I guess we can all agree that one should know how to use any weapon they might come across. I don't like AR's, but if I come across one and a boatload of 5.56, well, that's what I will use.
Shtf - Ak-?
- Thread starter Serum556
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I already have a good amount of '06 ammo, and 5.56 ammo, and now 7.62 Commie. Or at least enough for me.
I guess I was considering some time after the SHTF. But other posters are right. If I live long enough to use up all the ammo I have, I will count myself fortunate.
I guess I was considering some time after the SHTF. But other posters are right. If I live long enough to use up all the ammo I have, I will count myself fortunate.
Taurus 66
Member
If you had a SHTF scene play out for real, like an invading force, you'd want ammunition, lots of magazines already preloaded (what many overlook), extra parts and accessories (extra bolts, firing pins), tools, solvents, etc.
.223 or 5.56 x 45 would be ideal - you'd have more ammunition at equal the weight of the .308 or 7.62 x 39 if you were carrying. If holding your homestead, you'd want primarily .223 or 5.56 x 45 for accurate kill shots out to 300 yards. For body armor, 7.62 x 51 I heard could defeat armor out to 1,000 yards.
.223 or 5.56 x 45 would be ideal - you'd have more ammunition at equal the weight of the .308 or 7.62 x 39 if you were carrying. If holding your homestead, you'd want primarily .223 or 5.56 x 45 for accurate kill shots out to 300 yards. For body armor, 7.62 x 51 I heard could defeat armor out to 1,000 yards.
That's pretty much what I thought. So, most likely then, I'll go for a Vepr K in 7.62x39. Just gotta save some money for it. I have to lament though, I seem to have some odd fascination with the 5.45x39 round. Maybe after I have the 7.62 all ready to go, then I can go out and find a cheap 74 or other 5.45 to play around with. Thanks.
I'm always amused at how many times the "SHTF" scenario STARTS OUT with abandoning one's home and "heading for the woods". Given the HUNDREDS of threads and THOUSANDS of replies on the subject, those will be some mighty crowded "hills" for sure.
There are VERY few people on this board who could TRUELY survive more than a few WEEKS "in the woods".
Realistic "SHTF" scenarios should cover "waiting it out" at home, as well as "evacuating" to another safe STRUCTURE.
More important than "what caliber/weapon is best" would be "which brand of pork n beans has the longest shelf life and tastes best cold".
Of course, that's not nearly as fun...
There are VERY few people on this board who could TRUELY survive more than a few WEEKS "in the woods".
Realistic "SHTF" scenarios should cover "waiting it out" at home, as well as "evacuating" to another safe STRUCTURE.
More important than "what caliber/weapon is best" would be "which brand of pork n beans has the longest shelf life and tastes best cold".
Of course, that's not nearly as fun...
Come on Onslaught. That isn't tactical. 
I have begun collecting more magazines lately. Especially since I have found cheaper sources through links from this site. I need to work on the water/food part though. I need to think about plain old survival kits with tools, packs, and stuff as well. Having enough gas to make it anywhere is important also, especially if you will need to take slower backroads.
I have begun collecting more magazines lately. Especially since I have found cheaper sources through links from this site. I need to work on the water/food part though. I need to think about plain old survival kits with tools, packs, and stuff as well. Having enough gas to make it anywhere is important also, especially if you will need to take slower backroads.
Father Knows Best
Member
Onslaught, I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that moving will be necessary. Lots of us live in places that rely heavily on existing infrastructure of roads, transportation, commerce, etc., for daily survival. If the SHTF, and you can no longer drive to the local Piggly Wiggly for a six pack and a loaf of bread, what are you gonna do? In addition, most people now live in urban centers that would be the focus of any type of oppressing force.
If you live on a farm or in a rural/remote area, you're probably best off staying put and being prepared to sustain and defend yourself and your family in place. For most of us, though, our present situations are likely to be untenable for more than a few weeks in any type of SHTF scenario. The Sheeple will stay put and take whatever Big Brother hands out to them, but the rest of us will be heading for the woods, the hills or to join those of you holed up on your farms!
Still, you raise a very good point. Running aimlessly won't help anything, and you can't run forever. A big part of your plan should always be knowing what your destination options are and how you would get there, and having them somewhat prepared to receive you.
If you live on a farm or in a rural/remote area, you're probably best off staying put and being prepared to sustain and defend yourself and your family in place. For most of us, though, our present situations are likely to be untenable for more than a few weeks in any type of SHTF scenario. The Sheeple will stay put and take whatever Big Brother hands out to them, but the rest of us will be heading for the woods, the hills or to join those of you holed up on your farms!
Still, you raise a very good point. Running aimlessly won't help anything, and you can't run forever. A big part of your plan should always be knowing what your destination options are and how you would get there, and having them somewhat prepared to receive you.
Even without an external military force, I am concerned about gangs and other warlord types that might try to pop up. Not sure how long it would take for that to happen though. Depends on what area you live in. Gasoline will run out pretty quick also. Runaway fires could be an issue without water distribution to put it out. I have to consider that in my townhome.
Cpl Punishment
Member
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I would (and do) go with the 7.62x39mm in the AK.
I don't know about anyone else, but .223 is becoming harder to come by, almost as hard as 5.56x39mm, and both cost more than 7.62x39.
If I need a different ammo type, I figure the stores won't be open and buying ammo will be made verboten whether by an invading force, emergency services, etc, so I'll have to take it from a would-be aggressor. I'm not worried about what caliber it is, as the would-be aggressor's rifle will be lying right next to it.
Can anyone tell me why you don't want to pick up ammo that's just "laying around"?
I don't know about anyone else, but .223 is becoming harder to come by, almost as hard as 5.56x39mm, and both cost more than 7.62x39.
If I need a different ammo type, I figure the stores won't be open and buying ammo will be made verboten whether by an invading force, emergency services, etc, so I'll have to take it from a would-be aggressor. I'm not worried about what caliber it is, as the would-be aggressor's rifle will be lying right next to it.
Can anyone tell me why you don't want to pick up ammo that's just "laying around"?
Taurus 66
Member
Abandonment is not likely. Your best tactical advantage is at home along with neighbors who are in the same business as you. I pity those of you with hard core, left, anti-gun neighbors. It would be your job to seize their property and tell them to high tail it to the city. You, or defenders, could get more use from that house than the nutty left wing-a-ding moron who still refuses to pick up a gun even with the enemy on our shores and closing in. If there are woods anywhere near you (or all around you) then your home is located in an ideal setting. You would be using it for its valuable, plentiful resources.
MudPuppy
Member
Yeah, yeah, that's not our make believe game we're playing here. We're talking about what caliber!
Personally, I got a variety of calibers--including 308, 7.62x39, 5.45 and 5.56 (and a few other oddballs). But, my SHTF choice has to be able to reliably knock down a deer for food. That's the 7.62x39 at a minimum for me. I always have enough to stretch me out--but it is generally used for the invading paper army at the range. Another reason to "bug in"--can't hump all that stuff!
I want to have an AK in the three major AK calibers at some point--and a 308 too! Maybe tool up an oddball at some point in the long term (saw a guy building one in 45!). I'd like a 50Beowulf or a 6.5 or 6.8 AK.
Personally, I got a variety of calibers--including 308, 7.62x39, 5.45 and 5.56 (and a few other oddballs). But, my SHTF choice has to be able to reliably knock down a deer for food. That's the 7.62x39 at a minimum for me. I always have enough to stretch me out--but it is generally used for the invading paper army at the range. Another reason to "bug in"--can't hump all that stuff!
I want to have an AK in the three major AK calibers at some point--and a 308 too! Maybe tool up an oddball at some point in the long term (saw a guy building one in 45!). I'd like a 50Beowulf or a 6.5 or 6.8 AK.
Commissar Gribb
Member
because we all know there aren't any other rifles that shoot the standard nato caliber.
Taurus 66
Member
Yes, but sir, how much can one take in about "this or that" or "5.56 or 7.62"? How much can be really said that's NEW?
I shot this. It was good. I shot that. It was good too. Both are good. One's better than the other. Neither is good. Both are average. 223 is better than 308. 308's better, Yotta Yotta ...
Why can there not be two SHTF subtopics under one main topic, which are split and yet sometimes merge, then perhaps divide again? Does it get to be too complicated? If you require more simple conversations, we will politely oblige. I mean don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to get cute with you, so please don't go there.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Jim
Well, if it happened tomorrow, my choice would be between my AR or my M1A. I can hump more ammo with my AR, but my M1A is more powerful and more accurate for me. It would be my first choice if driving.
I have ordered a VEPR in 7.62X39, but haven't gotten it yet so that might change. Not sure it is any lighter then the other guns though I guess I will find out about reliability.
As for bugging out, I don't think I would right away unless forced to by food or water issues. My parents have some land with woods and hunting opportunities about 70 miles away. The only problem there is that there are so many people with homes and land within 2 hours drive of Houston, the game animals would be wiped out within a few months with all the people hunting on their little plots of land. It would definitely be rough going even in the rural areas.
How is that for covering two topics?
I have ordered a VEPR in 7.62X39, but haven't gotten it yet so that might change. Not sure it is any lighter then the other guns though I guess I will find out about reliability.
As for bugging out, I don't think I would right away unless forced to by food or water issues. My parents have some land with woods and hunting opportunities about 70 miles away. The only problem there is that there are so many people with homes and land within 2 hours drive of Houston, the game animals would be wiped out within a few months with all the people hunting on their little plots of land. It would definitely be rough going even in the rural areas.
How is that for covering two topics?
Taurus 66
Member
It's two sub-topics combined into one main SHTF topic. You did extremely well from what I've read. Everyone is contributing knowledge here, and now it's not as boring. It's like putting your favorite spice(s) on quiche to liven it up.
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