SHTF Rifle

[edrice]

A 158gr bullet will average about 1800fps from the Marlin barrel at the muzzle. At 100 yards the speed is down to 1369 fps. This is the same velocity you will get with a 6" revolver at the muzzle. At 250 yards the velocity is about 1000 fps or slightly faster than the +P 38 spl load from a 6" revolver at the muzzle.

You can find load data and get factory loaded ammo that will beat the 1800 fps by a bit but I won't push my rifle that hard. If I feel the need for more power I have bigger guns.

Here's Buffalo Bore's statistics for a 18.5 inch Marlin 1894 -

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!

Some of that is approaching 30-30 ballistics.

Ed

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Mine is an AR15.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I think the only viable option here is clearly a Barret .50Cal. It's accurate for sniping enemies to 1000 yards plus it will blow anyone trying to jump in your window clean in half...

 

[black_powder_Rob]

I would think either my marlin 336, or mini 14.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Hi Point!!!

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I'll be the guy that says....

Anything is better than nothing

I think a good accurate bolt action with a scope might be the weapon least praised, but most used in a SHTF situation. It keeps you away from your problems, and hunting would be less strenious with a gun that can cover 500 yds so you dont have to!

 

[30mag]

It'd be hard to beat a .30-30 lever action.


I would prefer something in .30-06 personally... perhaps a Remington semi-auto.

 

[General Disarray]

AR's? AK's? 336's? I'm psyched you all are going to leave all the .308 behind for all these different plinkers being mentioned. That leaves all the more for my FN-FAL; not that I'll need *too* much of it since the rifle and round are so effective.

 

[Deus Machina]

A riot-type situation? An SKS or converted Saiga. Total breakdown of society, where you may need to defend a community? Saiga in .308.

 

[Sinixstar]

AR's? AK's? 336's? I'm psyched you all are going to leave all the .308 behind for all these different plinkers being mentioned. That leaves all the more for my FN-FAL; not that I'll need *too* much of it since the rifle and round are so effective.

They're talking about suburban situations - which is where a majority of people live.
I'm with you.
So much the better for the rest of us. I live on top of a mountain. My environment has natural choke points with protected flanks. I don't want an all out assault rifle - i want somethin where I can sit up on a rock, and guard the road (the only realistic way up the mountain) from a few hundred yards back. Could hold off an invading army from up here.
My SHTF gun is a good .308, maybe a .270 or something that has good consistent long range effectiveness - and maybe a shotgun in case somebody gets too close for comfort.
Other than that - i'm in the woods, don't got too much to worry about.

 

[DoesItMatter]

I have a winchester 94 - .44 mag
Smith & Wesson model 29 - .44 mag
Taurus M44 - .44 mag

Very handy for interchangeable ammo.

Also have a Marlin 30-30

and a Taurus 357 mag - wish I had a 357 meg lever action

All the reloading gear to go along with them as well.

Should be good enough in Zombie situation!

 

[Sinixstar]

All the reloading gear to go along with them as well.

I think this is the most important piece. If SHTF - I imagine walking into the local big box store and pickin up some ammo - is probably not going to be the easiest thing in the world.

Knowing you can go out to the garage and load up - absolutely gives a peace of mind.