survival rifle

[Dragonboy]

I'm looking at getting a good all-around, the-excretement-has-hit-the-fan-and-it's-time-to-go rifle, preferably semiautomatic with a decent mag capacity (20-30 rounds), able to bring down a mule deer or other game as well as a human agressor and reliable enough that it'll still work if you don't clean it each day without fail. I've tenatively looked at AR - style weapons, but what I've heard is that they're underpowered and diffucult to clean. I've also poked around at the Ruger mini-14 and -30. The -14 has the same issue with being underpowered, but the -30 looked okay. any thoughts here?

 

[lions]

It sounds to me like you just described an AK...

 

[Green Lantern]

My first "real" (ie, bigger than a .22 ) Rifle was a milsurp, an un-issued Yugo SKS.

I think it meets all of your criteria except for mag capacity - but it does hold 10 rounds in a fixed mag, and reloads quickly from **CHEAP** stripper clips.

Of course...they haven't gotten any cheaper since I got mine. You might want to look into an AK as well. THEY'RE not getting any cheaper, they have large-capacity mags, and I think people say they're even MORE tolerant of neglect than an SKS.

Oh, both fire the 7.62x39 round...

I've not seen many "7.62x39 VS. .223/5.56" debates, but their reputation precedes them!

 

[Dragonboy]

never thought of that.........

 

[sarduy]

It sounds to me like you just described an AK...

hehehe...yes he did!

 

[Dragonboy]

I've also looked at using a 12-gauge...

 

[Dragonboy]

so....where to get an inexpensive AK?

 

[Babarsac]

google "Saiga" and "Saiga conversion"

 

[Brass Rain]

AK sounds about right. But the SKS has the advantage of not looking as much like an "assault rifle". And sometimes that could be a good thing.

If there's no bayonet at least...

 

[Green Lantern]

Hard to beat a good pump-action shotgun, too. Not that I wouldn't want a rifle to go with it, too...

If I had to pick ONE for a "SHTF" event where I'd have to put down four legged critters for food and possibly two-legged critters for survival? I don't know, actually...hmm.

 

[lions]

I'm looking at a romanian wasr 10 right now, they seem to be towards the bottom of the AK price spectrum. There are tons of threads about getting an AK and getting it cheap, you have come to the right place!

 

[ziggy222]

theres several accurate reliable carbines that will almost fit in a back pack in 45acp and 223 now.berretta,high point,ruger,kel tec.the ak would work but is'nt very accurate.the minis also have a design flaw that puts them in the ak category accuracy wise but more expensive.i would deffinately concidder a short shotgun as well.pistols are being made in very affective calibers these days and fit anywhere you want.its more important to have a gun than which gun you have so pick one that is easy to bring where your going.

 

[B.D. Turner]

If you are going to use any caliber for the long run be sure to buy something in a common caliber. 7.62x39 is only carried in a few gun shops around here or at gun shows. Military calibers dry up quickly from store shelves during an ammo scare. This has happened several times. Either stock up all you will ever need now or risk a useless rifle later.

 

[Dravur]

a Dillon Aero

After watching one on Mythbusters where it looked like a brass hose coming out the bottom dropping hot brass by the ton, I have come to believe that it is the ultimate in weapons...

If you are starving and need meat, nothing gets that for you better. Heck, you can have a whole herd of elk in about 4 milliseconds.

Zombies coming for dinner? Mow em down like mice in a thresher...

SHTF situation? well, you can feel totally manly with a Dillon Aero and no one will mess with you. You dont have any food, but know where some is? You go get it with the Dillon Aero.

Need a tree chopped down and don't have an axe? Not a problem.

See? The BEST all around gun for any situation.

 

[Jst1mr]

AR platform in .308...

NOT difficult to keep running, accurate and strong enough for mulies. I wouldn't rely on hitting and killing a 300lb mulie at 2-300 yards with an AK (esp. a cheap one!)

 

[Limeyfellow]

The SKS or AK47 would make an excellent choice. I would probably go with the SKS, even with the lower capacity and fixed magazine. It is slightly more accurate in general and you can throw on a Tech-sight TS200 and have an excellent peep sight near the eye. Both are easily maintained if need to be and require little in the range of looking after. They have sufficient power to take down game for eating, though of course you still want to do most of your eating by trapping and can take care of a two legged threat as been shown ample times.

Anything with more power is going to really drive up the price. An AR weapon is a great design and you could get another upper and bolt to use a larger calibre than the typical .223, but that is again going to drive up the cost and the standard .223 is a little small for my taste for use on animals without having to spend too much time tracking down the carcass.

 

[Picard]

I'd go with an AK, if not only for the coolness factor. They are also becoming hard to get.

Classicarms.us still has a few. I'd jump on one ASAP since their supplies have been dwindling lately. You can always get an SKS too since they're only $200. I'd just go for both.

 

[mr.trooper]

google "Saiga" and "Saiga conversion"

Or just buy an STG 2003 for the same price, and not worry about the hassle.

 

[MassMark]

M1A...