The only rifle that you could take.

[Nashoba]

Hi everybody.
I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this subject has been beaten to death.

As of right now, the only decent rifle that I own is a very "pre-owned" Mosin Nagant, and pretty soon I will have enough money ($1000-$2000) to buy a new rifle. The problem that I have is that I will probably not be able to buy another rifle for quite awhile, and I would like to buy one that will fit all/most of my needs. So lies my decision making conundrum.
This may sound a little nutty, but I want to be able to roll out of my bed one day, grab my rifle, and possibly never come back. If I had to do this, I want my rifle to first and foremost, be adequate for protecting my loved ones from danger, (rabid kittens, SPETSNAZ, etc.) and secondly, be a reliable tool for hunting deer sized game at short to moderate ranges. I've heard debate after debate on what the best rifle is for this kind of role, and I've had a good many opinions about the subject myself. Right now I am kinda partial towards a Winchester or Marlin 30-30 lever action, but an AR or AK is not very far off in my thoughts.

So what do y'all think I should buy? I am open to all suggestions, and I would enjoy hearing an argument on why you think your selected rifle is the best.
Thanks.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I would pick an AR. The plethora of parts, ammo, accessories, and magazines available nationwide would make it the easiest rifle to maintain. Whether it be grabbing some more magazines at a Cabela's 500 miles away from home, or getting a new firing pin out of an AR you found in an abandoned police cruiser post-apocalypse, there will always be plenty of AR "stuff" around to keep that rifle running indefinitely. The same can't really be said of any other rifle. Sure there are things around for an AK or a 30-30, but not everywhere like with AR stuff. You like your Rock River AR the way you customized it, but something broke and your buddy has 2 Colts. No need to swap the whole rifle, just pull the part out and put it in yours. Everything works in every model, no matter the brand. True interchangeability. Your mags go in his rifle, his go in yours. Standard GI mag carriers and web gear fits everything you need if you need it. Nothing has to be specific to you particular brand or model. Something you can't really find with a 30-30. Lever guns are nice guns, but they are pretty niche.

Most high level training is geared towards the AR as well. Magpul, Thunder Ranch, etc all teach AR tactics. If you want to be trained to be an expert with just one rifle, you have the most options with an AR platform.

 

[RobGR]

Basically, the SHTF scenario rifle, easily maintained and plenty of available ammo.

Well, AK47 has a proven track record in battle all over the world. The platform carries all major calibers, 556x45 and 762x39 being the most abundant in our neck of the woods. You can use 762x39 or 762x51 for hunting too.

Go 30 sec into this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgrJElGOMMg

But before you "head out the door", reflect on what history has taught us, namely Hurricane Katrina and the BS that went down. You'll want something that also collapses down and doesn't draw attention, otherwise Blackwater will be kicking down your door and taking away your firearms. So get a solid platform and save $200 to SBR it.

 

[CWL]

Your BEST rifle for those circumstances may likely be a 12 ga pump shotgun.

Reliability, availability & selection of ammunition for various tasks, ease of use, SHTF, etc.

 

[Nashoba]

A shotgun would be an awesome choice for SHTF, but I've already ruled it out as my primary go-to weapon. That doesn't stop me from keeping one under the bed though.

 

[Stealth01]

From your requirements... definitely the AR! Extremely versatile weapon from plinking, hunting, and most important self defense! The ammunition is cheap and readily available... and you can modify it to meet your needs or wants!

 

[Abel]

You could go with a 12ga shotgun, a 223 AR, or a Marlin 30-30. Neither would be incorrect. With your budget, I'd opt for an AR. You can always pick up an old 30-30 for $300-400 bucks later on down the road. And a used Mossburg 12ga is even less expensive than that.

 

[MistWolf]

I have been buying and shooting firearms for more years than I care to admit to. (Where those years went, I'm uncertain.) But the one thing experience has taught me, if you really want another firearm, you will make it happen, even it means brown bagging it and only being able to save $5 a paycheck. (The other thing it taught me is that you don't need a specialized rifle for every job!) Planning to buy your one and only do-it-all rifle is a bit silly. Still, you should have a good general purpose rifle.

Mission drives the gear. The more general the mission statement the more general the configuration of your rifle. It may not do any one thing well but the one thing it will do reliably is shoot.

What you really need is a reliable, simple rifle that will adapt to the job at hand and one that the you are willing to adapt your tactics to. You must be willing to learn the strengths and weaknesses of that rifle. That means you and only you are responsible for choosing the right rifle for you.

My advice would be to get a good 03-A3. It's simple, rugged and the 30-06 is one of the most useful and flexible calibers ever devised. Practice the manual of arms until it becomes familiar. Learn to work the bolt without dropping the rifle from your shoulder. Learn to top off the magazine without taking your eyes off the target. Shoot and hunt with that rifle until you start identifying what works for you and what doesn't. If it's not working for you, be honest and trade it for something that does. Rinse and repeat until you finally trade into something that does work.

Not the simplest solution, but it's one that will teach you how to evaluate your needs and fill them.

If the idea of the 03-A3 leaves you with strong objections, start with something else. "Too much recoil" you say? Ok, start with a lighter caliber, but realize a lighter caliber means it's suitable for lighter game. To fix any objection requires a trade off. Less weight means more recoil, faster action means more complexity and weight. A shorter barrel means more muzzle blast. Higher velocity or heavier bullet means more recoil- and so on. Remember- TANSTAAFL: "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch".

I will say it again because it bears repeating- you and only you are responsible for choosing the right rifle for you.

One last thing to remember- The best general purpose rifle will do you no good if you aren't a good general purpose rifleman. You will find the answers to your questions while shooting, not on the internet

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

How easy is it to get replacement parts for an 03-A3? Can they be found in stock online at any time and shipped to your house in a few days? Does the average Dunham's or Dick's have replacement parts and accessories to the 03-A3?

Subby said "only one rifle". That means if it breaks and you can't fix it, you have zero rifles. If you need more gear for it, can you find it at moment's notice at any gun shop or sports gear shop in the country? Can you swap barrels to another caliber, change optics to fit different ranges, easily replace bent or damaged iron sights in a few minutes? As far as I know, only the AR-15 fits the bill.

 

[K1500]

If you have really have 2,000 you can buy an AR with mid range optics and a 10-22. Then you could afford to shoot a bunch with a gun that will train you for your AR. Trust me, the 10-22 WILL pay for itself in a short period of time.

If you choose a .30-30 (a great budget choice BTW), you will have money left over for even more stuff.

 

[MAJ Mike]

I'd take my HK91 (7.62NATO) with the collapsing stock and EOTech sight. I know its heavy, but the 7.62 has real stopping power and is commonly available. The EOTech takes two each AA batteries, also very common and I've retained the iron sights if needed. It's a rugged firearm that has taken several whitetail deer and would be effective against human targets in body armor..

 

[mnhntr]

AR10 in 308

 

[MistWolf]

How easy is it to get replacement parts for an 03-A3? Can they be found in stock online at any time and shipped to your house in a few days? Does the average Dunham's or Dick's have replacement parts and accessories to the 03-A3?

Subby said "only one rifle". That means if it breaks and you can't fix it, you have zero rifles. If you need more gear for it, can you find it at moment's notice at any gun shop or sports gear shop in the country? Can you swap barrels to another caliber, change optics to fit different ranges, easily replace bent or damaged iron sights in a few minutes? As far as I know, only the AR-15 fits the bill.

You missed the part where I said if you find the 03-A3 objectionable, choose something else. As far as spare parts go, if you plan to operate any firearm in an environment where spares are important get those spares before you need them!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

M1A. Complete spare bolt and a bunch of mags.

 

[Telekinesis]

For your requirements, I would probably pick a good quality AR. And don't buy all of the accessories to hang off the rifle at the same time. Save the money and shoot the rifle a little bit and then decide what else you want on the gun. Every wonder gadget in the world sounds like a great idea when you're buying stuff online, but once you really start using the gun, you realize that its a lot of extra weight for not much gain.

The only reason I would opt away from the AR is your requirement for hunting game. I know .223 can kill a deer, I'd just prefer that the animal drop quicker if I was hunting the animal for food. You could go with a larger caliber upper for that though. (thinking something like 6.8 or .300 Blackout)

If you really foresee this as being a shtf rifle and are planning to use it for something like a Katrina type event, I would also recommend that you SBR the rifle and have a short upper. Walking around with a rifle will make you stand out from the crowd, which is exactly what you don't want to do unless you absolutely have to in that kind of situation. Smaller guns make that easier. You may also want a larger caliber than .223 for this though, as .223 relies mainly on velocity for terminal ballistics and a short barrel won't help much. A suppressor could also be useful.

 

[Wes Mantooth]

Mission drives the gear.

MistWolf

If it's 1942 and you're defending Stalingrad from the Nazi horde, take you Mosin-Nagant.

I have often thought about saddling up a horse and putting my Win 30-30 in the scabbard and riding off into the sunset.

Sorry MistWolf...I boogered up trying to quote you in my post.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You could buy a lot of rifles for that amount.

 

[JimBoIHN]

Remington 7600 pump 30.06. Maybe have a scope for hunting.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Do you own a handgun?

 

[Panzercat]

If you can find parts so easily for your doomsday rifle, chances are its already lying at your feet in one piece. Pick it up and use it already.

 

[warbirdlover]

Remington 700 in .270 Winchester with a good scope.

 

[snakeman]

Several types of guns will work for this...lever action 30/30, forget the ak, it's lack of accuracy makes it a 150 yard gun on deer max, as far the ar goes, it's underpowered in 223 but will work if necessary and will also be a 150 yard gun on deer. The remington 7600 30-06 carbine would be a good choice as would the savage 99.
I know there are other options that 5.56 in the ar but if you plan on this being a go to gun to take anywhere those other calibers simply won't work due to hard to come by ammo. And yes I know the ak and sks are potent enough to do the job and super reliable but both lack in the accuracy department and are kind of heavy.
A howa ranchland compact in 308 would work if you don't mind a bolt action.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Marlin 336 30-30- and a Marlin 39a. Done for under a grand easy, ammo, peep souths to follow and plenty of ago. Goods luck. Or go with what fits you best.... Im also partial to levers and don't have/not going to have an ar15 at any point. Big believer in seeing what you like best.

 

[Mr.Blue]

My two grab and go rifles are my Daniel Defense V1 AR (for my wife) and my Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle (me). I advocate the Ruger for a few reasons.

1. Rugers and bolt actions in particular are rugged and reliable.
2. The .308 is better for big game and for barrier penetration.
3. .308 is very available (maybe not as much s .223), as it is a NATO round.
4. Gunsite Scout is lighter and shorter than other bolt-actions.
5. It comes with 10 round mags which allows you to get into a firefight. That said, I doubt you will ever need that capability. You won't be recreating "Red Dawn" anytime soon.
6. I have a quick detach Scout scope with sturdy back up irons.

 

[451 Detonics]

I would consider buying 2 guns instead of just one. A decent basic AR and a 10/22. A basic AR can be added to over time and a 10/22 will make for cheap practice.