What caliber is your SHTF Rifle?

[10-Ring]

308 currenlty. If & when I finish my 223 project completed & gets some rounds down range, that may change

 

[Diomed]

Right now, .303 (and 12 ga. SxS).

In a couple weeks, .30 carbine, possibly 7.62 NATO.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Mine is a Marlin 1894PG in .44 Magnum. I can create the most ammo for this, I like its size/weight/power/capacity ratio and it is the rifle I shoot the most. The 5.56 and 7.62x39 are nice and handy, but I won't count on needing an anti-personnel round in SHTF scenario in my parts.

Most likely a rifle will need to provide food and a "security blanket" more than anything else. For this role the .44 Magnum seems a good fit, especially paired with a good revolver. Sure, ammunition is a little heavy and round count is down, but I can accept that trade-off.

You boys all have fun defending the hacienda in the big city. I'll be kickin' around out back somewhere leading a cozy existence!

 

[Brian Williams]

I have to say if SHTF hit right now it would be my 1894C, but I would like to have an AK-47 with a under folder.

If TEOTWAWKI hit today it would be my 1894C and a S&W 13 3" with a Colt woodsman and a ruger 10/22 for my wife.

 

[Lonestar.45]

7.62x39, because I've got two SKS's and an AK and they get hungry!

After that, it's a hodge podge of 7.62x54 (Mosins), .270 Win, 30-30, 30-06, 12 gauge, .22lr, etc.

But, if SHTF tomorrow and the looters thought my house looked like a nice place for a free handout, I've got a lot of 7.62x39 I can give them.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Romanian mil-spec CUR II Ak 74 in 5.45x39 with a quick detach Romanian mil PSO-1 optic. If that isn't at hand, I'd replace it with my TANTAL in 5.45 (the TANTAL would probably be better in a big building because of the nice folder).

The AK is supplemented with my Steyr M9 in 9mm, and perhaps my Savage in .300 Win Mag if long range shots may be needed. It has a sling, but it probably wouldn't be the most pleasant piece to carry with another rifle for any extended period of time.

All in all, the first firearm I grab is an AK in 5.45. Full stop.

 

[Hazwaste]

Depends on Situation

If my family goes with me, 7.62x39 is the only caliber, other than .22LR, that feeds enough weapons in order for each of us to have one. Better to have a single common caliber, especially one for which I have thousands of rounds.

Of course, my priority in such a situation would be to AVOID going into a battle, while using the firearms only when absolutely necessary, such as in self-defense or hunting. I don't pretend to be capable of anything more than that.

 

[NineseveN]

I have two, I voted 30/30 since that is my first line of defense...but my second is a .308 FAL.

 

[english kanigit]

Mosin baby!

I love my SKS but I just don't have the 'stock pile' that would let me use it as a SHTF rifle. I think I've got maybe 180 rounds total...

 

[Dacoda]

for when SHTF? always stock a few hundred rounds (atleast) of 7.62x39 for the SKS, and a few thousand rounds of 9mm for the tec-9, ruger and hi-point carbine. and as a back up... a few boxes of 300 mag, and a case of 12 gauge shells. Am I leaving anything out? hmm... I'm all out of 7.62x54R. not like I shoot the mosin anymore anyway. oh yeah! .22lr's. dang at 8 bucks a box of 550, ANYONE can afford to stock up on them. last but not least... .357. but if S-DOES-EVER-HTF... regretfully, I think I'll be leaving the .357 behind. Sorry old pal.

 

[SnakeEater]

No doubt 7.62 Nato in a pair of PTR-91's. I've got over 150 mags and 5000rds of Lake City, plus a couple hundred tracers. Heavier than an AR? yep, but that's what slings are for. I'm a believer that it's better to have too much gun than not enough.

 

[Vitamin G]

AR-15 in my apartment...

SAR-1 at my parent's house.

 

[1911 guy]

Two is one and one is none.

Anything important deserves having two. So, my first pick is a .223/5.56 and my backup is a .308 bolt. They're both fairly ugly, to boot.

 

[RGL01]

Polytech M14/S 7.62mm NATO, with M1 Garand .30-06 in reserve.
M1911 as sidearm.
M1 Carbine for the wife.

 

[Stiletto Null]

8mm Mausers or 7.5 Swiss. It'd depend on which one I had more ammo for at the time.

My SKS is a secondary.

 

[celtik780]

Reply from France


My Marlin 336C (30/30)

Low profile rifle but good bullet in 0/50M shooting.

Really a versatil combinaison.



French froggy

 

[dfaugh]

For defensive purposes, 7.62x39, for high-rate-fire purposes.

But, supplemented by 12 gauge (both defensive and food gathering), .22 (food/game) and 9mm carbine as "just-plain-handy".

 

[V4Vendetta]

7.62x39mm.

EDIT:

"I love my SKS but I just don't have the 'stock pile' that would let me use it as a SHTF rifle. I think I've got maybe 180 rounds total... "

You think you got it bad? I only have 100. I counted.

 

[Sungun09]

45 watt sonic / laser

.308, 9mm auto

 

[Tom C.]

Primary rifle, M-1 Garand, .30-06
Secondary rifle, Ruger Mini-14, .223
Backup rifle, M-1 Carbine, .30 Carbine

 

[Leif]

2-ply.




(the non-smarta$$ reply is .44mag)

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

If'n we had time to grab rifles.. The boys would get the .22's. Although they're good enough with the other carbines, they're most proficient with .22's. And if I need a quiet round then I can use one too. If I was grabbing a rifle for myself, it'd be my 03-A3. (30-aught-6) It'd be really tough to leave the 30/30 behind though. Living up near the Canadian border I'm not too worried about an invasion though. I think we kin take'm.

-Steve

 

[50caliber123]

Starting in 2007, I am standardizing on .223 SS109 62gr and an Armalite AR-180b (I hope). For now, I'll stick with the MAK-90 in 7.62x39 and other support weapons. I like the MAK, but I want a little more velocity and a little lighter weight. Plus, it takes AR magazines, and is a US made weapon, not a combloc or Chinese manufacture.

 

[jrumsey]

For me it would be a AR15 in 6X45mm, loaded with 87 grain BTHP or V-Max bullets to around 2600 F.P.S. velocity.

 

[taxburdett]

My 1895 Cowboy in 45/70. Holds 9+1 and there isn't much S that it can't handle.