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long term 2 gun combos for the Great Basin
- Thread starter koyote
- Start date
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- Jan 26, 2007
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45LC is very hard to find consistently, Atleast in Colorado. I regret getting my Henry in 45LC. It's a buck a bullet and you can only get it in the fall seemingly.
Someone said something about a M1 Carbine, I also have one of those, which is just great and I'd recommend to anyone. Just be careful and check it over well, I've been seeing alot of really nice looking guns on the outside and the insides are a damn mess lately. Like the mini14 I found "slightly used" (thats what the tag said) great looking body, new paint and everything, opened it up...Yeah whats that saying about a great body and nasty insides people use about hookers, it applies here.
As far as a handgun, I have never shot anything other than a 1911 and probably won't ever use anything else.
If you're dead set on a historical set, cowboy style I can't be much help other than warning you about the 45LC, everyone else has interesting ideas though.
I like the look of that Marlin on page 1, but I already have too many things that can kill people according to the old lady.
Quick Edit: 22 is a great round, but most of it is so light weight I wouldn't and don't trust it in the wind, I've never been out there but even at the range at 50 yards on a windy day they blow around. Well all rounds do but idk about relying on something that size, Mulies get pretty decent size given enough time and food. And I would be concerned about predators, not bears obviously, but if you got mountain lions running around like we do, you need something thats gonna be able to stop him or her mid jump or your dinner. Sneaky bastids.
Someone said something about a M1 Carbine, I also have one of those, which is just great and I'd recommend to anyone. Just be careful and check it over well, I've been seeing alot of really nice looking guns on the outside and the insides are a damn mess lately. Like the mini14 I found "slightly used" (thats what the tag said) great looking body, new paint and everything, opened it up...Yeah whats that saying about a great body and nasty insides people use about hookers, it applies here.
As far as a handgun, I have never shot anything other than a 1911 and probably won't ever use anything else.
If you're dead set on a historical set, cowboy style I can't be much help other than warning you about the 45LC, everyone else has interesting ideas though.
I like the look of that Marlin on page 1, but I already have too many things that can kill people according to the old lady.
Quick Edit: 22 is a great round, but most of it is so light weight I wouldn't and don't trust it in the wind, I've never been out there but even at the range at 50 yards on a windy day they blow around. Well all rounds do but idk about relying on something that size, Mulies get pretty decent size given enough time and food. And I would be concerned about predators, not bears obviously, but if you got mountain lions running around like we do, you need something thats gonna be able to stop him or her mid jump or your dinner. Sneaky bastids.
I have tried to read it all and for the most part Koyote I like how you are thinking for this combo. The only thing is I really like the thought of going on to the the superblackhawk in 44 mag. Not really much size diffrence and you always have that capability. Keith did do a lot with the 44 special true but he developed the 44 mag for some reason. I personally carry a 4 5/8 super blackhawk. I have it off right now getting the gripframe swaped to a alumminum one. Should come in at around 39 oz un loaded. 7 1/2 & 10 1/2 Super blackhawk has a bigger grip frame but the factory 4 5/8 and 5 1/2 models have the smaller regular blackhawk grip frame (look at the trigger guards) My blackhawk was cut down to 4 5/8 so it has the bigger frame. I am swapping the frame to get the smaller one so I can put a set of laser grips on it. And I figured while he had it why not get a alloy frame to make it a little lighter. There are some older 44 blackhawks that have the alloy frame from the factory you could search the used market for that. Now for the rifle lever action 1894 is hard to beat. But I think you should give the ruger 77/44 bolt actions a look. It can be had in stainless and typically bold actions are more accurate and a little more rugged. What ever sound like you are on the right track. O and I might be a little partial to this combo because it is what I have and use 
I also like your 32 thought. I am considering having a 32 wheel gun built. I have seen several builders that building rugers that have 32 h & r mag, 32-20, and 327 federal cylinders. The 32 h & r could shoot 32 shorts and longs. Seems real versitle to me.
I also like your 32 thought. I am considering having a 32 wheel gun built. I have seen several builders that building rugers that have 32 h & r mag, 32-20, and 327 federal cylinders. The 32 h & r could shoot 32 shorts and longs. Seems real versitle to me.
Fun reading to say the least.
I grew up in Eastern Ore and worked for a couple ranchers at times, and spent countless hours out roaming around, sometimes on horseback.
I never found myself wanting a pistol cartridge rifle. I fired a .38-40 and a .44-40, as well as a .44 Mag in lever guns of different barrel lengths and found them to be so lacking I'd rather not bother with the rifle at all. The old Winchesters were cool, (Colt pistols) and I liked them for that reason only. The ammo that was great in the pistols were to soft in a rifle to some degree, and rifle loads didn't expand much out of the pistol, so really the ammo wasn't as interchangeable as I thought it might be. I found I was deadly enough for most activities with a medium length barreled .44 or .357. My experience was with Ruger Blackhawks.
For real use, I had bad envy for a Rem Model 600, and a Ruger wheel-gun in .22 Mag.!
I know you've been talking about the "cowboy" set-up but for real world practicality, I'd rather have a higher energy rifle in a handy package, and either a .22 or .22 Mag revolver, ( preferably one with two cylinders) as this allows you to hunt whatevers close enough to be reasonable without challenging yourself to doing without food, and a pistol for small game, etc.
I did carry a .357 or .44 pistol quite a bit with a Marlin 36A handy. That combo was as good as the set-up mentioned earlier.
You can eat plenty good with a .22 and some patience.
I grew up in Eastern Ore and worked for a couple ranchers at times, and spent countless hours out roaming around, sometimes on horseback.
I never found myself wanting a pistol cartridge rifle. I fired a .38-40 and a .44-40, as well as a .44 Mag in lever guns of different barrel lengths and found them to be so lacking I'd rather not bother with the rifle at all. The old Winchesters were cool, (Colt pistols) and I liked them for that reason only. The ammo that was great in the pistols were to soft in a rifle to some degree, and rifle loads didn't expand much out of the pistol, so really the ammo wasn't as interchangeable as I thought it might be. I found I was deadly enough for most activities with a medium length barreled .44 or .357. My experience was with Ruger Blackhawks.
For real use, I had bad envy for a Rem Model 600, and a Ruger wheel-gun in .22 Mag.!
I know you've been talking about the "cowboy" set-up but for real world practicality, I'd rather have a higher energy rifle in a handy package, and either a .22 or .22 Mag revolver, ( preferably one with two cylinders) as this allows you to hunt whatevers close enough to be reasonable without challenging yourself to doing without food, and a pistol for small game, etc.
I did carry a .357 or .44 pistol quite a bit with a Marlin 36A handy. That combo was as good as the set-up mentioned earlier.
You can eat plenty good with a .22 and some patience.
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Good point about the ammo not being as interchangeable, though I think there's a factor of "needs must" that's available with that. I'm personally looking more at related families- and a light load .44 special out of a .44 mag lever gun could do well for smaller game if done right. (head shot on a bunny should be doable. that's how I kill them with a pellet gun)
There's some really cooking long gun loads for the .44mag. Still and all, I have a friend who really highly recommends a .45-70 lever gun.
I have a fine .22 revolver that's hunting accurate, and with the .22 rifles we have available, one is in the van anyway. I'd rather have a k-32 in 6 inch than a .22 magnum, though. reloading capability is important to me.
There's some really cooking long gun loads for the .44mag. Still and all, I have a friend who really highly recommends a .45-70 lever gun.
I have a fine .22 revolver that's hunting accurate, and with the .22 rifles we have available, one is in the van anyway. I'd rather have a k-32 in 6 inch than a .22 magnum, though. reloading capability is important to me.
just throwing stuff out there.
reuse primers with toy caps
444 marlin from memory can use bullets you'd use in a 44.
Rossi makes a 454 lever that still holds a good amount.
you could make sabot loads from 32 rounds. I'm personally waiting to see somebody try the .327 with sabots.
Reloading is sweet- but, some calibers that are really small or small power loads, you can probably buy 22 ammo for that will do the job just as fine for even cheaper than you can reload for.
reuse primers with toy caps
444 marlin from memory can use bullets you'd use in a 44.
Rossi makes a 454 lever that still holds a good amount.
you could make sabot loads from 32 rounds. I'm personally waiting to see somebody try the .327 with sabots.
Reloading is sweet- but, some calibers that are really small or small power loads, you can probably buy 22 ammo for that will do the job just as fine for even cheaper than you can reload for.
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I'd accept that except that the rifle, whatever it is, may be int he truck or not carried everywhere. And I'd much rather have more splat if I need something.
Remember this isn't specifically "no home wilderness survival for years" type stuff. This is tooling around the desert, with some thoughts to full utility.
The .30-30 is interesting, and functional, but I don't think it's ideally suited to the environment. if I want that range limitation, i'll go with the .44 or .357. if I really want 'heavy deer rifle" type performance, the .444 or .45-70 are going to be better options at range. IMO
the main argument for the .25ACP over the .22LR is reliability. Which hasn't go much to do with the actual topic (but does have something to do with reloading)
since it's been common in responses to have people say ".32? just use a .22!" I'll post a bit more data.
.32 SW Long, the smallest of the .32 family under consideration -
98 grain LSWC, fired froma .32 colt police revolver, at 915 FPS, for a muzzle energy at 182 foot pounds. Now, the "real men" will laugh at this pansy round that would bounce off their square chins, yadda yadda. but my point is that this is a world of difference from a .22LR.
At the other end of the scale, you've got 83 grain LWC loads pushing 695 fps and generating 89 foot pounds, but I can promise you it will be a more reliable knock down than a 36 grain .22 round. (I'll explain why if it's not obvious, but look at airgun hunters and the difference between results with .177 7.5 grain pellets and 14.3 grain .22 pellets fired with the same computed muzzle energy.)
and that's the smallest of the .32 family. A revolver chambered for the .32 H&R magnum, will shoot the .32 SWL just fine, but have loads available with power up in the .38 to .38+p area. the .327 is higher still.
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a world of difference. but does it make a world of difference to the game.
looking at what animals you want to shoot
I'd say a 22 would be good for the light stuff, with follow up shots if needed.
me personally I would not want a 32 cal handgun for the big stuff in what you stated. Shooting an Elk with a 32 is not my cup of tea. a 44 or something along those lines makes more sense to me. that bull that charged the toyota, again I want a big bullet.
the handgun to me is for SD. in your area you have big animals. Use something with a big bullet. 44/45. long term, use enough lead from your supplies with cast bullets to get the job done well so you stay alive and breathing.
I don't know why you have to have a lever gun in the same caliber when you said you won't be carrying it much anyway. A 30 carbine or 327 is not up to specs with even a thirty thirty. You won't have to calculate as much drop. A 30 carbine is not really that great for the large animals you have mentioned.
if the 32 makes that big of a difference to you on small game, like I've said there are adapters for you to shoot it out of very potent 30 cal rounds, like 3030, 308, 30-06, etc. A 30-06 blows away a 327 even if it's in a longgun. Long term a thirty cal is going to use less lead from your supply, but with increased velocity will kill very well.
When you say rimfires can't be reloaded
1. 22 ammo is about 3 cents a round and up
2. I just bought primers. they are 4 cents each. They are unless you're pulling tricks the same as 22 rimfire- a one use time only.
3. Since you have a 22 lr revolver, there is a trick to keep that running even when every ammo store is out of 22 lr ammo. But since you have 12,000 rounds I doubt you'll need that trick.
4. 22 mag can be reloaded. If for some reason there was no 22 mag ammo in stores, there is a trick. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744295&page=2
When you talk about groups of reloaders all are still dependent on how many primers they stored. Yes, I know a guy who could reload 32 hr mag for me, but once he's out of primers and powder, game over. "Long term" is still dependent on how much critical supplies reload ers have stocked.
If you need a heavy hitter with ability to cast bullets for up to 200 yards or so, get a 444 or a 45-70 if you want a lever. I'd throw in calibers like 35 whelen, 375 etc for non lever guns. The shotgun still is a great option for throwing a big piece of lead that you can cast- if you need that amount of killing power at medium distances.
looking at what animals you want to shoot
I'd say a 22 would be good for the light stuff, with follow up shots if needed.
me personally I would not want a 32 cal handgun for the big stuff in what you stated. Shooting an Elk with a 32 is not my cup of tea. a 44 or something along those lines makes more sense to me. that bull that charged the toyota, again I want a big bullet.
the handgun to me is for SD. in your area you have big animals. Use something with a big bullet. 44/45. long term, use enough lead from your supplies with cast bullets to get the job done well so you stay alive and breathing.
I don't know why you have to have a lever gun in the same caliber when you said you won't be carrying it much anyway. A 30 carbine or 327 is not up to specs with even a thirty thirty. You won't have to calculate as much drop. A 30 carbine is not really that great for the large animals you have mentioned.
if the 32 makes that big of a difference to you on small game, like I've said there are adapters for you to shoot it out of very potent 30 cal rounds, like 3030, 308, 30-06, etc. A 30-06 blows away a 327 even if it's in a longgun. Long term a thirty cal is going to use less lead from your supply, but with increased velocity will kill very well.
When you say rimfires can't be reloaded
1. 22 ammo is about 3 cents a round and up
2. I just bought primers. they are 4 cents each. They are unless you're pulling tricks the same as 22 rimfire- a one use time only.
3. Since you have a 22 lr revolver, there is a trick to keep that running even when every ammo store is out of 22 lr ammo. But since you have 12,000 rounds I doubt you'll need that trick.
4. 22 mag can be reloaded. If for some reason there was no 22 mag ammo in stores, there is a trick. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744295&page=2
When you talk about groups of reloaders all are still dependent on how many primers they stored. Yes, I know a guy who could reload 32 hr mag for me, but once he's out of primers and powder, game over. "Long term" is still dependent on how much critical supplies reload ers have stocked.
If you need a heavy hitter with ability to cast bullets for up to 200 yards or so, get a 444 or a 45-70 if you want a lever. I'd throw in calibers like 35 whelen, 375 etc for non lever guns. The shotgun still is a great option for throwing a big piece of lead that you can cast- if you need that amount of killing power at medium distances.
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I'm sure many will call BS on this, but the 22LR has shot and killed more deer than one might want to believe. My Dad said back in the great depression, his uncles and Dad shot deer year round for feeding their farm family... and mostly with a 22! He said they never played with sniper "head shots", but always relied on the tried and true heart/lung shot and most of the time the deer would be DRT. In a state where there is no caliber requirements for deer, I have shot two with a 22 (Revolver)! No, I'm not bragging or saying it's a deer round, just sayin.
I'd not pick a long and short gun of the same caliber unless it was to be the 22. In that case, the revolver would just be sot of a back-up to the rifle in case something should ever go wrong with it.
Anyway.. carry on.... :thumbup:
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And one more thing.
I would certainly NOT want me shooting at me with a 22, be it handgun or rifle... at any range! ha ha
I would certainly NOT want me shooting at me with a 22, be it handgun or rifle... at any range! ha ha
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For any kind of long term survival situation, I want the most simple reliable rifle I can find, and that means a bolt action. Out in wide open country of the Great Basin, I would want something that shoots flat (not something with a rainbow shaped trajectory like all the big bores that have been mentioned!). It also needs to be light and packable. For medium game (eg. deer, antelope), my pick would probably be .243 Win rifle (Remington M700), backed up by a .357 revolver (Ruger GP100). With lighter bullets, it makes a descent "varmit" rifle as well.
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I like the combo gun idea. I have run a .44mag combo gun before here in AZ. I hunt often, like 2-3 times a year and usually hunt rifle/pistol and generally am bringing home game from over half of my hunts. (humble stats for AZ)
If you are set on a combo gun my recommendation is for the .357.
If I was thinking of running solo on the hoof for long periods of time my vote would be for an utterly reliable rifle like a bolt action in a common proven cartridge like 30-06 or .308 paired with a .357 revolver. There are some strong points for the 12 gauge also.
Most of my hunting is in ruff border country. So generally when I hunt I carry a pistol that is more tuned to self defense then old west aesthetics.
My opinion is why are you limiting yourself to a pistol cartridge. I understand the performance out of a rifle is increased. You are going to want EVERY advantage if you are feeding your family in a dire situation. The power of a full size rifle can't be compared to a pistol carbine.
That being said my wife and I both run carbines and glocks in our bug out bags. I have always been in the mind that software is much more important than hardware. I have put more rounds down range with a AR platform than any other. (Literally 100's of thousands) I can run one in any light condition, out to 600m and maintain one in any weather condition (because I have, from afghanistan, to iraq ect..). I have been programmed for over 15 years to run one in the service and in competition. My only advice is whatever gun you choose. From a .22 to a whatever. Learn to run, maintain, repair and feed it.
.02
If you are set on a combo gun my recommendation is for the .357.
If I was thinking of running solo on the hoof for long periods of time my vote would be for an utterly reliable rifle like a bolt action in a common proven cartridge like 30-06 or .308 paired with a .357 revolver. There are some strong points for the 12 gauge also.
Most of my hunting is in ruff border country. So generally when I hunt I carry a pistol that is more tuned to self defense then old west aesthetics.
My opinion is why are you limiting yourself to a pistol cartridge. I understand the performance out of a rifle is increased. You are going to want EVERY advantage if you are feeding your family in a dire situation. The power of a full size rifle can't be compared to a pistol carbine.
That being said my wife and I both run carbines and glocks in our bug out bags. I have always been in the mind that software is much more important than hardware. I have put more rounds down range with a AR platform than any other. (Literally 100's of thousands) I can run one in any light condition, out to 600m and maintain one in any weather condition (because I have, from afghanistan, to iraq ect..). I have been programmed for over 15 years to run one in the service and in competition. My only advice is whatever gun you choose. From a .22 to a whatever. Learn to run, maintain, repair and feed it.
.02
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I won't argue the utility of the .22 - and our "end of times" plans include a lot of .22 -- hence the rotating 10-15k rounds of it and rifles and pistols in the caliber out the arse. I also tend to sway towards accurate old school, easy to repair models, except for the 2 more modern ones- savage 64 and glenfield (marlin 60)
I will say that I'd prefer, all else aside, to wander around with a bit more oomph for various reasons, snake shot not the least of it. The .32 family, which runs from the unmentionably anemic .32 short (forget it!), the .32SWL, .32HRM, and .327FM are all interchangeable in the right weapons.
Same story with the .44s, though at that point, comparison to the .22 for broad game work is silly.
Okay, for a hunting trip, I have 4 .30 caliber rifles - all bolt actions- to choose from. 3 of them are milsurp, in various stages of sporterization. One is a ZC action custom barreled 24 inch .308 with good optics. It's not a "hiking weight" rifle, but it's a fine, fine hunting weapon for 300 yard ranges.
The rifle under consideration here fills a few purposes- one is the ease fo reloading and ability to modify cases for a pistol if neeeded, the whole long term frugality approach.
Thinking of this as a truck gun, a saddle rifle, and a daily shooter is appropriate as well. While I see no reason to restrict myself to the .22 for that, I also see no reason to specifically tune it for delicate optics and 400 yard elk work. That's more special purpose.
I have no real difficulty with the rainbow trajectories. Yes, a .30-06 has a MPBR of 275 yards versus 175 to maybe 200 for a tuned .44 magnum. But again, this isn't the 400 yard elk shot!
In sheer number of rounds, I've shot more 12 ga that anything else, followed by .22 and either .38 special or .32acp - I was fortunate enough even in the navy to get plenty of shotgun practice and fire the contract .38 revolver periodically. (and the m-14 and .45, but since I have owned .38s for a while and keep my shotgun game up by killing tactical coffee cans in the countryside). I'm quite comfortable with the 500, 590, 870 weapons in their range. on a 15 round string I'm a bit faster with a 20, but get about the same number of knockdowns.
In pistols, I'm not really limiting myself to cowboy guns- my country carry is a K-38 6 inch, which I suppose has a "cowboy length" barrel, but it's a regular DA revolver with a fine action and plenty of speedloaders. CCW permits are readily available here, but not necessary if you watch your coat tails. For a few reasons- living in the country being one, I'm more inclined to stay with a single primary revolver than switch back and forth to an autopistol.
In many ways, I don't really consider the .44 magnum to be a limited pistol cartridge. My personal opinion is that it's overly powerful to put in a pistol without a specific purpose (as in alaska) or a specific rig, like an 8 inch barreled hunting revolver. But, a Contender in .30-30 is nominally a pistol, which doesn't mean the .30-30 is ideal as a pistol cartridge! (won't even get into my opinion on the taurus judge compared to a charter bulldog .44 special!)
But, to answer the quiestion best- the reason to stick with a pistol caliber carbine boils down to carry, frequency of shooting, comfort, and capability.
I won't be taking a .357 lever gun on a bighorn hunt! but I won't be taking a .375 to tool around the desert with my son, either.
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Modoc ED
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Maybe a snub-nose .38 Special revolver for self-defense but other than that you don't need anything more than a .22LR for food gathering, etc. All you need is enough gun so that when you run across someone with food and other things that you need you can take it from them. If you have food and I'm hungry or my family is hungry, you're either going to share it with me or I'm going to take it from you.
That's how it's going to happen in real world conditions when the crap hits the fan -- if it ever does.
For those weekend or week long camping/hiking jaunts with no hostilities in sight or likely to occur, a .22LR will still get you by but a larger caliber may be appropriate. A .22MAG would be a good next step up from the .22LR.
If you worry about having enough ammo on hand, the .22LR or .22MAG allows you to carry A LOT of ammo with you. All you need for the .38 Special snub-nose for self-defense (used for nothing else) is maybe 250-rounds at most.
As far as the Great Basin goes, it's nothing special. Neither better or worse than any other part of the country. I live 179-miles due North of Reno, NV. It's a nice location -- remote with lots of hunting/fishing etc. but no better or worse than say the Smoky Mountain area or Western VA area.
There's to much discussion these days about what caliber gun to have on hand for food gathering/protection, etc.. As I said above, all you need is enough gun to take what you need from those that have what you need.
Just my .02¢
That's how it's going to happen in real world conditions when the crap hits the fan -- if it ever does.
For those weekend or week long camping/hiking jaunts with no hostilities in sight or likely to occur, a .22LR will still get you by but a larger caliber may be appropriate. A .22MAG would be a good next step up from the .22LR.
If you worry about having enough ammo on hand, the .22LR or .22MAG allows you to carry A LOT of ammo with you. All you need for the .38 Special snub-nose for self-defense (used for nothing else) is maybe 250-rounds at most.
As far as the Great Basin goes, it's nothing special. Neither better or worse than any other part of the country. I live 179-miles due North of Reno, NV. It's a nice location -- remote with lots of hunting/fishing etc. but no better or worse than say the Smoky Mountain area or Western VA area.
There's to much discussion these days about what caliber gun to have on hand for food gathering/protection, etc.. As I said above, all you need is enough gun to take what you need from those that have what you need.
Just my .02¢
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Son and I sighted in two new Remington 870 combat shotguns this weekend, using slugs. There is nothing better than a shotgun and some buckshot for CQB, but we also think of our shotguns as short range rifles, out to the ~125+ yard range.
http://www.remington.com/products/f...s/model-870-express-tactical-a-tacs-camo.aspx
The trajectory of a 12 gauge Federal TrueBall Slug, isn't all that much worse than the trajectory of the big bore rifle cartridges that have been mentioned, and the firearm is way more versatile than a lever action rifle (change out the RemChokes and go shoot some birds). The true downside of a shotgun however, is the recoil! We also shot the .454 handguns, and I truely prefer the recoil of a SuperRedhawk...to the shotguns.
Son fit his shotgun with the Blackhawk SpecOps stock, and wow that thing really works! No gimmick here...this thing is the real deal!!! Highly recommended:
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOps-Adjustable-Shotgun-Stock,1158,1447.htm
http://www.remington.com/products/f...s/model-870-express-tactical-a-tacs-camo.aspx
The trajectory of a 12 gauge Federal TrueBall Slug, isn't all that much worse than the trajectory of the big bore rifle cartridges that have been mentioned, and the firearm is way more versatile than a lever action rifle (change out the RemChokes and go shoot some birds). The true downside of a shotgun however, is the recoil! We also shot the .454 handguns, and I truely prefer the recoil of a SuperRedhawk...to the shotguns.
Son fit his shotgun with the Blackhawk SpecOps stock, and wow that thing really works! No gimmick here...this thing is the real deal!!! Highly recommended:
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOps-Adjustable-Shotgun-Stock,1158,1447.htm
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I really prefer straight synthetic stock sets and a regular sidesaddle for mine, but that's got a lot to do with number of hours spent with it.
I'm good for 150 yards with the right shotgun slugs and sighting system, but a stock plain jane 870 home defense style gun (okay, stock with an 8 round tube& clamp, sling, and sidesaddle) - I'm pretty much topped at 100 yards for comfort. I run 00, slugs, and centurian buck-n-ball all in 2 3/4 inch and keep a few score 3 inch 000 loads around.
In Davis, that was the long gun solution for anything short of specialised hunting trips.
Here, I could fit a 100 yard range in my backyard and have some room to spare! I'm still not planning to snipe from my house out to the next section and try for 600 yard shots, but the .44 (despite the "rainbow" comments, it has a MPBR of about 175 yards) - that'll cover the property. So would the .327, I expect (looks like it's going to be in the same range out of carbines)
Again, I realize that with unlimited budget and masterful planning I could have THE absolute PERFECT weapon for EVERY specific purpose and that I "should" be looking at a class III in 7.62 NATO for the home since I've got the space to justify it, and live in a place where I can buy one. And I'm not going to say that a ranch rifle or sks or something ain't happening. But in a single multipurpose lightweight rifle, I still have some justifications for a lever.
granted, if I find a ruger .44 semiauto carbine for sale cheap, the whole debate becomes moot, because I'll grab it.
Modoc ED
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- Joined
- Mar 28, 2010
- Messages
- 14,069
I mis-spoke above. Actually, the Great Basin is a specal place just as are other parts of this country. What I was getting at was that in a lot of ways it is no different than other parts of the country. Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes. Didn't mean to.
As for the discussion of shotguns above, shotguns are great. The only downside to them is the amount of ammo that can be carried should you have to go mobile.
As for the discussion of shotguns above, shotguns are great. The only downside to them is the amount of ammo that can be carried should you have to go mobile.
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2007
- Messages
- 822
There is a lot to be said for keeping your "enemies" at a distance! If you never let them get closer than say 600 yards, that will be out of range for a whole lot of threats....
I live on the edge of the "Great Basin", and as an avid off-roader frequent the Eastern Sierra, Inyo's, White Mountains, Death Valley, etc., and I doubt many folks really appreciate just how extremely wide open the terrain is! My personal choice in long guns for a "zombie attack" in this area, are Remington M700 Senderos (26" fluted heavy barrel) in .308 Win (medium range) and 300RUM (long range), backed up by a combat shotgun if things go really bad. A nice light little M700 in .243 (spent my youth deer hunting with one of these!) would be a nice fun addition (short to medium range).
I live on the edge of the "Great Basin", and as an avid off-roader frequent the Eastern Sierra, Inyo's, White Mountains, Death Valley, etc., and I doubt many folks really appreciate just how extremely wide open the terrain is! My personal choice in long guns for a "zombie attack" in this area, are Remington M700 Senderos (26" fluted heavy barrel) in .308 Win (medium range) and 300RUM (long range), backed up by a combat shotgun if things go really bad. A nice light little M700 in .243 (spent my youth deer hunting with one of these!) would be a nice fun addition (short to medium range).