The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Without a doubt, the 22LR is my top choice for "survival" duties.
S&W makes a nice little AR style package called the M&P 15-22 which utilizes a 25 round magazine; also the venerable Ruger 10-22 is available. Sure, my Colt AR-15 and others will work, but without ammo they are useless other than clubs. And that is where the 22LR rules, I can carry 1,500 rounds if needed with relative ease, and combined with an optic they are deadly on all types of game, including headshots on deer and pigs, sitting birds, etc. Nothing else comes close to that kind of accuracy and firepower easily carried in a pack. Oh, and as a bonus the M&P 15-22 comes with a threaded barrel for suppressor.
The other great survival choice is my AK-47; nearly unstoppable survival weapon, slugs off dirt, sand, mud, extremely reliable and uses the powerful 762 x 39 round which I have in hollow points, soft points, etc. Only drawback is the weight. But it's a great SHTF rifle, mainly because of the standard 30 round magazines and knock-down power of the round.
I agree with FB here. However Australia is a completely different proposition then you lucky buggers in the States where Carbines are so prevalent. The most common ammo you would be able to scavenge (and I'm guessing here) would be .22 or 9mm from Police issue Glocks...
For SHTF your guns should be limited to engaging human threats. For hunting you should learn primitive techniques like sling shot, bow and arrow, spear, ect. Stuff that's more quite, doesn't draw attention, and can be replicated and sustained. That is, if there is anything to hunt that's healthy enough. my belief is within the first 6 mo most of the game animals will be depleted and then people will start fighting each other for food. That's when you'll need to be able to protect what you've got.