SHTF rifle prerequisites

I dont know for sure, but Ive been lookind around.
Many 12G's pop into mind and Ive also looked at the norico rifles as they are plentful, as well as ammo and cheap to run but are still a decent built firearm. I do know one thing, the way the world is going, I think its going to be dumd not to have something.
 
My M-14 clone would be the obvious choice, but I don't think I would take it.
I would rather a good bolt action (synthetic and stainless), or my marlin 30/30.
If the SHTF, I don't want to get into any firefights with a bunch of bandits, I want to snipe them from a concealed location.:D
Another big reason would be ammo conservation, one shot, one kill, for whatever I am shooting.

Any WW2 era bolt action would be a good choice as well, Mosin Nagant, Lee Enfield, etc.
 
My SHTF rifle is my AR15 and 22 conversion kit. Lots of potential in the set up and ammo will be plentiful enough that it would increase odds of resupply :) Also it hits my requirements of being reliable AND accurate :)
 
I'm more into the train your ass off and have the tools at hand when you require them camp. But obviously your tool selection is important. I have most common military rifles and most common sportsman rifles and honestly I have to tell you that I have no idea. For me I would feel comfortable with any decent rifle it was all I had. As far as rifles go I view them more as long range precision tools than spray and pray type things. If I was capable of making a selection preincident my criteria would be as follows:

Accurate
Capable of making solid consistent hits at 300m and a 50% prob of hitting at 500m.
Under 9lbs total with accessories
Fire a very common cartridge
Rugged
Reliable
Low maintenence
Capable of being maintenenced by me
Be easy to handle under stress
Powerful enough to kill with one center mass hit
Versitile enough to kill game and not put one at a disadvantage in a tactical senario

OK so here are my two favorites that I feel meet my criterias the best:

Springfield Tanker M-1 Grand in .308: Mine groups a tad under 1.75 MOA from bench, has NEVER let me down, and while not being spectatular at any one thing is a generally awesome rifle. Not to mention does not attract much attention.

My Scout AR-15: Basically a Frankestein AR, I made it to look as non assualt rifle as possible, free floated hand guard, ACOG, and so forth. Accurate, reliable, and an excellent rifle in general.

My .02!
 
The two rifles I have carried all over hell and back are my M16-A2 service rifle and my Winchester .300 WinMag with Weaver 3x9 scope. I would be happy to carry either one of those if the SHTF.

Just because I like saying it: I would really like to get a Remington 700 .223 in stainless/synthetic with a heavy fluted barrel.
 
I tend to think a little differently about a SHTF rifle. In the book Tunnel in the Sky one of the characters is trying to decide which type of gun to take on a survival test. His sister, who is well experienced in survival already, tells him that a gun can make you think you are a hunter and get yourself in over your head. While not having one reminds you that you are the hunted and makes you more cautious of your situation.

I believe this is basically good advice, espicially with the military type rifles. Having a 30 round mag may make you feel better, but what are the chances you will need it, and if you need it, unless you are part of a larger group, how long would you last?

I believe the better approach is to remain low profile whenever possible, for as long as possible.

That being said my choice would be a .22 rifle.




Putting on flame suit and taking cover now.
 
I've sold nearly all of my long guns, leaving only a trio of CZ .22s and a Rossi/Puma M1892 24" SS in .45 Colt with a Marble's Tang Sight - great for out to 100+ yd for anything I might need. It isn't a wilderness toter - no sling studs. It holds 12 + 1... if I load it. For home - or woods - protection, I have revolvers. I have a S&W 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt for the woods, a 625 in .45 ACP and 140 moonclips loaded, that's 840 rounds ready to go, for 'home' protection.

What do I carry in the woods for protection? Usually, I pocket carry a S&W 296, a Ti & Al 5-shot .44 Special loaded with 200gr Speer Gold Dots (GA Arms). If I have a pack - usually these days for my camera - I may have a speedloader with 5 more rounds. I've never needed it - yet - of course. I avoid snakes - even 2-legged - and, my biggest fear in the boonies is still poison ivy/oak. If I lived in the NW - especially in Alaska - I'd have a Marlin Guide Gun (.45-70).

I've had everything, long gun wise, from .22 LR to .458 Lott. Included in that list were M1, '03, Ruskie SKSs, .30-30 levergun, you name it - even a semi-auto Tommy Gun. I just feel better with revolovers - and, I can hit things pretty well to 100yd with them, too. They are far more portable, too. I've shot, but never been a big enough fan to own an AR or AK. YMMV.

My criteria for a SHTF protector is that you must be proficient with it - and it needs to be easily portable and use a readily replenished ammo in a common caliber. I guess my SHTF rifle is a 4" revolver - probably in .45 ACP!

Stainz
 
I know location has a lot of influence on what you would select, for the lower 48, I would be perfectly comfortable with one of my light weight AR's. A diminutive .223 is an acceptable compromise to me. I have put down a large doe with one shot and I've seen the after-affects of what that little bullet will do when I was in Iraq...it has its limitations, but if you do your job, it will perform. I also have a Ciener .22 conversion kit which is a great way to maintain your drills and range time without killing the pocket book. About the only item I plan on adding is a quality sound suppressor. Keeping a low profile is good before, during and after any SHTF event. I do agree that you key to survival is constant situational awareness, keep a low profile and never present yourself as a target.

In a more rural (either open range or mountain) environment, I would most likely opt for my Springfield M1A Bush in .308...as Runs With Scissors mentioned, a Buckmark or Ruger .22LR pistol would be effective on small/medium game easily up to 50 yards without destroying meat and the larger .308 is more than effective on two legs or four legs out to 400-500 yards; my Bush would also make a top "battle rifle" if/when needed.

I know you're specifically talking about rifles, but a quality pistol (that can be concealed) will probably be more appropriate for the majority of SHTF crisis and you can carry without marking yourself as a threat or target to law enforcement/military or the ignorant punk that wants what you have...just another consideration.

There are so many choices for so many situations...you have to love that:D For the majority (and what I tell my co-worker/friends) a decent 12 gauge pump (Remington, Mossberg, Winchester) and quality pistol (semi or revolver...9mm, 38/357, .40 or .45) will cover 90% of your needs whether it's self defense, home defense, hunting (big/small game and fowl), show of force, etc. and relatively (especially the shotgun) inexpensive.

ROCK6
 
It really depends on what flavor *sh_t* hits the fan, where one lives, and in what environment one lives in, doesn't it?

Natural Disaster
Civil Unrest
Invading Hordes
Biological Disaster\Warfare
Nuclear Disaster\Warfare

South
Southwest
West
North
Northwest
Northeast
etc etc etc

Urban
Suburban
Rural
Country\farm
Wilderness

Not trying to be a smart aleck, but it does make a difference I think.

The next thing to consider after the above is what *my function* will be in this scenario. Do I want to project the image of 'good neighbor' who just happens to have 'guns' (say-revolver and 30-30)? Or is it bad enough so that the carrying of a full blown 'EBR' (enhanced-battle-rifle) would be justified?

Personally, one of the reasons I have always liked the SKS (non-modified) or M1 Garand in these discussions is that they kinda fit in between the traditional lever\bolt deer rifle and the AR\M14. Wood stocks, old school look, familiar to older folks (M1), no real connection with para-military types, and still perfectly suited for a multitude of tasks from hunting to defense.

For me, in my 'environment' given many of the scenarios listed above, either of them would work.

However, if it gets cranked up a notch or two, I'd probably try and get hold of the common arm of whatever military force was most popular. That way I'd have ammo and spare parts available.

:D
 
Fieldtestornothing said:
Springfield Tanker M-1 Grand in .308: Mine groups a tad under 1.75 MOA from bench, has NEVER let me down, and while not being spectatular at any one thing is a generally awesome rifle. Not to mention does not attract much attention.

My .02!
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Do you have a pic ture of that rifle? One of the coolest looking semi auto rifles ever, IMHO.
I always liked the look of the socom'd M-14s I was seeing but I always thought, why not leave the wood on it? Then someone posted a pic of a tanker and I fell in love.:D
Is it an expensive job for a gunsmith to chop a barrel?
 
What you have on hand now should be sufficient, unless you have nothing at all. Take the money you would spend on a new rifle and scope and buy ammo for your existing rifle. I would imagine that a SHTF senario would cause the Govt. to cease the selling of ammo. If you are talking about feeding yourself with your rifle, a 22 rimfire or a 223 bolt action would be enough. ammo is cheap and plentiful.

SGB
 
I have a few 22 caliber firearms and a few pistols of assorted calibers but it is a close call do I reach for my 12ga. or my Mini14.
pix2097635734.jpg

all stock with a few extra factory magazines.
 
Always wanted a mini-14. How easy is it to field strip and clean? To me, that's the only thing the m-16 clones have going for them is their ability to strip and clean, along with the magazine capacity. For protection against 2 legged predators a 12 guage is hard to beat around the home. Loaded with slugs or buckshot it's a good choice.


SGB
 
I love my Mini 14....Parts available from factory to aftermarket...common caliber ammo.. almost every firearm store or outdoor store carries items for the Ruger mini 14... to me field strip & cleaning is not hard...very simple & reliable rifle.
I may snag a Mini 30 as well which fires the 7.62x39mm round
 
What are the most important aspects of a proper SHTF rifle to suit you?
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First off, let me say that:
I don't think anything will send us back to the stone age.
I don't get into the fighting the government stuff.
I don't forsee invasions of barbarian or zombie hordes.
I don't see scavenging or buying ammo a real option, what you have is all you'll have, so post-disaster availability doesn't factor in (however, if you were to try this, having a common caliber may backfire, as it will also be the first one others will be looking for).

For me, a SHTF guns must be:
- Reliable
- Durable (i.e. able to handle neglect)
- Powerful enough
- Accurate enough

That said, I think any levergun, shotgun (20 ga or larger), surplus bolt action, SKA, AK, M1, etc will do fine. All have proven to be all of the above for a long time. I think that riight now the least expensive way to go would be a Mosin Nagant and its associated ammo.
 
Do you want a Self defense or a Survival Rifle or one that can do both. For survival a .22 can take almost all game, a 30.30 is great for bigger game but is overkill for small game. A 12 ga. shotgun with a field and slug barrel could be one of your best bets because it allows you to take birds and large game. My ideal arsenal would be 22. 30.30 and 12 ga. I live in a rural area with plenty of deer, turkey and squirrels. If the SHTF with the number of hunters in this area the game would not be abundant for very long. So stock up on beans and weenies. For self defense out here a .308 has the range to keep the bad guys away. If you read anything about unconventional warfare a lot of people caused alot of trouble with primitive weapons. Their secret was to choose your fights and know when to withdraw. You are always going to outgunned and out numbered by the authorities.
 
Frankly, it sounds like you have it covered with your current firearms. People tend to over-analyze the SHTF firearm. As long as you have one that will stop the current threat, and is stone-cold reliable you are in good shape. Just make sure you have enough ammo. A 30-06 bolt-action wouldn't be a bad choice either. They can be bought fairly cheaply, are accurate, powerful, versatile, reliable, and ammo can easily be found.

A pistol or revolver would be a good addition to your collection for concealability purposes. In your neck of the woods, I'd suggest a .44 mag as minimum due to the 4-legged dangers.

Here is my S&W mountain gun with small GB. It's not uncomfortable to carry, but you don't want a flimsy belt and cheap holster. It makes a big difference.
IMG_1706.jpg
 
Your Savage scout would work perfectly. Great round, easily available, accurate and powerful enough for two or four legged issues. It's light, handy, and durable. It's able to make fast, accurate hits both CLOSE and far. These are extremely important traits.

Two possibly more important issues are that you are already quite comfortable with this rifle (your most often used) and that it's not a terribly visually intimidating rifle, like an AR or AK. If Katrina taught us anything, it taught us that anyone and everyone, especially those with guns, will be 'made safe' and rounded up and put into a hold. Rights, etc. will go out the window.

So be a ghost!!!!
 
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