I personally feel that 22 cal. is rather light for zombies, but to each his own.
Not at all. If a .22LR will penetrate the skull (which I believe it will), a .22 will do just as well as a .308. You don't plan on dumping your loverly .30-06s into a zed's chest and relying on the "knockdown" power, do you? .22's light weight is a godsend vs. the standard zombie, for mobility is key! If "keeping light" isn't a priority, the sheer volume of ammo compared to other cartridges more suited for "combat" will do you just as well.
My plan:
Fixed blade : Machete*
Folder: Leatherman Fuse Multi-tool
Type of armor: Thick leather jacket or russian trenchcoat depending on weather, leather gloves.
Firearms: .22LR semi-automatic rifle*, 150 rounds (3 boxes), as many loaded into magazines as possible. Revolver* in .357 or .38. 30 rounds (1 box) as many loaded into speed-loaders as possible.
.22 because of the light-weight of the cartridge and weapon. As long as the bullet penetrates the skull, it will drop the zeds just as well as a .308. Revolver because of reliability (it
will get dirty).
Can of Spam, can of corn, can of fruit. Will make brief scavenges for food along the way. Will open cans with leatherman. Filled "Nalgene" water bottle.
Flashlight (full sized). One set of fresh batteries in the tube, one set of spare batteries.
Compass, map of the state, ink marker.
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks (what if the outbreak spreads past the one state?)
Backback (All non-weapon equipment stored here).
Items marked with an asterisk I do not have immediate access to. Depending on the scale of the outbreak, I would either get to the nearest sporting goods store (about six miles away, but once I get out of town it will be clear terrain, easy to spot zeds and easy to walk the road), or I disregard them entirely, and try to loot a more suitable weapon on the way to the border. Also note that once I'm done with college, I will have immediate access to these items.
The plan: Get out of the urban-leaning suburban center I live in, and hoof it west towards the Pennsylvania border (about 50 mi). I'd use my map to plot a route through backroads, avoiding combat (uneccesary fatigue). The hardest part of the journey will be the beginning, getting out of town with the chaos of an outbreak will not be easy.
Once I get out to the more rural areas, and find clear roads, I will try to find access to a vehicle and ride it the rest of the way. If I can't manage that, tough luck. My legs will be jello, but as long as these are slow zombies, I'll make it just fine.
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