Slims

I honestly don't think much wild game would be around for long in a true oh shit situation...It would be hunted out very, very quickly.

I also believe more dangerous than the immediate risk of starvation will be all the other starving people determined not to die of hunger. Even a very moderate amount of preparation ($20 spent on 40 pounds of rice) will ensure that your food supplies outlast the vast majority of the unprepared population....And hungry people don't typically sit around politely waiting to die.

With that in mind I think I would elect a 5.56 platform for a rifle if I have to pick a do-it-all weapon.

I like the 5.56 because it is 'big enough' for most game in a pinch, is adequate against people, is easy to carry and is abundant. An AR-15 is one of the best defensive rifles on the market. Also, 500 rounds of 5.56 will last a long, long time.


Again thinking along the lines that people will be more dangerous than hunger in a complete breakdown, I would choose a basic handgun in a popular caliber to supplement my rifle.

Still on the people are dangerous line of thought: Even a .22 is noisy enough to attract attention so I would rely on snares for most of my small game collection. Plus, snares have the added benefit of working for you while you are off doing other things. Squirrel poles are extremely efficient in this regard. If you really want a good, survival appropriate small game weapon buy a nice pellet gun. They are quiet, effective against most small game, inexpensive and reliable.

I used to have a thing for .45 colt and I had planned on simply reusing and reloading those cartridges...Then I realized that for the same weight and expense I can buy more 5.56 than I can shoot in a survival situation...remember that you won't normally be blazing away so consumption will be less than a round a day. Like McGeedo suggests, If you get in a gunfight you will win or die long before you go through a basic load.

I own shotguns but don't think they are particularly good for SHTF situations. Chiefly this is because of limited range, very limited combat effectiveness (unless you are inside a building) and the large size/weight of the cartridges which severely limits the number of rounds you can carry with you. I'm not saying a shotgun won't be effective, just that it isn't ideal.

I have a scoped 7.62 battle rifle which I don't expect to get much use out of either. I don't think there will be much game around so the extra 'oomph' won't help me; If I have to shoot someone it will be in defense, so I doubt I will have a need to play sniper; I can carry a much more limited quantity of ammunition; I am much likely to keep an m-4 type weapon on my person than a heavy .762 rifle.

Survival will depend on keeping a low profile, finding food where others can't and being able to defend yourself and your resources against others less fortunate. It won't be about becoming the great white hunter, Mad Max battles, bartering (unless you are bartering away your food surplus), etc. Communities will be very important, but they have to be the right kind of community...If the other members are not self-reliant they will decrease your odds of survival.


Sorry, I am very, very sleepy. I will try to clean this post up a bit after a nap.

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"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence