When it comes to guns, it's kinda like cars or women - it's all a question of druthers. There are thousands of guys out there perfectly comfortable huting moose with a 30-30, but a whole bunch of guys seem to feel youneed a 458 Lott. Both groups are right. I told the OP my first choice would be a bolt gun, but for years, I hunted with a HK G3. At the time, I had a significant number of bolt guns, ranging from a Savage bolt 30-30 to a Browning 338. I just liked the feel of it. However, if I had been forced to sell all my rifles and keep just one, it would have been my Savage 99 in 308.
What's a practical and somewhat economical hunting rifle (and caliber)
- Thread starter drpestilence
- Start date
When it comes to guns, it's kinda like cars or women - it's all a question of druthers. There are thousands of guys out there perfectly comfortable huting moose with a 30-30, but a whole bunch of guys seem to feel youneed a 458 Lott. Both groups are right. I told the OP my first choice would be a bolt gun, but for years, I hunted with a HK G3. At the time, I had a significant number of bolt guns, ranging from a Savage bolt 30-30 to a Browning 338. I just liked the feel of it. However, if I had been forced to sell all my rifles and keep just one, it would have been my Savage 99 in 308.
Extremely salient advice. This and pre planning and pre preparation. To begin with, especially on the Wet Coast, a bunch of tarps, some rope, fire starter and a plan is as helpful as anything, I would think.
That being said,if I was to take a firearm with me?
Probably a shotgun with an ancillary rifled barrel, or a scout rifle/ bolt action hunting rifle, both stainless with a plastic stock, and iron sights and a scope mount.
Sherlock Gnomes
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- St.Catharines
308 will do any animals you can hunt here. 3006 and 270 are good as well. I like 308 for simplicity. If you want to hunt southern Ontario 270 would be the way to go.
OP, ignore those mocking you. There's PLENTY of things to have a REALISTIC concern going on right here in our country, let alone the world at large.
Ignore the ignorant, leave them to live in THEIR fantasy world.
Dissect all the gun advice in the this thread, much of it is good, figure out what works for you.
Ignore the ignorant, leave them to live in THEIR fantasy world.
Dissect all the gun advice in the this thread, much of it is good, figure out what works for you.
I like that.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Find a Tikka T3 in 30-06 or 308. Find decent low-powered Leupold scope. You're set for anything.
If you are not talking about a "zombie invasion/SHTF" scenario, the a .308 Win is your answer... I woukd recommend a good bolt action... and since you are budget conscious, I woukd recommend a good used quality M70, M77, M700 over the new budget rifles...
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
Probably just a .30-06 bolt-action with a good scope.
Perhaps stainless with a polymer stock.
This combo seems to be the choice of some professionals who trap in the arctic.
And, you could certainly fend off interlopers with it, in the unlikely event of a post-apocalyptic societal breakdown.
You could also purchase a good shorter-barreled 12 gauge pump and a supply of buckshot rounds and slug rounds for it.
Also useful for hunting with birdshot.
It's unlikely that you would need a .30 caliber belt-fed Browning to defend your homestead.
Perhaps stainless with a polymer stock.
This combo seems to be the choice of some professionals who trap in the arctic.
And, you could certainly fend off interlopers with it, in the unlikely event of a post-apocalyptic societal breakdown.
You could also purchase a good shorter-barreled 12 gauge pump and a supply of buckshot rounds and slug rounds for it.
Also useful for hunting with birdshot.
It's unlikely that you would need a .30 caliber belt-fed Browning to defend your homestead.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Good advice. I think a good used rifle is the way to go. Re-sale value would be much better as well.
Rayleigh_Scattering
Regular
- Location
- Under the arch
As a suggestion, a 30-06/303/308/7.62 can be hand-loaded down to 22 power levels if you want to.
A 22 cannot be loaded up.
Same for 12ga vs 20ga.
Just a angle to consider regarding flexibility.
A 22 cannot be loaded up.
Same for 12ga vs 20ga.
Just a angle to consider regarding flexibility.
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Big JD-From the hills
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan.
I have a different view on calibers for Shtf, and it's Merit is somewhat proven. I have traveled to the states many times in the last decade, there has been a few panic buys and Hoarding of ammo. What I was seeing in stock on the shelves was not any of the common supposedly plentiful calibers, but lots of rounds like 270wsm.
But if we truly do reach a society/gov breakdown there will be plenty of rifles laying on the ground next to dead men, no need to worry about having a stash somewhere.
Another funny thing I noticed was during some of the black lives matter protests when there was an exchange of gunfire between the cops and some jack wagon, all the people open carrying rifles immediately realized it was a massive liability to be holding in that situation.
I always laugh at people that dream of or want to participate in a zombie apocalypse world.... There are plenty of #### holes in this world that are just that. Go hang out in Iraq, Syria, Somalia ect ect ect if you want your dose of reality.
But if we truly do reach a society/gov breakdown there will be plenty of rifles laying on the ground next to dead men, no need to worry about having a stash somewhere.
Another funny thing I noticed was during some of the black lives matter protests when there was an exchange of gunfire between the cops and some jack wagon, all the people open carrying rifles immediately realized it was a massive liability to be holding in that situation.
I always laugh at people that dream of or want to participate in a zombie apocalypse world.... There are plenty of #### holes in this world that are just that. Go hang out in Iraq, Syria, Somalia ect ect ect if you want your dose of reality.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Economical and out of the best accuracy go Savage, calibre would be 308 or 3006 for me lots of ammo around in these two.
THIS!
You need a common source of ammo, easy to carry, and not a cannon. I found the little .223 will do what is needed under 300 yards, I dumped my 8mm and .308. Yes I know that bigger is better but to me it's about not running out of ammo.
I will take common easy to carry ammo over uncommon bulky larger ammo.
I have an SKS and crate of ammo, and standardized to .223 and .22, that's all one needs for close encounters with game such as deer in SHTF scenarios, if hunting bigger game at longer ranges go big, but SHTF is different than hunting.
Anyone shooting extended ranges in a SHTF situation will just draw fire, far better to stay out of the open, remember their will always be a bigger gun and a better shot when it comes shooting longrange from a stationary spot.
My bolt action is .223, and out to 600 yards it will deliver a round where needed, but I intend to only shoot much closer ranges, to many variables for 1000 yard shots. My AR has a .22 rimfire kit, as why would I use a much louder centre fire round on something small?
Have .22s as well, so other than my SKS I have a common ammo supply that is much less to carry than the big bores.
Just remember this is just SHTF talk, good to be prepared just don't take it to far and dwell on something that might never happen, chill and get some relaxing trigger time in.
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