Best non-res SHTF gun?

It depends what kind of SHTF scenario you are talking about. If it is a bad depression and you need to put food on your table you ought to have some .30 cal or larger bolt-action in my opinion- something that won't ever need to see a gunsmith, anyway. If it's a commie invasion or fascist coup I'd vote for any non-restricted .223 with 30 round mags (stored in pieces until needed, of course).

Oh, and you're probably gonna want a pump 12-gauge and a .22 on hand as well, and as much ammo as you can possibly buy for everything.
 
As some stated, the non-res part is to have one near me at all times, and if sh*t ever hits the fan, to be armed to retreat to my home where lies AR, pistol, ammo etc... Of course having something usefull even with restrics around is a obvious advantage.

On the fun side, it's kinda neat to have a gun at hand anytime. A little plinking or hunting on a boring afternoon can bring a smile to most of us.
 
If all one has is a 5.56 for putting food on the table in an emergency.....I don't think that the "ethics" of hunting deer with that caliber will mean a lot. Actually, I think ethics for a lot of things will literally fly out the window in such a prolonged, high stress situation.:)
 
I think SHTF scenario does matter as someone mentioned. Another thing that matter is where you live. If your prarie cowboy you may need something in 223 or 308 303 30-06 - whatever, with good optics on it to engage things from far away. But for city folks I think pistol caliber will work better. Most pistol owners do have 500 rounds blocks sitting at home, because you buy them lot cheaper that way or because most serious pistol shooters reload and stack powder/primers/bullets in large lots. City warfare is all close-quarters, no need for bulky SKS or anything, even Tavor is way bigger than, say, Beretta Cx4. 22 will work fine in all cases, I am all in favour of 22, 10/22 is probably the best cuz one can modify it really quick into automatic bolt release, cut the barrel and whoila you have light, short, reliable submachine gun. I won't mention duct tape and cocke bottles here for obvious reasons.
 
That!

12ga is a great option so is the .22...
This is one of my favourite SHTF non restricted rifle:

SL7002.jpg


I can put the SL7 scope on my HK300 in 22mag with minimal zero correction as they share the same HK05 rings/mounts


And this one as a game getter:

chasse228sept07001.jpg
 
souwest_ghillie said:
If all one has is a 5.56 for putting food on the table in an emergency.....I don't think that the "ethics" of hunting deer with that caliber will mean a lot. Actually, I think ethics for a lot of things will literally fly out the window in such a prolonged, high stress situation.:)
Click to expand...

lol yeah.. If all I had was a 5.56 for hunting I'd do a mag dump on a deer. That'd get him down haha
 
12GA would be my choice, either a 870 or my Fabarm 14". Slugs and buckshot should deal with whatever a bolt action cant.

greentips said:
When TSHTF, does anyone really care if it is restricted or non-restricted?? LOL
Click to expand...
x (insert made up number here)
 
This topic is pretty ill thought out - seriously, what do you mean by TSHTF?

Zombies attack?

Holy war by religion fanatics?

Hurricane?

Earthquake?

Nuclear winter?

Power outage?

Decepticons attack?

Timmies' gone bankrupt?

Or my TV disappears! :runaway:
 
greentips said:
This topic is pretty ill thought out - seriously, what do you mean by TSHTF?

Zombies attack?

Holy war by religion fanatics?

Hurricane?

Earthquake?

Nuclear winter?

Power outage?

Decepticons attack?

Timmies' gone bankrupt?


Or my TV disappears! :runaway:
Click to expand...


That's a tie....and there is no superlative to describe the true horror either of those really means.....:D
 
Lee Enfield,

The use of .223/5.56 on game animals is a non issue. Many deer(yes even large ones) are taken in the US with .223/5.56 guns. Ammo choice and shot placement trump calibre.

You opt for revolvers. That topic has already been covered with in depth information regarding the many down sides to revolvers over autos. Your concern with magazine failure appears to be based off poor intel. or experience with neglected or low quality firearms.

Current HIGH quality semi auto's either pistol or rifle use very reliable magazines. repetitive cycles are what cause spring fatigue, not sustained periods of being loaded/unloaded. Magazines do wear out and are disposable. Stock pile your magazines and stop worrying.

Predators such as bears are always an issue regardless of calibre. As the recent case here in Alberta illustrates, a bolt action doesn't guarantee anything with respect to survival. Anyone who hunts alone deserves what they get.

Critters who wear body armour are few and far between. Only those with ceramic or hard armour will be of any concern. Any centre fire rifle cartridge will penetrate soft armour with ease. A failure to neutralize from two centre mass hits can quickly be followed up by several shots to the pelvic girdle or a well placed shot to the head. Don't forget limbs. A hard target to hit yes, but a solid leg shot will likely result in fatal blood loss rather quickly.

Your decision to run a Mauser style bolt action will work well for critters that don't shoot back. In the event of the latter, you will probably lose. Two or more individuals with semi auto long guns, even pump action long guns will out shoot you, outflank you and outlive you.

22lr,
The use of pistol calibre rifles called SUB GUNS meaning sub rifle calibre is a poor choice. At the end of the day, it's still a pistol calibre that acts like a pistol calibre. centre fire rifle cartridges are far more effective for dispatching critters. An AR platform rifle with a 16" barrel or less will do just fine for urban work. The goal is NOT to engage everything and everyone you see. Anyone outside 200 yards who is armed is not necessarily a threat to you. Therefore, you do not need to engage. Avoiding a gun fight is the most effective method of surviving.

A 10/22 is an excellent choice in my opinion for specific engagement roles. As a primary defensive rifle I'd say not. Rimfire rifles and ammo are prone to failure. A failure on the street when the lights go out could cost you your life. 22 rimfire although deadly, is not well known for its ability to incapacitate anything larger than a house cat or rabbit.

TDC
 
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greentips said:
This topic is pretty ill thought out - seriously, what do you mean by TSHTF?

Zombies attack?

Holy war by religion fanatics?

Hurricane?

Earthquake?

Nuclear winter?

Power outage?

Decepticons attack?

Timmies' gone bankrupt?

Or my TV disappears! :runaway:
Click to expand...

All of the above and more
 
greentips said:
This topic is pretty ill thought out - seriously, what do you mean by TSHTF?

Zombies attack?

Holy war by religion fanatics?

Hurricane?

Earthquake?

Nuclear winter?

Power outage?

Decepticons attack?

Timmies' gone bankrupt?

Or my TV disappears! :runaway:
Click to expand...

I'm betting on zombies and Decepticons before Timmies going bankrupt myself. And heck, if it does, what's the point of surviving?
 
SHFT..I think the prohib's would come into play,who gives a rats ass about the non-restricteds at that point
 
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