Just joined so I've not been reading much of anything but just did read Ayoob's recommendation for the .308. Nothing wrong with the caliber. I shoot and load for guns ranging from the .22/250 to the .375 H&H Mag. But my choice for SHTF is the .22 Long Rifle. Why? Because ammo is plentiful, doesn't weigh much and will be effective in a variety of weapons. No, not my ONLY choice, just the principal one. Because it is compact, convenient, ammo is plentiful. The caliber can be lethal with careful shot placement and nobody will disagree that being hit by the .22 LR is not a pleasant experience. Okay, it certainly won't stop an automobile much less a charging rhino. But, as Ayoob says in his article, much depends on the nature of the "S" and the "F". The problem is that whatever might happen won't necessarily play into your personal plans. If the "S" is an atomic missile from North Korea (or any other place) that hits a big city near where you live, and you survive but have to manage the problems, there isn't much time to select whatever you might need if you have to get out of town. What if the attack comes to another city far away and you are not threatened? May not have to do anything. Look at the movies that show different scenarios. They are fiction but reflect many of the possibilities. Will the emergency last a long time or just a week or less? Do you have to set up a complete living program/residence in the woods somewhere, live in a crowded condition within a city? All are possibilities...but a .22 LR will be useful in just about anything. A long rifle barrel, a shotgun, even a heavy pistol can be a handicap. A significant economic collapse or a political catastrophe where the new government decrees martial law? Anything is possible.
Newbie with recommendation for the .22 Long rifle
- Thread starter judgebill
- Start date
Snake45
Professional
Love the USAF survival knife. Great choice! Who made yours? Mine's an Ontario.
Good point, Faulkner. I don’t a lot of people think about something dramatic happening and then having to make their way home on foot. With only 5 rounds in a snubbie life could get really interesting even if you only had to hike 50 miles or so! And that Ruger really looks nice!
Please note I'm not discrediting alternatives. The .22 LR can be the primary, or the only weapon of choice. There are a lot of other choices for power, range, stopping power, etc. Years ago I read a sci-fi book about a fellow who was wandering through the rubble of destroyed cities, one of a very few humans living on the planet. He chose a .22 LR because it made less noise to attract other predators. Context is very important.
Snake45
Professional
I've read three or four books I can think of offhand that had that element in there. What's the title of the book you're talking about?
Faulkner
Elite
HansGruber
Ronin
I’ve said, for a long time, if I could only grab one rifle for survival, it would be my Remington 10C.
Snake45
Professional
Very cool! My Ontario is of similar vintage (10-1976).
I'm pretty sure my original Cub Scout Knife and Boy Scout Knife are both Camillus.
Camillus, Ontario, KA-BAR, they're all built to the same MILSPECS and are all good stuff.
BTW, is anyone here familiar with the legendary Milspec MIL-TFD-41? I learned of it when I was writing tech documentation as a government contractor.
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Bear007
Custom
I've had a Marlin model 60, 18 + 1 tube magazine, since 1985 that has always been extremely accurate. I am currently deciding which 10/22 I might buy early next year for some of my range .22 LR rifle action shoots because the rules require multiple mag changes. Currently leaning towards 2 of the takedown models so it could also fill that shtf survival purpose ... though I do like that Go Camo stock on the fixed barrel model.
A couple of years ago I purchased the ruger PC Carbine for some fun shooting but also as a possibility in shtf survival fitted with multiple 15, 17 & 33 round glock mags.
A couple of years ago I purchased the ruger PC Carbine for some fun shooting but also as a possibility in shtf survival fitted with multiple 15, 17 & 33 round glock mags.
Bassbob
Emissary
We call the Marlin model 60 the "Jamomatic".
I had two of them. Gave them away to related kids. I prefer a good ol' Ruger 10/22.
Snake45
Professional
I have one and honestly don't remember where/when I got it. Prolly bought it cheap at a yard sale or something. It works okay but never particularly impressed me in any way--accuracy, handling, looks, all meh. It's kind of a .22-dispensing appliance. If I knew some responsible kid who really wanted a rifle but just couldn't afford one, I might give it to him or her.We call the Marlin model 60 the "Jamomatic".
Bear007
Custom
True, it jambs with most ammo. With ammo it likes my wife use to speed shoot from the hip all 18 rounds at targets as fast as I could load it. But we haven't been out in a gravel pit doing that for many years now.We call the Marlin model 60 the "Jamomatic".