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Considerations on survival weapons and calibers
This is probably going to end up being a rather long post, but it is something I've always wanted to put pen to paper (keyboard to screen?) and talk about.
I always like to say I'm no expert, because I'm not, and nothing I say or write should be considered as such.
Preface
When considering guns, there are three main considerations in my view. Hunting, Defense, and Offense. Hunting is pretty obvious, and the considerations are too. I would offer that your hunting rifle could double as your defense rifle if you cannot afford or do not wish to purchase separate rifles for this. Defense rifles take many more variables into account. Caliber selection in important, so is barrel length, recoil, portability, etc. Offensive weapons would carry considerations from both defense and hunting. One of your questions might be, why would I need an offensive weapon? Imagine if your wife or daughter were kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand 50 gallons of fuel, which you don't have, for their release. You'll get offensive, quickly, I promise. ;)
Hunting Weapon Considerations
Obviously, if you are on this forum, you've come to the realization that you'll probably have to kill something to eat it at some point in your life. Once you get past that, the question becomes more of "how can I do it efficiently and effectively?".
Caliber In my opinion, caliber selection is important, but not as important as optics, and rifle type. The main things you'll want to consider regarding caliber is the type of animal you'll be hunting. We don't have buffalo or hippos here in Alabama, so I won't be needing a 45-70. I can do just fine with a .223, 270, or 30-30. Thanks to Omegaman for pointing out that rifle cartridge availability is something you should take into consideration. If you can't buy but one box of your super special 764343.3 caliber hand crafted rifle and it costs $500 for 3 rounds, you might consider a more mainstream and readily available caliber.
If you plan to hunt rabbits, you might consider a shotgun, maybe even a single shot. If you plan to hunt mainly birds, you could do fine with a semi-auto shotty with bird-shot. If you plan to hunt multiple prey, you can usually purchase guns that do this. Some shot guns shoot either slugs or shot, and some rounds can kill rabbits, squirrels, and deer. My son has a rossi that can change barrels and shoot a .22 or a 410 shot shell. There isn't much he can't kill with it.
Optics If you intend on hunting larger game, you'll need optics. As a general rule, the larger the animal, the further you will be away from it when you shoot it. This could be because they are very sensitive or attentive, or becuase they can be dangerous.
Keep in mind, that having glass on a gun, let alone a survival gun, is risky. You won't be able to run up to wal-mart and buy a replacement scope, so this is where your money needs to be spent. Buy a good, sturdy, quaility optic that serves your need. Also, invest in end-caps, that attach to the scope, or have inherent retention because you'll eventually leave them in the field.
Regarding magification, you don't need nearly as much as you think you do. If you are hunting deer, your average shot will be less than 100 yards, and you can easily shoot 4x with that. I suggest you take the miniminum magification possible, because that means less weight, less glass, and more simplicity.
Materals No, you don't need an antique, chromed, oak side-by-side for survival hunting. When you life depends on it, and you are laying the rain for 20 hours waiting for a deer, you'll appreciate synthetic stocks, with blued actions, and subdued barrels. Wood absorbs water, reflective metal gives your position away and shows rust more, and fancy moving parts gum up with dirt and grime. Keep it simple with a sythetic stock, blued metal, and simple action.
Action I would suggest a bolt action for large game, semi auto shotgun for quail or other birds, and a single shot shotgun or repeating rifle for small game like rabbits and squirrels.
Tonight or Tomorrow I will post the 'defensive considerations'. Sorry, I have to break it up into multiple posts, I don't have time to do it all at once.
-Brad
I always like to say I'm no expert, because I'm not, and nothing I say or write should be considered as such.
Preface
When considering guns, there are three main considerations in my view. Hunting, Defense, and Offense. Hunting is pretty obvious, and the considerations are too. I would offer that your hunting rifle could double as your defense rifle if you cannot afford or do not wish to purchase separate rifles for this. Defense rifles take many more variables into account. Caliber selection in important, so is barrel length, recoil, portability, etc. Offensive weapons would carry considerations from both defense and hunting. One of your questions might be, why would I need an offensive weapon? Imagine if your wife or daughter were kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand 50 gallons of fuel, which you don't have, for their release. You'll get offensive, quickly, I promise. ;)
Hunting Weapon Considerations
Obviously, if you are on this forum, you've come to the realization that you'll probably have to kill something to eat it at some point in your life. Once you get past that, the question becomes more of "how can I do it efficiently and effectively?".
Caliber In my opinion, caliber selection is important, but not as important as optics, and rifle type. The main things you'll want to consider regarding caliber is the type of animal you'll be hunting. We don't have buffalo or hippos here in Alabama, so I won't be needing a 45-70. I can do just fine with a .223, 270, or 30-30. Thanks to Omegaman for pointing out that rifle cartridge availability is something you should take into consideration. If you can't buy but one box of your super special 764343.3 caliber hand crafted rifle and it costs $500 for 3 rounds, you might consider a more mainstream and readily available caliber.
If you plan to hunt rabbits, you might consider a shotgun, maybe even a single shot. If you plan to hunt mainly birds, you could do fine with a semi-auto shotty with bird-shot. If you plan to hunt multiple prey, you can usually purchase guns that do this. Some shot guns shoot either slugs or shot, and some rounds can kill rabbits, squirrels, and deer. My son has a rossi that can change barrels and shoot a .22 or a 410 shot shell. There isn't much he can't kill with it.
Optics If you intend on hunting larger game, you'll need optics. As a general rule, the larger the animal, the further you will be away from it when you shoot it. This could be because they are very sensitive or attentive, or becuase they can be dangerous.
Keep in mind, that having glass on a gun, let alone a survival gun, is risky. You won't be able to run up to wal-mart and buy a replacement scope, so this is where your money needs to be spent. Buy a good, sturdy, quaility optic that serves your need. Also, invest in end-caps, that attach to the scope, or have inherent retention because you'll eventually leave them in the field.
Regarding magification, you don't need nearly as much as you think you do. If you are hunting deer, your average shot will be less than 100 yards, and you can easily shoot 4x with that. I suggest you take the miniminum magification possible, because that means less weight, less glass, and more simplicity.
Materals No, you don't need an antique, chromed, oak side-by-side for survival hunting. When you life depends on it, and you are laying the rain for 20 hours waiting for a deer, you'll appreciate synthetic stocks, with blued actions, and subdued barrels. Wood absorbs water, reflective metal gives your position away and shows rust more, and fancy moving parts gum up with dirt and grime. Keep it simple with a sythetic stock, blued metal, and simple action.
Action I would suggest a bolt action for large game, semi auto shotgun for quail or other birds, and a single shot shotgun or repeating rifle for small game like rabbits and squirrels.
Tonight or Tomorrow I will post the 'defensive considerations'. Sorry, I have to break it up into multiple posts, I don't have time to do it all at once.
-Brad
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