Single Shot Rifle for Survival....

I think you've made a great choice for most of the USA. Those people who live where they need more probably know what they need. I would like to modify one thing-your rule about NO chamber inserts. Considering cost and how little room it would take up, I'd like a chamber insert in .22lr. That would allow a small, inexpensive round, good for small game to be added without a second rifle.

For a true survival situation--without all the 'Red Dawn' type problems, I think you've got it right. I know it would work where I'm at.

 

OK this is fun... I think you have made a good choice, But I was thinking that I could do just about everything I need to do with a 22lr. Bear and or cat would be my only concern. Our deer are pretty good sized but I know for a fact that many of them over the years have been taken with 22lr. There is cougar in our local area and normally you would never see them, but in the last few years they have been getting pretty bold. So I might have to step it up to something larger. Everyone up here has a 30-30 of some sort. It is the gun that built this area. So the ammo would be easy to find.

 

I've hunted with single shots for a number of years. They were various falling-block actions and chambered for .30-06, .300 H&H Magnum, and .50-70 Government. They are all good weapons.

If I had to shoot just one it'd be a .30-06 falling block (probably a Ruger #1) in '06. You could load it down to .30-30 velocities or load it hotter depending on what you are doing.


Matt

 

I'd take a 30-30 single shot, although .223 is a close second for me.

The 30-30 has been used to take everything from bunnies to elk and beyond, not to mention the fact that it is a very viable self defense round. Also, it can be loaded with a wide variety of bullet weights, anything from 55gr sabot rounds for varmints all the way up to 180gr hard cast bear droppers.

 

I wouldn't use a .30-30 for small game, that's just a waste of bullets and an edible animal. I would have to agree with RFH on this one.

With Elk right up in the mountains running around all over the place, with a well placed shot, a .223 will get the job done. .22LR isn't that great of a choice, but if I had no choice in the matter, I'd take it over a snowball.

However, I also agree with Ari, and would like to have something a bit larger if possible, as we have bears and cats in the mountains as well. There again, if I didn't have a choice, .223 would get it done with limited muss and fuss.

 

I'd take a .22lr. It'll take everything up to a deer, which brings another point, why survival?

Does this mean "back to nature" no modern services (no electricity, no running water, ect) or does it mean no economy (no gas, no groceries, but utilities work).

If this is the "back to nature" scenario, then anything more that a pair of rabbit would be a waste for a family of 4. Why take a deer unless its winter, you have electricity or you're feeding 20+ people. The meat would rot before you're done with it and the smell would attract other predators.

 

Yup, beat me to it. Ruger #1 in 30-06.

If I reloaded, it would probably be 45-70. You can reload them really hot (in a ruger #1) or very mild and lots of bullet choices.

 

FYI NEF/H&R strongly advises against using 5.56 in their 223s.

 

well if 30-30 was all you had you would have to make some nice head shots on the small game. On the ranch as a small kid my grandfather would take the 22lr to the head of the steers when it came to for butchering. Granted it was point blank, but it took them down right now. Just some food for thought

 

Not saying that, just saying that I would hate to waste a .30-30 bullet on a squirrel. It takes at least 3 squirrels to make a meal for 2 people. With factory ammo that I get at Wal-Mart @ $13.00 a box, that't alot of money for not much meat. Granted, reloading is cheaper, and once you have the brass there's nothing you can't do. However, that's a caliber that, with a properly placed shot, can take down any big game animal on the North American Continent. I wouldn't use that on a squirrel if I had another option. That's all I am saying.

 

.223 and a chamber insert for 22LR or .22Mag

I would load the heaviest bullet for the .223 I could and shoot solids with the .22's, this way the rifle would have more versatility and ammo weight would be keep to a minimum.

 

There are numerous ways to preserve meat without a freezer: jerky, pickling, etc. There were a number of buffalo hunters that preserved and sent many, many tons of buffalo meat back east without the aid of refrigeration. Ditto with the native americans prior to them.

It just depends on the scenario you're imagining. The problem with these threads is that we all have slightly different versions in mind.


Matt

 

I was sitting down and thinking that I would just be SOL because I do not have any reloading equipment; then I saw the post with the .22 insert and that gave me an idea.

My GF has a 20ga/22 break action single action. so I could use a .22 barrel to take out varmints and if I ever needed anything more powerful I could use 00buck or HP slugs.

 

Already got one!

Sort of.

Rossi SS with 3 barrels .308/.22/20ga.

Pop rechambered the .22 barrel to 22mag. It still shoots LR if it has too.

He loads me little lead round nose bullets for small game with the .308 barrel. Iron sights for the light loads, scope in see through mounts for the regular loads.

20 ga is just a 20 ga.

But you said one barrel, no inserts!

Can I carry the second barrel just to have something to warp people over the head?

 

Sorry GM NO chambered inserts allowed I would go with 22 lr or mag. easier to carry [for me anyways] and can use on just about anything

 

22lr for me as well. Can carry a ton of ammo without much weight.

 

.22lr for sure.

 

I vote for the 22LR.
Spot

 

Whatever you have available, and work from that.