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a good old ar-15. its my go to rifle. iv been using them for 30+ years, carried them for months on end everyday, trained with them, qualified with them, stripped and assembled them thousands of times. they are plenty accurate, plenty powerful, ammo is easy to find, parts are easy to get, its light weight, reliable, and carries lots of ammo. my main rifle is a sig sauer m400 sbr, but I have 16 inch rifles handy as well. If I was going to be dropped in the wilderness of north America / Africa 1000 years ago, of Jurassic park id probably pick something a lot different, but for dealing with man sized animals and smaller its ideal. IMHO.
my perfect version would probably be collapsible stocked, 14.5" barrel, flat top receiver, front sight tower / bayonet lug, with a ACOG on it and a buis, and a simple lightweight light. simple, and rugged and versatile. adding a suppressor, pvs-14 and ir laser to the mix would make it about as perfect as possible. much quieter, and allows you to engage targets at night. which is a huge advantage. |
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The trusty rugged tool you'd grab when forced to flee your home, the one rifle you'd have to defend yourself against the bad guys and acquire food for you and your family. View Quote |
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my perfect version would probably be collapsible stocked, 14.5" barrel, flat top receiver, front sight tower / bayonet lug, with a ACOG on it and a buis, and a simple lightweight light. simple, and rugged and versatile. adding a suppressor, pvs-14 and ir laser to the mix would make it about as perfect as possible. much quieter, and allows you to engage targets at night. which is a huge advantage. View Quote Really hard to beat the simplicity, ruggedness, and effectiveness of this combo. There are lighter options now, but I can't chase all the rainbows. If it did't get to the absolute worse case my 300 Blackout SBR would get the nod. Its an Aero Precision M4E1 Enhanced version, 8" nitride barrel, AAC 7.62 SDN-6 suppressor, NiB BCG, Gissele SSA-E trigger, Aimpoint Pro, ATPIAL, etc. I use it more than any other gun because I hunt hogs year round to control their numbers on our and brothers hay fields. It is better suited for Man vs Nature due to ammo constraints and range though. |
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https://i.imgur.com/SnIkCKM.jpg View Quote |
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AR15
I can take large game with it. I know it's "too small" to "ethically take game" and "not legal to use in a licensed hunt" in most states. That being said, if I'm hunting for survival.....I'm not going to give a single crap about it being "too small." Ammo is light, it's better in a fight than a bolt gun, and ammo is more likely to be found for it than pretty much any other caliber in existence on the NA continent. (I also have a shit-ton of it). Shot placement will get the game down, and in that scenario, it being "quieter" than the larger rounds will also be of benefit. Really need to build a .300bo upper and suppress it.....but that's next year's project. |
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AR15 I can take large game with it. I know it's "too small" to "ethically take game" and "not legal to use in a licensed hunt" in most states. That being said, if I'm hunting for survival.....I'm not going to give a single crap about it being "too small." Ammo is light, it's better in a fight than a bolt gun, and ammo is more likely to be found for it than pretty much any other caliber in existence on the NA continent. (I also have a shit-ton of it). Shot placement will get the game down, and in that scenario, it being "quieter" than the larger rounds will also be of benefit. Really need to build a .300bo upper and suppress it.....but that's next year's project. View Quote |
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I think it's legal in most states now. From personal experience, a good .223 will knock pretty much anything in the South East over. Now with bullets like the Barnes TSX...you can really hunt just about anything with it. And yes, I agree - if I have to hunt to survive, it's way past giving a crap about laws. I have take Kudu, impala, warthog and a few other critters with .223 - one shot kills, all of them. View Quote |
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Legal on deer here, not on elk. I don't hunt deer, I hunt elk. I'm comfortable putting an elk down with one, but law here is .24 caliber or larger. Also FMJ is not legal, has to be hollowpoint or plastic tipped (I'm ok with this). So, basically it's .243 and above. View Quote |
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Yeah, never hunted elk. A bit bigger than a Kudu, but with proper shot placement, can be done I'm sure. I know of some guys that have taken Eland with .223 - but that's really pushing it. Sorry, 99% of my hunting experience is in South Africa - only ever hunted Deer, dogs and possums here. haha. View Quote I'm of the mindset that the only reason to go up in caliber is if you are forced by terrain to take longer shots. But where I hunt, all of my shots have been within 50m and I had a selection of about 10 cow elk (I always drew cow tags). I just looked for the youngest legal with a good shot. Never had a problem. I used a .30-06 on those hunts because that's the gun I had. But I didn't need it, could have put those elk down with a .243 and if I can do it with a .243 I can do it with 5.56 and modern ammo. |
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No worries. Your point about shot placement is right, as long as the round has enough penetration to hit what you are trying to destroy. I'm of the mindset that the only reason to go up in caliber is if you are forced by terrain to take longer shots. But where I hunt, all of my shots have been within 50m and I had a selection of about 10 cow elk (I always drew cow tags). I just looked for the youngest legal with a good shot. Never had a problem. I used a .30-06 on those hunts because that's the gun I had. But I didn't need it, could have put those elk down with a .243 and if I can do it with a .243 I can do it with 5.56 and modern ammo. View Quote I can get behind a .243 - probably one of the most underrated calibers out there. That thing has some legs! I've read of people using it on larger critters. |
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I think it's legal in most states now. From personal experience, a good .223 will knock pretty much anything in the South East over. Now with bullets like the Barnes TSX...you can really hunt just about anything with it. And yes, I agree - if I have to hunt to survive, it's way past giving a crap about laws. I have take Kudu, impala, warthog and a few other critters with .223 - one shot kills, all of them. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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AR15 I can take large game with it. I know it's "too small" to "ethically take game" and "not legal to use in a licensed hunt" in most states. That being said, if I'm hunting for survival.....I'm not going to give a single crap about it being "too small." Ammo is light, it's better in a fight than a bolt gun, and ammo is more likely to be found for it than pretty much any other caliber in existence on the NA continent. (I also have a shit-ton of it). Shot placement will get the game down, and in that scenario, it being "quieter" than the larger rounds will also be of benefit. Really need to build a .300bo upper and suppress it.....but that's next year's project. |
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Legal on deer here, not on elk. I don't hunt deer, I hunt elk. I'm comfortable putting an elk down with one, but law here is .24 caliber or larger. Also FMJ is not legal, has to be hollowpoint or plastic tipped (I'm ok with this). So, basically it's .243 and above. View Quote |
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AR15 I can take large game with it. I know it's "too small" to "ethically take game" and "not legal to use in a licensed hunt" in most states. That being said, if I'm hunting for survival.....I'm not going to give a single crap about it being "too small." Ammo is light, it's better in a fight than a bolt gun, and ammo is more likely to be found for it than pretty much any other caliber in existence on the NA continent. (I also have a shit-ton of it). Shot placement will get the game down, and in that scenario, it being "quieter" than the larger rounds will also be of benefit. Really need to build a .300bo upper and suppress it.....but that's next year's project. View Quote 5.56mm wound. that's a ENTRY wound, not a exit wound. the bullet hit the rib and exploded, turning it into a shotgun shell basically. the larger chunks of bullet passed thru the vitals, and came to rest under the hide on the far side. shredded the heart, and lungs. deer make it 30 feet after the shot. its also why I use 5.56mm ballistic tip ammo as my go to ammo. its super, super nasty. I did a few tests years ago, and shot a recently killed deer in the neck with 5.56mm ammo. I used xm193 fmj, and ballistic tip. the fmj punched thru leaving a entry and exit hole almost the same size, while the ballistic tip blew out a fist sized exit hole. im sure the fmj did some decent internal damage, but there was no doubt the ballistic tip did way more. I stock both bullet types, and have way more fmj, basically cause its a lot cheaper, but I have quite a bit of the ballistic tip, mainly TAP, and TRU ammo. Attached File |
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Probably an 1895 Winchester in .30-06 though I prefer that gun in .30-40 caliber. https://i.imgur.com/QLypAgP.jpg Second choice would be a Winchester 94AE with on board ammo and a light. https://i.imgur.com/SnIkCKM.jpg View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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The trusty rugged tool you'd grab when forced to flee your home, the one rifle you'd have to defend yourself against the bad guys and acquire food for you and your family. https://i.imgur.com/QLypAgP.jpg Second choice would be a Winchester 94AE with on board ammo and a light. https://i.imgur.com/SnIkCKM.jpg I want to turn this. Attached File into this. Attached File |
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Quoted: I love those 16" trappers. I have a marlin 20" .44 mag im probably going to take to Guncat and have him shorten it to 16.5" and thread the barrel. I want to make this. I want to turn this. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/92687/14910406_10207148624745945_8695138996665319516_n_zpsts3ofukd_jpg-702410.JPG into this. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/92687/marlin-1894-1_jpg-702411.JPG View Quote All three of these is considered a carbine by Winchester but the little '92 in .45 Colt is a great compact companion. |
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I disagree. I think the 5.56mm / .223 Remington is plenty powerful to kill deer sized game ( say 300lbs and below). its a great round for woman and kids due to the super low recoil as well, and fast follow up shots. I have used mine plenty of times to kill deer and its a devastating round. its a GREAT hunting round as long as you play to its strengths, and avoid shooting thru shoulders, hams, etc. I generally use Hornady TAP ammo, and it makes a super nasty wound channel. looks like a .410 shotgun was pressed against the animals side and shot. where I hunt at my longest shot is 200 yards, and usually a lot less than that. 5.56mm wound. that's a ENTRY wound, not a exit wound. the bullet hit the rib and exploded, turning it into a shotgun shell basically. the larger chunks of bullet passed thru the vitals, and came to rest under the hide on the far side. shredded the heart, and lungs. deer make it 30 feet after the shot. its also why I use 5.56mm ballistic tip ammo as my go to ammo. its super, super nasty. I did a few tests years ago, and shot a recently killed deer in the neck with 5.56mm ammo. I used xm193 fmj, and ballistic tip. the fmj punched thru leaving a entry and exit hole almost the same size, while the ballistic tip blew out a fist sized exit hole. im sure the fmj did some decent internal damage, but there was no doubt the ballistic tip did way more. I stock both bullet types, and have way more fmj, basically cause its a lot cheaper, but I have quite a bit of the ballistic tip, mainly TAP, and TRU ammo. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/92687/deerballistics_jpg-702400.JPG View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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AR15 I can take large game with it. I know it's "too small" to "ethically take game" and "not legal to use in a licensed hunt" in most states. That being said, if I'm hunting for survival.....I'm not going to give a single crap about it being "too small." Ammo is light, it's better in a fight than a bolt gun, and ammo is more likely to be found for it than pretty much any other caliber in existence on the NA continent. (I also have a shit-ton of it). Shot placement will get the game down, and in that scenario, it being "quieter" than the larger rounds will also be of benefit. Really need to build a .300bo upper and suppress it.....but that's next year's project. 5.56mm wound. that's a ENTRY wound, not a exit wound. the bullet hit the rib and exploded, turning it into a shotgun shell basically. the larger chunks of bullet passed thru the vitals, and came to rest under the hide on the far side. shredded the heart, and lungs. deer make it 30 feet after the shot. its also why I use 5.56mm ballistic tip ammo as my go to ammo. its super, super nasty. I did a few tests years ago, and shot a recently killed deer in the neck with 5.56mm ammo. I used xm193 fmj, and ballistic tip. the fmj punched thru leaving a entry and exit hole almost the same size, while the ballistic tip blew out a fist sized exit hole. im sure the fmj did some decent internal damage, but there was no doubt the ballistic tip did way more. I stock both bullet types, and have way more fmj, basically cause its a lot cheaper, but I have quite a bit of the ballistic tip, mainly TAP, and TRU ammo. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/92687/deerballistics_jpg-702400.JPG |
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Quoted: I disagree. I think the 5.56mm / .223 Remington is plenty powerful to kill deer sized game ( say 300lbs and below). its a great round for woman and kids due to the super low recoil as well, and fast follow up shots. I have used mine plenty of times to kill deer and its a devastating round. its a GREAT hunting round as long as you play to its strengths, and avoid shooting thru shoulders, hams, etc. I generally use Hornady TAP ammo, and it makes a super nasty wound channel. looks like a .410 shotgun was pressed against the animals side and shot. where I hunt at my longest shot is 200 yards, and usually a lot less than that. 5.56mm wound. that's a ENTRY wound, not a exit wound. the bullet hit the rib and exploded, turning it into a shotgun shell basically. the larger chunks of bullet passed thru the vitals, and came to rest under the hide on the far side. shredded the heart, and lungs. deer make it 30 feet after the shot. its also why I use 5.56mm ballistic tip ammo as my go to ammo. its super, super nasty. I did a few tests years ago, and shot a recently killed deer in the neck with 5.56mm ammo. I used xm193 fmj, and ballistic tip. the fmj punched thru leaving a entry and exit hole almost the same size, while the ballistic tip blew out a fist sized exit hole. im sure the fmj did some decent internal damage, but there was no doubt the ballistic tip did way more. I stock both bullet types, and have way more fmj, basically cause its a lot cheaper, but I have quite a bit of the ballistic tip, mainly TAP, and TRU ammo. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/92687/deerballistics_jpg-702400.JPG View Quote The difference is that if you can pick your shot, have all the time in the world, pass on less then perfect shots. For hunting, where I'm still hunting and may take a less then perfect shot, moving, etc I want something heavier. I want to be able puch through ribs and shoulders. I've shot several dozen deer with 556, including m193 and feel fine with the shots I took, but those were perfect shots with crop damage permits. |
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Mine is currently an 8" 300BO SBR that I just ordered a can for. Small, light, fast shooting and good to 200 yards. If it plays out well I think I'll swap a 1-4 over to it to replace the red dot and run it with the can full time. I like the option of quiet to not draw attention or bump up to supers if you need better ballistics. I never feel undergunned with a 45 so I don't think I"ll worry about 220gn subs in a rifle. Especially with 30 round mags...
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It really depends on the scenario. At this point you have to recognize that a quality ar15 type platform is the most vetted and versatile rifle you could grab. Probably for me it would be my 5.56 LMT MRP.
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It really depends on the scenario. At this point you have to recognize that a quality ar15 type platform is the most vetted and versatile rifle you could grab. Probably for me it would be my 5.56 LMT MRP. View Quote I shot about 1,000 rounds through my Colt M4 last week (300 rounds first day and 700 rounds day after). It ran like a champ. Zero issues and very accurate. I was amazed at how clean the rifle was after that many rounds. It could easily last 5,000+ more rounds without cleaning. The barrel is chromed and had very little dirt in it. BCM was surprisingly clean too. I shot my Arsenal AK and it was filthy dirty after 300 rounds. The M4 was just warm after rapidly firing 100 rounds. The AK was much hotter after 100 rounds. I could barely hold it without getting burns on my hands. Colt AR rules! |
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M4 carbine with TA31 RCO, IR laser and 30-40 rd mags.
I've hunted with it, competed with it, and trained with it. Day or Night. Its easier to hunt with a fighting rifle than fight with a hunting rifle. |
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henry's version of the charter arms takedown 22 is pretty nice. That and a 38/357 revolver should be all you need.
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If I could only have one give me a 6920 with Aimpoint and 6P.
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AR15 12" SBR, w/ ACOG mini, white light, PEQ15, silencer and NODs.
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6920 with a TA-11 and a SF MiniScout
I suppose there would be scenarios I’d rather grab my 10/22 and probably a scenario or two that I’d grab my LMT MWS, although it currently has no optic. |
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One of my SBR's. Concealed carry would be top priority in a shtf bug out scenario.
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Not leaving. Standard M-1 Garand. If they get in, plenty of assorted mayhem with whatever is at hand. View Quote I've got plenty of ARs if bugging-out is the decision ... Staying put and standing ground? I'll first grab my loaded M1 (.308/7.62). I've shot Garands for 25-years, and if you know how to run them, they're still an accurate and effective weapon. |
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It really depends on the situation. An invasion would get a different response than a catastrophe (massive volcanic eruption or meteor strike, etc).Not knowing what the reason for leaving makes choosing difficult.
I’m going to cheat ... Colt 6720 with DD A1.5 rear sight and Aimpoint T-1 in a LaRue Mount. PLUS ... Ruger 10/22 stainless takedown with Tech Sight TRS-200 in my backpack. |
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My other choice would be a LMT MRP 16” with TA31. I think I could drive over it and it wouldn’t be any worse for the wear.
Still need a 22LR in the pack. |
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If I’m out and about Currently my home built 5.56 18” SPR with PST 1-6x, on the left. If things work out like I think they will, that would be replaced by this new build a 12.5” 6.5 Grendel pistol build, on the right, with either an Aimpoint or the PST. The light weight and ballistics make the Grendel a better all around gun.
[img]https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/51066/62098F33-8A64-45CC-8A1B-A161445D5C41_jpeg-783120.JPG[/ If I’m sticking close to home my AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor with 22” barrel and either the PST 1-6 or 5-25. Living in farm country being able to see for 2000 plus yards in any direction is not uncommon. I can see for 1000 plus yards in two directions from my home and 500 plus the other two. So the big rifle makes sens as long as you don’t have to carry it very far. |
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Lots of AR's mentioned... so I'll be the red headed step child. Defend against bad guys...? Acquire food? I can do both in a much more realistic way (IMO) with my suppressed 10/22. 16' ss bbl, BC folding stock, 2x7 nikon. And I can do it with a lot more ammo for the same weight. YMMV
ETA missed the other pages on the first read,,,others also in the .22 rimfire boat with me |
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Lots of AR's mentioned... so I'll be the red headed step child. Defend against bad guys...? Acquire food? I can do both in a much more realistic way (IMO) with my suppressed 10/22. 16' ss bbl, BC folding stock, 2x7 nikon. And I can do it with a lot more ammo for the same weight. YMMV ETA missed the other pages on the first read,,,others also in the .22 rimfire boat with me View Quote Much depends on what you're trying to survive. I've always found it interesting that SERE/survival instructors from USRSOG have always advocated for a semi-auto .22LR pistol with RDS (a suppressor would add even far more versatility). From a defensive standpoint, the .22LR isn't ideal, but I think most would likely have a more reasonable CCW; if anything .22LR could at least provide suppressive fire enough to break contact. There's no denying that the .22LR is an extremely capable small-medium game/fowl round... ROCK6 |
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Right this minute? Probably my mossberg 500. If I knew I had to leave? AR15 - soon to have 13.7" pinned barrel and TA33 (it's a 16" with Aimpoint now). CMMG .22 conversion for small game if needed, but it will do just about everything I need it to do in the South East. View Quote |
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Right this minute? Probably my mossberg 500. If I knew I had to leave? AR15 - soon to have 13.7" pinned barrel and TA33 (it's a 16" with Aimpoint now). CMMG .22 conversion for small game if needed, but it will do just about everything I need it to do in the South East. View Quote |
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Survival and hunting? 10/22 with Silencerco Sparow. Defense? Any of my M4geries or Franken AR SBR with a YHM 5.56 Phantom and Aimpoint PRO with BUIS.
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