AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/29/2009 10:12:35 AM EDT
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In re-evaluating my SHTF strategy, I'm thinking I want something other than my AK or DI LMT 16".
I started thinking about a 16" CMMG piston upper for it's touted "high reliability" particularly with water/mud. Additionally, I started looking at an RRA 20" Varmint A4 upper to compliment the piston upper for longer ranges/hunting if needed. Then today, I thought that I should just purchase an 18" CMMG piston upper as a "middle of the road" strategy. Would there really be any advantage, besides the accuracy, with the RRA 20" vs 18"? It's my understanding, that the killing range (read: yaw potential) for a 16" is roughly 175 m. You agree? What is the reliable killing range for both 18" and 20"? What are your thoughts? |
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Don't overthink it is my advice. If you have a solid (accurate and reliable) rifle, adequate supply of mags and quality ammo IMO you are good to go. Anyone in a SHTF situation with limited access to medical care who gets shot with anything centerfire is likely to be in a world of hurt. With what you already have- I would focus on other aspects of your prep. Food / water Body armor Night vision / optics Generator / power Commo Etc, etc. Just my $.02. 4073 |
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Quoted:
In re-evaluating my SHTF strategy, I'm thinking I want something other than my AK or DI LMT 16". I started thinking about a 16" CMMG piston upper for it's touted "high reliability" particularly with water/mud. Additionally, I started looking at an RRA 20" Varmint A4 upper to compliment the piston upper for longer ranges/hunting if needed. Then today, I thought that I should just purchase an 18" CMMG piston upper as a "middle of the road" strategy. Would there really be any advantage, besides the accuracy, with the RRA 20" vs 18"? It's my understanding, that the killing range (read: yaw potential) for a 16" is roughly 175 m. You agree? What is the reliable killing range for both 18" and 20"? What are your thoughts? That doesn't sound right to me? Also I don't really think you need to re-evaluate your strategy at all. You have two very capable rifles there. What about a BUG? Not to mention what was already posted about food/water...etc |
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In SHTF plan for the most likly events first.
Basic Food and Water. BUG out of work enviroment. Basic home defence firearms (revolver and shot gun will serve here, I know not to exciting) Shelter. Ability to pay bills during unemployment. Long term Food and water. BUG out. Then all the zombie stuff: Armoury of AR-15's, Mini gun, tank.... Body armour I know it's not exciting but the reality of it it you will most likly not ever be in a SHTF event. If so the difference between a DI and piston AR is so mute it' almost an exersise in math to find the odds. Getting your wife or GF on board would be more importaint. All that said; yes I have two sets of body armour! 2 is 1 ya know..... 
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.mil, so all those bases are covered.
I understand the futility of a SHTF situation, but none-the-less like to tailor my possessions to have some sort of purpose. I acknowledge the fact that I am probably over thinking things. Anyone have any empirical data to substantiate killing capacity of various barrel lengths...or found any helpful links? If an M4 is 175 meters, 20 inch can't be much more. I think I am just bored today 
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I've heard that 2600fps is the bare minimum that 55gr M193 bullets will fragment. No M4 that I know of will achieve that kind of velocity out to 175m. Realistically, you probably have 120m maximum frag range out of a standard barrel with 5.56 spec M193.
Any rifle will certainly kill someone further than that, though. Remember that. What does "SHTF" mean to you? If it means a massive nationwide FFA, you'll be good with the rifle you have now. If it means a local emergency or natural disaster with looters and localized violence, then you will realistically only need to defend your house and family. Can you effectively clear your entire house with that 16" gun? If not, you may want to go the SBR route or even the AR pistol route. Both are very well suited for home defense against a "SHTF" mob of looters/zombies/whatever. Either way you decide to go, I wouldn't advise getting a piston gun. IMO, the gas piston AR is a solution to a non-existent problem. |
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Quoted: [snip] What does "SHTF" mean to you? [snip] +1 What are you wanting your setup to do for you? I have a BOB that I can survive off of for a week if I ration the food and use the water purification stuff and I have rifles and shotguns that are tailored for specific uses for my needs. To me, SHTF would be like hurricane season after the storm when no one has power and people start going crazy/looting. |
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Quoted:
In re-evaluating my SHTF strategy, I'm thinking I want something other than my AK or DI LMT 16". I started thinking about a 16" CMMG piston upper for it's touted "high reliability" particularly with water/mud. Additionally, I started looking at an RRA 20" Varmint A4 upper to compliment the piston upper for longer ranges/hunting if needed. Then today, I thought that I should just purchase an 18" CMMG piston upper as a "middle of the road" strategy. Would there really be any advantage, besides the accuracy, with the RRA 20" vs 18"? It's my understanding, that the killing range (read: yaw potential) for a 16" is roughly 175 m. You agree? What is the reliable killing range for both 18" and 20"? What are your thoughts? Keep the guns you have ... Then take the money you would have otherwise spent on other guns, and spend it on ammo and a quality training class instead. |
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Lol...
With the rapid collapse of our economy due to the collapse of the petrodollar.... Just kidding...I couldn't even tell you what SHTF means to me. Realistically...I guess a situation such as Katrina would be properly served with what I have. I'm still interested in what you guys think the realistic effective range of a 16/18/20" barrel would be. A search yields results for .308 but not for.223. |
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Quoted:
Anyone have any empirical data to substantiate killing fragmentation capacity of various barrel lengths... 2700 fps is the established velocity threshold for reliable fragmentation from mil-spec FMJ bullets. For M193 fired from a 20” barrel the reliable fragmentation distance will be approximately 135 yards. For a 16” barrel, approximately 100 yards and for a 14.5” barrel, approximately 75 yards. Move up to a 5.56 75 grain OTM load and the distance is extended considerably. 
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