Author Topic: Only one rifle (Read 1591 times)

handi243 · « **on:** February 10, 2012, 02:01:01 PM »

Ok looking at something IF you only have one rifle (handi) to survive in the wild (CHTF) and provide for you and your family WHICH handi would it be?

mine i think would be my 357 max.

Jason F · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:04:57 PM »

With only one gun i would say 20 gauge slug gun you could shoot shot shell through it if you had to for small game and slugs for big game

gendoc · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:33:10 PM »

45/70 cuz i can load'er anaway i want fer anathang i wanna eat.....even a lil'scatter ifin needed........

Lon371 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2012, 03:01:07 PM »

I too say the Max. You can load her light or heavy

Or if you have the goods, you can make up some shot loads.

Lonny

keith44 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:02:40 PM »

45-70

tonygrz · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:12:10 PM »

.22 You can carry a lot of .22 ammo to equal 20 45/70.

geartow · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:17:12 PM »

I wil go with the 410/45 colt barrel. For the reasons already stated .410 for small game 45 LC for large game.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2012, 05:56:20 PM »

22 Hornet.
The round can be used for Big game to varmints to small game. many can be carried, it is cheap to load and there is a wide variety of bullets.

tacklebury · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2012, 06:35:08 PM »

My .45-70 w/o a doubt.

Load with RB or shot for small critters and on up to big leads for anything else on our continent.

tjf76 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2012, 06:36:54 PM »

I will have to say 223

twoshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2012, 06:44:55 PM »

OK, Another OMG, if only.......Parameters given state "rifle", so according to the rules the shotgun is out. He said "wild" so self defense and urban dangers are out. There is nothing really threatening in the lower 48, a few scattered bears, maybe a wolf or lion, but even running into them would be extremely rare. So that leaves only food production as the primary use. If you are in "the wild" you are not going to have your reloading stuff with you, nor a LGS to restock at. It would be beneficial to be able to kill something larger than a squirrel, but very large animals would be useless as there is not the time or mechanisms to preserve them. You would need to be able to cook and carry the results with you. I would say that the gun I just gave my grandson is it. Lightweight profile SS, synthetic stock 22 Mag rimfire. It can kill an elk within 50 yards if need be, but could be used on a squrriel. It is accurate, more energy than a 45 acp , the most power in the smallest, lightest package, you could carry 200 or more rounds with the same weight/ space as 1 box of 45's. The size and weight would also rule out most shotguns and large centerfires. The variety of load/ bullets available is good, split them between HP, FMJ, and JSP. And, the cost is not so great that you could not stockpile them in the first place. It is almost a shame that H&R never got hold of a Savage 24 patent. The 22 mag over 20 ga has to be one of the all time classics. But.... there it is.

tacklebury · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2012, 06:48:05 PM »

I jerked an entire deer this year. It's quite easy to dry meat.

Just varying degrees of difficulty and time required depending on sunlight, temperatures and such. In the winter it's pretty easy to Cache meat up in a tree with a rope out on thin branches. Keeps dogs and such away.

And there's always salting and canning too.

smokehouserex · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2012, 07:19:38 PM »

I've always said if I could have only 1 rifle it would be a 30-06,,, I may need to rethink this. A 45/410 would have to be given a serious look, or at least a similar Handi, and I don't know what it would be if not a 45/410.
HM

MNSHOOTER · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:47:50 PM »

To two Shooter....I am a rimfire fan.. that being said a 22mag as a go to rifle??? With other calibers avalabel !!! No Way.. Whay not cary a 223 it will anchor any thing you come across with a well placed shot !!! Elk with 22mag .....I got a red rider ful of BB's lets have at it.

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:49:07 PM »

Quote from: twoshooter on February 10, 2012, 06:44:55 PM

...If you are in "the wild" you are not going to have your reloading stuff with you,
...

Bull stuff!! other than a something to deprime, and re-prime the cases with the 45-70 needs only fingers and components to reload.

Larger game is easily cured with only smoke and sunshine, as long as you have a good blade with you.

besides if in a truly wild place the rifle will be mostly idle, it is traps that will feed you.

petemi · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:36:39 AM »

Here goes "old negative Pete". This topic has been hashed over a hundred times, and in the 21st century is pretty unrealistic. Game laws alone would prohibit it in most areas. Go find some wilderness without a CO around. We do have hunting and trapping seasons, and as modern Homo Sapiens, have other requirements in addition to food and shelter......GBO for example

What the heck.....22 inch Mod. 20 ga.

Pete

twoshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:30:52 AM »

You are right Pete, of course this is like "fantasy football" (although I am not sure what that is as I am not a "sports " fan). If I were truly stranded it would be better to have OnStar or an "I've fallen and can't get up button". There are some pretty isolated areas near where I live, cell phone reception is crappy, but there is no where I could be that an hours walk would not put me on a road, and 3 hours would put me in a town, even if small. Anywhere I could afford to go I would be driving so an air crash is not a possibility. If anything catastrophic actually happened, lack of medication would probably do me or my family in within 90 days at best, so no use to worry.
That being said, I have killed deer and hogs up top 200 lbs with 22 mag, 1 shot, no problem, and you could store or carry 3-4 times the ammo at the same weight as 223. I would need the extra weight capacity for arthritis meds and vitamins

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:28:01 AM »

Quote from: smokehouserex on February 10, 2012, 07:19:38 PM

I've always said if I could have only 1 rifle it would be a 30-06,,, I may need to rethink this. A 45/410 would have to be given a serious look, or at least a similar Handi, and I don't know what it would be if not a 45/410.
HM

I amy have to agree with you, only I would pick 308. But 308 and 30-06 are now almost twins. The post said only one rifle not only firearm. I guess a 22LR pistol could be added for small game
I remember reading an article in the late 80's about the diversity of 308 and how with 110 grain bullets to 180 everything on the 48 can be taken from Small game to the largest of animals. There are also the chamber inserts that would allow 32ACP and 30 Carbine to be used for small and medium game if only factory ammo is to be used.
I keep going back to small game as Walking around the Farm in NC or out and about in the deserts of CA to the coast I see much more small game of rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and coyote then I do Deer.
When taking a sales seminar, the teacher once said it is alway great to elephant hunt and come back with a great kill, but rabbits are what will keep you alive between elephants.

RB Rooson · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:53:29 AM »

The .22 Magnum rifle (way underestimated by the majority of guys).

jbrray · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:57:42 AM »

Since you are talking about "Survival" then hands down it a 22lr. Sparrows to elk and anything in-between. Abundant ammo, easy to carry and shooter friendly for even the smallest "Survivor" !!!!!!

BUGEYE · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:57:57 AM »

Quote from: tonygrz on February 10, 2012, 04:12:10 PM

.22 You can carry a lot of .22 ammo to equal 20 45/70.

sportster

TopperT · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:27:38 AM »

I'll play: .22mag.

tacklebury · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:32:45 AM »

Quote from: BUGEYE on February 11, 2012, 05:57:57 AM

Quote from: tonygrz on February 10, 2012, 04:12:10 PM
.22 You can carry a lot of .22 ammo to equal 20 45/70.
sportster

Yep I have ammo cans full of .22 LR, Shorts and Shot shells right beside me. Simple fact is though, if I were picking one gun for good, it wouldn't be a .22 LR . I carry my rap-n-tap Lee Classic loader and can melt down battery cores or salvaged wheel weights, fishing weights and with a cast iron ingot pot, dipper and one mold, I'm well on my way to killing anything.

Once your .22 LR's are gone, so are you or back to bow and arrow, which isn't all bad. I can even make my own BP and reload for my .45-70 and shoot fishing weights for shot. I can also re-prime my primers using match tips if I'm careful. Once the .22's are gone, they are gone for good! I like having a crap load of .22 on hand, but given one gun, I want more punch than that.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:36:12 AM »

Quote from: tacklebury on February 11, 2012, 08:32:45 AM

Quote from: BUGEYE on February 11, 2012, 05:57:57 AM
Quote from: tonygrz on February 10, 2012, 04:12:10 PM
.22 You can carry a lot of .22 ammo to equal 20 45/70.
sportster
Yep I have ammo cans full of .22 LR, Shorts and Shot shells right beside me. Simple fact is though, if I were picking one gun for good, it wouldn't be a .22 LR . I carry my rap-n-tap Lee Classic loader and can melt down battery cores or salvaged wheel weights, fishing weights and with a cast iron ingot pot, dipper and one mold, I'm well on my way to killing anything. Once your .22 LR's are gone, so are you or back to bow and arrow, which isn't all bad. I can even make my own BP and reload for my .45-70 and shoot fishing weights for shot. I can also re-prime my primers using match tips if I'm careful. Once the .22's are gone, they are gone for good! I like having a crap load of .22 on hand, but given one gun, I want more punch than that.

in the right scenario, I can haul enough .22 ammo to equal your reloading equipment, cans of powder etc. I think it's just a personal opinion. when I was younger, I would have said a backpack full of 06s.

kynardsj · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:46:39 AM »

At this time I don't even own a 22 rifle. 22 pistol I do own, but no rifle. 22 makes the most sense as with the proper shot placement it'll take a variety of critters and defend against the two legged variety. Easy to carry a lot of ammo. If it all went crazy right now it would have to be my 45 LC rifle. Ammo is heavy but I have a bunch of it and several handguns that shoot it too.

Singlebarrel · « **Reply #25 on:** February 11, 2012, 10:14:02 AM »

The 357 Magnum rifle is extremely versatile. Semi-wadcutters loaded to 38 special velocities make very good small game loads. With magnum loads deer it is adequate for deer sized game or even larger under the right circumstances. The cases are not particularly bulky and you could carry quite a lot around.

I would prefer this over the 22 Magnum, which would be my second choice.

rdlange · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:53:46 PM »

OK... my old Marlin 30-30. It's boring, it's ordinary, it's accurate, it's dependable, ammo is everywhere. Not the kind of gun to make waves with law enforcement or even threaten neighbors. Reload easy, cast easy.

Just an old guy's hunting rifle.

44 Man · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:10:49 PM »

Ok, I love my 7-08, my 30-30, and my 223 Handi and could use any of them for that situation. I'd have trouble choosing between the 30-30 and .223. I say that simply because there is a supply of ammo available at any sport shop for either of those. If you HAD to find a shop at some point and buy (or steal, if this was a national emergency) some ammo. For that same reason the .308 is a good choice, lots of ammo availability. Based on what the gun is capable of doing, ammo availability and carrying capacity; I'd have to go with the .223 and make do. I'd rather have the 7-08 and a good .22 revolver on my hip, but this is a special situation. 44 Man

yukondog · « **Reply #28 on:** February 11, 2012, 02:17:04 PM »

30-30 for me also, if in a survival situation I would want game to go down very quick, don't want to burn any extra callerys then needed,ammo easy to get or reload for.

cjrjck · « **Reply #29 on:** February 11, 2012, 06:53:13 PM »

Although I don't much like the 12 Gauge Handi, I would probably opt for one with a screw in choke system and made sure I had a rifled choke available for when slugs were needed. With sabot slugs, the 20 Gauge would work fine.