Definitely lots of good info here. I feel like we've detailed just about all the main sensible perspectives as far as prepper rifle selection - smaller vs larger calibers, factors/variables that affect each caliber, ease of use, pros and cons, models, etc.

Ahahh...Mrs Prep shares more to show her love for military hardware, especially the long gun and longer should now be obvious. 😆

It is well known that longer barrels attain more accuracy and all she mentioned have this factor built in. In reading her comments, I can see how the influence of her terrain applies to that of her selection and see the variation between us due to the terrain we hunt in. She does longer shots on the prairies and I do closer for the bush. The bolt action has more appeal when you have time to place the 2nd shot if needed as fewer hiding spots exist. For this reason, I have often looked at the Russian SVT myself for the larger 7.62 x 54 hitting power while being semi auto also. Plenty here do the heavy bullet because of less deflection due to branches often being in the path of the shot. I personally don't take those shots and am now more patient after having been a bow hunter so long. Still, trajectory is less a factor where I live and windage often isn't as much a one either, whereas length of rifle is.

A longer barrel becomes more cumbersome as we don't have well beaten paths when following game into the bush. We often push branches aside with the weapon as often as with the hand when following sign or blood trail. And a scope makes many weapons useless about now too so a secondary set of sights come into play for close up work in the shadows. Many here now hunt with 4 wheelers and shoot off bush-cut roads and power lines. Often the game makes it to the bush line and this becomes the game changer because now your on foot as our bush is too dense everywhere to ride into. We definitely play a different game.

I will list factors to consider between those weapons Mrs. Prep mentioned so as to compare their limitations.

The .223 has a 3.7 inch drop @ 200 yard... 15.3 @ 300 yard...39.2@400 yard...82.4@ 500 yard 55 Grain/$0.91 per Round
5.56 NATO has a 2.7 inch drop @ 200 yard... 10.7 @ 300 yard...25.7@400 yard...49.9@ 500 yard 55 Grain/$0.28 per Round (FMJ)

7.62 x 39 has a 7 inch drop @ 200 yard..... 25.8 @ 300 yard...60.5@400 yard...118 @ 500 yard 123 Grain/$0.20 per Round (FMJ)
The 8 mm has a 7.5 inch drop @ 200 yard.... 28.5 @ 300 yard...69.1@400 yard...137 @ 500 yard 170 Grain/$1.85 per Round

The .308 has a 3.6 inch drop @ 200 yard ....13.3 @ 300 yard...30.1@400 yard...55.4@500 yard 150 Grain/$1.30 per Round
7.62 x 51 has a 3.6 inch drop @ 200 yard ....13.6 @ 300 yard...30.9@400 yard...57.0@500 yard 150 Grain/$0.43 per Round (FMJ)

The 30-06 has a 3.7 inch drop @ 200 yard..... 13.5 @ 300 yard...30.3@400 yard...55.1@500 yard 180 Grain/$1.05 per Round
7.62x54 has a 4.5 inch drop @ 200 yard..... 16 @ 300 yard.....35.7@400 yard....65 @ 500 yard 180 Grain/$0.34 per Round (FMJ)

All the above rifles have the ability to be either hunting or battle rifles. Bullet weight makes the punch to drop the game and mushrooming causes far greater damage to create the blood channel for a quicker bleedout. The FMJ usually does a clean in/out unless the round strikes something and starts to tumble instead. One kills while the other is meant to wound!

Pricing becomes a major factor as many want to stock up and our wallets are usually never thick enough to achieve those imaginary number in our heads. And not to forget including target practice as this is otherwise another weak link as you won't be familiar with each weapon and its accuracy and limits. It therefore becomes just and ornament and not a tool!

So you can likely now see even better why Mrs.Prep chooses each and I can tell she is likely quite familiar with their limitations. The shorter barrels we pack around here likely wouldn't impress her on the open fields any more than the long barrels would be when were trucking thru our heavy bushes. But each could still work in the others environment, just not as well.

Where the 308 shines above the rest is that many military weapons (7.62x51) can fire the 308 while civilian rifles often jamb upon firing the military round because they are .003" larger diameter. This cross platform ability often appeals to many as you could shoot the military's ammo if situation required. This same option occurs with the .223/5.56 round while it is less capable of being an all-round hunting rifle though.

Actually, most of my deer hunting was done at distances of less than 200 yards, mostly less than 50-80 in Eastern mixed pine-deciduous forest, but we do have planted fields, pastures and power line cuts that open up distances and I've spent a fair bit of time on the Smokies and Appalacians that can offer shots at 20 yards or out to 300-400 or longer (usually past my comfort given my preferred shots), and spent fair time on the Gulf in the marshes and bayou woods (not much for deer there).

I only shot what could be considered prairies or ridge to ridge while assigned California and Arizona.
Really don't like walking all that far to grab my game, personally. Plus, constantly waiting for pigs and bears to show up, so I'd rather get in, grab and gut, and get out.

No idea where you got the idea I hunted longer more routinely. I do, however, take into consideration longer overpass shots, alley, and high-point overwatches from towers and rooftops and the military crests of hillsides. Saw too much of it too effective from both sides not to, and there was a pretty successful pair of runs doing essentially the same thing here in the States.

My K98 have a shortened stock and a 20" barrel and is accurate from 20 yards to 250 with a 2" human adjustment. Maybe it's my ammo? It also has a hybrid bolt to allow me to finger diddle the trigger for fast shooting (defense, not something I'd suggest for hunting). One came sporterized ($170), and one had 3 hours of work done by Paw Paw on the stock and $150 for a barrel job and $100 for a muzzle brake after an initial cost of $120 for a mixed-piece Yugo-Swiss M98k.

The M14 is also available in SOCOM and Scout configurations.

Sooooo glad I don't pay per round what you guys do when I order online or buy off the shelf for centerfire ammo. Bless your hearts, man.
Don't drool:
http://www.slickguns.com/category/ammo?caliber=23 (click headings near top to change ammo)
http://ammoseek.com/ammo/223-remington/-rifle-62grains- (have to fiddle and change ammo and grain weight from drop downs, hit "submit" on right)
Maybe if it's legal to ship to you, the price per round will even out some of the shipping arm and leg.

There are some that hunt with the 8mm here but the likely favorite today is the 30-06 pump. The 303 British was the most common in my youth but the bullet is too pricey today at $34 per box. Only the ex military seem look at any of the military weapons here on the average but the SKS is now starting to sell well I hear but mainly for targets I think.

I can only guess what your terrain is like and I concluded it had to be more open than here as anywhere is more open than here 🙄 😆 . I live in the Canadian Shield which is all rock covered with very dense coniferous forests, lakes and swamp. That's also why we have lots of moose and only a few deer. That's also why our remote areas here have ice roads in winter and fly in only in the summer due to these bogs. The terrain is overall flat with heavy canopy forests. Many experienced hunters get lost here each year because they can't maintain their bearings by the sun as the canopy usually hides it and you can't find any high ground either. You follow game trails to make any time in our forests at all and horseback doesn't work here either as it's too thick.

When stalking wounded prey, you quickly wish you'd taken more care as many animals try to lose you in the thickest areas. You soon find that your pushes away branches with your weapon much of the way. We often sand off the varnished finishes and use oils to better hide acquired scars in the stocks from fighting thru the heavy bush. 😳 (many would likely think were hard on guns here 😀 ). Moose like the swamps and so you usually have to play there to get your moose. Deer is what folks go for only when they don't have an adult moose tag in the yearly draw. 😕

I have a British .303 but have not even fired it once.. Was told by my father before he died that it wasn't a very accurate gun and was only good for deer hunting. I've been told by others that it is a good hardy reliable gun with a trigger that would see you through the cold, swamps and sand without letting you down by seizing up. Have a fair amount of ammo stashed for that particular riffle but classed it as a last resort hunting riffle as I have quite a few to choose from.

The .303 has a 5.5 inch drop @ 200 yard ....19.5 @ 300 yard...44.1@400 yard...81.9.4@500 yard 180 Grain/$1.75 per Round

This makes the rifle a 200 yard gun at best but your packing a heavy lead with a little more power than a 30-30. It can definitely drop a moose or other large game, just closer up and open sight will work fine. It's nice to know there are still some hiding in closets here and there.

That's why I hang on to it..Its a nice riffle that does not need a scope to operate. Lets face it..We wont have anything to really repair scopes if they become inaccurate over time. Might have to get back to peep sighting it!! lol

That's why I hang on to it..Its a nice riffle that does not need a scope to operate. Lets face it..We wont have anything to really repair scopes if they become inaccurate over time. Might have to get back to peep sighting it!! lol

I agree fully. I know there are times that I am searching for the kill zone in a scope whereas it would be easier to find with even a red dot. I do like the fiber optic sights for not requiring a battery and still having the light capturing ability. I know that my eyes are crapping out with age and scopes are now becoming a compensation to prolong ones ability. 😯 Heck, I find my hands sometimes get a shake even holding a scrap of paper(not too often as yet) and know that a clock is ticking somewhere to mark the end to even such as target practice. The rifle becomes heavier with this new added weight of stuff I never used to need and I seem to spend more time in the truck seat scouting than I do walking, even though I could use the exercise. 😆

Oh you mean "pit lamping?) lol

Oh you mean "pit lamping?) lol

No,I'd say that as were getting older, the line between hunting and just going for a drive down bush roads seems to get thinner... the urge to shoot perspective lunch is somewhat diminished and I would say I attribute much of this way of thinking to archery. That is because every shot with an arrow into heavy bush carries the high risk of losing or damaging the arrow itself. Even when I quit, it was like throwing $15.00 away with most releases of the bowstring as the arrow goes thru most of the small game to continue on it's path of self destruction. Often I'd risk circling the prey until I had a decent tree in behind to lodge the arrow into. This option means losing alot of time carefully digging out the broadhead or judo point while still risking shaft damage, especially if it was a carbon fiber shaft. It was therefore easier just to practice drawing on them and know that their life was mine if I wished to take.. and then relax and walk on.

Seems this mindset somehow followed me into rifles now too. If I needed the food, I'd have reason to squeeze. If I don't, chances are there will be more to eat later when we might really need it, especially as critters fornicate alot and the whole forest is their bedroom. 😆 This means you get to tag their offspring they otherwise would never have made.... 😉

For the most part, I will continue to to use the 5.56N round for general purpose use as it is light, capable and, when the operator knows what they are doing, can make good hits at distances that will surprise you. I have made one shot stops at 500m using this round out of 10.3"bbls using just a one power red dot optic. I know of USN SEALs who have used Mk12s firing Mk262 Mod1 to make numerous one shot stops at 700m+ in a target rich environment.

Again it all comes down to ammo commonality, if the S does H The F you'll find a much larger amount of 5.56N and 9mmN than any other round, the 7.62N will be a near second, after that you will find the .50Match and .338Lapua rounds relatively closely guarded... But hey, if you can get close enough to that sniper to nick his kit, all the power to ya. ;). The commercially popular ammo will not be readily available once there is a situation as the only things getting in will be food, water, medical supplies, fuel and military ammo.

Of note, the majority of current military rounds are as follows, 5.56N 62gr., 7.62N 147gr., 9mmN 124gr., also the composition of certain rounds (ie M855 are different from that of a simple copper jacketed lead core, it also has a steel penetrator which slightly alters the external and terminal ballistics).

I have seen what Mrs.Prepwpets spoke of where a round will not yaw upon impact, poking a hole through an X-ray. This is called fleet yaw syndrome. I have had rounds do that on me, but my marksmanship saw me through. As others have said, shot placement is key. Don't rely on a bullet to do something wonderful, rely on your ability to put the pill in the pocket.

I'll stick to my stuff as I know it well and if I need to use it, I have a pretty good idea of how it'll play out.

Many of the people I know who are looking to the long view of a catastrophe are stocking up on black powder supplies and figuring out how to make powder and chip flint for their rifles.

-S.

I agree with Maple Leaf Pilgrim, the .223/5.56 is the way to go. The AR/M4 platform is a proven weapon system and can be used to take down small game up to larger stuff. There are lots of spare parts, accessories, different configurations, and bulk ammo deals available to make this the rifle of choice. There is even a Bill on the table right now that will make this platform non-restricted. However if this is something you want to go with I would suggest you take a shooting course using type of rifle, as this will better your chances of survival.

The ARs are a great rifle but as long as they remain restricted, they are of limited use. While ammo is plentiful (FMJ), soft nose hunting rounds are less so. If you don't clean the AR rifles throughly and often, you will have problems due to the precision machining on the parts. I am a fan 0f 7.62 x 51 (.308) as they are efficient at stopping your game of choice. These rounds are just as plentiful and much more capable (IMHO), though a touch more money. You can get a quality .308 bolt action for less than a grand but a quality AR is often north of $1500. It is all in what you prefer (and what you shoot well) as neither choice would be wrong. Try different calibers and guns before you buy.

GM1

Knuckle..

All very good points of view for sure. I'm getting quite comfortable with my .308 Savage bull barrel personally. My .338 win mag is going to be a thing of the past after the ammo runs out in a SHTF scenario. I suppose I could hoard a few Styrofoam coolers of .338 rounds somewhere but getting it all to the BOL would be another story altogether.
I have to admit I have thought about crossbow hunting and crossbow self defense but I have to admit at the same time that I really never took bolt loss or damage into consideration while looking at the wares in the sporting goods store. Or even storage space required for a large amount of reserve bolts and tips.
I was amazed at the selection of bolts and tips. Very pricey indeed. I guess the draw there was or is that it's pretty stealthy. No suppressor needed.

PS: I was kidding about the Pit Lamping..

I know you were kidding!

Since I sold most of my guns from youth to focus on archery for such a long duration, it is easier to look at rifle selection now with a likely less biased viewpoint. This is because I dropped all preconceptions of all guns when honing my skills with the bow instead. Many archers even seem to eventually continue to raise the bar by reverting backwards to the recurve or even the longbow with no sights and relying strictly on instinct. I often felt guilty that I was never good enough to go that far. Yet I feel that my return to the rifle has left me at least more unbiased than many others as personal preference from previous experiences seem less influential today.

I likely place bullet cost higher than many, but this is important to mention often as many wish to now buy large quantities. The .308 wins on too many platforms of reason not to be the primary rifle for all round use. But as with most high caliber rifles, weight makes it less attractive as a battle rifle. I like many of the 5.56 NATO firing systems but can't justify owning one as it seems to be suited for only one purpose. I see no use in owning anything that I can't use beyond the gun range as how can I then justify the expense of all the practicing. I believe that one should be prepared, but I can't include man as a target of prey yet and hope I never do. The 7.62x39 at least makes a great deer rifle but I'd fear missing that moose if I instead packed one around in the bush. And I don't like wasting 10 lbs of meat for each additional bullet hole.

Yup, the .308 wins. Now if the 30-06 and the 7.62x54 were interchangeable, they'd give me 2nd thoughts!