I bought my 870 in 2010 and haven't had a problem with it, then again I haven't cycled a lot of rounds through it. It seems to cycle fine, though, when I do use it. I do have a problem with a 1895 Henry Guide gun I bought new (45-70 calibre). When you try to lever a new round in it jams, and it's damn near impossible to get the round out after.
I think, though, for the sake of the original post, that a gun that can be used for both hunting and self-defence should be top of the list when you're on a budget. There's always time later for the fancy toys, but there'll be no time later if the balloon goes up while you're waiting for the money.
I know that this is an older thread, but for those that are interested, Alps Mountaineering offers various micro fibre bags for a reasonable price. -20 degree F bags are usually less than $120 U.S.. Unfortunately, they are not as light as down, but they do not appreciably lose their insulation qualities with moisture absorption like down does. This makes them appealing for long-range use, or as a relatively inexpensive option. They are however weight/bulk prohibitive for a backpacking situation as they weigh almost 7 lbs.
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
The military sleep system certainly is a great performer in extreme environments as long as it remains dry. Once wet however, it can be all but totally discounted as a source of warmth. I've used down for years and praise its abilities. It would be the last bag I'd use for a survival situation, unless it was in Arctic conditions.
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
REGARDING the enemy of apparel when Winter Camping...Use to Winter Camp here in the cold Country once a year usually in January. Out of about seven times, on the 8th one day into it the temp dropped to an unusual, even for Ontario, down to -45 and it was a full-blown blizzard. We packed it in. Fortunately that year we three had a snowmobile.
As far as winter bags I still have mine "mummy bag" with an instant warm dupont fabric interior (that will not retain water). However, I cannot stress enough..do everything in layers..from underwear to t-shirts-shirts longjohns and double lined pants and socks DO NOT EVER USE COTTON apparel. Wool or most synthetics do not hold water (wet-snow or sweat) and dry fast. Cotton retains moisture and dries slow..a killer to many attempting winter camping. Layer 2-3 blankets below and above your bag and sleep close, wearing a layer of clothing and tuke.
This past spring, I was only dealing with 0C inside the shack, but having a Hudson Bay blanket over me was a huge difference. Even one of those fake sheepskins really does a good job of trapping body heat.
.
... Wool or most synthetics do not hold water (wet-snow or sweat) and dry fast. Cotton retains moisture and dries slow..a killer to many attempting winter camping....
Wool actually will hold twice its weight in water. Cotton will absorb more. The advantage of wool is that it retains most of its insulation qualities when wet.
I've found that the best first-layer for clothing in the wild is polyester or polypro. Brynje polypropylene mesh is the choice of many survival professionals and mountain climbers. The mesh resists water absorption and being a mesh (string) there isn't much material to absorb water anyway. It functions by trapping air between your skin and the second layer. If a second layer is required to be worn in the sleeping bag, the second layer will trap most of the moisture (sweat). This can be removed in the morning and hung up to dry. In cold weather the ice crystals can be removed by beating/shaking. It dries very quickly when wet and is a good choice for long expeditions.
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
If you can afford a quality bag 4 star type that is good to minus 50, buy it
They are huge and your not packing it, good for sled, truck,, plane, skidoo...
I keep one in my Yukon during the winter. You won't freeze to death and you will be comfy and that's important
Www.survive.triwolfsecurity.com
I bought a few wool blankets out of PEI, from https://www.macauslandswoollenmills.com/ . Very nice, relatively inexpensive. I would say they are slightly thinner than a Hudson Bay Blanket, but because they are 1/5th the price, you can layer a couple of them up, for quite a bit less than that single HBB. Nice people too.
.
Usually buy wool blankets at thrift store. But did splurge awhile back on a Macauslands blanket as a present for wife. They are very well made.