Common, reliable with Ruger mags, also common. I often will find Rugers where Marlins are absent. I don't know why, maybe the Marlins sell better? Also, lots of doodads to bolt onto it if you're into tacticool...
2. Is 7mm magnum a good round? Is it common? Is it cheap?
Common, but not cheap. No less than a buck a round on up. Similar to .300WinMag. I think the 7mm is a slightly better round though after comparing the two. If you want "cheaper", there is always .308 or .30-06.
3. How much to set up with a reloading system generally?
You can get by with a Lee loader for 1 caliber and a mallet for very few bucks, but a single-stage press and a set of dies will be a little more money and faster to operate. Don't forget the case lube.
Browse any of the websites like Midway or Natchez, there is tons of stuff to suck your wallet dry. You don't need to spend a lot to reload, but as you gain experience or run into problems there are gobs of things out there to make things easier. Electronic scales versus the old fashioned balance scale, for example. Also, spend a lot of time bending some ears and reading up. A reloading manual by one of the major suppliers like Hodgdon, Speer, or Sierra is a good start. Most have a section for beginner reloaders, as well as all the data there for you to get safely started.
Springfield M1A Scout Squad Rifle is the way to go in my opinion. It's ample .308 round will handle any SHTF scenario and even disable vehicles if S is really hitting the fan.
It is right about the same length as the mini-14 with its 18" barrel yet it is still well capable of handling targets out to 600+yards. It is extremely reliable and it's basic design is tried and true. Plus it's pretty sweet looking:
I would also bring along a sidearm (whatever fits your taste really) and certainly a bolt action 22 for game and those situations where the artillery like report of the M1A may be just a little excessive.
#1 Colt LE 6920 w/ Beta-C mag ( for CQB, crowd control from a distance)
#2 AK47 folder w/ drum mag ( Just a friggin reliable gun, idiot proof most of the time)
#3 SA M1A .308, w/ 10X scope ( taking out vehicles and zombie leaders)
#4 HK/ Benelli Super 90 12Ga.( makes big holes, minced meat )
#5 Glock 34 ( lots of firepower, accurate just in case my rifle quits)
#6 Beretta 92 ( I got a lot of practice with it in the Army)
#7 Suppressed Ruger 1022 ( Hunting, taking out zombie dogs, can pack lots of ammo, general survival rifle)
#9 Kimber 45 ( Because I like it)
#10 About 10K ammo and high capacity mags.
By the way. If SHTF and I have to barricade myself and family for months to survive. I'm taking over the local WALMART. They have everything I need to survive when SHTF.
First let me say that plan A is to stay home and help out where ever possible, but, if a bigger turd hit than we prepared for we have a family cabin we can get to if neccessary.
Now, I think that military/LE calibers would be best for availability and commonality. So .308, .223, 12ga, .45ACP, and 9mm is what we have our defense stuff chambered in. After all, the guys in the blue helmets are carrying NATO fed weapons, right
I'll carry a standard M1A and a SAI milspec 1911A1, the M1A and I are minute-of-badguy out to 400yds and the 1911 and I out to 50yds. 440rds of .308 and 135rds of .45 is about all I can carry and still be mobile with everything else I'd need to hump around. I have a few .308 to .32ACP chamber sleeves, and I get a 3" group at 25yds. Two of those sleeves and a box of .32s would take care of small game , but a .308 on a squirrel would just leave a nose and a tail, not alot of meat
Mrs. Hotlead has a Mini-14 and a SAI trophy match 1911 in .45, she can keep the Mini at M.O.B. to 200yds and the .45 at 50yds. Humping 420 .223s and 71 .45s is her capability, she also has a .22 kit for her 1911 and four boxes of .22lr.
Bro. Hotlead fell in love with the Mossy M590A1 and the M9 while in the Marines in Iraq, so he'll use those. I don't know what his load would be, but he tells me of carrying 400 mixed 12ga rds and 150 9mm in the sandbox, mostly OO buck and slugs with some #8 and less-lethal thrown in. He also has an SAI bush rifle and a few cans of surplus Lake City M80.
Pappa Hotlead and I both have a Remmy Mod 700 in .308 and an M9, and he hits what he aims at
So, to break it down,
Remmington Mod 700, .308/7.62x51
Springfield M1A, .308/7.62x51
Mini-14, .223/5.56x45
Mossy M590A1, 12ga
M1911A1, .45ACP
Beretta M9, 9mm
We all live in the same town, and I think we're OK for SHTF firepower, but, since the most likely turd to hit our fan here would be a big earthquake, we only have to add those to preps already in place to be reasonably ready.
For SHTF, the very best choice is probably an M1A. It uses a standard NATO caliber (308) and has enough wallop to take medium sized game, so it'll put meat on the table too.
That said, I'm using a Mini-14. 223 isn't so good for taking game, but it can be done if necessary. I've also got a 45 ACP hand gun that, within 25 yards, will probably take game more effectively with hollow points than any 223 load.
Bottom line is that I simply can't afford an M1A. Besides that, there is something to be said for having a light, handy rifle as well.
I also don't expect to be completely on my own in a survival situation. Others in the family have pump shotguns which are excellent for taking game and personal defense.
Also, if the situation warrants a more "skirmisher" style, I'll carry my Remington 710 in 7mm magnum and my .45 handgun. That 7mm magnum can hit targets that I'm not skilled enough to shoot anyway.
For SHTF, the very best choice is probably an M1A. It uses a standard NATO caliber (308) and has enough wallop to take medium sized game, so it'll put meat on the table too.
That said, I'm using a Mini-14. 223 isn't so good for taking game, but it can be done if necessary. I've also got a 45 ACP hand gun that, within 25 yards, will probably take game more effectively with hollow points than any 223 load.
Bottom line is that I simply can't afford an M1A. Besides that, there is something to be said for having a light, handy rifle as well.
I also don't expect to be completely on my own in a survival situation. Others in the family have pump shotguns which are excellent for taking game and personal defense.
With the right projectiles, 5.56/.223 will take deer reliably as long as your stalking skills are good. As to weight, it helps to start with an M1A, like I did, when you're in your 20s. You appreciate a lighter rifle as you get older! Your appreciation for each end of the spectrum is enhanced with an example of each to swap back and forth. Each has its advantages.
With the right projectiles, 5.56/.223 will take deer reliably as long as your stalking skills are good. As to weight, it helps to start with an M1A, like I did, when you're in your 20s. You appreciate a lighter rifle as you get older! Your appreciation for each end of the spectrum is enhanced with an example of each to swap back and forth. Each has its advantages.
This is true. Didn't mean to suggest that 223/556 won't take whitetail, but it is more difficult. Neck shots or head shots are preferable, and you'll probably want to lob the 77gr hollow points.
I met a guy who's a major league black rifle fanatic, and he hunts with his. He tells me that the 55gr Hornady V-Max rounds do really well for taking white tail.
But hey, if the SHTF, we're probably not worried about game laws or cleanliness. I'll just shoot my dinner with three to five rounds in the boiler room.
Either that, or I'll hunt squirrel and rabbit with FMJ ammo.
I've got a M1A with about 1K rounds and a Ruger GP-100 as a sidearm with 200 rounds. Mrs. FL has a Mini-14 and Ruger 22-45 as a sidearm. Our best friend has a Mini-14 and Taurus 92 as a sidearm. They're function is to cover the flanks while I take care of the Zombies!! We've got lots of 223 and 22lr.
We have food, medicine, silver coins, reloading equipment, big dogs and a stocked, defendable retreat in the mountains and we have a plan to get there separately if need be. We all keep a bug-out bag ready to hit the road if the SHTF!
Start working out by carrying your stuff in a backpack and going on "hikes" wherever you can. In a National Forest will be best (you don't have to leave the gun at home), a State Park is next and the local Park is still OK. Work toward being able to carry bag and baggage for 5 miles without having a heart attack!
Learn how to navigate with a compass, start a fire with sticks and shoelaces (SurvivorMan RULES!!!), create shelter in the woods and what is edible without cooking! Then you'll be ready if the SHTF!!!!
Start working out by carrying your stuff in a backpack and going on "hikes" wherever you can. In a National Forest will be best (you don't have to leave the gun at home), a State Park is next and the local Park is still OK. Work toward being able to carry bag and baggage for 5 miles without having a heart attack!
Learn how to navigate with a compass, start a fire with sticks and shoelaces (SurvivorMan RULES!!!), create shelter in the woods and what is edible without cooking! Then you'll be ready if the SHTF!!!!
FL
Or get that long-forgotten Boy Scout Manual out and go through it all over again. Master it all up to First Class and you should do fine. I went to Powell's and bought the edition I had as a kid, just to make sure it didn't have any PC crap sneaking into it.
What was it Mr Williams used to say? Something about a shotgun, a rifle and a 4-wheel drive. unfortunately too much of the woods around here has been turned into subdivisions.
If a fellow wanted to get into hunting. A shot gun is the place to start. That being said, your going to feed more folks longer shooting one deer with a 30/06 then 50 ducks with a 870.
Primers and Gumpowder wouldnt be that hard to make.
It was a lot easier before cap guns fell from popularity. It's possible to bang out a primer and reload it but it's neither easy nor reliable. Percussion caps much easier. Black powder is doable, but you never hear much about the lifespan of those who engaged in such pursuits when it was the only way.
IMO it's best to have powder and primer and projectiles for reloading. When those run out, better off to either pick up dropped weapons and ammo, or shift gears and switch to more primitive means like muzzle loaders.
When times get to where metallic cartridges can no longer be easily reloaded, black powder can be done, but its a lot of work and the specifics will have to be worked out until the recipes are perfected. Oh, tried to find sulphur lately? Saltpeter? In any case, I think most will find the effort required to shoot will limit how many rounds you expend.
This thread has been the most entertaining ever! That piece by deadeyedick takes the cake. I don't have all my shtf guns yet ,but The M1A is up first first for battle purposes . Followed by a Remington 700 for sniping duties. Last but not least is my M1 carbine for casual fridays.
It was a lot easier before cap guns fell from popularity. It's possible to bang out a primer and reload it but it's neither easy nor reliable. Percussion caps much easier. Black powder is doable, but you never hear much about the lifespan of those who engaged in such pursuits when it was the only way.
IMO it's best to have powder and primer and projectiles for reloading. When those run out, better off to either pick up dropped weapons and ammo, or shift gears and switch to more primitive means like muzzle loaders.
When times get to where metallic cartridges can no longer be easily reloaded, black powder can be done, but its a lot of work and the specifics will have to be worked out until the recipes are perfected. Oh, tried to find sulphur lately? Saltpeter? In any case, I think most will find the effort required to shoot will limit how many rounds you expend.
If comes down to cap and ball, I'll turn farmer. And the point is to be well enough equipped for SHTF scenarios so that you wouldn't need the super duper double backup blackpowder rifle. Because lets face it, would you have been better off buying another 10 battle packs of ammo or caps and balls? Reloading is a good idea, but becomes troublesome when you have to catch your brass. Not to mention most of the brass in the ammo we hourd is NOT reloadable. Among other things, I have a primer pocket swagger for the cases of GP90, RG and XM193, but I only have 3000 primers and projectiles. So I came to the conclusion that I'm better off with loaded ammo.
If comes down to cap and ball, I'll turn farmer. And the point is to be well enough equipped for SHTF scenarios so that you wouldn't need the super duper double backup blackpowder rifle. Because lets face it, would you have been better off buying another 10 battle packs of ammo or caps and balls? Reloading is a good idea, but becomes troublesome when you have to catch your brass. Not to mention most of the brass in the ammo we hourd is NOT reloadable. Among other things, I have a primer pocket swagger for the cases of GP90, RG and XM193, but I only have 3000 primers and projectiles. So I came to the conclusion that I'm better off with loaded ammo.
I hear you. I haven't decided if it's better to have close to matching amounts of powder, primer, and bullets for the number of rounds I'd be loading, or to just get what I can afford and if I'm long on one thing or another, use it for trade stock later or hope I can make up the shortage of other components later.
I would need to handload 8 rifle calibers and 3 pistol, not that I can do them all at any one time, and only a small handful of rifle calibers are those that have any common surplus loaded ammo or components. Most would get ignored for anything besides putting meat on the table.
I hear you. I haven't decided if it's better to have close to matching amounts of powder, primer, and bullets for the number of rounds I'd be loading, or to just get what I can afford and if I'm long on one thing or another, use it for trade stock later or hope I can make up the shortage of other components later.
I would need to handload 8 rifle calibers and 3 pistol, not that I can do them all at any one time, and only a small handful of rifle calibers are those that have any common surplus loaded ammo or components. Most would get ignored for anything besides putting meat on the table.
A friend of mine, Wave, on Arfcom, believes in only owning calibers which are standard military or police calibers. That means he limits his purchases to 22, 38, 9mm, 40, 45, 223, 7.62 nato and ruskie and 30 cal.
Personally, I believe in the concept of "collecting" and that the military and police are usually governed by idiot politicians who don't know good guns or calibers. So I believe in the 257 Weatherby, 7mm mag, 338 Lapua, 10mm, 243 and 8mm (not really, i only have one!)
If you're collecting for the zombies, you really do have to put down the cool aid, take a vacation or two and collect your paranoia. I only stockpile ammo for one reason - its available cheaply to me. And when it's made available, I buy a couple thousand rounds, stock 2k, shoot 1k and circulate my stock.
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Also, lots of doodads to bolt onto it if you're into tacticool...
. A good anvil never fears The Hammer. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! Semper Gumby كاف
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