http://www.survivalistboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47

 

Remington 6 mm. Beat that!

 

Russian SKS rifle, with over & under sights ( Scope on top of iron sights ).

Use the Iron sights out to about 150 yards, and sight the scope in for ranges ( 300 yards....about ) beyond that.


Green Shadow ---/---

 

Aside from the initial cost of the rifle, the ammo prices are brutal. The M1 is a very nice rifle though. I considered it strongly before I picked up my AR.

With the AR for a SHTF rifle I am confident I will have the easiest time finding parts, ammo and magazines. Not to mention the line of sight in the Pacific Northwest is often less then 200 yards because of the terrain.

 

Probably the 2nd most popular battle rifle ammo is going to be 7.62x39mm, so you could stash an upper and some mags in that caliber and pretty much be set.

 

A lot of M1A buyers as of late, but not as many of them are shooters from what I see at the ranges. By that I mean that they hardly ever take it past 200 yds, don't work up loads, use a mixed bag of whatever is cheap, but hardly go more than 20-40 rounds in a range session. Like a tricked out 4x4 that never touches mud - I don't blame anyone, its expensive enough to buy the toys, never mind play with them.

Zastava m77ps in 308, uses m14 mags (modified), 20" barrel, adjustable gas block (which is an aftermarket part for an M1A). $529 It's an AK, fire the cheapest Tula you can find, and you'll have more fun than a lot of more recent M1A owners that are saving up for a fancy stock to drop it in.

 

It will be hard to beat an AR-15. You could get your hands on 2 for the price of 1 springfield m1a.

Light, ammo weights less, 5+million in the US, it makes sense for the AR-15.

 

Perhaps closer to 3.

But the M1A scout in the FDE stock is sure sweet!

 

As said about its hard to beat the AR, I started out down the 7.62 road and then backtracked. The 5.56 is an effective round, if it is working within certain parameters. Urban you'll want a shorter barrel 14.5 or 16 inch as range will be limited. If you are out in the open go with an 18 or 20 inch. Personally I prefer the 1:9 twist, it's optimal for the 62 gr that is common and works well with the 55 gr. the slower twist will allow the bullet to destabilize and do its job quicker, you'll be dealing with skinnies within a couple of months of shtf and you don't want to hit them with a fast spinning bullet. It's like stabbing them with an ice prick. The 1:7 twist that's popular today was given to the .mil to be able to shoot the longer tracer rounds accurately, or the other school of thought is that the original 1:14 (dropped due to poor arctic performance) and replaced by the 1:12 was found to be too effective by our sissy NATO partners. They called it the meat axe for a reason.

 

Factory 7.62x39 is still more affordable than .223/5.56, and considerably cheaper than .308 ... Whatever type of battle is being waged, I vote for a quality Kalashnikov. If that can't get the job done, it's a much different scenario than expected.

 

FN Fal for me simply based on growing up in 70s and 80s and fascinated with Africa's bush wars. I've owned one so long it just feels right. Even after years of carrying the M4. Reality the AR is probably better suited for today but Nostalgia is hard to ignore.

 

AR15 or SKS because that's all I have to work with at the moment. A rifle that shoots 308 is preferred but on the back burner until I have more funds.

 

I'll second the FAL. M14s and ARs are junk.

 

PTR 91, mags are cheap and it shoots cheap steel cased ammo all day.

 

This is best value for a .308 semi-auto for sure. I bought 100 magazines for $150.

Best value for 7.62x39 is a vz58 (2008).

Best value in .223/5.56 is to build something with PSA premium parts and CHF barreled upper.

It's really about what you want and how much you want to spend.

 

Any semi auto in a suitable caliber, that takes at least a 20 rd magazine, and let's you mount a low power scope will work.

So my advise is to think hard about you mission needs first.

Let the terrain and likely engagement range help you choose the cartridge and your tactics choose the weapon type.

Where I live, the m1a scout would be a good choice.

For others, perhaps a lighter weapon in a small cartridge would work.

 

You don't tell us anything about the terrain in your AO. Urban? Rural dense forest? Rural wide open with 1000 yard sight lines? Wet? Dry? Mountainous where carrying weight matters? On foot? In vehicles? Young and vigorous? Old and infirm?

Frankly I can't see there being ANY best rifle, other than "the one you've got" vs. the one you are dreaming about. Being competent with your arm counts a whole lot more than what your arm is. Only thing I'd rule out would be single shots and rifles that can't be quickly reloaded using a charger or a mag swap.

 

Ruger 45LC revolver. Its all I got.

Dream gun... AK47.

 

The one you are allowed by law and can afford.

When I went to buy one, I had to weigh a lot of options you guys in the US do not...like insane magazine restrictions in Canada.

I had to balance utility, range, power, multiple purpose, etc etc. THEN I had to factor in cost.

I went with the M305. I got one, and 1000 rds of ammo, for a cost that would have let me double my order (would have if I could have) and still spend less than I would on a basic AR.

 

I seem to remember this discussion down in the firearms section. The AR won the argument. At least that's what I recall.

If I'm forced out the door for the last time I grab my CQB AR. Lighter, carry more ammo, easier to find more, can still reach out to 300 yards or so if needed.

 

I have to point out, it is highly depend on SHTF scenario

 

I've been eyeing the M1A scout rifle for my primary form of defense in a SHTF/TEOTWAWKI situation, and I was wondering if you guys agree with the choice?

There is nothing wrong with your choice - it's hard to beat an M14 pattern rifle.
I recommend shopping for a pre-owned M1A that has been broken in.
You save money, and any bugs (extractor) have already been worked out.

Once you have your M1A, you can work on acquiring others, like a x39 AK, and a 5.56 AR.

 

No one can tell you jack because no one knows your situation. The best thing to do is do your own research. The search function is on the tool bar fifth button over up top of the page. Use words or phrases to find answers to your questions. Things for you to think about. Area- brushy very short ranges, plains with lots of winds, things you might run up against like a big bear or big feral hog. Other things to consider are your age and strength (heavy or lighter weapon/ammo), vision (might need a scope/red dot to see), cost, mobility, distances you can be effective and most likely targets. It can be a fine weapon for defense. There might be better choices. Welcome to the forum, there is a LOT of great info here, all for the looking.

 

I've been eyeing the M1A scout rifle for my primary form of defense in a SHTF/TEOTWAWKI situation, and I was wondering if you guys agree with the choice?

Agree? Hell, you're the guy who will be paying for it and carrying it. It's what YOU think that matters. Have more confidence in your own judgement. You may survive longer if you do.

 

You can't beat a semi automatic 30 cal for a any number of tasks. In the case of a shtf for myself I'll be using my mauser carbine because that's what "I" prefer and trust and I've got quite a bit of ammunition components available.

 

Similar "Best Rifle" threads almost always fall four ways: The AR crowd, the AK crowd, the .308 crowd, the everything else crowd. To each his own.

 

I know. It gets tedious after the first 1'000 or so posts. Personally, there was a time I went the 308 semi rout and I still think that's an awful good idea for either the mad max scenario or just hunting or whatever scenario.

For myself I went down a strange path to end up with a german military mauser rebarreled by the Norwegians for its own army. I actually like it and used it for part of last years gun deer season. While I like and respect the 308 option once you go -06, you never go back.


Source
......Norway's captured Karabiner 98k rifles were soon superseded as a standard issue weapon by the US M1 Garand, but remained in service as Norwegian Home Guard weapons until at least the 1970s, in which role they were rebarreled for the .30-06 Springfield round used by the M1, with a small cutout in the receiver so that the slightly longer US round could still be loaded with stripper clips. These Norwegian conversions had a section of the receiver flattened on the upper left side, where a new serial number (with a prefix denoting the branch of service) was stamped. Some of these rifles conversions were rechambered again to 7.62 mm NATO, but this program was canceled with only a few thousand converted when Norway adopted the AG-3 (H&K G3) as a replacement for both the M1 and the K98k. Some actions from Mauser Karabiner 98k left by German armed forces in 1945 were used by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (currently Kongsberg Small Arms) for building both military and civilian sniper/target rifles under the Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M59 - Mauser M59 and Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M67 - Mauser M67 designations. These rifles were used by the Norwegian armed forces up to the 2000s.Norway's captured Karabiner 98k rifles were soon superseded as a standard issue weapon by the US M1 Garand, but remained in service as Norwegian Home Guard weapons until at least the 1970s, in which role they were rebarreled for the .30-06 Springfield round used by the M1, with a small cutout in the receiver so that the slightly longer US round could still be loaded with stripper clips. These Norwegian conversions had a section of the receiver flattened on the upper left side, where a new serial number (with a prefix denoting the branch of service) was stamped. Some of these rifles conversions were rechambered again to 7.62 mm NATO, but this program was canceled with only a few thousand converted when Norway adopted the AG-3 (H&K G3) as a replacement for both the M1 and the K98k. Some actions from Mauser Karabiner 98k left by German armed forces in 1945 were used by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (currently Kongsberg Small Arms) for building both military and civilian sniper/target rifles under the Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M59 - Mauser M59 and Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M67 - Mauser M67 designations. These rifles were used by the Norwegian armed forces up to the 2000s......

 

My Norinco MAK91, heavy but with the heavier barrel, it is accurate.

 

If you have a blank slate then the choices are many. If you have any firearms related gear or ammo on hand from years of shooting then stick with what you know. Your only problem is feeding it enough ammo to stay proficient with your choice. That means a commitment on time and money for ammo. Don't forget you need to be thinking commonality on ammo and have a couple of arms that shoot whatever you stock. Don't over think it but buy quality. I still think an AK variant is tougher than boot leather.

 

If you have a blank slate then the choices are many. If you have any firearms related gear or ammo on hand from years of shooting then stick with what you know. Your only problem is feeding it enough ammo to stay proficient with your choice. That means a commitment on time and money for ammo. Don't forget you need to be thinking commonality on ammo and have a couple of arms that shoot whatever you stock. Don't over think it but buy quality. I still think an AK variant is tougher than boot leather.

That's how I ended up with my mauser carbine. I already had one -06 and an awful lot of -06 loading components. A second rifle in the same caliber made sense.

 

Hi, welcome to the boards! I am afraid that you will find many, many opinions on this topic.
You might wish to take some time and do a little reading before starting a topic on something that has been beat to death many times.

It is easier to search a topic using a search engine like Google rather than the in-house search. Try something like this
site:survivalistboards.com topic or phrase
It is faster and has less limitations.

As for me. If I have to grab and run it will probably be my M1 Carbine. If I have the option of being stationary, there will be any number of options.

 

Hi, welcome to the boards! I am afraid that you will find many, many opinions on this topic.

As for me. If I have to grab and run it will probably be my M1 Carbine. If I have the option of being stationary, there will be any number of options.

I agree. The M1A is a good fixed position weapon, but not a system I'd want to carry every day. I guess if I lived in Kansas I'd see things differently, but for Florida a PDW is the way to go for most SHTF scenarios. 400 yard self-defense shots just aren’t a realistic scenario here. 50-75 yard home defense scenarios in the Florida countryside would be very realistic.

For my .30 fixed position weapons system, I have an RPK...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Machine_Gun_RPK.jpg

I pity the fool who makes a run at the RPK position.