retsupt99

As has been noted on other 'survival' threads...many of us are packing and planning for 'times worse than we might like'.

One of my neighbors has encouraged me to get some kind of a rifle and 4x scope (60 year old eyes) to be able to 'reach out and touch someone' if the need to protect the home were necessary. He suggested a .223 type!

I have been looking at various carbines.

Now I have a variety of hand guns and a double barrel coach gun for regular home defense...wouldn't a .22LR rifle with a 4x scope work well?

Would I necessarily have to get a .223 AR? ...or a 30-30 Marlin?
I just want something to get out beyond the yard...so to speak!

Any advice?

Plan ahead...stay safe!

ret

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QKShooter

General Survival - Accurate w/ fairly cheap bulk ammo available.
Compact and sweet.

The Ruger All Weather Mini 14 in .223 would be a great multi~use rifle. All Stainless w/ a nice synthetic stock.

You can leave it buried in the snow all Winter and then shake it off and shoot it in the Spring.

Click here to go to that Ruger page.

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P95Carry

Ret - each has it's purpose and so not so easy to find the ''catch all''.

I would say if trying to cover all bases with just one choice, an AK is going to get close to fitting the bill - tho indeed an AR is bound to be suggested too by some.

.22LR is not to be discounted but the limitation on range and power is probably excessive. Mostly a small ''critter gitter''!

I'd not rule out a '94 style lever in ''thuddy thuddy'' either if capacity and rate of fire limitations not a problem - it's a good ol stalwart.

Still come back to an AK tho in the end - for my 2c.

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is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

artz

I guess that would depend upon the critters in your yard. I chose a pump .22 magnum. Sure a .22 would work, I would keep various types of ammo handy for different jobs.
Out of the calibers you've picked, I would pick a mini-14 or even a mini-30.

SammyIamToday

Depends on what max effective range you're looking for. If you're talking over 100 yards, I'd start rulling the .30-30 out (although I hear that new round works wonders). If over 300ish, I'd rule the .223 out and go to the .308 or a .30-06.

Rob72

My HD rifle is a Steyr SBS, with a 19" barrel, and a 1.5-6x36 Burris Electro-dot scope. At 1.5x, it works as a collimator sight(both eyes open, across-the-room range); at 6x, I can easily reach out to that 300 yard mark. My SBS has the 10 round mag kit, but you can stick with the 5 rounder. About $600 for the rifle, and another $350 for the scope. I like the action better than the 700s.

Lew

I like them all. I actually want them all. My montra, "Buy them all. And later, buy more, repeat."

I can't discount, for a defense rifle, the .22lr for it's small calibur... If I was looking at a tricked out Ruger 10-22 with a 30 or 50 round ramline banna clip sticking out the bottom, I would have 3rd and 4th thoughts.... if I was still able to think...With a quality scope, and practice, they can do wonders.

I love the 30-30. I have fired so many rounds down range I lost count. I know that with all my time on a 94 lever action, it is the "comfort" rifle for me. I can work it intimately blindfolded. I can empty one, on target, faster than most people expect, but that came from time on the rifle. People forever say over 100 yards is a no go with it, but I, personally and respectfully, disagree...
At 200 yards....
30-30 Win. (170 grain)
2200 fps (Muzzle velocity)
1619 (fps) Velocity at 200 yards
1827 ft-lb Muzzle energy
989 ft-lb Energy at 200 yards.

More than enough to kill you dead.

I have wanted a mini-14 forever, I think this spring, after a springfield 1911 purchase (Christmas present to self), I am going to get one.

SO MANY GUNS, so little money.... sigh.

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Bushmaster Carbon15, Type21. TRU-GLO red dot sight(always on). Min. of 5,20 shot mags. As many M855 milsurp rds. as you can afford. ---------

Rob72

Forgot to add: my Steyr is .308. Also, regardless of what the law or Constitution say, if you are "visible", you may well be the target of LE/Mil. Good argument for a short-barreled (16"-18") rifle. Points to consider:
1) An AK is about the cheapest, most (generally) reliable carbine out there.
2)It will be a far-distant-future day, when you won't find/recover AR parts & ammo, "in the field".
3) Bolts are slow, but bolts rule- if you know how to use your optics and environment. It will be more expensive, but buying spitzer boat-tails, VMax/AMax, or Barnes Copper Solids will definitely reap a harvest, if you can see any part of a torso.........

The only disadvantage to a lever gun is the mag tube- just like a shotty, ding it hard enough, and you have an inconvenient single-shot. If you go this route, it would be worth the extra $ to get a thick-walled, stainless mag tube from one of the custom lever guys. A variable 2-6x with illuminated reticle, on a 16" or 18", express-sighted .30-30, .45-70, .357, or .44mag would be a heckuva good urban package.

sgtD

If an actual SHTF situaion occured, my thinking is that you should have the ability to "liberate" ammo. So .223 or .308 are good choices, as they are NATO rounds and will be available in large quantities somewhere for a long time. As will 9mm., so don't rule out a 9mm carbine.

Not following in the defensive direction, but turning toward basic survival, ie. food gathering, small game hunting etc. You can't beat a .22. The ammo is soooo cheap that you could easily stockpile thousands of rounds and it's so small and light that you can carry 500rounds in your pants pockets. Try that with a centerfire cartridge.

My recomendation for a basic setup to compliment your handguns and shotgun, take it or leave it, is one of each of the following.

.308
.223
7.62x39mm
.22

JMO, but I believe in being prepared for any contengency.

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When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.