In a strictly survival for food situation what gun would you recommend a .22cal a shotgun-or a larger caliber?

Question

The reason you would make this choice?

Answer 1

Unless you are planning on STAYING in a survival situation, then a .22 is your best bet. A shotgun would be good for bringing down larger game such as deer and such. But how much meat can you reasonably expect to carry as you try to make it back to civilization? Also, you are more likely to be able to find rabbit, squirrel, and avians than you would be deer. These are large enough to sustain life without leaving too much meat behind for larger predators to sniff out.

There was one company, I don't remember which one, that made a .22 survival rifle that could be broken down and carried in a hollow plastic stock with a rubber butt cover. It consisted of the hollow stock, the rubber butt cover, the barrel (which screwed onto the receiver), the receiver that was "bolted" onto the stock with an attached bolt, and a small magazine.

Also, you can carry much more .22 shells than you can shotgun shells. More ammo = more food.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It would depend on where I was.

Here in the mid-South where predators are not a problem, I'd opt for my Marlin Golden Model 39-A and a brick or two or Winchester Western High Velocity Hollowpoints. I could make a living shooting squirrel, rabbits and raccoons with that little rifle.

If two legged predatorys were a problem, I'd probably take my Rossi M-92 SRC in .357 Magnum, and an assortment of ammo. In a carbine, the .357 Magnum can be loaded to equal or surpass the power of a .30-30 WCF rifle, and it handles lighter JHP's for handling bad guys. It is accurate enough for small game hunting, and with proper bullet placement, and bullet choice, it does not tear up much meat.

If four-footed predators were a problem, I'd want a Rossi M-92 SRC in .44 RemMag, and an assortment of loads, some for bear stompers, and some .44 SPL level loads for small game and bad guys.

It is my opinion that the greatest disadvantages to a shotgun as a survival gun are the weight of the ammunition (a box of 25 weighs almost 2 pounds), and the lack of range. Game won't always cooperate and let you get within 40 yards before scampering away.

Answer 4

I believe me and DJ are on the same page.
When I read your question only one weapon jumped to mind the Savage Model 24.
It is a combo weapon over and under that shoots two separate calibers top barrel is a rifle caliber from 22 LR to 30-06 bottom barrel is from 410 to 12 gauge, you pick the combo you like and go with it.

I love the Thompson Center Encore but with it you have to change barrels to change calibers. Where as with the Savage Model 24 it’s all in one system.

It shoots only one barrel at a time and you pick which barrel you wont to fire.
The aesthetics on the savage are good and I like the M24 trigger better then the M6 trigger.
I have owned the 22 LR/20 gauge model M24 and must say it was a fine weapon all the way.
Here you get the best of both worlds rifle and shot gun, light dependable and comfortable fit.
If I had to pick calibers I would stay with the 22 LR/20 gauge model M24, why 22 LR because you can kill a lot of game with that caliber in a survival situation and it is a cheap ammo that you can stock pile a lot of ammo quick and anything that requires a bigger caliber the 20 gauge with slug or buck shot will handle the bigger meaner game very well.

I would stock up on 22 LR hollow points, 20 gauge #6 shot, 00 or 000 buck and slugs.
And 99% of the game in the woods is yours if the need accrued.

http://www.savage24.com/

D58

Answer 5

Far and away the best book ever written on the subject.

"Survival Guns" - Mel Tappan

Later: I purposely didn't answer your Q, I wanted to see what would be said.

In the back of the book I suggested Mel poses this question to survival experts & firearms experts alike. The conclusion >"One, large caliber rifle" >IF< you could only have one. >Each expert gave a well reasoned and logical explaination of their choice. BTW, and for what it's worth, I agree with their conclusion.

Each of those experts was also asked to put together a list of firearms for a long term survival situation. Their choices are also in the book.

"Michael" >That's an AR-7 a very handy little .22 >now made by Henry as the Survial Rifle. The Savage M24 mentioned also, happens to be one of my favorites though I prefer the 30/30-20ga

I recommend having the proper tools for the job. One rifle or pistol is just not going to cut it in all situations.

Pest control
Small game
Large game
Self Defense

I lived alone in the mountains for five years, only driving to town every month or so to pick up a few supplies. >Too much
Thoreau & Angier as a kid I guess

Answer 6

Savage Arms Company once made an over-under rifle/shotgun combination gun with a 22 LR barrel over a 20 guage tube (model 24C). They even had ammo storage in the but stock. You could carry 2 boxes of 22 ammo for hunting small game and a few 20 guage shell loaded with rifled slugs for protection against large pedators. There may be signal flares availible in 20 gauge. I know they are availible in 12 guage.

Answer 7

My grandfather killed a deer with a .22. Back east they prefer you hunt with shotguns, because a .22 carries a mile. Out west we generally use something in the neighborhood of .30 caliber for deer. The same works pretty well for elk or moose, which tend to be a lot bigger. For bison you might step up a bit. .50 caliber could be overkill. Antelope are about the same size as the western mule deer, but you generally don't get as close, so .306 or something that still packs a whallop out at long range.

I would be careful about using a shotgun for hunting rabbits. My dad hit a cottontail with a 12 gauge once at close range. There were scattered bunny remnants out across several yards of sagebrush, but not really anything one could scrape together to make a meal out of. He always hit them with the .22 after that, though I have shot a few out about 40 yards with a shotgun ok. (They were delicious).

For birds most people use a shot gun because the pellet spread makes the bird easier to bring down. But again, my grandfather has killed birds on the wing with a sling shot.

Answer 8

I would take a 12 gauge shotgun because shot can be had from sizes 4 to 12, and buckshot from 000 to 2. And then there is the world of slugs.

In a survival situation I would want some slugs for hunting deer sized game. 00 Buck for defensive loadings. And a little of #4, #6, #7.5, #8 and #9 for small game and birds.

Answer 9

if money is not a concern the new .17 HMR is the best u can buy and # 2 is the 22 because everyone knows u cant pack 500 round of shot gun ammo with you and a .22,.17hmr can kill a dear , bear , cougar , grouse ,rabbet .

Answer 10

I believe the question was either/or... Definitely a shotgun, which is a 'thinking' man's weapon. All you have to do is change the ammo. Birdshot for small game. Larger shot for turkey, hare, etc. Buckshot or slug for defensive situations or large game. With a good 12 gauge you're ready for anything from quail to bear.

H