Best Indiana SHTF rifle...NO AK OR AR!

[Thor]

Given the list way back on page 1...maybe an M1 Carbine, would have to be a new one or good buy used to make the money criteria though.

 

[Sniper 79]

I would go for a pistol caliber carbine that takes Glock mags in 9mm

or possibly a 17cal of some sort

 

[Bigdog357]

My Marlin Camp 9 with a bunch of 30 rd mags, it is a light weight carbine that's easy to pack around and can throw some lead quickly.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I'd love to find one (or the .45 version) in decent shape. They're getting hard to find, but for the prices they bring you can get an M1 Carbine for just a bit more.

 

[Lees]

I didn't read through all the pages to see if it's been suggested, but given the criteria I'd pick a Marlin 30-30 lever gun (pre-Remington of course). Ammo would be available, but parts could be harder to find.

I have a very new one and I think a lot of the post-Remington problems have been fixed. Mine's fantastic. Also a 45-70 that's been great, too.

 

[Ithaca45]

My Winchester 94 in 30-30. Maybe I'll pick up another one just in case.

 

[ram77]

Build an AR with a .458 socom barrel lol. Eh I guess that ammo isn't common though. A lever action rifle with .45 would be fairly easy to get rounds for though

 

[swissrifles1]

I like the C93 by century. 650.00 well built, accurate, shoots .556. Takes the Polly cheaper mags also, although mine are the metal ones.

 

[GIJEW]

Since I've got a $1000 budget and no gun can do everything best, I'm getting 2;

CETME and 12g shotgun.

I think the shotgun can do anything I need for hunting with the right ammo and can be a backup defensive gun.

For defense (especially in an apocalyptic "mad max" world) I would expect to be heavily outnumbered and I would want to have as much firepower as possible. There are other factors to consider, but I'd want as much gun as possible.

 

[brogers261990]

Since you said "rifle," I'm going to stay away from shotguns. From my collection, I'd probably have to choose my Savage 110 in 30-06. It's got the range and power for taking down game, it can be used for defensive applications, and the round is pretty common, so in a SHTF situation I would think ammo would still be somewhat accessible, though maybe not as much as the .308.

 

[Thor]

In a true end of civilization as we know it, ammo you don't have after day one is ammo you will never be able to buy. Anything else you will have to get by barter or battery and that will be entirely up to what the other person has got.

After my range experience this past weekend (and if for some bizarre reason I could only have one) it would be a toss up between my M1 Carbine and my Win. 94 in .30-30. I'd probably go with the '94 and collect whatever else I needed.

 

[nrgrams]

Does a Scar count???

 

[Thor]

Does a Scar count???

It depends on what kind of a story you have to go with it...

 

[red_zr24x4]

Does a Scar count???

Chicks dig Scars

 

[TheJoker]

I'm late to the party. I can't decide between the two...

Chicks may dig scars; but, I doubt they dig dudes with little bitty Rugers!

 

[Sgt7330]

I'm late to the party. I can't decide between the two...

Chicks may dig scars; but, I doubt they dig dudes with little bitty Rugers!

I dig the bottom of the two. You cant get any more SHTF than a Garand

 

[TheJoker]

I dig the bottom of the two. You cant get any more SHTF than a Garand

Especially if you bury a dozen of these here and there!

 

[nipprdog]

Especially if you bury a dozen of these here and there!

Taken last year on Nov 12th.

 

[Amishman44]

I'm late to the party. I can't decide between the two...

Chicks may dig scars; but, I doubt they dig dudes with little bitty Rugers!

I just logged on and the M1 Garand was my initial response to the question posed on this thread!

My other response was a Springfield SOCOM 16 in .308...my personal preference for SHTF!

 

[Bapak2ja]

Marlin 1894 in .357 mag of .44 mag. Does everything needed in Indiana. Back up with Ruger 10/22 and Remington 870 in 12ga.