Other than a .22, what is the next best rifle to own?

[Wesker1982]

I bought an AK74 for my wife. Reliable, easy to use, 5.45x39 has easy to handle recoil for women.

 

[muzzled dogg]

the assault kind

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Also, (re: .308 vs 7.62 NATO) there is a special, more expensive chamber (much like the Wylde chamber for the .223 / 5.56) specifically designed for BOTH. It is called the M118 LR chamber.

So if you want to fire .308 or 7.62x51 NATO - make SURE you either get a .308 Winchester chamber, OR a M118 LR chamber. Do NOT get a 7.62x51 NATO chamber or you may find the first time you accidentally run .308 through it you have a catastrophic failure and lose a finger or two and an eye.

 

[seapilot]

That ammo availability argument appears a lot. But in the recent scare, hasn't it been the most common ammos that have been the most scarce?

The ammo that is most scarce is ammo that goes in semi auto calibers that are on a possible ban list. They are not talking about banning typical shotguns or hunting rifles so there is still plenty of that around. The most common civilian ammo is probably 12 ga, 22 LR and 30-06. The 22lr is gone because a lot of semi autos shoot it in large capacity magazines.

My vote for best rifle is the 30-06. It is the most popular hunting rifle in the US and maybe the world. There are likely people and places with 30-06 ammo in the smallest rural towns west of the Mississippi. Its been around for ages.

In the right hands a marksman can (as proven in past battles) hold a platoon from advancing.

 

[osan]

It's a good round, but you will find that a .308 Winchester chamber will be higher powered and more accurate than a 7.62 NATO chamber. They are....almost...identical but not quite. Just like the 5.56 NATO is better than the .223 even though they are almost identical, and you can get chambers for either, or both, so also are the .308 and the 7.62 NATO the same way but opposite. The .308 is better than the 7.62 NATO.

Just remember that the .308 / 7.62x51 is just like the .223 / 5.56x45 but opposite.

You can fire a .223 from a 5.56 chamber but you shouldn't fire a 5.56 from a .223 chamber.

You can fire a 7.62x51 from a .308 chamber, but you shouldn't fire a .308 from a 7.62x51 chamber.

So make sure you get a .308 chamber and you will be good to go for EITHER ammo. And then you will find that .308 Winchester will also perform slightly better than 7.62 NATO.

Your points are well taken.

As a further note, it is OK to run .223 through the 5.56 chamber but not recommended the other way.

 

[kcchiefs6465]

I would go for either a 7.62 x 39 or a .223. AR or AKs are very versatile platform with all kinds of stuff you can upgrade should money not be an option. If you already have one or the other or both the .308 or .30 06 is the way to go.

 

[Pericles]

Just to add a few comments to those already posted. Keep in mind that I'm unaware of any domestic manufacturers of 7.62 x 54, 5.45 x 39, and very little 7.62 x 39 is made here, the vast majority being imported. So all of the guys who go down that path because it is cheap, would have to eat up their savings in ammo stockpile if they are really prep minded, because one can not be sure of a steady supply of imports. I also don't like the ergonomics of the AK, as it takes two motions to release the mag and two motions to insert. You have no visual indicator of an empty chamber, so you have to take the weapon off target to check and then load a new magazine and charge the weapon. Thing to look for in all of the Youtubes of AK fanboys, watch for how many times the mag is loaded and the bolt operated to actually chamber a round - it is not unusual to see two or three attempts to work the bolt in order to chamber a round.

The US military calibers (5.56 and 7.62) are very popular and domestic manufacture of ammunition is billions of rounds annually. You may not see it on store shelves, but it is to be had if the price is right, and you can be assured that efforts are under way to meet demand.

Your location an number of like minded friends are also factors, standardization helps out like minded people.

 

[jdcole]

If you own a pistol, it may be worth looking into getting a carbine chambered for the same round as your sidearm. This makes logistics simple, and lessens the load that you'll have to carry in the case that you need to bug out. You can find most any caliber in an AR-style platform, but I'd also look into something that used the same magazines as your sidearm.

For example, the Kel-Tec SUB-2000. According to their site:

The SUB-2000 is a self-loading carbine for pistol cartridges. Different versions of the SUB-2000 will accept most modern handgun magazines; see below for a complete list. The SUB-2000 has a greatly enhanced accuracy and extended range compared to a handgun. The superior precision is also very useful against small or partially covered targets at shorter range. The amount of training to master the SUB-2000 is only a fraction of that required for a handgun. The SUB RIFLE-2000 has been developed from our highly successful SUB-9 rifle. Although retaining some features of the old rifle, the SUB-2000 is a completely new design. Emphasis has been put on consumer safety, but without impeding the performance. Polymers are used to a large extent, resulting in increased durability and reduced price. The SUB-2000 is available in 9 mm Luger or .40 S&W calibers.

The 9mm SUB-2000 can be configured in the following magazine types: GLK17, GLK19, S&W59, BERETTA92, SIG226.
The .40 S&W SUB-2000 can be configured in the following magazine types: GLK22, GLK23, BERETTA96, S&W4006, SIG226.

Worth a look, if portability is an issue.

 

[pcosmar]

Your location an number of like minded friends are also factors, standardization helps out like minded people.

This is true. And I appreciate your views from a "Regular Army" mindset. Even as it transfers to the Militia.

However,, I tend to be unconventional,, and think that way.
Even if the unorganized militia adopted a standardized weapon, Logistics would still be an issue.

I favor using whatever your enemy is using. If an invasion from ComBlok,, use the AK (or what have you) and pick up ammo from your enemy. NATO will be trying to supply ammo to the regulars.

If Domestic,(Tyrannical Gov), then use their supplies. any common arms,,.22, shotgun or hunting rifle will down one or two.. pick up their arms and ammo.
Rinse and repeat.

Use your enemy as resupply,, until there are no more enemy.

 

[cbc58]

Tks for all the viewpoints. I will likely go for a 30.06. If at some point I hit the lottery I want one of those pump Colts...

 

[Pericles]

This is true. And I appreciate your views from a "Regular Army" mindset. Even as it transfers to the Militia.

For the most part, unconventional warfare is conventional warfare carried out at unconventional times and places against unconventional targets.

 

[pcosmar]

For the most part, unconventional warfare is conventional warfare carried out at unconventional times and places against unconventional targets.

Guerrilla would be more accurate then.
I don't see it as wise for militia to go toe to toe (as a rule) with a well equipped and supplied Regular Military force. (though understanding their SOP is good)

Stealth, surprise, mobility and guile would be the tools of the day.

 

[Pericles]

Guerrilla would be more accurate then.
I don't see it as wise for militia to go toe to toe (as a rule) with a well equipped and supplied Regular Military force. (though understanding their SOP is good)

Stealth, surprise, mobility and guile would be the tools of the day.

Remember the phrase - "You don't go there, that's Charlie country."