survival gun

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survival gun

by Bulltuck
(Montgomery,TX,USA)

Survival gun

The best survival gun is a 410 and 22 over & under. Some of these are made to take down and easily fit into a backpack. If you don't have a gun you are crazy to go out in the middle of nowhere.

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survival gun

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Jan 23, 2010
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The .22 will outrange a .410 easily!
by: Charlie Smith

I just did quite an extensive study, (at -20 or so, survival happens at inopportune times), I used a stencil of a roughed grouse with anatomical scoring as the target. My conclusion was that I actually had more range with most of my centerfire rifles on partridge than I did with a .410. The .410 is nearly useless in my opinion. And by the way I have shot lots of big animals with a .22: cattle, swine, elk, deer. It takes careful shot placement but still probably has more range than a pissant .410.
The whole test is coming up in Backwoodsman Magazine.
Oh, the most range? The .22 mag. with scope, but because of legality, I went with the a .22 lr. bolt action with scope. Although I did really like the 20 gauge single shot too. Mine handles Brenneki slugs wonderfully. The .22 had more range and was lighter as a unit though.

Jan 10, 2010
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AR-7
by: Anonymous

The AR-7 is a very nifty and interesting novelty but has no place in a survival kit. they are cheaply made out of sheet metal and plastic(you get what you pay for). I had one a year or so ago. I got about a thousand rounds through it then it became a single shot, if i was luck i got 4 rounds before it jammed. I traded it for a marlin .17 HMR. a much better round and a much better rifle.

Dec 27, 2009
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30-30: my Best Choice
by: Bush Bob

OK... survival isn't seeing how many 22 holes you can put in a pop can, its about signaling, its about finding something to eat, its about staying alive when the chips are down. It is also being compliant to firearm/hunting regs. Breaking the game regs with the excuse you might die in the bush, will only get the gov't on your case. Then you will be trying to survive a court case, fines or confiscation. I like the 30-30. I keep it out of site when the season is closed. I tuck it away when travelling, but I still have it, if I need to dig it out. Yah... the .20 ga. is good. The 410 is too weak (unless its hunting season and you have lots of time and shells). Do I suggest you shoot ducks with a 30-30 - no, unless you haven't eaten in 3 days.

Dec 22, 2009
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lewis and clark
by: Anonymous

there is evidence that Lewis and Clark might have taken an air rifle with them

Dec 05, 2009
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running into game wardens
by: Anonymous

if i`m walking on a well know trail, then turn and walk say a days worth and try and get lost, how likey is it to run into a game warden? or anyone else for that matter...if i have to right gear i belivie i can make it anywear i have the willpower and smarts to survive, but i`m most worried about running into someone else, u know what i mean?

Dec 04, 2009
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Savage 24
by: Woods Bum

I have two savage 24's, one it .22/410 and the other is .22/20 gauge. I carry the 410 most of the time.

Oct 04, 2009
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Good info here
by: Shanghai Jack

I agree that to go into the back country without a firearm is nuts. I have read the comments and find that the 20 gage consensus has a lot of merit. I have had three encounters with black bears while in the mountains. The worst encounter cost me my pack. I did have a weapon but did not use it. I carry a folding stock 12GA, but it is what I am use to. I carried one professionally for 26 years. Being from the US maybe I ought to go to the 10ga:] The 20ga combo seems to make more sense. Time to tell the wife I need a new gun!

Sep 12, 2009
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please help me out
by: Anonymous

I have been searching for a .22/410 for what seems like eternity do guys think you could help me out? resin21713@hotmail.com

Jul 30, 2009
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M6 in 22 Hornet
by: Anonymous

The Springfield M6 survival rifle comes in a .410 guage over 22 Hornet. The 22 Hornet produces 750 ft.lbs. of energy compared to about 100 ft. lbs of energy for a 22. A simple 44 magnum also produces about 750 ft. lbs. The 22 Hornet is much more effective for medium size game than a 22. The .410 is great for birds and with a slug in 3" magnum takes care even taller critters.

Jun 30, 2009
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22lr over 410
by: Anonymous

I have many so called survival rifles in my cabnet from the ar7 to the win defender but my fav has to be the savage m24 and anyone who will tell you that a 41 cal slug wont stop a black bear at 50 yards must live in the us of a where bigger is better in canada we put the first one where it will be the last one just want to add that in 40 years of wilderness survival and hiking I have taken two black bears and a moose with that m24 and more small game then most will ever see in thier life time .
and the true meaning of a survival gun is the one you are carring .
happy trails from the great white north.

May 20, 2009
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bear killer round
by: Anonymous

Years ago N. of Hell Hole CA hunting Mtn Quail I had to shoot a charging bear with my 20GA (24D 22/20), Luckily I had time to swap rounds from #8 bird to a 5/8 oz slug as when it charged it actually slipped off the logging road on oak leaves and tumbled to the right but scrambled back to the road surface and closed on us. Shot penetrated between its left shoulder and stopped near its bowels, tumbled like a rag doll dead. The slug fractured 11 bones as it passed through its body according to biologist. It also had a 3 inches of a "fishing" arrow lodged in its rear quarter which is probably why it was in such a "foul" mood. I also found out that the area is where Fish & Game deposits "undesirable" bears that are removed from Yosemite Nat. Park back in them day.

May 19, 2009
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Had more than pellet guns...
by: Anonymous

Lewis and Clark were armed with muzzleloading rifles. They were using a type of muzzleloading military rifle with a 60 grain charge of black powder.

READ YOUR HISTORY! They used firearms! They did have one air rifle that was 40 or so caliber.

May 15, 2009
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forget the 20; take the .410
by: Anonymous

In a true wilderness survival situation all you need is a .410 and/or .22 long rifle. If you're over 50 years old you'd better stick to the .410 just in case you lose your glasses. Twenty-gauge ammo is heavier and for survival is not needed, in fact can be too destructive at close range. I've spent months in the wilderness and after many mistakes and miscalcuations have found that the one best gun for "eating" is the .410. I can carry nearly twice as much ammo as opposed to a 20 gauge, and in the wilderness that's extremely important. All I carry is the 2 1/2 inch shells. You can run all of this into the ground but ultimatel wildnerss survival is dependent on many factors: the gun, your trapping skills, your sign-cutting talents, and your luck. If you do opt for a .22 long rifle make sure it has a scope. You'll not be living on deer and elk (unless you're wasteful); you'll be living on birds, small mammals, fish and the greens and fruit you can gather. As for type of gun: Keep it real simple. A break open single shot .410 works just fine, plus it's light and after a week of hardly eating you'll appreciate the minimal weight. Don't delude yourself. Wilderness survival can be tough, dangerous and very stressful. You'll go from feast to famine. Just don't be wasteful. That's the mark of an immature person.

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May 15, 2009
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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In a true wilderness survival situation all you need is a .410 and/or .22 long rifle. If you're over 50 years old you'd better stick to the .410 just in case you lose your glasses. Twenty-gauge ammo is heavier and for survival is not needed, in fact can be too destructive at close range. I've spent months in the wilderness and after many mistakes and miscalcuations have found that the one best gun for "eating" is the .410. I can carry nearly twice as much ammo as opposed to a 20 gauge, and in the wilderness that's extremely important. All I carry is the 2 1/2 inch shells. You can run all of this into the ground but ultimatel wildnerss survival is dependent on many factors: the gun, your trapping skills, your sign-cutting talents, and your luck. If you do opt for a .22 long rifle make sure it has a scope. You'll not be living on deer and elk (unless you're wasteful); you'll be living on birds, small mammals, fish and the greens and fruit you can gather. As for type of gun: Keep it real simple. A break open single shot .410 works just fine, plus it's light and after a week of hardly eating you'll appreciate the minimal weight. Don't delude yourself. Wilderness survival can be tough, dangerous and very stressful. You'll go from feast to famine. Just don't be wasteful. That's the mark of an immature person.

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Apr 03, 2009
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The Author is Correct
by: Anonymous

410 over 22 is everything you need for gathering food. Shot placement is always the critical factor with any weapon and a 22 is cheap, it's light and it will get the job done.

Use a 20 ga on a bear? Right. All a 20ga will do is piss him off and get you killed. Bear spray is the best defense for bears.

Mar 28, 2009
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44 shot shells - not good
by: Anonymous

I can tell you one gun that is not good for survival. I carried a 44 mag lever action with #9 shotshells. They are useless on grouse. #9 is too small for anything and the range is too short - forget that one. Shooting a grouse with the 44 hollow point just ruins the meat.

Mar 26, 2009
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Surviving the warden !!
by: Anonymous

I agree with those 20ga. guys. A .22 may be fun to take with you, but when the chips are down, and it isn't fun any more, a 20 ga is want you need. I have a Rossi .22/20ga combo kit. It is great. I can plink with the .22, and when it is time to scoot off the bears... 20ga. You are right about not wanting to look like you are on a hunting trip in July! Walking around with a belt load of 30-30 shells in July isn't what the game warden likes to see!! I can talk my way around with the combo kit (providing the .22 is hooked up). Walking around the bush in the summer with any shotgun may get you in trouble with the law. Survival isn't hunting and it isn't plinking. You need to watch for the game warden as much as the bears, even though you haven't done anything.

Feb 28, 2009
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guns
by: lighthorse

forget the 410... to small to short of range,and to light. go with the 20 gauge and 22lr combo or 20/3030,20/223,20/243/etc. get the idea.

Feb 26, 2009
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20 ga works for me!
by: Anonymous

I agree the 20 ga is the best survival gun. A survival gun is the gun you take with you when you are not hunting (when the seaon is closed). If you get stuck in the bush during moose season, then your 30-06 becomes you survival gun. Since you are not hunting and you do not want the game warden to fine you, generally survial guns are stored taken apart in your gear to be used when needed, but out of sight of wardens. In northerm Ontario, there is no summer hunting license so whatever you are packing should not look like you are on a hunting trip. A 22 requires you to be a good shot, a shotgun just gets it done! Bears are a problem - really just big racoons! and 20 ga slug will do it, a 22 will just make it made.

Jan 21, 2009
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Survival firearm
by: Anonymous

The best survival firearm I have ever used is the "Partner" NEF single shot 20ga shotgun. This gun comes in at 5+ pounds. The 'Partner' is light and comes apart for easy packing - especially important if you fly into the bush. My experiance is that 'survival' seems to happen when the weather is really bad - cold and wet. Sometimes my hands are so cold I can hardly get the small 22 shells into the chamber or a clip; but a 20ga shell seems to drops into the chamber all by itself. The 20 ga is good to signal with (way louder than a 22). You can shoot ducks, geese, grouse much easier than with a 22. Bears, which are the source of a lot of bush problems, can be shot with slugs (a 22 would be useless). Note: Survival isn't hunting. The NEF 'Tamer' looks interesting - but I haven't shot one.

Jan 15, 2009
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Springfield M6 Scout
by: DaNangPete

one of the best take down survival guns ever is the Springfield M6 Scout rifle in 22/410

Dec 07, 2008
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gun
by: Anonymous

a take apart 22lr is all that is required,forget the 410 part the 22 will kil everything that a 410 takes and more. who wants to pack 2 different types of ammo

Sep 02, 2008
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Gun
by: andrew cochran

Although lewis and clark took one air rifle they used muzzleloaders as well. I just wanted to clear that up.

I think an AR-7 like henry makes is the best choice.

Jan 10, 2008
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Pelletgun
by: Anonymous

Think about pellet guns in the .22 ,the 177 cal is not enough. NOT the co2 type! I have a benjamin and did some testing {.22 cal} ,i used a skull from a mule deer and at 30 paces it penetrated the skull behind the eye ,leaving a hole that my little finger could almost pass through. One of the benifits is the space the pellets take up compared to ammo. Reed your history ...Lewis and Clark had only PELLET rifles on thier journey!!!!! Of course they were larger calibers. Sooooo give a good pellet gun some thought!!!!

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