Hay guys it's time to get to the fun stuff. These are my picks for when SHTF. No self respecting prepper would be without 22lr and 12 GA. Handgun is 9mm,38/357 and 45acp. Rifles in 30/30 7.62x39 and for serious social work 8mm Mauser! So what are you packing?
22lr, 223, 243, 12g, 9mm, 38sp. Several of each except 38 and 243 which are the odd Ducks. Adding a 308 this year.
22LR for various Rifles & Pistols... 9mm, 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, for Pistols.... 30M1 Carbine, 30-30, & 308 Winchester, for various Rifles... 16 Ga 2 3/4”, 12Ga 2 3/4” & 3” Magnum for various Shotguns... and ReLoading Components got ALL THE ABOVE....
.22 conversion for the AR carbine as well as the full pop 5.56! .380 auto for a discrete pocket piece or as backup to the standard carry 10mm auto. .308 for the battle rifle, and .30/06 for long range needs! Finally, a .338 L.M for extra reach and hitting power! No real need for a shotgun offensively, defensively, or putting food on the table, a .22 can and does every thing a shotty can do, and quieter too!
A water pistol. When I am feeling especially daring, I may just shoot with a spud gun. Bicycle pumps are death dealing spit ball machines!
My calibers are .224, .308, and 9mm. My current cartridges using those caliber bullets are .22LR, 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO, and 9mm Parabellum.
I try to have something in everything,I have,.22lr,.22tcm,.32sw,.32swl,.32acp,.32hr mag,7.62/nagant,.327mag,.380acp,.38special,.357mag,9mm,.40sw,.44mag,.45acp,.45lc,.45-70,.243,410 and 12gauge. I can always find ammo somewhere.i forgot the .22 hornet I just traded for.
On a more serious note 7mm08 22lr 22 hornet 45 acp 243 223 264 win mag 40 Cal 12 ga but really I am arrow guy
I'd like to become an arrow guy. Especially interested in crossbows. Too many other things happening right now, but it's on the radar.
slingshot, crossbow, snares, and various types of traps (some not currently legal to use), 22lr, 5.56mmx45, 300blackout, .308/7.62x51, 450bushmaster, 6.5mmGrendel, 20ga, 12ga, 54bp, 50bp, 45bp, 44bp, 9mm, reload and cast bullets, 100s of pounds of casting lead. That's about it I guess
in a true SHTF my go-to ammo would be 9mm, .223, and 12 gauge. These three calibers will do about 95% of what I need to do. I store thousands of rounds and am best trained on these formats. However, if needed I can also do .22, .380, 38/.357, .40, .30-06, and 20 gauge. I have more modest amounts of ammo for these. My training is not as good, but I can get by. My strategy is to rely on only a few calibers for simplicity, proficiency, and to keep costs down, but also have many formats at my disposal so I have the means to shoot whatever caliber I can get my hands on when SHTF and ammo becomes sparse.
@Tevin - "In a true SHTF my go-to ammo would be 9mm, .223, and 12 gauge." IMO - it is better be well stocked in a few than have a little of everything. I settled on these same three (right or wrong, plus 22lr) several years ago and have spent my available ammo allowance on these calibers. I am adding a Rem 700 in 308 this year and that will be it.
Just a .22 bolt gun, a wheelbarrow and a tacticat here.....the rest fell out of the boat.....Monkeys should stay off the water.
Found out last night I'm going to be adding 12 gauge to the list - Mrs. 3M is getting me a KSG for Christmas!