Roughest, toughest, durable rifle ever built?

[444]

I have those .32 ACP adapters for a number of rifles: 7.62x54R, .30-06, .303 British, and 7.5 Swiss.
In the context of what we are talking about here, it isn't the most pratical thing in the world: the ammo the rifle is chambered in is easier to find than .32 ACP.

 

[benEzra]

One advantage the .357 leverguns have over every other firearm mentioned in this thread (and I don't believe I've seen it mentioned, although this thread is so long I had to take a bathroom break while reading it. ) If you can't find .357 you can always shoot .38. Any other ammunition you can shoot out of the M1s, Lee Enfields, Mosins, AKs, SKSs, etc mentioned?

Good point. Though .223 and 7.62x39 are at least as common in stores around here (eastern NC) as .38/.357.

I own a SAR-1 (civvie AK lookalike, Romanian made) and it's the long gun I'd go to if my life ever depended on it, but I think lever-action .357's are really neat (and aren't far below 7.62x39 ballistics, from what I hear), and one is on my "someday" list, after a new car, an AR, and getting the mortgage paid down.

 

[Cosmoline]

Only with adapters (usually inserts). A .303 or 7.62x54, for instance, would work great with an insert for .32 ACP for small game.

You can also work up low-velocity loads for the cartridges, though bulky powders should be used to prevent pressure spikes.

For grouse and ptarmigan I've used standard FMJ ball with good effect.

 

[osteodoc08]

ANY Mauser or the old 22's that have the manual cocking for the bolt.

 

[beerslurpy]

I wonder why Wal-Mart dosn't sell 7.62x39

Because Bush did a ban on all Norinco imports in 2003. It expires this year btw.

So Wal-Mart will once again be selling 100 dollar chinese mossberg clones and 50 dollars a case 7.62x39 ammo.

 

[AStone]

MSR = main survival rifle

OK, I've read this entire thread again for the second time.

This is my last post before going to sleep (it's now 5 AM PST).

I've abandoned trying to parse the original 10 or so criteria, and am now focusing on the knowledge presented here in for my own MSR needs.

I now own a Kahr K9. Will soon add a Rem 870P. They should take care of SD needs, and are relatively easy to carry even on foot in a bug out (say in an expedition sized backpack, with extra rnds).

Add a longer barrel to the 870, & it'll do rabbit, bird, squirrel. Carry a few slugs, and I've got whitetail & mule deer.

Now, the complication comes with this. I mainly think of the K9 as a city carry gun. In a bug out, I'd most likely entertain carrying a .357 revolver, which I'm considering adding after the 870P. (Most likely candidate right now: SW 620 or Ruger GP101).

The 870 WILL go along. If I also had fossil fuel powered wheels (not a given any more given the state of things, and the approaching peak of oil), I'd probably also like to have a MSR, also.

So, the question becomes, which one? Key word: one.

Not interested in AK's, AR's and such for this. (No offense to those who are; to each there own. Good luck.)

Current choices, after reading this thread (did I mention twice?) and several others, in no particular order:

Rem 7600P in .308 or .223
Rem 700 in .30-06
Marlin 336 in .30-30 or .35
Marlin 1894C in .357 carbine (would so complement a revolver)
Some kind of .243
22lr (unlikely, though; i want a bit more bang)

My thoughts about surival: being mostly a loner, or may hook up with one or two others (instead of a large camp), I'm unlikely to hunt large game. (Why kill it if I can't eat it in a day or two?). So I'm leaning against the .30 cal and up. Despite the appeal of that Rem 7600P in a pump (same muscle memory move as the 870P), and the larger caliber, I'm leaning towards something a bit smaller.

If I'm carrying a .357 anyway, and got the cartridges, the Marlin 1894C makes sense. That cal is (reportedly) widely available.

On the other hand, what if the .357 ran out but .30-30 was still around. Just like in ecosystems, diversity can be good.

OK, I think I'll go sleep on it some more.

I'm sure my mind will change another few hundred times between now and a couple of months from now when I actually purchase said MSR.

Wow, choices are good, eh?

Nem