6 months in the wilderness; what rifle would you take ? ...

[dogtag]

Many yeas ago, sometime in the sixties, I read an article I think in the
American Rifleman about a small group of Men who had the time and
ability to go off into the wild for a six month period - singly, not together
they did not know each other. It struck me as funny that each said the
rifle they took was a powerful one, 30-06, 338. 308. Now if I had not
read that article and I was asked what I would favor I'd have said a 22.
Plus a magnum revolver, but the food getter would be a 22. I would
reason that there is a lot more small game to be had, rabbit. squirrel,
hare, racoon, groundhog etc than big game. Plus I wouldn't want to
lug around a leftover deer carcass, especially in the hot sun.
But, what do I know ? Never done that and too old now to do that.
What think you ?

[lyman]

dunno,


your comments on the 22lr are very valid,

however if you are off in the wild, I would want something powerful enough to protect me from whatever wildlife threat there may be,

that 22 may just make a bear mad,,,


related kinda

I have often thought that some of the prepper survivor bug out type people who carry an AR may be better off with a garden variety lever gun, think Winchester 94, that would look less threatening to the avg person you may come across,

[Vern Humphrey]

I've toyed with that question differently -- if I were to go with the Mountain Men (early 1800s) what modern rifle would I take?

1. It would have to be powerful -- you're dealing with buffalo, griz and the occasional hostile Indian.
2. It has to have iron sights -- nothing against scopes, but if the scope fails, there has to be a backup. Bonus points for an aperture sight.
3. It has to be rugged, with few parts to fail, and spare parts should take up as little weight and space as possible.

I looked over my collection, and one rifle leaped out -- the M1903A3 Springfield. (I have two -- a Remington and a Smith-Corona.)

For small game, a Hammonds Game Getter. That's a cartridge case with an off-center "flash hole." The "flash hole" is actually a chamber for a .22 rimfire. You load a .22 nail-setting blank, put a sized buckshot in the case mouth and you have a greatl squirrel gun. You can carry the whole thing in your shirt pocket.

[dogtag]

The trouble I'd have with taking a 1903 is the bolt. If you removed the bolt to clean
and bumped it it would slip off the cam and you'd be up the creek without a rifle.
A guy at the range with one did exactly that. The buggers in the shack sent him to
me saying I was a Mause expert (huh), so I sent him back. Told him they had a padded
vice. Suggested he treat the bolt more gingerly next time. All my rifles cock on closing.
The nearest I ever got to being a Mountain Man was going to Rendezvous with my
Lyman great Plains Hawken 50 cal. They were great fun.

[bruce]

Six months in the wilderness; what rifle would I take? This is easy! I'd take my 03-A4 replica. Now ... as to why. Simple. I've been shooting 03-A3 rifles since 1980. I've been hunting with one or another of them for the same number of years. I have not ever had anything ever get up and run off much less walk or crawl off. I've shot stuff at hard off the muzzle ranges right on out to 200 yds. Have shot some stuff running that went down at the shot and never moved. Did miss a shot on a running dog back about 1982. Was shooting iron sights. Grandmother in law wanted the dog killed. He was running on the other side of the pecan orchard. Second shot was right on target. 130 gr. JHP over a maximum charge of powder. Shot as flat as my bank account and hit like a brick.

Would the .30-06 be enough for all the challenges of the wilderness? I think so. With some nice little cast lead loads, it would be ideal for small game, etc. With some heavier loads of cast lead, it would be outstanding for medium game ... not rip up good meat or blow up bone shards, etc. With common 150 gr. hunting loads, it would be fully capable of handling longer ranged medium game. With good 180 gr. loads, it would be more than equal to dealing with big game of any and all kinds. I would if allowed also carry my beloved S&W Model 18 ... so that I'd have it for shooting whatnot such as snakes, pine cones, dirt clods, etc. Sincerely. bruce.

[lyman]

The trouble I'd have with taking a 1903 is the bolt. If you removed the bolt to clean
and bumped it it would slip off the cam and you'd be up the creek without a rifle.
A guy at the range with one did exactly that. The buggers in the shack sent him to
me saying I was a Mause expert (huh), so I sent him back. Told him they had a padded
vice. Suggested he treat the bolt more gingerly next time. All my rifles cock on closing.
The nearest I ever got to being a Mountain Man was going to Rendezvous with my
Lyman great Plains Hawken 50 cal. They were great fun.

I could spend 10 minutes with you and show you how to fix and maintain a 1903 ,, including the bolt issue you describe,

[Roadkingtrax]

M4

[dryheat]

AR or the AK. I love my Swede, but I'm not shooting 300M I wouldn't think. 22; I haven't eaten squirrel, but I'll bet I could pick one off with the Swede.
So, I was approached by a little black bear (little being subjective as they say). I had my .380 (for people) in my fanny pack. I immediately knew I was "out gunned". I doubt that little pistol round would have even made dent in the fur. Living for six months in the wild; it has to be some kind of rifle.
Those little nail gun rounds are surprisingly loud in the Remington device.

[Merc]

My Remington 03-A3 would be my choice if I had to carry just one firearm.

[Major Tom]

AK47

[Art]

If I didn't think I'd have to engage in close combat and assuming ammunition would not be an issue...I would take a Savage Model 24 in .22 WMR over 20 gauge shotgun. I would have a variety of shot shells from slugs to birdshot.

If I thought I might have problems with hostile bipedal primates, I'd be with Major Tom.

[barretcreek]

If I didn't think I'd have to engage in close combat and assuming ammunition would not be an issue...I would take a Savage Model 24 in .22 WMR over 20 gauge shotgun. I would have a variety of shot shells from slugs to birdshot.

If I thought I might have problems with hostile bipedal primates, I'd be with Major Tom.

You beat me to it Art. Worked with a guy from the UP; that was his only gun. 200 rounds of WMR is about the same as 20 of '06.

[JB White]

One factor to be considered is the six month supply of ammunition. More but lighter to carry on your person. In that regard, the 22 LR wins hands down.
I would feel more secure having the 22 as my rifle. As already mentioned, a sidearm in a business end chambering would be included in the kit. And you don't need a six month supply as if going to the range. Just enough for the possible encounter with a predator perhaps three or four times if that much. If constantly attacked, you're going to b somethings lunch sooner or later. Bears, wolves, cats....how much fending off can you do?
Carrying more ammo burns off more calories so all that ammo will slow you down in more ways than one.

22lr and a good knife goes a very long way.

[RED]

If I didn't think I'd have to engage in close combat and assuming ammunition would not be an issue...I would take a Savage Model 24 in .22 WMR over 20 gauge shotgun. I would have a variety of shot shells from slugs to birdshot.

If I thought I might have problems with hostile bipedal primates, I'd be with Major Tom.

I agree, but would go with the .22/20 ga. I once owned a 24 in .223/20 and it was very versatile. A .20 gauge slug out to about 60 yards will kill anything that walks in the 48 States. A rabbit or squirrel needs to be shot with a .22 and CB caps does it quickly and quietly.

[togor]

Do I start with a cabin where I can stow my ammo?

If on foot then have to agree, M4 (or clone), bandolier of M193, some lubricating oil. Chrome-lined. Weatherproof. Dunkproof.

[lyman]

I agree, but would go with the .22/20 ga. I once owned a 24 in .223/20 and it was very versatile. A .20 gauge slug out to about 60 yards will kill anything that walks in the 48 States. A rabbit or squirrel needs to be shot with a .22 and CB caps does it quickly and quietly.

good choice

[Vern Humphrey]

Once again, it depends on the wilderness -- I envision something like the Great Plains and Rockies in the 1820s. Read DeVoto's "Across the Wide Missouri," the history of the Mountain Men. For that, it seems to me the '03A3 would be ideal, and a Hammond Game Getter would add frosting to the cake.

The old mountain men were mounted, of course, not on foot, and had pack animals as well. A couple of hundred rounds of .30-06 and a box or two of .22 nail setting blanks would be no great burden -- it would actually be lighter than a .54 Hawken rifle and an equivalent amount of ammo.

For a belt gun, I'm torn between my .45 Ruger Blackhawk and my .45 Colt New Service.

[Mark in Ottawa]

My Lee Enfield No 5 (i.e. the Jungle Carbine). Shoots the .303 British cartridge which is good enough for most medium game; is powerful enough for most predators (probably not a grizzly but it has been done successfully); has a 10 round magazine; is a bit lighter than a full sized rifle and is more manoeverable than a full sized rifle. It can be fitted for a scope but to do so, you have to take off the iron sight.

[dryheat]

.22, a good choice. If the 20 gauge can take down most animals then it's the perfect rifle so long as you can still fire bird shot. I kind of hate the 12 gauge. I finished of a snake once with a .38 snake shot(road kill). I hear you can eat rattle snake. I skinned the snake and tried to preserve it, but I didn't know what I was doing. What else are you doing on those six months? You can shoot the place up, but you need water. Probably killed another thread.

[blackhawknj]

In addition to the type of wilderness, the terrain, the density of the vegetation, etc., are we talking about having a cabin or fixed camp or being on foot, trekking? Here in the someone more densely forested East, a flat shooting long range rifle isn't that useful, few 100 yard shots.
I have read that relying on rabbit too much for survival leads to serious health problems.

[Allen]

I would choose a TV gun. It wouldn't matter what type or caliber, they're all full auto and never run out of ammo so no need to carry any or extra mags.

I would also get training from one of the actors (excluding Alec Baldwin) where they can shoot blindly into a woods and only hit the desired target plus being able to always hit the bad guys that are shooting at you. You can hit them but they cannot hit you even if they are using machine guns and you only have a pistol.

[Art]

.22, a good choice. If the 20 gauge can take down most animals then it's the perfect rifle so long as you can still fire bird shot. I kind of hate the 12 gauge. I finished of a snake once with a .38 snake shot(road kill). I hear you can eat rattle snake. I skinned the snake and tried to preserve it, but I didn't know what I was doing. What else are you doing on those six months? You can shoot the place up, but you need water. Probably killed another thread.

At those rattlesnake roundups they finish up by frying up the catch and chowing down. I can't speak for rattlesnake personally but I have had copperhead and it was pretty darn good. There's a lot out there folks don't think about eating that is not just edible but tasty, some of which doesn't even require a bullet.

On ammo again - some shot shells for rimfire or pistol ammo wouldn't hurt. I've put "snake shot" loads into the heads of a number of venomous snakes and the result was always instant death, I mean they didn't even twitch. Short ranged but effective for the right applications.

[jon_norstog]

I'd go with the .22, a light one like the old Browning autoloader. More importantly, I'd have an axe, saw and shovel, a bunch of parachute cord, a decent tarp, bedding, lots of sox, a good knife, a skillet, salt, a water filter and a cheap wristwatch.

jn

[RED]

I'd go with the .22, a light one like the old Browning autoloader. More importantly, I'd have an axe, saw and shovel, a bunch of parachute cord, a decent tarp, bedding, lots of sox, a good knife, a skillet, salt, a water filter and a cheap wristwatch.

jn

Have you ever tried to eat a rabbit, squirrel, or quail
That was shot from 1-3 yards with a 1903?

The little Browning is a great gun but I knew a guy named Bobby Trump that was scouting for whitetails in Southeast Georgia when a feral boar hog attacked him and he emptied the Browning but saved himself by skinning up a pine tree.

[Art]

I've already stated my choice, but if I was going to pick a centerfire rifle for my 6 months in the wilderness, which where I live involves woods, the CZ527 in 7.62x39 would be a finalist. They are also chambered in 5.56mm/.223. The only problem is its a bit too pretty - however, a synthetic stock version is available. FMJ for smaller critters (rabbit size) soft points for deer (or pig) size game. One fly in the old chardonnay is extra magazines are expensive and I don't think they come in capacities over 5 rounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSu7EuQr6o4

[tom gray]

The low sodium spam is fine

[dogtag]

People in England survived on Rabbit during the war. It's stringy but tasty.
People eat a lot of Chicken with no health problems, don't see why Rabbit
would be any different. People in England didn't die from eating Rabbit, they
died from bombs.

[lyman]

People in England survived on Rabbit during the war. It's stringy but tasty.
People eat a lot of Chicken with no health problems, don't see why Rabbit
would be any different. People in England didn't die from eating Rabbit, they
died from bombs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_poisoning