Thinking about getting a bolt action for my toolkit. What rifle and caliber do you suggest. Hypothetically, I want to be able to harass communist confiscation robots/terrorists at a distance if they’re committing atrocities in my neighborhood. Again... hypothetical. I’m not looking to hurt a fly. Purely for defensive purposes in a shit-hits-the-fan scenario.
Perhaps as much as 800 yards, so should be aerodynamically efficient, shoot fairly flat and pack a punch on arrival (shoot through stuff if needed). Doesn’t need to be a howitzer though.
Obviously, bigger options like .416 Barrett and other anti-materiel-esque types do this supremely well, but the guns are massive. I’m trying to identify the right trade off between mobility, accuracy and power.
Popular options might be 30-06, .308, 6.5C, 300WM. Just not sure what way I should lean
Thinking about getting a bolt action for my toolkit. What rifle and caliber do you suggest. Hypothetically, I want to be able to harass communist confiscation robots/terrorists at a distance if they’re committing atrocities in my neighborhood. Again... hypothetical. I’m not looking to hurt a fly. Purely for defensive purposes in a shit-hits-the-fan scenario.
Perhaps as much as 800 yards, so should be aerodynamically efficient, shoot fairly flat and pack a punch on arrival (shoot through stuff if needed). Doesn’t need to be a howitzer though.
Obviously, bigger options like .416 Barrett and other anti-materiel-esque types do this supremely well, but the guns are massive. I’m trying to identify the right trade off between mobility, accuracy and power.
Popular options might be 30-06, .308, 6.5C, 300WM. Just not sure what way I should lean
Thanks. Do these pair well with a modern optic? I’m not a very good shot so every bit helps.
You get exactly one choice in optic for a Mosin, and you need to modify your bolt to use it.
... unless you want to be some sort of heretic and mount a rail on your nugget, in which case you should be burned at the stake.
Still, a 54R round will punch a hole the size of a silver dollar in a brake rotor at 150 yards, and I know because I've done it.
What’s wrong with a rail on a M-N? All is fair in love and war.
We need to talk about your heresy.
Lemme tell ya about how I used some Ford parts on my ‘75 Chevy.
hell - I USED TO BE AN AMC OWNER.
ITIS CALLED HOT-RODDING! IMPROVISE-ADAPT-OVERCOME,
“The warrior uses what is available to him - There is no shame in this.” Sun Tzu
Now, if it is an unforeseen, pristine, numbers-matching piece, that is another matter... but how many M-N pristine number-matching examples are there really?
Weatherby makes some good rifles in different calibers. I’ve got a 375 H&H. A cannon.
Thanks. Are these pricy? I’m looking for value, value, value. If it’s 90% as good for 40% the price, that’s me all day. Spend the savings on ammo for practice
Edit: reading some commentary on the caliber. Is the benefit vs a more common option like .308 worth it?
They seem reasonably priced. Mossberg makes pretty good rifles too and they seem to be a little cheaper. You may want to check out some Mossberg rifles. Some are in the $300 and up range. They have several calibers.
As guns go that’s amazing. My first was a revolver that cost a fortune (riot prices).... then an auto shotgun for a few hundred... now we’re talking $300!?! Awesome
Check out the Mossberg Patriot series.
.308 hands down. Ammo will be plentiful.
Whatever you can get ammo for.
Ruger American in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 30.06.
Best bang for your buck.
Hit the pawn shops. Everyone wants an AR/AK, bolt actions will be cheap. Look for one with a clean bore. If it has a lot of “patina” it means it was someone’s reliable freezer filler. Rem700 should be considered the baseline standard.
.308 is a mil-standard round and is well-proven.
Otherwise, get whatever is on the shelf and ammo is available for.
Yeah that seems like the best one. Ammo is not cheap.. rifles aren’t cheap either seems!
You're not shooting over a mile.
A 308 will be just fine for what you want.
This is what I came for. Thanks. I’ll keep it simple.
Seems like the conversation is really 6.5 and .308. It’s flatter, slipperier... maybe the barrel wears faster.. but as you pointed out, maybe these benefits only matter at longer distances
You mentioned SHTF.
What rounds are more widely available, 308 or 6.5?
Thats the simplest answer
Thanks. I’m such a noob, I really didn’t know the answer for sure. Gun owners talking online seem to own a gazillion guns including the trendy new ones... so I thought the flavor of the month might be more available!
308 is the answer, good luck!
Try a 7mm Rem Mag. Actually any of the Magnum cartridges (7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag) are good choices within 800 yards. If you do choose/have a 338 WM, it's pretty good, but check the ballistic coefficient of your projectile first. In addition to the ones on your list, I would also consider the 270 Winchester if you are looking at only bolt actions. It's rather high velocity (and flat shooting), has good energy, and has a pretty solid bullet selection.
All purpose I’d go .308. (7.62). Long range I’d go .300 Norma or .338 Lapua Mag. I’ve dropped a few close to 900 yards with both. Rounds are friggin expensive tho
.308 or .300 Win Mag
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/6-5-mm-ammo-breakdown/
https://www.accurateshooter.com/tactical/6-5-creedmoor-for-tactical-competition/
6.5 is accurate to 1000 yards.
6.5 creedmore is well regarded for a reason.