Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

EMorr

EMorr

I need a nap
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 5, 2011
94
160
E. Kalifornia . . . Formerly known as Colorado
#1
I was having a spirited debate with a few friends and I thought I would throw this out and see what the forum members would pick. Hypothetically and just for fun, if you knew for whatever reason you were going to be abandoned in an unknown wilderness with an unknown amount and size of animals and you were allowed to bring only one rifle with you and a set amount of ammunition, which caliber would you pick and why.

I listed what I thought would be the most popular calibers and a few that my friends suggested but if you don’t see the one you would choose just list it in your post. Remember when you choose in this hypothetical situation you have no idea what you might be hunting or what might be hunting you. (No Dinosaurs
eek.gif
)
 
#3
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eddief</div><div class="ubbcode-body">22 rimfire </div></div>

this^^^, for so many reasons. =)
 
#5
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr Pink</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eddief</div><div class="ubbcode-body">22 rimfire </div></div>

this^^^, for so many reasons. =) </div></div>

I guess I should have added that one but it skipped my mind.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: idahoshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No 12 gauge, fail. </div></div>

That's another good one but in intrest of keeping the number of choices down I did not include shotguns or pistol calibers. Guess I'll know better for next time.
 
#6
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

my pick is 30/06. enough range if you just had to use it. enough power to do the job without making you excessively macho/stupid/brave. 22 rimfire is also a very good choice,maybe better answer,in terms of pure survival utility. bad people and animals could affect that decision tree. i have always said that if one could only have ONE gun for the rest of your life,that it should be the best 22 handgun one could find.
 
#9
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

I like the 300 win. It is big enough to handle anything in north america with the right load (if i get a choice) and it will do if it has to on animals in africa. It may be a little much for the squirrel im going to shoot for dinner but it will do. Also there is some recoil but not enough for anybody to shoot it horribly. Anything bigger and fatigue would start to be a factor i believe.
I also agree with everyone on the 22 but as stated not knowing what you are getting into i want something a little bigger. Granted a 22 will do if put in the right spot but i would still feel better looking at a grizzley through a scope on a 300.
 
#11
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

Out of your choices, .223. It'll take any large game if you actually hunt it and get close enough. It's the lightest of the centerfire choices, and the military stuff is far more waterproof than the 22 rimfire rounds. If you're stuck in the wilderness, at some point, you and your provisions will likely to get soaked. I'd pick a bone stock AR15. Light enough, which is a big consideration, yet able to give controllable rapid fire in the event of either a sudden animal or human attack. Accurate, well balanced, and flat shooting. A 22 rimfire would be an excellent second choice but I'd definately want something larger in the event of an attack.
 
#12
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

When I first moved to Alaska, (Spring of 72) I spent the first two years working for the Railroad, living in a 12 X 18 cabin I built on railroad land. I was about three Healy, north of McKinley Park.

No electricy or running water.

I got laid of in the winter. There as nothing resembling work in the winter in that part of the state.

I had several large guns, but I fed my family (wife and two small kids) not with one of those heavy guns, but with a Savage 22/410 over-under, supplemented with fishing.

Snow shoe rabbits and ptarmagan (sp) consisted of most of our food. I trapped a bit to get flowr, salt, and coffee.

I still have that Savage. if something wierd happened and I was stuck in that situation again, that would be the gun I'd want.

 
#13
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

.223 would be my choice. Significantly more power and range than a 22, ammo is light, and recoil is not an issue. Loaded with good 60-70 grain bullets its good for game up to deer or larger if shot placement is perfect and it is not overkill for small game.
 
#14
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

.22RF, for sure.

But since we must choose, the context sounds like your opponents (or food) would be 4-legged, up to large size. .375 H&H would be my call - relatively mild recoil, decent LR trajectory, larger diameter, and heavy hitting all make it a great and overlooked do-all chambering.
 
#15
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

I voted .30-06. Enough for anything in North America, not too hard on the shoulder, plenty of ammo, and I already have a good rifle chambered in it.

Justin
 
#18
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

If you were issuing me ammo based on weight, then the .22LR would be my choice. If it was based on cartridge number, then .223 would probably be my selection.

Why is simple. The .22LR is capable of killing even deer sized game (we are talking survival, not ethical hunting) and I can carry a ton of ammo for it. It also doesn't draw as much attention as a big-boomer.

Now if I was only going to get a certain number of rounds, I would select the .223. I would want the power and reach to maximize the ability to harvest larger animals while not totally destroying smaller game. The .223 also has a greater chance of dissuading something that might want to eat me.

However in a survival situation your food gathering efforts are better spent on trapping and scavenging than on hunting. Better return on your energy investment. You can eat a lot of grub worms for not a lot of work.
 
#19
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

I agree with LW above.

I would take a .22LR. The weight savings would also make it easy to carry everywhere. Rodents are always going to be more plentiful then larger game like deer or any other hooved animals so you could end up with with a definite rodent for every shot with a .22LR.
 
#20
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

.22 rimfire would be my first choice.

If I was only allotted a certain number of rounds with no regard to weight and space, then I would chose a higher caliber rifle.
 
#22
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

Out of those listed, I could quite easily be satisfied with the .223. I have spent my entire life living in the Rocky Mountain west (aside from traveling conus/oconus for work)and could easily feed myself and family with the .223.

The .22 LR is in the same boat too.
 
#26
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?



Semi-off topic, but I have an over-under savage in 22magnum and 20 gauge just for that.. If it flies it dies, if it stays put, and its edible, cept for elk it dies..lol


ch
 
#27
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

Since we don't know what animals we have available, a large caliber might be too much for rabbits or birds if that's all I had to survive on. On the other hand, a .22 will kill most anything if done correctly plus not destroy the bird or rabbit. I can carry a load of .22 ammo with me and it's quieter than centerfire. We are talking survival.
 
#28
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

This same question came up about a year ago and set me to thinking..So after pondering it for awhile I decided to built a rifle for such an event..this is what I came up with...Remington Model 12 pump .22 cut to 16 inches with a picatinny rail mounted on receiver and first 3 inches of barrel. Mounted 4X Leupold RF scope in QD rings soon to have a red dot set up the same way..Ceracoated entire rifle..she is a takedown that fits in a standard backpack..day and night optics..deadly on edible animals to around 100 yards or so, and I could flat ruin a mans day out to 200 yards or so..22 RF for me
 
#32
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

the "set amount of ammo" plays a large part...need to know if its weight or round count if its round count id go with 338lm just cause its big enough for anything - reaches far enough for anything and even with small game just head shot it and you still have meat/skin left over :p
 
#33
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

Without knowing how much ammo I could have, I hit the default button and ended up with a .308. I have no problem with that choice. I am familiar with the cartridge, it has ample power without undue punishment and accurate even in factory rifles.
 
#35
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

Of the choices listed, I picked 308win. It is very adaptable to many situations.

Having said that, the 22lr has alot going for it in your question. Other than large predators at close range charging, the 22 would be handy.

Lots of ammo is easy to carry and light.

just a thought.
 
#37
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got laid of in the winter. There as nothing resembling work in the winter in that part of the state.
</div></div>

the first time i read this, i thought to myself, "that's not a bad way to spend a winter." i need more coffee.
 
#41
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

If there are no velociraptors I'd feel pretty good with a 12ga...otherwise a .308 is always the best 'all-around' cartridge to run with.
 
#43
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

I picked .308 , but could have been persuaded to go .338 federal
it would be a rugged bolt action with a detachable 1.5-5 leupold or similar


agreed .22lr is best for gathering food

if i could have a good .22 pistol or a combination .22 /.338 fed rifle!
 
#44
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

.22 LR for sure. Sighted in at 50 yards. Ill take open sights, a few boxes of good match grade standard velocity ammo in a water tight container. One small can of CLP and a rag and im good to go.
 
#45
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

.22 lr backed up with a 12 ga

1) light weight, can carry alot (22lr)
2) both have various types of bullet / shot configurations and velocities (quiet ammo / subsonics) below the sound barrier, hard to pinpoint location if have to fire twice. surrounding trees, hills, etc. muffle sound more - if that is what is desired for the "zombie theory".
3) can take down a deer if properly placed (22lr), tweety birds, or frogs - a man has got to eat.
4) even the 22lr or bird shot in a 12 ga. will work in a defensive stand, or at least make someone duck while you make a tactical retreat.
5) both can be usually found on a shelf somewhere if inventory needed to be replenished.

if able to have a choice, would prefer the .22lr in a semi auto configuration (pistol or rifle w/ 20-30 plus round mags), 12 ga in a pump w/ removeable chokes and extended mag tube, side saddle with a mix of shot / slugs. folding / collapsible stocks on both or the combo type for easy packing - if able to have that luxury at the time. if not a bone stock one will do just fine.

if needing a choice of the 2, 12ga for above reasons, and defend againts those nasty bears and other predators. when the heat is on, precision shots is not desired. fill the air with lead and your target surely will be dead. 00 buck shot still packs a whallop out to 100 yards. that's (depending on manufacturer) 8 to 12 .330 caliber, 53 grain (avg) balls.

1 oz plus slugs - even with bodyarmor, that amount of lead hitting centermass is going to cause at least the knocking on to ass / air knocked out, possibly internal bleeding / cracked ribs, organ damage at 100 yards - again enough for a tactical retreat. today's slug ammo is accurate enough to to even take those more precise shots and not even have to worry about center mass / body armor if need be.
 
#48
Re: Deserted in a wilderness, which caliber would you?

I chose the .30-06 for two reasons. 1) ammo availabilty 2) it will kill anything that walks. I realize that most centerfire rifles with the proper bullet selection and shot placement can take any game on the North Amercian Continent. Therefore, ammo availabilty becomes the primary issue at hand. Anything you can take with a shotgun or .22LR can be taken with traps, deadfalls and snares. Plus, they all but eliminate taking large game for sustinance at extended distances.
 
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