caliber thoughts

[UnBroken]

Hey guys .

I was reading a post on the mighty 22lr. I do agree with the poster that it is a must in any prepper/ gun owner's armory.

My post is on the topic of what should be in any preppers armory and more importantly WHY?

 This.is NOT a discussion on what is better or who is the coolest. I look at firearms like tools. I have used a pair of pliers to put a nail in the wall, but i much prefer a hammer. Same works with this.  Id love to.have a 308 for every firefight but I can use a 556 just as well.

 I'll start this topic off.

 308 most hunters use it aswell as it being one of the most useful combat and long range shooting.

 223 lots of ex or current military around here own something in the caliber and I am well trained in it.

 12 gauge-  every hunter I have met has one out here. The events I been to for 3 gun the shotgun.has been the most tricked out

22lr see " the mighty 22lr" for the reason .

[Kentactic]

I think the shotgun tends to be the most tricked out at 3 guns because there are a lot of things you can do to a factory stock shotgun to  improve its functionality. also the shotgun, contrary to popular belief is the hardest to master and most guys may focus on that gun more because its the weak spot in their game. im just guessing ive never attended a 3 gun match.

I think the shotgun can be very useful once mastered but a ball and chain around your ankle if you dont know how to use it. my ball and chains getting lighter but my ankle is sore from a long journey.

But only once i purchased my 870 did i start to realize how many people have them that i know...and they will likely be running around with a perfectly good shotgun and very little ammo.. so i can stock ammo for me and have that same ammo for anyone i choose to supply ammo to.

[special-k]

I'm seriously considering selling out of all my shotgun stuff (guns, ammo, accessories, etc.) in order to put all that money into more use-able SHTF weapons/supplies (rifles, pistols, ammo, etc.)

I'm not saying scatter-guns are completely useless, I'm just seeing the need to prioritize on a limited budget.  Really, the only time I'm going to reach for the shotgun, is when my other gun(s) are not available for whatever reason.

[UnBroken]

Please stay on topic guys

[special-k]

Please stay on topic guys

Huh?  Sorry, but those are my thoughts on your subject "caliber thoughts."  I don't see exactly where I drifted from your subject.  I'm just saying that on a limited budget, maybe shotguns should not be a priority.

[Kentactic]

I'm seriously considering selling out of all my shotgun stuff (guns, ammo, accessories, etc.) in order to put all that money into more use-able SHTF weapons/supplies (rifles, pistols, ammo, etc.)

I'm not saying scatter-guns are completely useless, I'm just seeing the need to prioritize on a limited budget.  Really, the only time I'm going to reach for the shotgun, is when my other gun(s) are not available for whatever reason.

i always hear that a shotgun is a scattergun... not sure what exactly that means...

A shotgun just like a rifle is to be properly aimed at a single threat taking aim at the centermass and fired, not to be aimed in the general direction of 1 or more threats simultaneously. ideally all projectiles land within the centermass of that single threat. theres nothing scatter about it. the point of multiple projectiles is to create multiple wounds. not to hit multiple threats at once.

[special-k]

i always hear that a shotgun is a scattergun... not sure what exactly that means...

A shotgun just like a rifle is to be properly aimed at a single threat taking aim at the centermass and fired, not to be aimed in the general direction of 1 or more threats simultaneously. ideally all projectiles land within the centermass of that single threat. theres nothing scatter about it. the point of multiple projectiles is to create multiple wounds. not to hit multiple threats at once.

Scattergun = The energy scatters, and is useless past 60 yards (unless one has a rifled slug barrel, then, maybe around 200 yards, with special ammo.)

No matter how you paint it, shotguns have a pretty limited use. 

But don't get me wrong, I'm glad guys like you are around...wanna buy a Benelli Super 90 M1 Combat model ($800 plus shipping)?

[Bobruffles]

Bullshit, Have you ever tried to shoot a quail with a rifle? A duck? Shotguns by far have the widest range of use. I can shoot anything from a rabbit to a fucking moose with it. It has the widest choice of ammo. Buckshot is good out to 100yrds and slugs even farther. The only limitation of a 12gauge is the size of the ammunition and realoding speed.

[Kentactic]

i always hear that a shotgun is a scattergun... not sure what exactly that means...

A shotgun just like a rifle is to be properly aimed at a single threat taking aim at the centermass and fired, not to be aimed in the general direction of 1 or more threats simultaneously. ideally all projectiles land within the centermass of that single threat. theres nothing scatter about it. the point of multiple projectiles is to create multiple wounds. not to hit multiple threats at once.

Scattergun = The energy scatters, and is useless past 60 yards (unless one has a rifled slug barrel, then, maybe around 200 yards, with special ammo.)

No matter how you paint it, shotguns have a pretty limited use. 

But don't get me wrong, I'm glad guys like you are around...wanna buy a Benelli Super 90 M1 Combat model ($800 plus shipping)?

Lol.. i think Benelli is glad guys like you are around... Semi-Auto = Duck hunting/Trick shot gun in my opinion.

But dont peg me for some Shotgun fanboy. the only reason i run a shotgun is because im in CA... but never under estimate any firearms ability...especially if its pointed at you. 60 yards seems aweful fucking close when the shotguns aimed at your face.

[JohnyMac]

Trade rifles in the 1700's were the modern day rifle. It did it all:

.62-.69 caliber round ball and patch would take down anything
Same caliber made a great scatter gun for winged critters and
My favorite, a "buck and ball load." 4-5 .32 cal balls on top of a patched round ball topped off with some wadding to keep it all together as it traveled down the barrel.

Edit: I have planned for my cap and flint ignited rifles and pistols to be part of my TSHTF armoury.
       They are simple and don't need much: Powder, lead and a flint or cap. Also, you now have a
       legal explosive on hand. Black powder was the explosive of choice until nitroglycerin could be
       transported safely.

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Hello all RON L here

As someone lese has said I view firearms as tools and different tools for different applications, I do have a shotgun and I love it's Versitility, It as all tools and weapons has it's limitations! I Prefer common calibers for Prep reason and I hope availibility and buy by the case load options, I stock up, and can re-load so I have those options! I go with what I know and have seen work and is Proven! Try things out for yourself, then your opinions will mean more to ya and leave ya in a better postion when ya need them? Thats my best advice! This is a reason 22LR, 38 Spcl, 9MM and 45ACP are still around and in such common use Ditto 12GA, 223 and 308, 3006, while I love the performance of 50BMB, 50 beawolf and others like 338 and 7MM magnum, they are not what I use and stock for? I won't be the one scounging ammo for them or reloading however I can for them?

[1000meterstare]

I keep a couple hundred rounds of 9mm on hand even though I have no desire to ever own a 9mm.  Think of it as MONEY. [url=http://www.freesmileys.or

[themighty9mm]

Whatever they feel they are most proficient with, should be the calibers they stock. Unless you go to one extreme or the other (50bmg or .177 pellet for example) All any caliber has to do is have enough penetration to hit vital organs, then be places in a position to allow it to hit those organs/spinal column. Even then in a situation where no help is commin any hit to any part of the body is just about a death sentence. A couple gauze pads might stop the initial bleeding but the infection afterwards will kill unless properly and in a timely fashion treated. I feel safe in guessing even if one did have the knowledge most likely they wont have the tools on hand. Or vice versa. Also in all but the most desperate of situations, I also feel fairly safe in guessing, anyone hit with anything outside of a small rock, will pretty quickly lose any motivation to continue a fight. Most people go after immediate needs/wants first. Even in a hunger situation I'd guess taking care of a bullet wund will take priority of a empty stomache

People talk about versatility with a shotgun and they have a point to a certain extent. While it is versatile in most rolls it is still limited to around 150 yard in any of its rolls. I'm sure someone has made shots well beyond that but speaking of the typical shooter. As for where it get its slang name, its from the multiple projectiles that the typical person uses for HD. While the pattern inside 30-40 yards is still somewhat tight, its is far more scattered than the typical pattern one would see from a rifle at those distances. Its a great gun in a bushcraft or hunting setting. For a defensive wrol setting its pretty limited IMO.