Best Survival Gun Overall

The question of being dropped into Indian Territory is pretty non-realistic in the "Best Survival Gun" question. I'd like to set a more realistic scenario. What you carry is what you've got, period, i.e., Shelter, clothes, food, first aid, water systems, etc., which also would include any or all firearms and ammo you wish to lug around. Let's say you're going to get dropped into the middle of nowhere with nothing but what you can carry. Now, what are you gonna bring? You gotta eat, you gotta protect yourself, and you gotta carry it and all you ammo too. What is it gonna be? I'm sayin...one gun and all the ammo you can carry. If this was the scenario, what would you bring? I know what I'd bring but I won't jade your creativity. I'm just interested to know what YOU think. Then after a few responses I'll tell you my choice and why. Go for it Mr. Survival....tell me more. There is no limit on number of guns...just remember, you're luggin it.

Thats a good question, but as per the idea of survival - war - or the wilderness? If it were war, a semi auto(If the scenario were to happen to a civilian). But if it were the wilderness I would bring my Savage 10fp 308 Bolt Action with 10x42 super sniper scope, that set up has been the best I've handled so far. And being as such I wouldn't be sure for how long I would be stuck there, I would want that in order to hunt. Also being able to repel any threat from a rather large distance is ok by me. Keep the gap wide and make your way to safety.

You can only carry so much food, right? For sure the 308 would be ideal for any long range game. When you drop that mule deer at 500 yds you're only going to be able to eat so much unless you jerky it before it goes south on you. It will be great for intruders. The gun weighs alot, so does the ammo. Besides the rifle you've got all you're other gear on your back as well. How far are you going to make it with all that weight?

I'm sorry, I'm referring to wilderness, not war.

Ok, to make it easier...your D.B. Cooper, gonna jump out of a plane with a parachute in the middle of God knows nowhere wilderness with just what you've got on your back. What's it gonna be? Maybe you wouldn't bring a gun at all I don't know. I'm not trying to jade any thinking here. What are the priorities gonna be?

A tomahawk and a bow my Imaginary Friend?

All you need take is Chuck Norris everything else is a fail.

Average Joe wrote: All you need take is Chuck Norris everything else is a fail.

Seriously, wilderness survival contains many more elements than just what gun you have. Many more. Therefore, I believe these other elements come in to play in making the ultimate decision as to what gun might be the best if you were daypacking and car camping out of a park. I'm talkin deep. All by yourself with nothing else but what you can carry.

Well in that case, a 308 would be over kill. Eat what you cant carry, then carry the rest. So I would choose probably a Savage 12fv in 22-250. (Yes I am a fan of Savage) Hunt the smaller game such as jackrabbit or coyote.  Weight wouldn't be too much of a problem, as a good sling can offset the weight of a varmint barreled rile easily. My 2 cents anyway.

Oh yeah, and packing a little heat such as a good 1911 45 just for those close encounters. But if a bear were trudging your way and you needed to defend yourself.... hope you can shoot it in the head. Or a good Ruger Super Red hawk 44 Mag revolver could do the trick, heavy but more than likely necessary. In the Army they don't care how much you weigh, lol, just as long as you have everything you need.

S   I think we will let the new guys have this one!

As far as Griz country, all the Alaskan fishing guides carry 12 ga. shotguns. As far as Black Bear, don't eat at your campsite or have any food at your campsite. Hang it in a tree 200 yds from where you sleep. If you've backpacked in bear country you know the game. I guess Rifle Looney has the opinion that his forum status supercedes any special forces survival training and field proven tactical M.O., uh? Too good for me. I think we should hear what his opinion is as well. What do you think?

OK first I was think of carrying a 12 ga. but then I thought ammo for that is a little heavy. I then thought of maybe something like a 300 WM but that rifle would be heavy to carry. But heck if a little extra weight gives me piece of mind, I'm going go with that. In addition to my 300 WM I would carry a good sling shot to take down smaller game. That's would be my plan for now unless I am persuaded otherwise. 

With everything else I'd be lugging I wouldn't even consider bringing a rifle period. Too much weight and clumsy to carry. Way too much weight for what it's worth, not to even mention the weight of the ammo. Are you really all that worried about bears? Bears want food. Number One Rule, don't make you food. Number Two Rule, don't hang around their food. There are more tools than guns to keep bears away, like big ass fires, and dogs, and loud noises to mention a few. It doesn't take a 10 pound 44 cal. Super Redhawk to do that let alone a 12 ga. and the tonnage of all that ammo. Think about it. What would you really need? Bare bones. Shave it down. Think about it.

Taurus "The Judge" and a good Bowie knife.  

drd34 wrote: As far as Griz country, all the Alaskan fishing guides carry 12 ga. shotguns. As far as Black Bear, don't eat at your campsite or have any food at your campsite. Hang it in a tree 200 yds from where you sleep. If you've backpacked in bear country you know the game. I guess Rifle Looney has the opinion that his forum status supercedes any special forces survival training and field proven tactical M.O., uh? Too good for me. I think we should hear what his opinion is as well. What do you think?

 nope not at all but as far as tactical not in to it. Opinion just that have we done this .just stating the new guys can have this one ,when they are done we can compare and have more to read. ps as for my status means nadda too me I just earned it.


Edited by rifle looney - February/10/2009 at 20:01

Amen to that brother. Tactical is just another semantic term for having your act together and half way planning on and knowing what to expect from past experiences and similar situations. Having been there, and done that helps a bit. I guess I've got you all at a bit of a disadvantage. Sorry for the "cat and mouse" but I wanted to see where you were all coming from being the newbie and all. My appologies for any misunderstandings. They weren't intended (tongue in cheek).

NO harm nor foul! keep on keeping on!

Edited by rifle looney - February/10/2009 at 20:09

This isn't the first time this question has come up in my life. But what's interesting is that if you ask 100 special op jar's the same question I'd find it rare to find anyone who might differ in their opinion. You guys are gun guys. We guys are survival guys. We been done dropped and hung out to dry just for gp's. Sooner or later you learn what you need and what you don't and leave it. You'd be surprised what you really need and what is only so much bunk. I gotz to go now so I'll leave this with ya'll for now but I'll be back and check up wit ya on the morrow to see where you're at with this brain stumper. Hoo yaa ya'll. Luv and kisses, DrD (I know, I'm a nut case. Don't you know that's why they send you to special teams)

Crooked horn pack/dehydrated food what I can/k-bar knife/ 44special 4.5"/ammo hollow and cast/bivey/bag/ ex,boots/canteen full to start/filter/first aid/compass/flint/lots o luck/...oh yeh! pic of a cutie!  

I think I have changed my mind........I think I would take a 357 revolver instead of the rifle, but I'm keeping the slingshot and adding a knife........

I'd take my trusty steed.   He could run circles around any other horse.