Best all around survival rifle.

[bgaesop]

Yeah, and I know this is about rifles, but how well would a shotgun work compared to these? Also, since (correct me if I'm wrong) I think that shotguns can shoot solid slugs, why would you need a rifle? I know the fun in messing around with them, but I will probably be on a very tight budget once I'm even old enough to own them.

[kyle]

Yeah, and I know this is about rifles, but how well would a shotgun work compared to these? Also, since (correct me if I'm wrong) I think that shotguns can shoot solid slugs, why would you need a rifle? I know the fun in messing around with them, but I will probably be on a very tight budget once I'm even old enough to own them.

I didn't really add Shotguns to the equation because of the weight of the ammo. Still, they aren't a bad choice if you don't mind the weight or the option of carrying less ammo.

Keep in mind that shotgun slugs are not as accurate and neither normal shot rounds nor slugs don't have the range of a rifle.

[bgaesop]

Good point. How far does it have to go before the slug is significantly less accurate? I hadn't thought of the weight issue, but I think it would be less of a difference than carrying two longarms.

[Ghostfist]

Here is some good info on shotgun ammo range/penetration.

http://home.sprynet.com/~frfrog/shotgun.htm

[ZETFleader]

If you want a little bit lighter get a 20 gauge.

[Mugwug]

Yeah, and I know this is about rifles, but how well would a shotgun work compared to these? Also, since (correct me if I'm wrong) I think that shotguns can shoot solid slugs, why would you need a rifle? I know the fun in messing around with them, but I will probably be on a very tight budget once I'm even old enough to own them.

You're right, shotguns (unless they've got a choke) can fire rifled slugs. The two downsides to a shotgun are 1. the size and weight of the ammo (as Kyle pointed out) and 2. the recoil of the damn things (by way of example, No.7 shot through my Mossy, no worries...00 buck, it jumps around a bit...1 oz. slug? My teeth click....).

Nah.... I'd prefer an intermediate rifle cartridge myself.... 5.56x45 or 7.62x39 would seem good choices....

[ZETFleader]

The 20gauge is light enough to haul and it doesn't have all that shoulder aching kick.

[Red Panda]

I've mentioned this elsewhere, but how accurate do most of you think you could be with half a dozen zombies running at you?

I just don't know if I could keep from shaking long enough to actually get a headshot off.

I started thinking about this after playing Halo 2. When a door opened & enemies just started spilling out, I'd panic, run & shoot. This is just a game! I don't think I'd even be able to do the shooting part in reality.

That's why a shotgun is looking more appealing, now.

[bgaesop]

Red Panda, I've been saying (or at least thinking) that forever! I know I would tweak out, at least at first, so I want to be able to point in their general direction and know I hit at least one of them. I don't have time for aiming!

[ProZombieHunter]

That is the primary reason I'm such a shotgun advocate.

You can always run when they're in rifle range, which is why I consider the rifle "backup" for zombat.

A panicked shot to center mass will knock down any human. Unless you're shooting a 4.10, in which case you might as well just put a shell in your butt and fart...

[eexcessive]

[quote="raptorman"]You could kill a bear with a .223 round. You could easily hunt with the .223. If you can kill a man with it from hundreds of yards, you can kill game.


Ok, in most States you can't hunt large game with .223. The reason being, the .223 doesn't guarantee a clean kill, but it will work, as Raptorman stated. So it's not the most humane way to take large game, but in an emergency I feel food takes precedence over an animals short lived suffering.

[Oracle]

Pump shotguns are good, but semiauto shotguns are better. In even medium-stress situations like 3-gun matches, short-stroking a pump shotgun is a common occurrance, and in an emergency situation, the last thing you want is a "click" when you needed a "bang". I prefer semiauto carbine rifles, because the recoil is significantly less than a shotgun of any type, allowing you to engage more targets in the same amount of time. If you have good, hard, high-stress training, then the likelihood of you not hitting your targets in a stressful real situation is much less.

[bgaesop]

Pump shotguns are good, but semiauto shotguns are better.

Never heard that before. What I have heard is that the pressurized air which chambers the shell runs out eventually (not a good thing if you're on the run) and that it jams much more often than a regular pump.

[SMERSH]

semi-auto shotguns are great, but they are far more prone to jams then their pump relatives. especially when you are using lower power shells.

[Mugwug]

Never heard that before. What I have heard is that the pressurized air which chambers the shell runs out eventually (not a good thing if you're on the run) and that it jams much more often than a regular pump.

My understanding was that semi-auto shotguns operate in the same manner as gas operated rifles.

Concerns with failing to cycle were often cited with regard to special purpose ammo, I think most semi-autos feed standard shotgun shells reliably, but any gun can be finicky about the ammo it's fed.

[bgaesop]

Oh, okay. Think I'll stick with a pump, though.

[Red Panda]

I've accepted that I'm just gonna have to carry a rifle & a shotgun with me.

I figure if I add 20 lbs to my backpack, that can simulate the shotgun w/50 shells. If I really need to make a quick getaway, off it goes & I'll keep the rifle.

[Norseman]

but I will probably be on a very tight budget once I'm even old enough to own them.

How old are you? In most states you only have to be 18 to buy long guns such as rifles and shotguns. Is your state different?

[Norseman]

Pump shotguns are good, but semiauto shotguns are better.

Never heard that before. What I have heard is that the pressurized air which chambers the shell runs out eventually (not a good thing if you're on the run) and that it jams much more often than a regular pump.

An auto shotgun is cycled by the pressures generated by firing the gun. There is no "pressurized air" stored in the gun. The pump shotgun is considered more reliable due to the manual cycling with helps preclude jams from a bad shell, dirt, etc.

[Jynx]

I've heard many a range report from shotgun competitions that those shooting clay pigeons with semi-auto shotguns are far more prone to jams and fail-to-fire situations. The pump is about as reliable as a shotgun comes. Personally, even though the ammunition weighs more, I think i'd be prone to use my Cetme. It's 7.62 nato ammo is interchangable with regular .308 hunting ammo and it packs quite a punch, useful for not only dispatching the undead hordes but also opening locks. It also has a compartment to store cleaning materials or adding a bayonette/tac light.

[Mr_Fubar]

Civi .308 isnt as reliable in Mil-spec guns...

[Jynx]

I know, my cetme sometimes tears apart civi casing, but that's what manual extraction is for.

[bgaesop]

but I will probably be on a very tight budget once I'm even old enough to own them.

How old are you? In most states you only have to be 18 to buy long guns such as rifles and shotguns. Is your state different?

A mere 16, I'm afraid. Hence the fact that I have not applied for the reserves yet. You guys should be flattered though, this is one of few forums I don't lie about my age on! (not for that reason you perverts. Well, occasionally)

And about the semi-autos, cool. I was thinking about the Pancor Jackhammer, now that I think of it. That one is fully auto, which would be why. (again, I think. Not sure, though)

[Jynx]

Pancor jackhammers never made full production, nor were they particularly useful shotguns. The rotary drum magazine was specially designed, difficult to reload, and only capable of holding 10 rnds. If you want a good semi-auto shotgun, get a saiga 20 or 12 gage, but be sure to use high quality shells or else it won't feed properly.