Time to rethink SHTF calibers?

[NoHeavyHitter]

Is it wise to rethink caliber choices for SHTF situations?

What say you?

Not at this point - but thanks for playing.

[The War Wagon]

Many of us have been hoarding for years. I've always felt the best round for SHTF would be shotgun shells. Just my opinion.

In a mag ban state? Yes.

[plumbum]

You know, this thread reminds me of a fella I knew years ago, and his choice of SHTF cartridge was .243 - it is what he hunted with for years, had plenty of ammo and was a good marksman. He used an old Browning BLR with the straight stock and a small scope. Seems to me that would be a good 'practical rifle' setup. He would make comments about eating people should things get bad - but now I question if he was joking!

Many of us have been hoarding for years. I've always felt the best round for SHTF would be shotgun shells. Just my opinion.

While I think a handgun is paramount to any SHTF situation - if I had a long gun as well, it would be my Mossberg over an AR or any other centerfire.

[ar15barrels]

I'm all set.
I have 40, 10mm, 357 Sig, 440 Corbon, 41 magnum and 45 colt and ammo for all of them.

[Den60]

There is a reason I have a GP-100 and a Taylor 1873 in .357.

[ar15barrels]

Good luck hunting that squirrel or pigeon for dinner, with a .45, .30-30, or 12 gauge.

12ga works wonderfully on squirrels.
Also works good on snakes.

[Den60]

Good luck hunting that squirrel or pigeon for dinner, with a .45, .30-30, or 12 gauge.

No worries, I'll just hunt the hunter carrying the .22.

[JC2020]

In a true SHTF scenario, if you live past the first couple of weeks, I imagine roving bands that work together to maximize chances of survival. Having common ammo would be good in such a situation, right?

Great. Now I need to work on my archery skills again.

[mikeyr]

There is a reason I have a GP-100 and a Taylor 1873 in .357.

Same here (Well its a S&W but same rifle) and for that same reason I have a Ruger in .45Colt and a spare cylinder for .45ACP.

.357 can shoot both .38spl and .357 and my Ruger can shoot both Colt and ACP, I try to think about what is the most common ammo, yes its 9mm that is most common but my 9's can only shoot 9's and you have to think about the gun also, so I prefer guns that can shoot more calibers to help me out when scrounging for ammo. I have been told I can get my S&W cylinder cut to handle 9mm in moon clips, then it could handle 3 calibers, but not done that yet. My Taylor .357 is a take-down also, so is my .45 lever.

If I am home, I don't have to worry, I have plenty of ammo, but if I am not home then I have to carry the ammo and I don't want to much weight. And never forget .22, those are useful too.

[keepitlow]

OP, sure. Every time I go to Cabela's they seem to have .40 but never any 9mm .38, .357 or .45.

No 5.56, but they have 30-30, creedmoor, etc.

If you got the $$ and space, sure diversify.

[Frito Bandido]

My handguns are all .40 and I have 9mm conversion barrels for them. When there's a run on 9mm, there's usually still plenty of .40 to be had. Same for mags.

[American Muslim Gun Owner]

I would argue that, for a stocking-up-by purchasing standpoint, the best SHTF calibers are a combination of both common and oddball calibers. Popular calibers are easy to stock up during times of calm. Oddball calibers are easier to find during the not-so-calm times.


In a true SHTF scenario, I imagine you might very well end up having to rely on whatever you find "on the ground" in your area. Out in the rural areas, it may be hunting rifle calibers. In the city, perhaps more of the common handgun and semi-auto rifle calibers.


My experience of buying during a panic was the Sandy Hook panic. At that time, I only owned .22 lr and 9mm at the time because it was all I could afford and I figured that having a common caliber would be the best choice.

The lessons I learned rather quickly where:

1. the cheapest calibers will go very quickly and will at least double in price.

2. the .40 S&W and .22 Winchester Magnum were both plentiful, to the point that I often saw the same exact boxes sitting in the same place week after week. And they did not go up in price that much. I like to call them the not-so-popular common calibers.


So, I would say that extremely odd ball calibers should be saved as a last resort (you're unable to buy more, or reload it at all, due to scarcity of components or just being cost (trade ?) prohibitive).

[Den60]

Same here (Well its a S&W but same rifle) and for that same reason I have a Ruger in .45Colt and a spare cylinder for .45ACP.

.357 can shoot both .38spl and .357 and my Ruger can shoot both Colt and ACP, I try to think about what is the most common ammo, yes its 9mm that is most common but my 9's can only shoot 9's and you have to think about the gun also, so I prefer guns that can shoot more calibers to help me out when scrounging for ammo. I have been told I can get my S&W cylinder cut to handle 9mm in moon clips, then it could handle 3 calibers, but not done that yet. My Taylor .357 is a take-down also, so is my .45 lever.

If I am home, I don't have to worry, I have plenty of ammo, but if I am not home then I have to carry the ammo and I don't want to much weight. And never forget .22, those are useful too.

For me, the .357 is plenty enough and it is a bit better than the .45 at range in the lever gun. I'm really wanting the Redhawk which would give me 8 shots but they are hard to find. Also, I am a cowboy at heart so the combination of a wheel gun and a lever gun is just, plain satisfying.