SHTF SURVIVAL AMMO

[frankh7]

Just started putting together a few weapons for when the SHTF. Marlin 1894 357/38 and Marlin 1895 45/70 and a S&W 357 8 capacity 4inch barrel revolver. I also have a Remington 870 Express 2 3/4 3" 12 gauge. These weapons are not only for home defense but will have to provide game if need be. Not sure what type of reliable ammo I should be stock piling or best place to buy it at. Grain, shot size etc... Also will be rounding out the weapons with semi-auto 22LR and possibly an AR-15. Appreciate your experience and opinions.

[ElvenSoul]

Well you mentioned getting a AR so that will give you something for the 500yd shot. That is looking to be a good collection. For your Marlin 1894 your going to have experiment with a lot of different ammo. In my experience no two are the same. Now your Remington 870 if it is a new one made in the last 6 or 7 yrs you are going to want to refinish it. The new ones have a serious rust problem with the stock finish. Just stock that pump shotgun up on a mix of bird and home defense loads. Remember if it smells bad, has shuffling gait, and mumbles about brains - shoot it!

[BillCA]

Your selections are remarkably sane and prudent for long term survival. The guns you've selected can be fired and the cases easily saved for reloading.

As for ammo... most ammo when properly stored will still work fine twenty years from now. A number of folks have fired WW-II mil-surplus ammo that's 60+ years old and it still works. Modern ammunition that is kept dry, away from oils or solvents and not exposed to extreme heat will last decades.

As to which brands, types and weights to buy, I can only offer general suggestions. You should use what shoots best in each gun or all guns based on what your finances can afford.

Ammo selections

I can't comment on the .45-70 as I've not used one enough to have a qualified opinion.

• .357 Magnum - Self-Defense - 125gr JHP: The 125gr JHP has been proven for most common handgun encounters. Speer Gold Dots are my preferred choice. Remington Golden Sabers are less expensive than most and still perform well.
• .357 Magnum - Hunting/Defense - 158gr JSP: The heavier 158gr JSP is more suitable for hunting deer and medium game than self-defense. However it will work quite well for defense, just don't expect lots of expansion. Most of the 158gr loads are similar in performance. Study the ballistics info and compare the bullet composition and pricing to finalize your decision.
• .357 Magnum - Special Purpose - Fiocchi 142 gr FMJ Truncated Cone: This "metal point" FMJ bullet has a truncated cone shape with a small flat tip (meplat). While it doesn't have a steel core or "armor piercing" capability, the 142gr bullet at 1420fps (6") delivers 650 ft-lbs at the muzzle. It would likely do very well against common metal barriers. At around $20/50box it's not terribly expensive either.
  
• .357 Magnum - General use - Fiocchi 148gr JHP (1500 fps/720ft-lbs): Specs are likely from a 6" unvented barrel. Still a hot performer with good accuracy and less expensive than others.
• .38 Special +P - Self Defense - 135 grain Speer Gold Dot: You'll want some .38 special ammo for personal defense. It's less wear on the guns, somewhat quieter, usually much lower flash at night and effective. The .38 also allows "magnum-shy" shooters to be able to shoot more effectively.
• .38 Special - General Purpose - Fiocchi 148 grain JHP (825 fps/225 ft-lbs): This round is heavier than self-defense ammo but lighter than the standard 158 gr.
• .38 Special - Utility/Practice - 148gr lead wadcutter: The soft shooting slow wadcutter can be used for teaching, practice and small game. The wadcutter is almost ideal for small game like rabbit, possum, squirrel without destroying the meat.

Note: In the aftermath of a disaster, bullet wounds will result in a higher rate of fatalities in the long run. Immediately after a disaster, some people (i.e. thugs and desperate alike) may think they can survive being shot. But the lack of EMS and trauma surgeons will make such assumptions dubious. The important matter is to avoid getting shot yourself.

Note2: In a disaster situation the ideal is to avoid shooting conflicts. If one arises, the first 3-4 shots may be close range. Thus, the first 3-4 rounds will be quality JHP ammo. The rest of the ammo will be less expensive "generic" ammo (Winchester/USA, American Eagle, Fiocchi, etc.). It's my opinion that if you need that 5th through 'N'th round don't be missing with your expensive premium ammo. A hit with an FMJ will likely dissuade just as well as a JHP.

Shotgun Ammo
What will you be able to hunt? What kind of area do you expect to be in after the disaster?
If your "safe place" will be near lakes, swamps and marshes where waterfowl are found, then you'll want to stock a lot more bird shot than if you'd be in an urban/suburban zone. Likewise, if you will be in mountains with little waterfowl, you might want some extra slugs for hunting deer or for bear defense.

Buckshot:

• The Fist of God

The birdshot info assumes you have a 24-26" barrel. For shorter (18-22") barrels, I'd step up a shot size and/or use 3" shells Since you have two rifles and plan another, I'd emphasize the shotgun for harvesting game instead of defense. In a waterfowl area, that might mean only 10% of your cache is slugs or buckshot.


Hope that helps.