[Pawpaw Tony]

ive about decided the 30 30 an my cz 452 special would be the two id try to take with me..
it would be hard to leave my 30 06 but you can t have it all.. i can go out to 240 yrds with a hold over of about 12 inches with the 30 30....assuming little wind to deal with..the 22 is quiet, even with velocitors an in a real hunger pinch will take most any game in n.c.with good shot placement.
ps the screws on my marlins feed have loctight on them..
if you buy a new marlin 30 30 ,id advise you to loctite that screw from the get go..
yall have a good day.

 

[30-30remchester]

Congradulations on some reasonable choices. I have studied for years the gear old outdoors men have used especially guns. These guys made a living off the land in very rugged country many miles from a store. Almost universally they carried a varity of high powere rifles with but one determineing factor. Easy of carry. These people actually carried their guns everyday. Then almost universally they chose a 22 handgun to feed themselves daily. The fact these guns were lightweight, very easy to learn how to shoot, and most importantly, lightweight ammo. These guys were usually on foot. For the weight of one box of 2 3/4" 12 guage shell you can carry 400 22lr's. During WWII in Alaska the government was having difficulty locating the Japs on the Alutian Islands. The armed a bunch of scouts with 22 handguns and high power rifles, this allowed them to travel many days from the supply house and were about to discover the whereabouts of the Japs.

 

[Wet Dog]

30-30 is about as practical as they come. It's been the "ranch rifle" at our place for a lot of years sitting 'cruiser ready' for whatever duty it's called to. The magazine is loaded two short of capacity and next to the rifle is a box of lower powered handloads that shoot very close to point of aim out to 50 yards. The most often shot load is a 115 gran RNFP over enough Bullseye to get me 850 fps. It is amazingly accurate and is a great load to teach new shooters on due to the low report and rimfire like recoil, perfect to take Grouse with or vermin in the garden. Very versatile.

Not my favorite caliber but if I had to boil it down to just one... it'd probably be the 30-30.

 

[moondog911]

Any good centerfire would be a goood choice. I am located in the piney woods of south east Oklahoma at the foot of the Kiamichi mountain. No need to run because it is so difficult to find the average pilgrim would get lost just trying to find the place. No need to pack up a bunch of ammo if you are at home where you can reload more when needed. Chances are if it gets real bad, it may not be possible to acqire more ammo once things get bad.

Went to a gunshop tuesday to buy some 130 grain 30 caliber varmint bullets to reload my 308, However, the store did not have any varmint bullets in 30 caliber. They did have bullets from 150 grains and up in 30 caliber. Quess I will be shooting my varmints with cast lead boolits.

 

[mtmrolla]

I have become very fond of the Sierra 125 FN #2020 and IMR 3031 (I use 36 grains) in my 336. it shoots flat and hits hard. My 336 is equipped with a Williams 5D and a matching front sight (to adjust height). In the evening I take the insert out and use it as a ghost ring. Very easy to carry and easy to shoot.

 

[Sinbad12-2007]

If I were going to choose a survival rifle I would find one 100% reliable. I don't want a fancy trigger. I want one that is simple and that works every time. My first choice would be a Winchester M94 but I'm a Winchester kind of guy. I've no doubt a Marlin 336 would be every bit as good. .30-30 is about perfect. I'd also consider a Win M70 in .30-06, simply because of it's trigger. Simple, reliable. I'd carry a double action revolver, likely a Smith & Wesson M17 .22LR. Arthritis has made my thumbs all but useless so I can't even cock a Ruger single-action. Both, simple and reliable. A .30-30 and a .22LR will take a man a long way.

I've treked a lot in my misspent youth. Up and down mountains, across rivers, thru fields. The Rockies are a personal favorite. I've never been lost. Got confused once for three days, up over the Continental Divide. I ate well though. I'm old now and can't wander like the old days. Now I'd sit on the hillside with my M70 7mm Rem Magnum and get fat.

 

[StretchNM]

I like your choices, Pawpaw Tony. Since I don;t have a 30-30, and after some thought, I think I'd probably take my 336C in .35Rem. Since I don;t own a .22 pistol (a nice Ruger Mark III would be nice), I think I'd take my H&K .40.

 

[slim 60]

dependability ,,reasonable accurracy..did i say dependability. that paw paw tony is one more smart fellow..
theres a couple here that will know whats funny about this..got my puter fixed.

 

[m141a]

I believe any reliable lever in 30-30 would be an excellent choice. Whether trapper version or traditional, the 30-30 would serve anyone well that was called upon to use it.
Thought to be 'antique' by some in regards to today's new super calibers, the 30-30 will serve well for all game short of the Great Bears.

Hand loading makes this choice even more versatile;
100 grain plinkers for potting small game
150 grain in some, 170 grian in others will prove very efficient for up to elk sized game, provided the hunter knows the limitation of distance and proper shot placement.

My personal Winnie 94, built in 1968, won't shoot 150's worth a hill o beans, but shines with 170's.
I've developed a fine load with the Beartooth 160 grain lead that has excellent accuracy and plenty of power.
While many folks scope their rifles, or choose receiver sights, My experience has been that the Williams Firesights are just great in every daylight situation, from rainy gloom to snowy skies, to bright sun....simply put the green dot between the red dots and squeeze.
Everyone should be required to own a 30-30.

A .22 pistol, whether auto-loader or wheel gun is always a smart decision.
Choose a reliable one, practice often, and know your firearm and it's limitations.

 

[jodum]

My truck would probably have withdrawal symptoms if there was not a lever action 30-30 laying on the front or back seat. My everyday gun is a 336 with Williams peep sights loaded with 150 gr ammo. I have several boxes of handloaded 150 gr cast bullets for general plinking.

 

[pioneer461]

Check out Hornady's LeveRevolution .30-30 ammo. They claim the ammo will add 100 yards to the range of your lever gun.

 

[Kevin 2]

This is a good subject. I have all ways had a 308 as my go to rifle but I must admit I have never seen 308 in a retail outlet that did not have 30-30 just to the left of it. I have been in some that was out of 308 but had 30-30.

A hand gun in 22 lr is most likely the universal choice light, little report and I can still carry 500 rounds of 22 never tried to carry 500 of 308 very far with out a dolly.

 

[sharktown]

I have to agree - I would take my Marlin .30-.30 as it is easy to carry all day. It is a good choice for up to and sometimes larger deer sized game. My Marlin has real good accuracy with handloads at shots 125 yards or less if I do my part - I don't expect much more from me or the rifle.
As I don't have a .22 handgun I would carry my Blackhawk single action .357 magnum.

Sharktown

 

[preacher336rc]

I Just want to clear up the things said about the bulls eye on the stock, some people think its a makers mark, in reality its where they recomend you mount your rear swivel, its common sense guys

 

[Darkker]

Second time you dug-up a rather old post, and the second time no one has mentioned anything about a "bullseye"....,

 

[HarrySS]

Preacher, are you a Troll?

You are incorrect. The Marlin "Bullseye" is a trademark that has been in use on Marlin walnut buttstocks since 1922.
This is not a suitable place for the installation of a sling swivel; sling swivels should be mounted approximately 2" from the toe of the butt. The trademark Bulleye is actually a plastic insert; mounting a sling swivel there would be very weak.

I only post this reply to clear up the thread for future intelligent viewers.

 

[Lowrider]

.22 mag in a stainless bolt gun with a variety of ammo, good knife and lots of ways to start a fire.

 

[Jackfre]

I've had the 4" model 63 Smith 22 for probably 35 years. I have the round butt Pachmyers on it. For me in all the guns I've owned over the years it is about the perfect match of man and machine. Adjustable sights and in a J frame very very handy. I can shoot that thing like Andy Devine and get hits. Smith is making them in 3" barrel now, but as I recall about 20 yrs ago they made them in a 6" as well. I'd suggest the Woodsman too, but mine won't take the hi velocity loads.

 

[450Marlin]

Bolt action 22 mag and a pump 12 gauge shotgun. Plenty of common ammo. Reliability to boot.

 

[Paddyd]

My old Marlin 30AS in 3030Win.. Best survival rifle you can have is a lightweight lever rifle in a common caliber.