For SHTF. Engagements of varying distances, out to 500 yds max.
Ammo would be MK318 until my stash ran out (currently have 1250 rounds), then some Federal GM SMK 69gr (about 200 rounds) then whatever M193 and M855 I have on hand (about another 300-400 of each), then whatever I could scavenge/scrounge.
My absolute, bug-out SHTF plan is to meet 3-4 friends and their families at one my friends’ mountain cabin, 10 miles outside town. He has this great 2 level cabin on 5 acres, with a nice, 6 foot stone wall around it - pretty secure. None of us have military experience, but two are LEOs, and I’ve taken about 30 hours of private rifle instruction on shooting on the move, prone, manipulation of the weapon, trigger control, etc.
Use for the rifle would be “all purpose”: protecting the cabin, carrying while doing perimeter checks to repair fences, check out noises etc, carrying while scavenging, maybe even hunting deer or smaller antelope if I had the right ammo (I have 100 rounds of TSX 55gr specifically stashed for this purpose, which should work on our small NM Antelope).
Also for use in non-SHTF situation as a “something triggered my ADT alarm and dogs are barking at midnight” gun, with a 400 lumen Fenix white light.
I agree, the difference in weight is substantial. Just worried that a pencil barrel wouldn’t be accurate past 200 yards. ANy experience with this guys?
I would look at #1 with a different optic. I would think 500 would be difficult with that reticle. May want to look at vortex and leupold offerings 1-4 as they seem better suited for long range and low light.
AK-74 coupled to a 45rd mag(s) packed with 7N6! This I bet you’ve probably never heard of> “Colt M4” w/14.5" bbl hooked-up w/ 60 & 100rd Surefire Mag(s) packed tight w/M855 Greenies!
I think my Colt M4/LE6920 Magpul edition would be fine. I have a Burris 1.5-6x40 on it for longer distance work, and a QD mount to go quickly to the irons. No do-dads hanging off of it. Light and handy.
Rifle #2 actually sounds a little better to me, personally. If the house sits on 5 (un-wooded) acres, that rifle seems more accurate for the longer distances, with its longer barrel and better trigger.
The point wasn’t that similar threads can’t coexist – it was that the last thread of this type went pear shaped and got closed and history tends to repeat itself.
Also, you might want to conserve your exclamation marks for when the SHTF.
Why wouldn’t a lightweight barrel be accurate past 200 yards? Unless you’re talking under sustained fire where accuracy loss comes on a little faster in a lightweight barrel due to faster heating; otherwise, I’m not aware of a lightweight barrel being less inherently accurate, especially at a relatively near range like 200 yards.
