Top 5 Rarest Ammo In The World For Survival Rifles
When SHTF and safety are an issue, the best gun is the one you own – as long as it’s loaded and you know how to use it.
While the idea is valid in the event of a disaster tomorrow, you have time to think about the logistics of setting up your guns before the threat looms.
To this end, some ammunition is considered more viable and effective than others, although it can be considered the best. In survival scenarios, availability is key in choosing weapons and ammo.
As such, the following five ammunitions were chosen primarily for their high availability in peacetime, which is likely to stay with the SHTF.
1. .22LR
The 22 calibers long frame rifle cartridge is the best all-around survival ammo. Bullets are produced by nearly every ammunition manufacturer for most makes and models of pistols and .22 caliber rifles.
Regular 40-grain high-velocity rounds can be bought for a dime, while more powerful rounds are also designed for midfield hunting, self-defense, and competition shooting.
Its availability, versatility, and affordability make the .22LR ammunition essential for long-term survival in disasters when other ammunition types are scarce and expensive commodities. So the .22LR cartridge is lightweight and can carry 1,000 (or more) rounds, just in case I make a mistake.
When your store runs dry after a crisis, foraging for your food becomes critical. Fortunately, the .22LR is one of the most reliable ammo for hunting small game, whether it’s a compact rifle with a bolt-action, lever-action, single-shot, or semi-automatic. The 22 calibers long-barreled pistol can also be used for small hunting in the right conditions with the right cartridge combination.
As a relatively small bullet, the .22 isn’t the best self-defense ammo, but when you have to use the SHTF to protect yourself. If you stock up on high-performance ammo, your ammo abundance will at least give you a numerical advantage when it comes to disposable ammo against potential threats.
2. 12 carats
While many say the .22LR is the ultimate survival weapon, most of the combat readiness community agrees that the rifle is the ultimate survival weapon. To that end, the 12-gauge shotgun case should have a place in any survival defense system.
While some brands produced for specific shooting purposes can be expensive, the generic 12-gauge bullet is relatively inexpensive and widely available.
When it comes to consuming ammo efficiently, most people prefer pump-action shotguns to semi-automatic rifles that are often complicated and slow to load.
The 12-gauge shotgun has been a staple of quadruped and flying game hunters for decades, and as such has proven effective for survival use. Birdshot’s kill most flying and small birds, while buckshot and birdshot can be used against deer and other large animals.
12-gauge shotguns are also widely carried by law enforcement officers and military groups, as they are among the most powerful firearms in nearly a quarter of the scene. When fully loaded, the 12-gauge caliber can hit almost any target within 10 yards, and the bullet will extend the rifle’s range and accuracy.
3. 9mm
9mm is easily the most widely used pistol cartridge in the world. There has always been a debate between 9mm and .45 about what is the best pistol round, but in the end, it comes down to personal preference.
But if we’re after usability ourselves, the 9mm will win the race when it comes to long-term supply in disaster survival situations.
As with the 0.22 rimfire, for the 9mm bullet, there are plenty of options to choose from. After dawn and disaster, 115-grain and 124-grain NATO cartridges are probably still the most accessible and cheapest, and both are favored for their reliability when loaded into older pistols and submachine guns.
While often found in pistols, some pistol-caliber carbines use 9mm shells. While a pistol is a must in any layered defense, the 9mm carbine provides an additional platform for your 9mm ammunition for more effective self-defense.
So for the small game for emergency hunting use, they will be as fair as the best 0.22LR.
4. 5.56 NATO
As the first round issued to U.S. soldiers and women, the set should not fire the 5.56×45mm NATO round without a rifle or carbine.
Weapons factories, military installations, National Guard stations, and thousands of homes are currently stocked with 5.56 rounds, and shortages are unlikely anytime soon.
Field-tested and combat-approved, the 5.56 NATO is a highly effective anti-personnel projectile with a range of approximately 300 meters, depending on the length of the weapon’s barrel.
When it comes to surviving a disaster, 300 meters is an excellent distance to try and hit any target (human or animal). While it’s comforting to know that your surroundings will be covered, you should focus on identifying targets within 100 meters for hunting and self-defense. While advanced optics will improve your accuracy, a 5.56 military rifle with basic iron sights will easily land at mid-range in a steady shooter.
By and large, you know you have a reliable and versatile bullet in your hand with the same ammunition used by the most powerful armed forces in the world.
5. .308 ammo
The 308 Winchester is a shortened version of the .30-06 and a great replacement for the .22LR and 0.22 shell version 5.56 for general hunting and survival purposes. The .308 round weighs between 147 and 180 grains and provides greater muzzle velocity and stopping power than the 0.22 and 0.223 rounds.
The .308 Winchester is essentially the civilian version of the 7.62×51mm NATO round, although the two are not the same and the rounds are not always interchangeable.
Known for its dependable accuracy, the .308 has long been a favorite of competition shooters as well as a large number of hunters.
Starting with a 24″ barrel, the .308 has an effective range of about 800 yards. While it’s small for big North American games (like elk and grizzly) and best hunted with a .300 magnum, 0.308 Winchester is good for the big game on lynx.
Most AR10s and some AR15s are equipped with Winchester 308 platform rifles, making them equally suitable for defensive purposes. While recent ammunition shortages have left many concerned about future rifle ammunition supplies, the 308-round round appears to have good long-term prospects. A commonly used sporting and military rifle/carbine, the .308 is produced by dozens of North American and European companies.
Final words
While you may prefer ammo grades not listed above, keep in mind that you may have to pay more to store more at normal times and look for more to keep your shop in SHTF. The above five ammunition types are widely used in the law enforcement, military, hunting, competition, and recreational shooting communities and are very useful and versatile survival options.
Whatever your preference, make sure to store and rotate your ammo properly to maintain its effectiveness and maintain your shooting skills.
