Ruger Mini 14/30
by Gary
Ruger Mini-14
The problem when talking about the best "survival rifle", is that it really depends on the scenario. Are we talking about throwing something in the backpack or trunk of the car "just in case"? In a situation like that, a large caliber (9mm and up) pistol or revolver might be perfect.
Bagging squirrels and small game for food? I would actually buck the trend and suggest a high power pellet gun for that such as a Gamo Whisper as opposed to a .22. Reason is that a pellet rifle is relatively cheap, reliable, super accurate, very light weight (maybe 5 lbs with scope for mine?), ammo is dirt cheap, and carrying 1000 pellets takes up about as much room as a magazine for an AK. There is also the fact that they are very quiet, don't have to deal with many of the legal issues of a regular firearm, and relatively maintenance free. Power is sufficient to kill squirrels out to about 75 yards. The only real downside to going this route is that a quality break-action pellet rifle are not exactly small and compact.
Camping/general survival/SHTF? My choice here would be a Mini-14/30 (I own a Mini 14) in stainless. Favorite with the local farmers. Compact (especially with a folding stock), light weight (a little over 6 lbs), uber reliable and rugged, easy to field strip, ammo readily available and relatively cheap in either caliber. Either round are proven man-stoppers, enough to take a deer or feral hog at relatively short range with a well placed shot, and in the case of the .223 also an effective varmint cartridge. Another advantage is that the Mini isn't subject to the same political pressures as some of the so-called "assault" weapons listed such as the AK-47/SKS/AR rifles (which is also currently making the prices on these weapons skyrocket) that are being listed by some of the other readers. The only real downside to these weapons is that they are not exactly known for great accuracy... either keep it at 100 yards or under; or install a muzzle brake and stabilizer bar (Accu-strut). Both are cheap fixes, easy to install, and will make the weapon plenty accurate for hunting or defense. t
