I see a lot of guys buying up .223 rifles for SHTF scenarios.

My logic is this. Yes they are typically high quality great functioning and highly modifiable firearms. BUT, at the ranges you may be enganging targets in, wouldnt you rather have a 7.62x39 rnd?

I can't see a situation in a suburban neighborhood which most of us CAers live in where the accuracy of a common .223 rifle would be necesary. On top of that, after 100 yrds they dont have as much hydrashock where a 7.62 would be much more destructive.

Also, do you see yourself engaging at a threat that would require optics to be able to positive ID? I'd rather just cover my ass and GTFO from a threat than play long range chicken. --> <-- X(

Am I talking out of my ass here? What the reasoning with all the .223 rifles?

 

Ammo and the AR-15 platform are the primary reasons.

 

.223/5.56 is a proven round. It is also far more readily available in the US, which would be critical in an apocalyptic situation.
There are obviously many types of SHTF situations, but I can't think of many that the 5.56 wouldn't do well in that actually have a likelihood of occuring.

If we are talking about AK vs AR here, my choice would almost always be the AR.
If zombies attacked, and since headshots are the only way to kill them, I would definitely grab the AR.
If I felt I needed more stopping power than the 5.56, I would grab a 6.8 or 308 chambered AR. Both of which will out perform the 7.62 x 39.
If I wanted to give someone a horrible death at moderate range, I would use an AK74 with 5.45 x 39.

 

^^^
What Josh said.

And...

There is a reason that even the Russians starting using the 556 round.

 

No one's mentioned it, but you can carry LOTS more 5.56 rounds than 7.62 rounds. 5.56 is inherently much more accurate, too.

 

As mentioned, the 5.56 poodle shooter is light, will take care of anything you need taken care of inside of 200 yards that isn't armored, and if it all goes to hell, it's what just about everyone is going to have on hand. That's why if you have a SHTF bag, even if you don't have weapons chambered in it, you should have some 5.56, 9mm, .45 ACP and 12 gauge shells. If you don't need 'em, chances are good someone else will.

I personally would rather have a 5.56 than a 7.62 commie. But, I'd rather have a M14 in 7.62 manly over that, as if it really does hit the fan, I want things going down with the first bang, even at distance, even if they're hiding behind trash carts.

 

Yeah, if I could only have one, it'd be an M14 SOCOM or an SR-25 carbine. When I mentioned the 5.56's accuracy, I meant that in relation to 7.62x39mm not 7.62 NATO. It looks like I'm going to end up buying an M1A SOCOM and I'll put an EO-Tech on it. I might buy a separate ARMS mount for an ACOG later.

 

Quick question.

The M14's that's in use today, are only the 20 round mags USGI, or did they ever come in 25 round mags? I see them selling 25 round M14 mags, but I thought the military only ever spec'ed the 20 rounders...

And to quote the mrs "that thing looks like a machine gun bullet," referring to the 7.62 Nato for our Scout.

 

20 rounders are the real deal. I've seen them in 10 and 5 rounders too. The best ones are plain ol US GI 20-rders.

 

That's because it is a machine gun bullet. M14s can fire over 700 rounds per minute.