rimfire strategy

RIMFIRE STRATEGY


I don’t think I’ve covered rimfire for at least a year, and as everyone who has read the Bison Bi-Laws knows, any subject not covered for thirty days is subject to repeat. Unless you have a waiver from the board of directors, in which case you may repeat as soon as seven days. Hey, I don’t make the rules here. Just trying to get along with everyone. Before we get down to business, another word on the subject of the Russian bolt and the gas bleed safety. I don’t think the concern is with using modern ammo or reloads, but sometime in the future when you are using improvised cases and components. Then this could become a valid concern. Of course, it is also true that the Russian guns cost one third the price ( or at least one half ) and the ammo is one fifth. It has to be a personal decision. Also, while I’m babbling away trying to kill time and distract you, once again I want to thank Sam. My God, if I ever see another fried shrimp I’ll most likely puke blood ( the surf and turf buffet Saturday night, I ate so much I’ve satisfied my sea food craving for life ). This has nothing to do with the rest of you, although I now love doing the “what I had for dinner last night” thing to hack off certain critics ( it doesn’t matter they had a point ). Also, Sam, please don’t contribute again for awhile. You know I can’t say no, and then I’ll feel bad about it. You have done more than enough and have already earned the Vice Fuhrer Of Bisonia slot ( password available on request ). Unless you want the head of security gig, but you must be willing to liquidate enemies of the state which pretty much includes everyone.

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Here was the question from a loyal minion which prompted this article:

22LR

Why do some survival blogs recommend stashing large amounts of 22LR ammo and then a few weeks later they warn about all of the animals disappearing after TSHTF and you shouldn't count on hunting to get food. Some survival experts say 22LR will be just like money after a collapse,others say you shouldn't trade ammo. For self defense 22LR sucks, how many rounds will really be needed for hunting? So what do you think? Should folks store large amounts of 22LR or just a few bricks?

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I wonder if that first part referred to me? Anyway, this is a good question. I recommend you get yourself your bolt gun and wheat and filter and grinder. That is your bare bones equipment. Only when you have enough to survive off of for your required period of time ( I think three years is optimistic ) do you branch out in your supplies ( because, at least in my view, time is of the essence and you need a lot of Better Than Nothing rather than a lot less of Perfect ). Add beans, look into junk land. Add more ammo and guns. Heck, perhaps even precious metals if you have extra. When you have satisfied yourself with enough of the basics, then you should get yourself rimfire weapons. Not for hunting. If we had half the population we have now during the 1930’s Depression, and the hunting grew scarce after a time, what makes anyone think any animal will be left during a collapse now? Hunting should be snares and slingshots and pellets anyway ( obviously, we are talking about the more readily available [at first] small game such as squirrels ). Hunting, other than for disease carrying rats, is a Robinson Crusoe fantasy. For a few in desolate areas, fine. For the other 99% of us, hunting will be a lottery, not a guaranteed. Nice if you can get it, but don’t count on it. Rimfires are actually for killing men, and it won’t be at its present disadvantage.

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A rimfire against a surplus bolt gun is suicide. A rimfire against a shotgun is a fifty/fifty chance of death ( depending on range ). A rimfire against a Saturday Night Special, at close range, is stupid. A rimfire against am M-16 gives you an even chance as it will jam as often as fire, so you role the dice ( I’m only slightly kidding ). But we will not be fighting those weapons with our rimfire. We will hunker down during the die-off. If we have to fight, we have our centerfire bolt guns. But a certain time after the collapse, then we will see the ammunition dry up and then the rimfire comes into its own as a fighting weapon. You will be fighting against centerfires with very limited ammunition ( the owners of the plastic toy semi’s will realize as they get to their last reloads that pray and spray is no longer a viable tactic ). They will be afraid of using their last rounds on you, while in comparison you can hose them down ( one 22 hit doesn’t do squat most of the time, three or four add up ). Not that you should ever engage in anything other than controlled marksmanship, even if you have 20k rounds. I’m speaking more of continual follow up shots. Then, most weapons will be using blackpowder ( assuming a surplus of nitrates, no overseas trade, or even local trade- there are a lot of variables in the devolution of weapons ). Or worse, back to bows/crossbows and edged weapons.

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Against archers ( of modest talent ) or most blackpowder shooters ( especially if they are using modern weapons with the powder ), the rimfire will be superior. I’m talking about a real collapse here, absolutely no infrastructure or manufacturing, just a scavenger type existence. Not to use during the collapse/die-off but afterwards. I think this type of existence is just years away, although I’m sure most of you disagree. I have my rimfire arsenal for just such an occurrence. If I can hunt a bit, fine. If I have to use it to trade, assuming they won’t take some of my other crap, fine. Of course, that would be life and death, such as for antibiotics or some such. Under ideal conditions you certainly don’t want to trade ammo. If things are so stabilized that authority is reestablished then it is no big deal, but in Civilization Down, you do arm your enemies that way.

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I look at rimfire as insurance against ever running out of modern firepower in the long term. Then you need at least five to ten thousand rounds. If you aren’t concerned with the ass falling out of civilization, I wouldn’t bother with the expense. It is a niche need.

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