Suggestions for self defense rifle?

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  • Hohenheim

    Plinker
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    May 24, 2023
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    Warsaw, Indiana
    I am looking to get a rifle for self defense in the event things go south. I own a .223 but I am looking for something that packs a little more of a punch while also being relatively budget friendly. My first thought was 7.62x39 but I am not overly interested in the AK format. The 300 blackout is similar in ballistics but fits the AR format better, which is my preference. My knowledge for firearms could be better, so I am wondering what people on this site would suggest. I am open to most platforms but prefer a good rail system for easy modifications. Caliber/gun suggestions?
     

    two70

    Master
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    Feb 5, 2016
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    In distances within 100-200 yards 762x39 is a better man stopper. More energy on target. Also better suited for hunting than the 223, in those ranges.
    The difference in energy is only about 200-300 ft-lbs at the muzzle and the 7.62 is more likely to expend that small amount of extra energy outside of the target anyway.
     

    ECS686

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    Dec 9, 2017
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    I’ve always been a Marlin 30-30 or a Ruger Scout in 308 fan and would suggest that. However with the recent price hike of leveraged being a time and a half more than AR these days (wouldn’t have seen that coming in 2015) and your criteria
    I’d suggest a AR upper in 350 Legend

    Ammo seems to be more plentiful than a lot of other calibers
     

    dieselrealtor

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    Nov 5, 2010
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    Probably has more to do with personal preference & what is acceptable recoil. I believe there are many, many dead and incapacated enemy combatants to speak to the effectiveness of 5.56.

    If your .223 is a bolt, I would probably consider a semi auto or lever.

    In a neighborhood setting, I would be more concerned with the possibility of larger calibers harming my neighbors.
     

    Ark

    Grandmaster
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    Feb 18, 2017
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    The difference in energy is only about 200-300 ft-lbs at the muzzle and the 7.62 is more likely to expend that small amount of extra energy outside of the target anyway.
    Plus poorer armor performance. Plus extreme drop and wind drift. Plus little yaw or fragmentation.

    The notion that x39 is a better defensive round than 5.56 is just silly. There is maybe a mild intermediate barrier performance advantage due to more mass in the bullet, and with the bigger diameter you can fit an actual expanding bullet for hunting, but otherwise there is no defensive shooting advantage over 5.56 at all.

    The next step up from 5.56 is .308, which you only really need for distance performance and much improved destruction effects against intermittent barriers and vehicles and stuff. In that case I think the SFAR is worth looking at, even with the spotty reliability reports, until you start trying to push past 600 yards.
     

    88E30M50

    Grandmaster
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    Dec 29, 2008
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    This. It is more than adequate unless you are worried about swarms of rabid bears.
    Don't discount those swarms of rabid bears now. They are next level zombie crap.

    Seriously, IMHO, a 5.56 is adequate for two-legged attackers. If you want to reach out beyond 400 yards, consider a good bolt action in .308 Win. Learning and trying to build skill with a decent long-range rifle is a very rewarding hobby.
     

    Hohenheim

    Plinker
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    0   0   0
    May 24, 2023
    50
    18
    Warsaw, Indiana
    AR 15 in 762x39. Ammo is still relatively available in bulk and cheaper than 300bo. And less finicky to get right.
    A few different manufacturers you can pick from.
    I have heard that 7.62X39 in AR platforms is fraught with issues. I do not know the specifics but I went to a gun store the other day looking for something like this and the staff recommended I stay away from that combination. They said they had to stop carrying that type of gun due to the returns being so high.
     

    Cameramonkey

    www.thechosen.tv
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    35   0   0
    May 12, 2013
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    Camby area
    I think for a DEFENSIVE rifle, we are talking 100 yards or less. So wirryong about long term accuracy or power probably isn’t a consideration here.

    I can’t think of a scenario (except shtf , End of the world zombie land stuff) where somebody beyond 100 yards is an immediate threat to you.

    Even downtown during the summer of love “protests” your immediate threats We’re all well inside 100 yards.

    Think about how you would explain to a judge why you took that 200-400 yard shot “in self defense”.
     

    Cameramonkey

    www.thechosen.tv
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    35   0   0
    May 12, 2013
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    Camby area
    I have heard that 7.62X39 in AR platforms is fraught with issues. I do not know the specifics but I went to a gun store the other day looking for something like this and the staff recommended I stay away from that combination. They said they had to stop carrying that type of gun due to the returns being so high.
    That story doesn’t pass the sniff test. I don’t know of a single gun store that will take returns. Every last one I know of would tell you to call the manufacture. All sales are final on guns and ammo.

    Sounds like somebody just didn’t want to sell them and wanted a good excuse to sell you what they did have.

    I’d do more research and exclude those opinions with a vested interest in selling you something else instead.

    I don’t know either way on that.
     

    Hohenheim

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 24, 2023
    50
    18
    Warsaw, Indiana
    Plus poorer armor performance. Plus extreme drop and wind drift. Plus little yaw or fragmentation.
    Some gun personalities I follow suggest something a little bigger than 556 for better penetration power. Their reasoning was light cover may be able to stop 556 but 7.62x39 was known for its advantages on enemies behind cover. I am no ballistics expert, so I am curious about the truth behind it
     

    Hohenheim

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 24, 2023
    50
    18
    Warsaw, Indiana
    That story doesn’t pass the sniff test. I don’t know of a single gun store that will take returns. Every last one I know of would tell you to call the manufacture. All sales are final on guns and ammo.

    Sounds like somebody just didn’t want to sell them and wanted a good excuse to sell you what they did have.

    I’d do more research and exclude those opinions with a vested interest in selling you something else instead.

    I don’t know either way on that.
    I did find their story a bit fishy. I did not buy from them as I wanted to do more research. I am not in a position to buy multiple rifles in multiple calibers to properly test the theory myself, which is why I wanted some suggestions.
     

    Hohenheim

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 24, 2023
    50
    18
    Warsaw, Indiana
    I think for a DEFENSIVE rifle, we are talking 100 yards or less. So wirryong about long term accuracy or power probably isn’t a consideration here.

    I can’t think of a scenario (except shtf , End of the world zombie land stuff) where somebody beyond 100 yards is an immediate threat to you.

    Even downtown during the summer of love “protests” your immediate threats We’re all well inside 100 yards.

    Think about how you would explain to a judge why you took that 200-400 yard shot “in self defense”.
    TBH this is a STHF scenario gun. I want something budget friendly that I enjoy just in case everything turns out fine. I don't want to break the bank prepping
     

    bwframe

    Loneranger
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    93   0   0
    Feb 11, 2008
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    Btown Rural
    .308 bolt gun is my suggestion also. Scout rifle or just a shorter midrange gun. AICS magazine fed would be my choice.
     

    Zjhagens

    Marksman
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    33   0   0
    Oct 29, 2012
    155
    28
    If the intent is for a SHTF rifle, IMHO you’d have a hard time convincing me to go with anything other than a 5.56/.223 AR platform. As others have stated is is perfectly adequate for defense, and in this scenario an important consideration is availability of ammo, magazines, and spare parts when you can rely on brownells to source parts from. You want something common. Plus a half decent AR these days can be had pretty inexpensively.

    Just my .02, take it with the grain of salt it’s worth.
     
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