The classic text on survival firearms is still Mel Tappen's book. While Mel didn't survive, his basic ideas did. A simple rule is to have ammunition on hand. Post apocalyptic scenarios of ransacking the local sporting goods store or bartering are at best luck. As an anecdote, my Farrier went home to Idaho to hunt Elk. He somehow forgot his carefully handloaded .30-06 rounds. No problem, it's the most popular round in the USA. Problem #1 came up when 3 rural stores were SOLD OUT. He was told without apology, " you know it's the most popular cartridge." Problem #2 was the idea he could acquire a small supply from another hunter. My farrier was driving a rented car with California plates. He stepped outside the last store to find his taillamps smashed and 'KALIFORNICATORS GO HOME' lipsticked on the windhsield ( Idaho hunters carry lipstick <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ) So much for barter until he met an old high school buddy. Unfortunately, his old friend boasted about smiting a gentile from the Sin State by smashing his taillamps. By the time the local sherrif ( their own bishop) untangled the two every elk in their zone had gone to cover. Meanwhile Dave's jackmormon cousin ( my backup farrier) had borrowed my 8x60S Mauser at the last moment when his new .300 Weatherby Magnum sheared off poorly mounted scope bases. I don't think theres more than 2 boxes of 8x60 in the whole pandhandle. Randy had all of 15 left after a magazine's worth went downrange for practise. He got a nice fat Elk to. There was some brief teasing about marinating the steaks in beer till we gave Dave a nice thick one <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />