I reload, so rather than keep a large and bulky supply of ammo I keep a large and bulky supply of reloading components <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Seriously, I could get by with 3 kinds of powder (Unique, Alliant 2400, and H4350) and I am presently planning to aquire bullet molds for my .45 ACP, my 30-30/30.06, and .40 S&W. My goal is to never have to buy centerfire ammo again.

I think the same advice applies here as has been given on food storage: "store what you shoot and shoot what you store", but in this case you "shoot what you store" because the only effective ammo is what actually hits your target.

I tend to agree with your list.

I have hunted for about 40 years in the Southeasten US. For staying in place, if I could only own one gun, it would be a 12 guage shotgun. In addition to some 00 Buckshot, I would add lots of #7 1/2 or #8 field loads for small game and some #4 or so heavier loads for intermediate game.

Add a second gun? It would b a .22. For the price of one box (20 rounds) of 30-06, .308 , .270, you can get 500 rounds of .22.

Third gun - centerfire rifle

Of course, this all depends on where you live and what you expect to encounter. Backpacking raw meat in bear country? Bush pilot in Alaska? Boating with great white sharks?

It also depends on the shooter. I have spent a lot of time bird hunting. For me shooting a shotgun comes natural and a .22 rifle is easy to shoot also. I cannot hit the broad side of a barn with a hand gun. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I keep and store a good amount of ammo. Over the years I have had a lot of guns in a lot of cal. I now have a far number of guns but in limited cals. So here is my list:

40 S&W 180 grain HP

30/06 I have hand loads from 110 gr. to 200 gr. (I still believe that the 30/06 is the best long gun cal out there. I know I will get some feedback but nothing else I know is as flexible. With one riffle you can go from mid sized game to moose.)

.223 72gr. MHP

12 gauge: I have stores of ammo from #8 to #00 buck and slugs. (if I had to take just one gun)

I totally agree with your statement about the 30-06 and have been preaching this for years to my hunting pals. Have even converted one to my way of thinking.

Great minds think alike. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I ran across a web sit that advocates a .22lr handgun, even for deer and other large game. I just have a hard time with that. It takes one hell of a shot to kill a deer with a .22. I now that is all the Eskimo's used to use. I also know that a 30-06 is a little big for a rabbit, but I would rather try a head shot on a rabbit than on a bear charging. Just my personal .02.

Most of my emergency plans are for "bugging in," so I don't worry much about ammo portability. Arizona's desert is not highly productive land, so I don't plan to live off of it (I don't want to have to shoot every hunter I see to make sure that I'll have game). I do make sure that my reloading gear works without electricity. That's mostly so I have something to do while waiting for the Return Of The World As We Know it.

Well I have known a few individuals in my time that have taken deer with .22 lr, copper coated hollow point to be exact and they were head shots from treestands at less than 20 yards...on a doe. Still it can be done.

And yes, a 30-06 can really do some damage on a squirrel or rabbit....so I compromise. I carry a 30-06 for deer hunting and should a brave squirrel or rabbit get curious, I pull out my Ruger Mark II and aim for lunch. Rabbit stew is pretty good at hunting camp.

And you are right <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> great minds do think alike.

Great another reason to go by another gun...darn. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Ruger Mark II on the list!!

Forget about Ruger, Browning, S&W and Berretta, the Sig Trailside is 10 times the gun, more accurate, easier to disassemble and light in weight. It also has a 3/8 rail on the barrel for red dot sight. Honest, I've tried all the 22 pistols on the market and none of them come close to the Trialside for survival use. Ammo, CCI Velociters will take a deer with a head shot.

Cool I will have to take a look at it. I already own 4 Sigs awsome guns.