[TULAver]

TeachMe, you taught me a little bit actually. But I will bring up one point which I think you should rethink.

You stated that during a time of emergency, that 5.56 ammo would be available when 7.62 or 5.45 would not. I think, no offense, that this is backward. As you also stated, the US uses 5.56 ammo, therefore, during a true state of emergency, the ammo compatible with the majority of our government issued arms will be LESS easy to get. Add that to the fact that even WITH 5.56 as our standard NATO rifle calibre, that 7.62x39 is still cheaper and more abundant on the market, and I think you'll see what I mean. 7.62x39 Remington mfc is just about as easy to find as imported Wolf in my area, and unless some truly radical **** happens, I don't see that changing.

Not saying that 5.56 WOULD become hard to get, just saying that it would get scarce before 7.62x39, just because there's nowhere NEAR as much of it in the US, or in the rest of the world for that matter. The AK IS still the most widely adopted and produced battle rifle of all time, after all.

If you're worried about ammo availability in the US, these are your sure bets in my opinon.

1)12ga(or as I like to call it, King of the Hall)
2)7.62x39
3).30-06
4)5.56x45(you're covered there obviously)
5).308

.270 is another great round that will be readily available for a long time, but the only gun that I know of that uses it and would still be plausible for home defense(no offense bolt lovers) is the DSA Hunter model in .270.

As for pistol calibres, seems to me:

1)9mm Luger
2).45ACP
3).22 LR(most plentiful by FAR but least effective)
4).38
5)everything else

Modern rounds seem to have alleviated the tradeoff between 9mm and 45acp, with many 9mm types showing less tendency for overpenetration, and better expansion than older types, while modern 45acp loads are offering better accuracy and flatter trajectory. There will always be the tradeoff of ammo capacity Vs knockdown power though. I choose 9mm for the higher magazine capacities and the abundance of ammo though. No particular favourites here.