[a pittarelli]

easier to get close to prey and shoot it with the pistol than haul a rifle around with you when in survival mode, imo

[FutureMarine9]

if i've got a sling i can carry a rifle forever so rifle would be my pick

[Choco]

Rifle.

[toolman]

I'd have to say rifle. In a pinch, you can take down a deer or an enemy with a rifle. The same can be done with a pistol, but you'd have to be much closer and a pistol will lose a lot of velocity compared to a rifle.

[29er savoy]

a stainless steel composite stocked rifle, bolt or auto w/ scope on see-thu mounts.

[ArkansasHunter]

I just wonder if my 22 magnum rifle would be to much for small game. I shot a bunny rabbit in the head with my 1st 22mag useing hollow points and it took half his head off ..A.H

[Triggerjerk]

Quote:       Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

I just wonder if my 22 magnum rifle would be to much for small game. I shot a bunny rabbit in the head with my 1st 22mag useing hollow points and it took half his head off ..A.H

These things are always a trade off, aren't they? I'm a .22 long rifle guy because of my handguns, so I would stay with that ammo. I'm considering a 10/22 to make a rifle/handgun combo.

[SilentSoul]

Honestly why not both, when you consider the size of a like a Ruger MKII or III they do not take up much space at all. They say a pistol is only to fight your way back to where you left your rifle.

[Triggerjerk]

That's what I'm thinkin', and they're on sale here for $179.

[rondog]

Do they still make the Charter Arms AR7?

[CrazyIvan]

Take both, when you need to, you can rid yourself of one by disassembling it (for safety reasons) & dumping the pieces of over a short-to-long distance.

[Deersniper]

I just traded my .22 rifle for a .308. We are in the suburbs, and being ex- pest control, I can trap small game. I'll get a Walther .22 for her, my .45 ACP, and Bushy .223 will do. My 12 ga will take small to large game also.A .22 is not going to go through B/A, but a rifle will. I also suggest a sling shot with ball bearings, a horse, and goats. As for small game, the ruckus will scare them away, and I don't eat squirrel, coon or other things but will eat rabbit. Beware of blue helmets.

[nunavutHunter]

If my life depended on it, I'd take the rifle any day! A .22 ruger with a 25 shot clip would give you a much better chance of catching animals consistently without wasting too many rounds. Handguns are not meant for hunting but this is just my opinion. Let's say you are in an area with few animals and you are extremely tired, if a rabbit or a dear happens to be 200 yards away I doubt you would stand a chance of hitting it with any handgun, then it would just run away. If this happens numerous times you could easily starve. I'm just thinking worse case scenarios like your completely lost and it's raining or snowing heavy for a week.

[samuel]

I will tell all my handgun hunting friends their handguns are not for hunting and will stop hunting with them myself when I am dead.Just funning with you but I have never shot a "dear" in my life no matter how tempted I was,I have shot numerous "deer".I have taken lots of varmints and game with a handgun from chipmunks to grizzly bear,1,and seldom needed a second shot. sam.

[ezearln]

I own a Ruger mdl 96, and a few (ahem) sidearms. I would tote BOTH a .22LR handgun is a relatively insignificant weight to worry about. and a good one you are proficient with can take game at reasonable ranges. Additonally many years ago when even I was young and gullible I had all the latest lil survival "Widgets" all the so called experts insisted were essential to survival, I soon found out that were I to actually carry all that junk I wouldn't be able to lift the pack let alone carry it! A survival bag or kit does not need to be overly complicated nor overly heavy. Remember the thread is discussing "Survival" not a bug out, in my mind that infers I have been tossed into a situation because of injury, getting lost or stranded. Simplicity is the key to a survival kit you will actually always have with you. A relatively small fanny pack will carry virtually everything needed for basic survival, additionally a cargo vest with multiple secure pockets adds to what you always have with you. This is my basic load out when I go afield in search of fish or game and also keep in my truck or jeep whichever I am in:
Vest:
Compass
Magnesium fire starter w/flint
Water proof matches
small folding knife & stone
small space blanket
fire starter gel
signal mirror
chapstick
2 energy snack bars
jersey gloves
Water filtering straw
small zippered case holding:
15' braided fishing line
1/2 doz asst hooks
1/2 doz single edged razor blades
15' parachute cord
2-15' coils 16 ga enameled copper wire
aspirin
tribiotic cream
gauze wrap (small)
6 gauze pads
2 feminine napkin (makes great battle dressings)
Fanny pack:
a repeat of all the above with these additions-
1 large space blanket (heavy duty)
USGS Grid map of the area I am in
Wire saw
extra ammo for whatever I happen to be carrying or if not hunting a small .22 revolver & 50 rds
large folding knife & stone
Strobe light (U.S. Navy Issue)
small mess kit
multi-tool
3 small bags beef jerky
3 bags veggie noodles
3 high energy snack bars
latex gloves (3 pair)
2 pair extra socks
medium first aid kit to additionally include:
Snake bite kit
benydrel
antiseptic swabs (extras)
iodine swabs
syrup of ipacac
water purification tabs
With these basics barring extreme injury or weather conditions one should be able to "Survive" without undue stress for at least a week to 10 days, without having to subsistance hunt or fish longer if fish and or game are available.
That's my nickel's worth.
weight: apx 5 lbs

[Dan22]

What is the copper wire for?

[ezearln]

Snares, light weight, cheap and very effective if you know how to set them. It is to be remembered that this is carried in addition to whatever I am toting for my afield trip.

[FutureMarine9]

Earl you could start a G&G survival course only if you wanted to of course but i think you know enough to do it

[bravo30]

Quote:       Originally Posted by bored2bhere

a 22 pistol or rifle is to me a great survival tool for one you can kill alot small animals with it for the pot another there is a ton of ammo everywhere for it . for me i prefer a pistol and would carry a rifle for bigger critters . which leads me to this question would you prefer 22 rifle,pistol,or neither

i agree with you .... i have 1 and tons of ammo , put those things on a tripod and you can laydown some lead thats for sure lol .....

[ezearln]

The Survivorman series I believe on the Discovery Channel is in my opinion an excellent learning source. With caution however, the gent has had extensive survival training and skills and is willing to take risks in a survival situation I would be unwilling to accept. That said the series is informative and worthwhile, remember though he normally is tossed into these situations with the barest of supplies and scrouges virtually everything he uses. Unwise and foolhardy in my experience.