What is your pick for a long range zombie killer?

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by Big Dog

My CETME rifle. With her scope, she oughta be good for a few hundred yards, "minute of zombie".....
I got plenty ammo - there'd be a lot of headless zombies.

I was genuinely thinking of saying my CETME, but my ammo stockpile is woefully light and won't be getting any larger with ammo prices as they are (plus the tightening of my belt). In addition to that, I can't seem to get my scope to hold a zero, even at 50 yards, so until I fix that, I'm going to stick with the tried and true reliability of my AES-10. Kind of helps that I have just over 1000 rounds of 7.62x39, too.

...but don't think for a second I wouldn't take my CETME out to 100 yards on irons if I was going for headshots. Anything farther and my eyes and the size of the sights would just impede accuracy too much.

[ArkansasHunter]

50 caliber saboted #1 Buck shot.

[Ratt]

Originally Posted by JMcDonald

For zombies, I'd go for something that can send a light bullet at extreme velocities (near 4k, especially if handloaded), like the .243 or perhaps the 25-06. Hell, even the .22-250's 45gr bullet at 4000fps (cheap factory Remington UMC load) would work well for busting brains. Really, most smaller-caliber rounds can be loaded to send a light bullet at very fast velocities. Regardless of what you use, at 4000fps, you can set a 250yd zero, and aim for the bridge of the nose and always hit just above it, and out to about 300 yards it would still hit the base of the skull / top of the spine with the same POA.

Of course, the .223's availability and price give it some merit, though won't have the power or range (at least without adjusting / compensating to a greater degree).

However, for anything else, including shooting game from long distance (it was pointed out to me that if food becomes really scarce, the difference between eating and starving might mean making that 500yd shot on that deer you see in the distance, which is probably the most likely reason to make such a shot IMO), its hard to beat the .308 or even 7.62x54 for the combination of long-range power, and price. There are of course just about a million possibilies for high-powered rounds, especially if reloading.

If you are looking for something relatively easily available, I'd look into light .243 or even .22-250 factory loads, followed by .223 if you are more concerned about availity. For a more general purpose load, I'd just go to .30-06, .308, or 7.62x54 (this one for price).


*edit*

Though, for a single cartridge that can do light and fast, or heavier and mildly fast, the .25-06 is probably one of the more versatile for both zombie hunting, long-range game killing or man-stopping if needed.


*edit*

Oh, and I forgot the Supremely Viable .22lr!

I also was going to say 22-250 as I think they have been greatly under appreciated but for stopping power and reliability a 25-06 is a better choice.

[BudW]

M14

[nathangdad]

elective offices here in Texas are zombies rather than using a gun I will wave the banner of the Libertarian Party. Elected zombies do fear some things.

[Darkfront]

Originally Posted by nathangdad

elective offices here in Texas are zombies rather than using a gun I will wave the banner of the Libertarian Party. Elected zombies do fear some things.

LOL!

I pick a Remington 700 SPS Tactical or PSS. Just because I have one and I'm pretty decent with it.

[JESSEDR]

My Saiga 308 Rifle. and for Back up SPRINGFIELD 1911-A1 45 cal.

[Grumpy old dude]

+ however many on Mosin (though there is no practical way to scope my M39) at up to couple hundred yards at least solid body shots anyhow!

[billy]

the saiga .308 would work
all the power and a 20 round mag.

[larmus]

nice zombie killers billy...

[Newbie79]

Larmus,

I'd love to get a Mosin Nagant good for distance shooting that I could put a good scope on. Could you tell me a bit more? Would I be looking for a 91/30? What else should I look for at a gun show, ask if its been shot? Also are there still plenty of the five round mags around for them as well. Thanks so much all of your posts have been very helpful.

[just_a_car]

Newbie, head on over to the mosin forum and start reading.

First off, the magazines are part of the rifle on the mosin, they are not detachable. You can get 5 round stripper clips for them, though.

m91/30's can be had all over for anywhere from $80-150. If you live near a Big 5 Sporting Goods store (Western US), then just wait for them to go on sale for $80-90. Otherwise, check pawn shops and anywhere else. The biggest thing to look for is a quality bore with good, sharp rifling and no corrosion anywhere. Cosmoline is a good thing, since it preserves the metal and can be removed, and stock imperfections are easily mended or sometimes kept to leave the 'character' of the rifle.

[larmus]

+100 just a car...

newbie79 head over to the mosin forum they have more info then i could ever remember to give you... i know some about mosins but not as much as those guys... good luck on your find...

[Newbie79]

Awesome, thanks for the advice gents.

[Big Dog]

Just remember, head shots are required to kill Zombies! Body hits only slow 'em down - maybe.

[Beans]

I would make a trip down to the local ammo store, try all of them in your area, envision you having to make a trip there to restock the ammo for your *LRZK and then consider the caliber of rifle you want to chose.

Im non zombie times ordering ammo from (you name it) and waiting for UPS/FEDEX/ETC to arrive is quite different then needing it now and resupplying from a local source.

AN inexpensive accurate rifle with ammo available is much more desirable
an inexpensive accurate rifle for which you must order ammo.

Unless you can afford to stockpile all the ammo you think you will need then double that amount,

just some examples of SHTF ammo supply

Handgun

9mm = Military
40 S&W = local, state, federal LEO's
.38 Special= most sporting/ammo/gun stores

Rifle

.223-.5.56= Military
.308.- 7.62 = Military

* Long Range Zombie killer

[Mandarax]

I've got two guns that I could use, at present, for long range zombie plinking.

Option 1 - Romanian FPK (PSL, ROMAK-3, whatever you want to call it)
The Good - it's long ranged, accurate, has a 4x scope, and is semi automatic. As an AK pattern weapon, it's very durable, especially in this temperate climate, so long as simple maintenance is observed. Surplus ammunition in peacetime is very cheap and comes in bulk.
The Bad - Overheats quickly, will be damaged by the more common 180+ grain 7.62x54R ammo used by Mosin-Nagants, and proper ammunition will be extremely hard to find once courier services are offline, and it's not particularly patriotic. Bayonette lug has had its teeth ground off.

Option 2 - Springfield M1903A3
The Good - If the FPK is durable, the Springfield is a rock to survive the ages. Uses .30-'06 which WILL drop the target, and is very easy to find in gun stores nationwide in large quantities. Very accurate and encourages careful shooting. Makes for a fantastic club, if the need arises.
The Bad - Bolt action and five individually-loaded rounds per magazine dramatically reduces rate of fire. Kicks very hard (though a rubber butt-pad solves this pretty well). Has no scope. Ammunition in peacetime is rather expensive.


When the zombie hoardes come, chances are I'll stick to the Springfield for normal duty, and resort to the FPK when the post-human waves besiege my fortress. If any happen to get closer than twenty five yards or so, I'll just switch the my Browning A5 12 gauge.

[rondog]

I'll stick with me M1, I can hit forehead-sized targets just fine!

[Constantine1911]

The Hi Point 995

[NRAJOE]

My Irish contract .303



Still want to get a Cadtec scope mount and a Weaver 6x scope first though...