Why do people "downgrade" for the survival rifle?

I would have a hard time....I can't save ammo. As soon as I acquire an extra box or two of ammo, I shoot it. When I run out of plinking ammo I start eyeballin my hunting bullets. So sadly I would probably face my emergency situation with 17 rounds of ammo.
 
I think the most likely reason for using a "cheaper" rifle is they expect it to be banged up, not cared for, and most likely, lost, at some point.

Short of the end of all, no emergency is going to last forever. Also it may be that the "authorities" will take your guns, when you meet them. Losing a cheap(er) gun isn't quite as painful, or it isn't to me, anyway.
 
Well you could have a epic match and just use the .22 rifle to shove down the bears throat(a 67 year old man shoved a stick down a bears throat and ran off). You never know! That could be quite the scenario. Just think of yourself as Jim Bowie :D.
 
a gun to fit any role

I only have 2 guns, a 91/30 Mosin Nagant, and a Ruger 10/22. Id bring both. I can carry thousands of .22lr for small game, and have quite a bit of surplus Bulgarian 7.62x54R for big game, and two legged prey...
 
I don't get it, what exactly is a survival rifle
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I can give my take on "survival rifles"

The first two years I spent in Alaska (1972-73) I worked for the Railroad out of Healy AK. I got laid off each winter and lived in a little 12X18 cabin. Zero income (except for a few dollars selling reloads and making arrows for people).

I had several high power rifles and pistols, but I pretty much fed my family on small game and fish. Rabits and ptaragan. My go to rifle was a Savage O/U 22/410.

Still have that rifle, and if for some weird reason I'd find my self in the same situation I can't think of any of my other firearms I would pick over it.
 
Kraig has this nailed. The little Savage over/ under actually is a survival gun.
Food, clothing, and shelter is more important than any other possible scenario.
If you really want to go nuts, get the .22 mag/ 20gauge combo. Most folks won't hump anything farther than their backyard, and have no clue about living rough. It's amazing what a human can stand, with a full stomach.
 
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I made this poster as somewhat of a joke,

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But for many situations, it's hard to beat a good basic setup like a sold wheelgun and a bolt action rifle for anything that doesn't include major combat with organized enemies. The rifle is a CZ 527M in 7.62x39mm, has a detachable 5 round magazine, adjustable iron sights, is accurate reliable and dependable in a common caliber...and weighs 6 pounds. Everyone who picks it up can't believe how light it is. It's my "camp rifle", and not a bad choice for a bug out rifle. The revolver is a 38 special Smith Model 10, but could easily be a 357 to allow for even more common ammunition, load the first two with snake shot and go from there. I probably would carry my CZ SP-01 Phantom, though. ;)

If I bug in, my choice is different.

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In my big town/little city, if things go downhill fast I figure the biggest threat to my health is the toughs with tattoos and poor attitudes, their tag-a-long wannabe gangsters, and the large dogs that those people tend to let escape too often. I'd stay put to protect my family, so a dedicated survival rifle isn't necessary in my mind as I'll have appropriate rifles on hand for what I need anyway. a .22 for rabbits/dogs, a 30-06 for breathing room and a 20-gauge shotgun the ladies can handle and have practiced with in case of emergency. none of these was particularly expensive, my costlier guns and the guns i plan to get just won't be as well suited, particularly for the family to use. so it's not a downgrade, it's what makes sense.

now i want one of those savages, .22 for rabbits and 20 gauge in case of dogs :D



another upside of staying home, all my guns are on hand all the time. when the world ends, break into my house and i'll be wearing as many revolvers as i can a la Josey Wales. better whistle Dixie.
 
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I don't downgrade so not sure if I'm a rarity in the category or not - for survival I'd take my best rifle and scope, not the cheapest and most prone to fail.

Tiki.
 
I didn't read all the replies, so this may have been covered. I assume this in regard to a SHTF scenario.

In many cases, people's best guns are "high maintenance", to use a girlfriend/wife analogy. ;) Your top-end hunting rifle may have a scope that can get out of whack pretty easily, which would render it useless. Your best rifle may be blued & walnut, which doesn't handle the elements as well as polymer, stainless and laminate. Nice tight tolerances, while great for target practice don't translate to reliability in combat. Etc.
 
I'd also go for the AK, if only because it is short and handy. I live in a small town of 2500 people. If I had to "bug out" and leave my home I think the world would be so f-ed up, what would be the point? Better to join with neighbors into a defensive group.
 
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