When it comes to preparing for survival scenarios, having the right firearms and ammunition is a must to be able to survive the biggest challenges that can be thrown at you. The choice of cartridge plays a significant role in determining your ability to hunt for food, defend yourself, and overcome various challenges. In this article, we looks at some of the best survival cartridges, their features, and why they are well-suited for survival situations.
What makes a good survival cartridge
Before we get into the best survival cartridges we need to go over the qualifications for a good survival cartridge.
Versatility: A rifle cartridge that can only be used for one task is essentially useless in a survival situation because you need to be able to handle the widest variety of scenarios possible.
Availability: If you can’t restock or get different types of ammo for a rifle then there is no point in having it. If you need to restock and can’t find ammo then you will be in more trouble which should be avoided.
Weight: Assuming you will need to move around in a survival scenario, which is highly likely, then you will not want to be carrying a ton of weight so that you will not be too tired to make good decisions or handle other tasks
Most easy to carry: 22 LR
The 22 LR (LR being short for Long Rifle) is a versatile and widely available cartridge that is highly recommended for a vast array of survival scenarios. It’s lightweight, compact, and ideal for hunting any small game animal from rabbits to raccoons. The ammunition is affordable and has minimal recoil, making it easier to handle and accurate for precise shot placement. Additionally, the .22 LR can be used for target practice, plinking, and pest control, making it a good choice not just for survivalists but also for target shooters and home steaders.
The main reason this caliber is so popular among survivalists and preppers is that it is small and lightweight. You can get a 550-round box of 22LR that only weighs 3.5 pounds making it the lightest ammunition you can carry while getting as many shots as possible.
Best pistol caliber: 9mm Luger
The 9mm Luger, also known as 9mm Parabellum, is a popular handgun cartridge known for its effectiveness and widespread use not just among civilians but also among many militaries. It offers a good balance of stopping power, magazine capacity, and manageable recoil. The 9mm is extremely popular and comes in a wide verity of bullet weights.
The 9mm is small enough that you carry plenty of ammo and not have it drag you down. But you can also get more stopping power than a 22LR making it better for taking larger-sized game or for self-defense.
Best all-around rifle cartridge: 6.5 Grendel
Now the 6.5 Grendel made the list for many reasons, as you will soon see, but it is worth mentioning that there are many other cartridges you could use in replacement of this. These cartridges are the 6.8 SPC, the 6mm ARC, the 308 Winchester, the 300 Blackout, and even the 556, although it is on the light side in my opinion. Really any popular, intermediate, cartridge that works in the AR-15 platform is not a bad choice, I just prefer the 6.5 Grendel.
The 6.5 Grendel is a great survival cartridge for several reasons. Its light recoil makes it easy to handle, allowing for faster follow-up shots and increased accuracy. The 6.5 Grendel also has ballistic superiority over most other cartridges in its class such as the 556 or the 6mm ARC. Furthermore, the 6.5 Grendel is commonly chambered in AR-15 platforms, which are lightweight, versatile, and widely used, allowing for easy customization and adaptation to whatever you may need.
However, the 6.5 Grendel does have the issue that it is not as commonly found as other cartridges, making it better for someone who is more stationary than mobile in a survival situation and will not be doing a lot of shooting.
Best big game cartridge: 30-06
The 30-06 is a cartridge known for its versatility and power. Its main advantage is its versatility, as the 30-06 can effectively take down a wide range of game, from smaller animals like coyotes to large game like elk and moose. Additionally, the 30-06 offers excellent long-range capabilities and retains energy well, making it effective for engaging targets at extended distances.
The Drawback of the 30-06 is that it is both a heavy cartridge to carry and a heavier recoiling cartridge. You would be carrying a lot of weight to take any more than 100 rounds of 30-06 with you. And if you are tired from carrying around all the ammo then shooting the heavier recoiling 30-06 could be difficult not to mention setting up a place to sleep or trying to hunt.
Most Versatile: 12 Gauge Shotgun
While not a specific cartridge, the 12 gauge shotgun is a highly versatile firearm that can fire various loads such as birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Shotguns are effective for hunting birds, small game, and even larger game at close to moderate ranges. The 12 gauge shotgun is also an exceptional tool for personal defense, providing a wide range of ammunition options and versatility in different scenarios.
The 12 Gauge is probably the best survival cartridge because of its extreme versatility, how easy it is to find, and it is fairly lightweight compared to other rifle cartridges. The only really big drawback is its recoil, in which case you could use a 20 gauge.
Conclusion
In survival situations, having the right cartridges can significantly increase your chances of survival. all the cartridges mentioned above are the best choices for various survival needs. They offer a combination of reliability, availability, effectiveness, and versatility, ensuring you have the necessary tools to hunt for food, defend yourself, and overcome challenges in unforeseen circumstances.