What is the best bullet type that I should be stockpiling in case the SHTF? Frangible, hollow point, soft point, FMJ? I'm shooting 5.56, if that helps.

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I use 55 gr varmint Grenades for 223. I mainly use these because I varmint hunt, but it is also very good on game such as feral hogs and such. If SHTF any bullets you can get will be needed. That's why 223 is such a good caliber, powerful enough to be effective for defense and plentiful enough to be easy to find if you need to get more.

If you are in a situation where you may have to live long term in the wild, I would recommend a larger caliber for big game. I am talking a minimum of 30 cal, and larger if you can accurately shoot it.

I keep several options available to me with pistols, rifles and shotguns. This allows me to be flexible for any situation.

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NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
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U.S. Army Veteran

For home defense, the Hornady TAP line is great loaded ammunition. The 69 grain loading is a hollow point, boat tail bullet.

If you reload, the 60 grain VMAX is excellent as well. DO NOT use the 55 grain VMAX, as it does not meet the required penetration depth (12") standard that the FBI sets.

That being said, a soft point bullet, and FMJ are also good to have in limited quantities. I keep a magazine for my AR-15 staggered with SS109 projectiles (light armor penetrator), 60 grain VMAXs, and 55 grain remington soft points. The way that I see it, 3 rounds will defeat car doors, and still have the benefits of the VMAX added in there.

a cheap good rifle is a m 44 you can get one for about 120 but get on with a very good bore

The only problem with a Nagant is that it's a bolt-action rifle, with a 5 shot magazine. I wouldn't want to use one for home defense.

I agree with you about home defense. I would prefer an AR for that. However, for survival, it is a good firearm. It is actually an accurate platform and is capable of taking down larger game at safe distances. I have an AR and a bolt action hunting rifle. The AR is accurate enough to hunt with, but my hunting rifle is very accurate, and I prefer it when hunting since chasing game is a waste of time and energy. I do not believe in one general purpose gun. Each type of gun has its place and situation where it shines.

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Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

With 5.56, it's hard to beat the standard milsurp 69 grain SS109 projectile. It fragments, and it goes through car doors.

If you want something more impressive, then I'll second the V-MAX. Hornady TAP is too expensive for my tastes, but Winchester has a varmint loading that is similar.

Get a mix of ammo, expanding and penetrating. If you firearm takes magazines, load the mag
with a specific type of ammo and mark the mag in some way so you know what it's loaded
with. FMJ's with a penetrator core would be good for vehicles although the .223 is pretty
light for such work. Use the expanding rounds for soft targets.

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