Most reliable .22LR rifle for a SHTF scenario? Bolt Action Vs Autoloader?

I'd stick with a bolt action. Sure it isn't as quick, but let me put it this way, high velocity, standard velocity, long and short will cycle through a good bolt action any day of the week, not so much on an autoloader. Not to mention a bolt will out shoot any semi auto in accuracy any day of the week and is much harder to kill (bend a spring and your autoloader is dead, it takes a lot to take a bolt action out of play)

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Most reliable .22LR rifle for a SHTF scenario? Bolt Action Vs Autoloader?

I currently am buying a Ruger 10/22 with an ATI tactical stock. I was wondering if any of you had to pick a .22LR rifle that had to last a very long time, and had to be dependable, what would be your choice? Should I go with a Marlin bolt-action rifle instead due to less moving parts to break? Or...

I am a long time rifle instructor and retired long distance military competition shooter.

I own bolt 22's for target shooting. I have 3 Ruger 10/22's in the safe - one for each son an me. Mine has a SWR 'Spector' suppressor on it and BSA 'Sweet 22" scope and is the perfect firearm for a SHTF when you add the 50rd drum magazine.

Fact is I have always had a 10/22 or two, or three or four around all the time over the past 30 years. I have never, ever, had any parts failure in exess of 200,000 round fired me, or, in my classes. If the SHTF this is a great rifle to have. Out of the box it is ok for plinking and beer cans - if you take the time to have the barrel threaded and re-crowned, add a suppressor - it can be a real tack driver. Or simply buy an after market barrel with threads.

No matter what, for SHTF you want a 10/22 with 1/2-28tip threads on the end. It will take you 5 months (thanks to Obamma) to get your suppressor paperwork through, and if the SHTF next week, at least you can easily install one when you find one. Me - I have both a 223 suppressor that is 28 ounces and the SWR 22lr that is 8 ounces. I use the heavier one for target shooting because of teh extra weight - and the lighter one when hunting.

Hope this helps.

This is all hypothetical based on what I know...

If I had to pick a .22 to last... I think I'd go with a bolt-action single-shot. They've got fewer moving parts than anything else so there's less to wear out, less to break, less to get gunked up... And there's no magazine to worry about so you don't have the feeding issues... And honestly I think I'd pick an older .22 bolt-action single shot. Mainly because the new models tend to use aluminium in the receiver which would wear more quickly than steel. Then again maybe I'm just being old-fashioned.

For what its worth... A bolt-action single-shot is mainly a small game hunting rifle. Its not good choice if you think you may have to fight someone. In that situation I think I'd go for something more like a 12 or 20 gauge pump-shotgun, a lever-action .30/30, or a M1 Garand. Of those, the most versatile would be the pump shotgun since simply by changing the ammunition (and maybe the choke tube), I could switch between small game, large game, and self-defense.

Most Reliable 22 Rifle

I built up a 10-22 Ruger with a bull barrel - Hogue Stock-6-18 power BSA Sweet 22 Scope -Black Max Limited Edition 2 1/2 lb match trigger & use BX- 25 Ruger Magazines! It shoots every kind of ammo I feed it and it will eat a 1" bullseye out at 100 yards! I've got over 10,000 rounds through the Gun! I call that dependable and accurate! Clean it after I shoot 250 rds through it and I would not hesitate to use it as a defensive weapon! Bears = I'd use a 12 guage pump with slugs & then it makes a good close range defensive weapon! Practice weekly with whatever you are gonna rely on & it will protect you! Ballistic gel tests have proved that 40gr solid nosed 22 cal will penetrate up to 12"! Proficiency with any weapon is better than No weapon at all! Women and children can handle & master the use of this GREAT little gun also ! BE PREPARED -Be Safe!

Most Reliable Rifle

Id pick the ruger 10/22 hands down. Own it and love it.Its a very tough and dependable gun and parts and upgrades are all over the place. Higher capacity mags are available, which i recomend the type with steel lips.A bolt action since it has less moving parts will outlast any semi auto as far as parts wearing out etc though. Ive had my ruger a long time and thousands of rounds later ive had no problems.ive probably got more than 5000 rounds through mine.Might be closer to 7000 or 8000.Accuracy is still great too.at 50 yards all holes touch a quarter and at 25 yards nickle and sometimes dime size groups are common.Mine isnt bull barrel but just a standard blued barrel and cheap wood model.I dont thinks its walnut.

Henry makes a sweet little pump action .22 that I've had a great time with.

I have a Savage model 29B that's already outlived one owner and will almost certainly still be here when I'm gone. Plus it shoots shorts, for those moments when you need to reach out and touch something small and do it quietly. Pump for those who don't already know.