Bug Out Rifle Choice - Help me choose the best option

[mthayerPDX]

Greetings All! I hope you are all staying safe out there. I have been slowly putting together a bugout bag setup and recent events convinced me I should probably get it all together. I'm down to which rifle should I include in the setup. I have some decent options that I recently rescoped and haven't sighted so that leaves me with these three to choose from:

1. My trusty old Marlin/Glenfield Model 60 22lr - Tube feed 17+1 semi auto (ultra reliable) with a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 (overkill on the scope) and 500+ rounds of ammo.
2. The Savage 93r17 17hmr - Clip feed 10+1 bolt action with a Canon 4-12x40 with 300 rounds of ammo. ( I also have a Q El Camino suppressor for this one)
3. My dearly loved Winchester 94 30-30 - Tube feed 7+1 lever action with open sights (very accurate at 100yds) and 40 rounds of ammo.

This would be carried either slung or in a scabbard on my ACU Molle II pack so weight is a concern but none of them are great options that way. Common sense tells me the Marlin is the practical choice just because of sheer ammo volume. But the 17hmr is awesome for small game, doesn't drift nearly as bad in wind and 300 rounds isn't bad. The Winchester was inherited from my dad and has huge sentimental value but is about as good a brush hunting gun as you can get. If the situation came up I could possibly have my wife carry a second option on her pack so let me know what you think options 1 and 2 should be.

Your choices and thoughts are much appreciated!

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[Kruel J]

The Marlin .22lr. I can't believe I just said that.

 

[DB is Here]

Bug in, and keep them all...My work his is done.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Why are you bugging out and where are you going...
That may have a bearing on just what to choose.

From your choices I'd go with the Marlin 'cause it sounds like you shoot it well or the Winchester 94 as it can do duty as a hunting or a defensive arm...
Not that you can't defend yourself with a .22 rifle...but .30 caliber holes versus .22 caliber holes....
I'd lean towards the Winchester if it was me.
Andy

 

[HA556]

I can't bugout anymore but, if I could, the .22lr is a great survival weapon. To me, bugging out means, staying under the radar and a .22 can put a lot of small game in the skillet if you know what I mean.

 

[mthayerPDX]

The Marlin .22lr. I can't believe I just said that.

I know. Pretty boring option but it is a tack driver! Kind of kicking myself for selling off my 10/22 Takedown backpacker. What was I thinking?

 

[mthayerPDX]

Why are you bugging out and where are you going...
That may have a bearing on just what to choose.

From your choices I'd go with the Marlin 'cause it sounds like you shoot it well or the Winchester 94 as it can do duty as a hunting or a defensive arm...
Not that you can't defend yourself with a .22 rifle...but .30 caliber holes versus .22 caliber holes....
I'd lean towards the Winchester if it was me.
Andy

If I had more ammo I probably wouldn't have posted this thread. Love my Winchester!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

If I had more ammo I probably wouldn't have posted this thread. Love my Winchester!

I love my 94 as well...
If you were closer , I'd give you some ammo....
Andy

 

[mthayerPDX]

I can't bugout anymore but, if I could, the .22lr is a great survival weapon. To me, bugging out means, staying under the radar and a .22 can put a lot of small game in the skillet if you know what I mean.

Thank you for your service HA556! I have a son serving on the USS Nebraska. Go Big Red! I completely stripped and refinished the Marlin last year after it sat unfired for nearly 10 years. Put it together, mounted the Banner and it was right back to being the shooter I remembered. Its about the same as shooting a 10/22 except the tube feed is kind of a pain but that really only becomes a factor at the range.

 

[kisfish]

22 is my vote. It will defend and put food on the fire without the report of the 30/30. Back in the day when we custom processed beef, buffalo , pigs, sheep, the 22 was all we ever used on the kill floor. Processed a couple thousand animals with that rusty old rifle.

 

[mthayerPDX]

22 is my vote. It will defend and put food on the fire without the report of the 30/30. Back in the day when we custom processed beef, buffalo , pigs, sheep, the 22 was all we ever used on the kill floor. Processed a couple thousand animals with that rusty old rifle.

I am seeing a trend here!

 

[Unicykle]

Keep you truck/car full of gas and that way you can take em all, you can drive farther in 20min ( with no police make that 10 min) than you can walk all day carying a heavy pack

 

[sobo]

The Marlin and the Winchester.
Marlin for small game, cuz it's a lot quieter when bagging said game. 500 rds should feed you and the missus for a while.
The .30-30 for defense. Hopefully, you won't need more than 40 rds to fight off the zombies...

 

[mthayerPDX]

Keep you truck/car full of gas and that way you can take em all, you can drive farther in 20min ( with no police make that 10 min) than you can walk all day carying a heavy pack

Keep full tanks on the car and the SUV. I was imagining driving the SUV into the Cascades and hiding it then packing into a more remote area to camp, hunt etc.

 

[CountryGent]

Bug in, and keep them all...My work his is done.

^. That is our plan.

But to answer the question, the Winchester 94, for a number of reasons.

 

[Sarchet]

Buy more ammo for the Winchester.

 

[micdude]

I also love the handling and feel of the trusty model 94 30-30 and it would work very good for self defense. But I would probably go with The 22lr and take off the scope to lighten it up a bit. If I was bugging I would take it all in the vehicle until I couldn't then I would stash my vehicle and come back for move stuff latter if necessary

 

[Muddman]

I'd say the Marlin, had many and love the rifle.
However now my 22 of choice is a Henry Lever Action
Subsonic rounds are sweet for small game and keeping critters away.
But with your choices, Marlin 60 carry more ammo, reliable and accurate.

 

[Certaindeaf]

.338 Lapua for when you see an elk at 800 yards.

 

[doobee8]

Marleeen!