
The .22 and 7 millimeter Magnum caliber rifles are two of the most versatile rifles on the market and are appropriate for anyone from beginners to experts.
While there are many options, these two firearms will let you in a survival situation kill just about any game you come across.
As important as it is to keep your firearms well maintained, having the right type of rifle for the game you are hunting is just as important.
These two caliber rifles cover the gambit in terms of ease of use, ease of maintenance and effectiveness.
Do you have any tips for choosing the best survival rifle?
Tell us about them below in the comments section.

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The .22 is my favorite round by far… it’s a nasty little guy when placed right
Looks like a Ruger 10/22
Get ready for jams
With cheap ammo yes
A thicker barreled 410/22 O/U combo . my grandfather used one must of his life to hunt with , he ordered the thicker barrel to accommodate the use of the 45lc in the 410 . Even the military and air force issued these type of rifles in survival kits on many types of transports .
Survival doesn’t mean quality choice.
I like the marlin 22. I put well over 1500 rounds without cleaning and maybe only one miss feed. Great reliable gun. Plus you can drill some holes in the butt stock and you can fit about 20 to 30 extra rounds in it.
Lol! This guy is a fucking choad! Did he shoot this video at his moms house?
AR-30 chambered in 300 winchester magnum easily refitted from auto to semi auto in a niche horizon situation, pierces type 4 body armor can bring down a mule at 400 yards; if I could make an over under conversion out of it I would have a 12 gauge single shot over… it would look wierd but would be everything I need in one gun.
O Yup I agree with the .22
Yep I have a ’72 Marlin bolt Model 25. Great rifle.
But just bought an AR-7.
Mine is a lil semi auto and it never fails me.
Zach Brady Nicholas Graham
I’ve got a Model 25 and it’s been a great rifle. I am confident that it would do what ever was needed in a survival situation.
Richard I couldn’t begin to count the rounds that have been put through my Model 25, but I’m confident I’m in your range if not more. Very reliable firearm.
Bolt actions are the way to go.
Yep the 25 is a good rifle. Accurate.
What kind of survival if it’s like a collapse I have a thompson center dimension with multiple bolts and barrels to switch between 10 of the most popular hunting rounds within minutes and taking up as much space as a text book
Give me my trusty shotgun. I’ve killed everything from snake to bear with it. I don’t know anyone that would argue with eighteen thirtyfold caliber shots heading your direction at 1500 feet per second, at once. Shotguns do have limitations I know but reliable and versatile they are.
I like my savage 22lr/410 ou 45 cal smith Wesson and ar15 with 30 round 5.56 mags and Springfield 3006
This guy was correct except when it came to caliber choice for centerfire rifle. In a SHTF scenario you do not want a cartridge that uncommon/rare. You want a popular cartridge that can be found anywhere. I suggest you get a rifle chambered in either 308 or 30-06. These cartridges can be found anywhere and everywhere. Why would you limit yourself to a cartridge that you may have trouble trying to find more of?
The best gun to have is a gun 1st of all . I picked up a Highpoint 45 pistol and a 45 rifle just becouse they have enter changeable mags . So far it has been a great addition to my shtf preps .
Something simple less likely to malfunction a common caliber that is easy to find something with enough power to stop a human and a large animal but small enough to hunt small and medium game with too
I also prefer a marlin over the 10/22 for the fact that it is tube fed and you cannot lose the mag to it. May not seem like something that can happen but if your running or tossing your equipment over a fence and the mag pops out you’ll be SOL when it comes time to use it.
That is very true Nick.
Things like that everyone needs to take into consideration when choosing survival equipment. People like to buy all the popular stuff or whatever there using on all of the survival shows on tv. The reality is, the simpler, the better, especially if you have to travel to your destination. Military gear can be a good choice, but you also have to take into consideration that every man in a unit uses the same ammunition and magazines for their weapons and they all carry a lot of it just in case something happens and one man looses his gear, he’s covered by the others. Best way to prepare is to think that you will be traveling alone and only you yourself can carry the equipment needed. Take equipment failure into account and choose equipment that is sturdy enough to be used and abused. Steer clear of “tacticool” equipment, it will fail and you’ll be screwed. I’m not saying that some of the newer survival products aren’t good, all I’m saying is field test all of your equipment and try to envision every possible scenario before you fill your bag and say your ready.
I’d take a bolt action over auto anyday!
I have a hipoint 9mm carbine. A friend of mine has a pistol and I was not impressed with it at all. Many failures with it but this was also years ago. I have “heard” that the current ones they are making no longer have these problems. It is a shame that an American firearm manufacture had such a bad reputation.
Why did you buy a cheap weapon.. Highpoint really, dude look at SMITH and Wesson M&P line. And use your other pistol as a door stop or paper wait. All kidding aside sell it.
A men brother!!
Andrew Drost
I use and love my AK-47
Do I know best rifle for survival? Yep, the one that works
Ak all day. Built like a tractor and you don’t really ever need to clean it.
7mm wouldn’t be on my list of guns to have
12 gauge. Auto loaders are great. Shells are readily available….slugs are fun as well
I got a hipoint 9mm for a knock around. Bought it for canoe camping and to fill my curiosity after seeing those torture tests. Figure I would not cry if it went in the drink and don’t have to worry about beating it up. That pistol has become my go to for pest control Around the farm. Hit a huge opossum at night running at about forty yards with that thing, little luck on that one I know. Point being it has done its job, with no frills.