You drive the final nail into the board against your window and make your way over to your kitchen table. Using the flickering candlelight to force the shadows away, you pull out a notepad and begin to make a list of everything you need to get your hands on if you want any chance of surviving even a week. After a few minutes of brainstorming, you are relieved to find that you already have most things: flashlights, matches, extra fuel that can be used in a generator, a bin full of nonperishable food in the basement, and other provisions. You have firearms too, but then it dawns on you: What is the best type of ammunition to have in order to defend yourself and your family?
.22 LR
The .22 long rifle cartridge has been used for over 100 years and is currently the most popular cartridge globally. This type of ammunition is perfect for surviving in a dystopian society because it is lightweight, great for hunting rodents and pests, and is deadly when used for self-defense. A .22 LR round is relatively cheap, though it has risen slightly in recent years. However, since the end of the 2016 election, prices have begun to drop once more.
9mm
The low cost and popularity of the 9mm round make this an excellent choice for preppers and survivalists. (RELATED: Read why not prepping could be the biggest mistake of your life).
So reliable is the 9mm round that it’s the official round of the United States military and is quickly becoming the standard for law enforcement, as well. Because this type of ammunition is so widely used, it would be one of the easiest to scavenge following the collapse of society. It is also light recoiling and easy to shoot, ideal for people of all sizes.
12 Gauge
By far, 12 gauge rounds are some of the most accessible rounds worldwide. Although this type of ammunition is neither the cheapest nor the lightest, it is potent. One can easily take down games ranging from squirrel to bear by changing the load. Most threats wouldn’t stand a chance against the sheer power and versatility of the 12 gauge round. If it’s good enough to be used by law enforcement for generations, it’s certainly good enough to be used for hunting or self-defense in a survival situation.
5.56mm/.223
Because the AR-15 is the most desired rifle in the United States today, 5.56 or .223 ammo can be found everywhere. It is lightweight and light recoiling, most commonly used by semi-automatic defensive rifles. For proof that 5.56 ammo is effective, look no further than war-torn countries in the Middle East, which is used frequently to hunt down the enemy. With iron sites, the 5.56 round is accurate up to 500 yards. All of this makes this type of ammunition extremely useful for hunting and defensive purposes.
.308/7.62mm NATO
.308 or 7.62mm NATO rounds are ideal for shooting over long distances and breaking through barriers. Obstacles such as vehicle doors, brick walls, wood walls, and even light metal walls stand no chance against this type of ammo. The 7.62 NATO rounds come out on top even when faced with hard body armor. This type of ammo isn’t cheap, nor is it as common as 5.56, but there is a wider variety of rifles built that can use this kind of round, including semi-automatic, bolt actions, and lever actions. It is the standard for medium machine guns and is also used in sniper rifles by the United States military.
