Cheap Zombie/Yeti Killer?

[TNTitan]

I'm looking to getting a fun, low-cost, versatile rifle. I've got no preconceived notions/preferences... so I'm open to any and all options. Ideally, I want something I can hunt with, plink with, and feel good about for defense purposes as well. Something that can take a beating, is easy to maintain, and in an a caliber that is abundant, inexpensive, and effective.

Asking alot aint I?

What do y'all think? Anything out there fit this bill?

[Defender]

AK

[56FordGuy]

Mosin Nagant fits the bill very well, but a bolt action might be a bit slow in a zombie apocalypse. I think the next option is an AK or SKS, but both have increased in price quite a bit, along with 7.62x39.

[Oh Shoot]

Don't be lumping zombies and yetis together.

A yeti is your friend; they are actually gentle and wise creatures.

A .22 semi auto rifle is perhaps the best overall zombie killer. Direct pan shot is sufficient, and you can carry beau coup ammo. It's also the supreme plinker and the lowest cost per round there is.

But you will need more for larger game and non-zombie humanoids that move quicker and shoot back.

- OS

[Guest tlondon]

+1 for the mosin-nagant

[Guest Jcochran88]

Marlin 336 in 30-30!

[TNTitan]

Mosin Nagant fits the bill very well, but a bolt action might be a bit slow in a zombie apocalypse. I think the next option is an AK or SKS, but both have increased in price quite a bit, along with 7.62x39.

yea.. i think semi auto is a must for this gun...

[Guest 70below]

Bolt gun old: Mosin Nagant ($75-150) Bolt gun new: Mossberg ATR 30-06 ($250ish)

Semi-auto old: SKS ($250-350) Semi new(er): Remington 742 ($300ish)

Lever: Marlin 336 30-30 ($250-350)

[nightrunner]

marlin lever action in .357mag

[TNTitan]

dude.. you got a thing for .357s!

[poak]

For what you're describing, I think an AK fits the bill perfectly.

I wouldn't discredit a lever action rifle either.

While an SKS would save you some scratch, I'd pull together a few extra hundred (probably about $200) and get yourself an AK.

[Ropin4gold]

Ruger Mini 14 in .223

Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62x39

Good, well built, common ammo......

I would personally save up about 800 and get an AR-15 though.

[TNTitan]

what about an SKS? thoughts?

[56FordGuy]

Great rifles. As reliable as an AK, same cartridge. Generally, you can get one for a bit less than an AK. Except for a few versions that accept AK magazines, they came with fixed 10 round magazines.

I've got a Chinese SKS, and I really like it. There are lots of aftermarket options for it, from stocks to removable magazines.

[nightrunner]

an AK is probably the best bet, but either that or a marlin lever action in a pistol cal. 357 or 44mag but 44mag isnt cheap to shoot. 357 can drop a deer or a man just fine. put .38s in it to plink with.

semi auto, it goes to the AK. lever action goes to the marlin.

isnt the SKS just a stripper clip fed ak?

[jtluttrell]

Save the $ and buy an SKS. 25 round mags can work and fall about $300 less than AK. Yetis can be voilent went shot at and I'd want at least 24 more behind the first shot to finish the job. Zombies are a tad bit more persistent and I'd lean towards a flame thrower.

[TripleDigitRide]

Zombie apocalypse harpoon gun

Zombie apocalypse landmaster flame thrower

Zombie apocalypse mulcher

And never leave home without your ninja stars.

[poak]

Zombie apocalypse harpoon gun

Zombie apocalypse landmaster flame thrower

Zombie apocalypse mulcher

And never leave home without your ninja stars.

You know, I bet a pole saw could do some impressive damage to zombie hordes.

[Jonsaiga]

I'm looking to getting a fun, low-cost, versatile rifle. I've got no preconceived notions/preferences... so I'm open to any and all options. Ideally, I want something I can hunt with, plink with, and feel good about for defense purposes as well. Something that can take a beating, is easy to maintain, and in an a caliber that is abundant, inexpensive, and effective.

Asking alot aint I?

What do y'all think? Anything out there fit this bill?

I would go with an AK. Saigas are still cheap and easy to convert to standard AK configuration if one so chooses. If you want even cheaper ammo than 7.62x39 for cheaper plinking you could try to find an ak chambered in 5.45x39 as ammo can easily be found still for around $160-170 per 1,080 rounds and now that Hornady is offering a 52gr V-max TAP load for the 5.45, it can legally fill the hunting role too. Probably not the best choice for deer but it will work if you do your part.

[Capbyrd]

Don't be lumping zombies and yetis together.

A yeti is your friend; they are actually gentle and wise creatures.

A .22 semi auto rifle is perhaps the best overall zombie killer. Direct pan shot is sufficient, and you can carry beau coup ammo. It's also the supreme plinker and the lowest cost per round there is.

But you will need more for larger game and non-zombie humanoids that move quicker and shoot back.

- OS

As a huge .22 fan, I agree. Go pickup a smith & wesson M&P15-22.

[Mr. Brooks]

My vote is for the AK74. AK reliability with cheap ammo, doesn't get much better then that. I plan on picking one up myself when I get home.

[Trekbike]

AK47 or 74 IMHO.

I second the Saiga suggestion. Much better quality but you have to convert them if you want the traditional AK look.

Also they started offering them in the 5.45 round not too long ago if you want cheaper ammo than the 7.62.

[Guest Fwdftw]

Byrd y waste the money on a 22 ar when u can get the 223 cal and just get a ar.. Also aks have gone up ALOT in price and 762 is just as expensive as 223 nowadays lol

[Guest SUNTZU]

I would review the M-1 Carbine, as well as the SKS and AK platforms for cheaper(er) than an AR consideration.

[TNTitan]

I would review the M-1 Carbine, as well as the SKS and AK platforms for cheaper(er) than an AR consideration.

I'm seeing alot of votes for the SKS and AK platforms. I am relatively unfamiliar with these guns, but google tells me they are pretty versatile, and fit my needs well (semi auto, high capacity, strong/plentiful caliber, not crazy $$, etc... )

Are these guns usually available in gun stores or do I need to scour classified ads or use gunbroker or some web service to find one?