This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.*
There are many reasons to be armed when a disaster strikes. Hunting food could be the difference between survival and starvation. A defensive weapon could prevent death by predators, both four-legged and two-legged.
On the other hand, not all guns are created equal. Each caliber has its own advantages and drawbacks, and you need to have the right weapons on hand to get through a disaster in one piece.
9mm
9mm ammo is the most popular pistol caliber in the world. It isn’t the most powerful caliber, but a study by the FBI found that it is normally the optimal choice for defensive carry. The difference in power between 9mm ammo and the larger pistol calibers is not big enough to have a significant impact on stopping power.
Shot placement is usually the factor that matters with all calibers in that general range of sizes. Since 9mm ammo has less recoil than heavier rounds, it tends to be the most effective.
It is also light, so it’s easy to carry more of it for occasions when reloading is necessary. Most 9mm guns also have more room to hold ammo, so shooters don’t have to reload as often. At a practical level, it’s also cheap and easy to find, so it’s possible to store enough to stay supplied in an emergency.
Those factors make it the best choice for a defensive pistol. It can be used for hunting small game in an emergency, but it is better to have a more powerful round for that. If it is necessary, loading it into a pistol caliber carbine can help, and doing so allows you to share an ammo supply between multiple guns for easier logistics.
Even if that isn’t your first choice, the versatility can make it useful to have such a carbine and ammo for a backup weapon.
.45
While 9mm ammo is versatile and potent, there are times when heavier ammo is necessary. In that case, .45 caliber ammo is usually the best bet. It offers much more stopping power than 9mm, and it can also go in both pistols and rifles.
The big advantage to using this ammo is that it offers much more stopping power. It will not make a big difference against humans or anything smaller, but it will be meaningful against deer, bears, and other large targets. That significantly widens the range of viable hunting targets and boosts your odds of a successful hunt.
The ammo is also less prone to jamming than most others. Even more reliability is possible when using a simple revolver, and most of the viable hunting revolvers on the market are chambered in this caliber.
The downside to using .45 ammo is the size. It’s heavy, and most guns can’t hold very many rounds, so you need to shoot accurately to use it. The price of the ammo can also be a little too high, so it can be hard to stockpile.
Use it if you’re confident in your aim and you need the power, but be sure to either stock up or have secondary weapons in case you can’t get enough.
.22
Most people learn to shoot with a .22 caliber weapon. It is not a very powerful option, but it still packs enough of a punch to take down small game animals. It is also cheap and easy to acquire in massive quantities, so it’s the best way to ensure that you have an adequate supply of ammo.
The recoil is minimal, so smaller shooters can also take advantage of it without losing any accuracy. The rounds are also light, so it’s easy to take a lot of it out on hunting trips when necessary, even if the trips involve a lot of traveling.
The downside is that the ammo is weak and not always reliable. Premium rounds are available that prevent most jams and dud rounds, but that defeats the purpose of buying cheap ammo.
It probably isn’t wise to rely exclusively on .22 ammo in an emergency, but the ease of equipping yourself with it and its usefulness in hunting small game means that it is also unwise to go without it.
In the event of a dire situation or when you run out of ammo, it is always best to have a caliber that you can easily reload. Just remember, when shit really hits the fan, bullets will not be in production anymore. You might be your only supplier of bullets, so save them up and brush up on your reload skills, it could mean your life.
About the Author: Joe Humphries is a contributing writer and media specialist for Diamond K Brass. He regularly produces content for a variety of firearm and survivalist blogs, with an emphasis on DIY ammunition reload projects.
Want to prep but not sure where to begin? Sign Up for Our Newsletter and get your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!
Wow! So many varied opinions and calibures to choose from. The talk about ammo scarcity makes me wonder why no one mentioned have a reloading setup. Most hunters/shooters I have known have always had same for all calibures and guges.
Also, if bullets are in short supply, a mold and a way to melt lead would be a VERY viable addition to the supplies. But, that also takes a bit of knowledge as to requirements of different calibers and their bullet hardness. I have molds for 9mm and .38/.357, an electric pot and several hundred pounds of lead and alloys.
Hello from Seattle,Wa. I carry a Springfield subcompact V10 in 45 ACP + I have a Endfild Mark 4 in 45 ACP and use the same mag as my 45 ! And for larger game I have a 270 does wounders !
Of the pistol calibers….which is what this appears to be… I’ll keep my .357 magnum. One can also shoot .38 special with zero difficulties and also the 9mm family if you use moon clips to hold the rimless cases. I have a lever action carbine to go with the 3 revolvers. You could also get the .357 mag in an auto loader if you want.
The point of this IS: if the “shit hits the fan”, .357 Magnum is not going to be found on a dead cop, soldier, etc. 9 mm, .223 and, maybe, .40 S&W are the most likely to encounter. If you went house raiding(and survived…) you may find what you are looking for. If you are stockpiled with .357, then you really didn’t need to be here. A better choice for a handgun cartridge is a 10 mm. More powerful than a .357, but not much available in a rifle…
Yep, I’m gonna say it…..give me my good ol’ trusty 12 gauge. Slugs, buck shot, bird shot and everything in between. Yep it’s cumbersome, yep the ammo is heavy to tote a bunch around….but it’s probably the most versatile weapon/tool for it’s intended job.
Can’t deny how universal a 12 GA is. As long as hummingbirds aren’t all that’s left. It certainly can do everything. Not the best only weapon if your attacked by a well armed group. But, then, if your alone, an AR probably wouldn’t make a big difference. Weight is my only issue. My primary will be what I can take with me by foot. But we’d all do well with the 12 ga.
Laughs at the hummingbirds ! 🙂
Personaly I like 7.62 x39mm with M72 AB2 Kalashnikov, in Yugoslav Army we trained to hit a man size target at 800m away, 70% hits are a must if you wanted to avoid weekend in piling up rocks from one pile to another. most of us had 7-8 out of 10 shots in it (without optics). that gun and caliber proved it self in ’90s wars very well. home defence, hunting if needed for mid size game (even bigger game if needed not best choice but can do job in most situations with FMJ) I know few guys in Bosnia that hunded bears with it, crazy people.. 🙂
My second choice is 12 gauge with 8,55mm balls (12 of them in cartridge) it has a nice spread at ideal up to 50m distance and great stoping power.
third choice standard 9mm semi outo pistol
PS
not bad to have 5.56mm rifle aswell chambered in 5.56 NATO, just in case you get your hands on army ammo and same size/weight as .22LR but packs lot more punch..
We keep two SIG 9mm, a AK clone, and a Henry Big Boy in .45 Colt. Lots of ammo for all. I’ve got boxes of .22s, 9mm and oddballs for trading, but the good stuff I’m saving for problems.
Better be a damn good shot to take small game with a .308. If you have to bug-out, carrying ammo in volume becomes a factor. And caliber by itself, has little to do with impact energy. A 5.56 is the same size bullet as a 22lr, but with a lot more energy behind it due to the casing size/explosive power. A 9mm out of a carbine, is about the same energy output as a .357 out of a 5 inch barrel. Reloading is great, IF you have a stable place to hole up, and can do that. However, it takes nine 22WMR rounds to be the equal carry weight of a single 9mm, with approximately the same energy output per round – about half way between a .223 and a 22lr, and really close to the lauded FN 5.7×28. A 22WMR has far lower range drop than the equivalent energy 9mm, so more effective targeting at distance. Although rimfire is supposedly not reloadable, there are options on the market that provide the capability, albeit with limitations.
Remember that if SHTF medical supplies will probably be at a minimum. So any hit, by any caliber will probably kill over a period of time, assuming medical supply/expertise at a minimum. UNTIL 1920s the old .38 (before .38 spl) people died over a matter of days from any pistol hit. Any wound unattended will go septic and you’ll be lucky to survive that without antibiotics. So people tended to AVOID getting shot. 9mm, .45, 5,56, 7.62 all great for stopping the attack instantly, but the avoidance factor jackals will display will be the decider. BTW I’m a .45 fan. Period.
10mm for hunting, 10mm for self defense, 10mm against vultures, 10mm against thugs, 10mm against military and police, 10mm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Anyone want to test my Glock 20 and Glock 40? The long slide 40 is for hunting. Trijicon rmr for long range. Turn danger to sludge in one shot!!!!!
The 10mm is a great round. But, you missed the point. The author was talking about reasonable stockpiling and other factors, such as, if you run out of ammo and come across a bad guy or law enforcement/military casualty. Unless they were Secret Service/FBI, you are NOT going to find 10mm. AND, even now, you don’t walk into most Walmarts to pick up a spare box; they are a bit scarce. But to each his own….
Can run .40 through a 10mm in a pinch too
I most certainly agree with the .22 LR caliper considering this round is responsible (at least at one time) for more deaths in the US than all others combined. As far as the 9mm parabellum and the .45, I have to respectfully disagree. While the 9mm is very inexpensive, the .45 is prohibitively expensive and neither are used by most police forces in the US. The preferred round as of today is the .40 caliper. It has the drill press speed of the 9mm and nearly the knock down power of the .45.
9mm 40 ACP 45 ACP
Grain 115-147 135-180 68-255
Feet/Sec 940-2010 915-2100 750-2260
Source: ballistics101.com
Now, if it really hits the fan, the entire US will be under martial law. What does this have to do with the like of you and I? This brings to mind of the previous question. Sure, the previous rounds will protect you from a few thugs, but what happens if it REALLY hits the fan and soldiers go rogue? Don’t think it can happen here? Think again! Yes, use your 9mm, 45 auto, and 22LR to fend off thugs at first, but when the police come knocking to take away your very protection and deny your 2nd Amendment Rights (which, by the way, are intended to protect you from this very scenario), what calper do you think the police, swat, the national guard, and the US Military use? (and please, don’t take this as a call for war, I really do respect our first responder’s, the police, and most of all, our military.
However, mankind being the people we are, sometimes people make serious mistakes. It’s for these I suggest owning equal firepower as our first President (George Washington) suggested. These are:
40 S&W (Used by most US law enforcement in their side arms) This caliper with the right round has serious knock down power within close range. Much like the intended use of the 9mm, this round has much more significant capability.
.223 The preferred round of the US Army and US Marine Corps. This round has serious battle proven capability.
.308/7.62×51 Preferred sniper round of most US Military forces, especially the US Marine Corps and Navy. This along with the .223/5.56×45 are considered NATO approved rounds which are used in many combinations of rifles around the world with minimal variations to the caliber differences (ie., .223 vs 5.56x45mm and .308 vs 7.62x51mm)
Without getting into all the science involved into each of these rounds which, in my opinion are truly the most sought after rounds if SHTF, it is my suggestion to look into the rounds suggested by the author and my self and make a decision which suites you best.
Good luck to all of you and God bless
Caliber. Look it up in the dictionary. Ignorance is forgivable: stupidity destroys credibility.
Well, Mr. Perfect!! I guess you have NEVER hit the wrong key and didn’t have the time to proof read what you typed! What an ASS!
excuses… who’s the ass?
Uh, you?
I agree with William, you’re an ass
You should have taken the time. It’s not like your life depended on how quickly you hit the enter key…
And we digress into name calling.Actually caliper is a word and spell check wouldn’t pick that up, he just hit the wrong key, it happens, and is no big deal.
If the “good guys” come for your means of self defense, or “rogue” military, they will be “armored up”; vests, helmets, etc. But, what does that leave? LEGS! Harder to hit with a hand gun or a rifle, but a shotgun with, say, #4 buckshot would take out at least one aiming below the vest. I respect law enforcement, and especially the military, AS LONG AS they protect the Constitution. I was Army from 1969-1970 and help local L.E. on occasion.
all around I like the 357 sig. good distance 50yds good knock down power good and accurate not bad on recoil if you just carrying a pistol not to heavy. Will stop a black bear and deer with out a lot of meat destroyed and accurate enough to shoot a squirrel or rabbit
and way too expensive
My list- .45, 5.56 AR, 12 gauge for birds and deer. 5.56 for hunting 2 legged or 4 , .45 only for 2 legged.
I notice no one had any thing to say about the 17 i have 9mm 45s 38 an 357 along with 3030 and 22s but i have a 17 revolver and a 17 rifle the 17 leaves the gun at 2,750 fps ammo is light and carry a lot of it if needed and easy to get ammo for and you can get it in hollow point .jusk asking
I have given this much thought, I am a bow hunter, and know how to use a slingshot, I have no use for a .22 cal., of which the ammo is just now getting available again in my area. The only .22 cal I would keep is a bolt action. The ruger 10-22’s were fun until you can’t feed them anymore.
Although the 9 is probably the most popular The 40 S/W is in my opinion better. A few grain shy of a 357 mag, but much less expensive for ammo and the 223 would be my choice. (assault) 40 and semi auto handgun in 40 will do the job. And a 223 backup. Wish I would of had these in Nam.
You picked a semi uto round for the fit two and the double deuce can go either way. In my travels I have seen that the newbies and the old dogs go with the military calibers but the old dogs still have the 38spl from gramps and a new 357 so the old guns retired to the night stand or center console in grandma’s car.
The 223 is what the old dog talks about but a 303,243,270,3030,or7 Mauser is what comes too deer camp. Now don’t get the wrong idea you know that many will live by your story and I do to I will just be backing up the 9mm,223and 22 with 38spl,3006 and a sweet 16 with bird and buck shot plus some old Foster’s slugs.
I would say 22lr, 9mm, .223 wylde, 7.62×39. Sucks to say but I think I would be able to successfully scavenge enough ammo with any one of those. 22lr with a suppressor and standard velocity ammo could go a long way to checking many boxes. You could keep your position stealthy and carry an s ton of rounds
.223 Wylde isn’t a caliber. It’s a chambering.
My Top 3 – .22LR, 9mm, and .223. And, I agree, a 12 gauge is a good backup.
I’m with ya on the 22LR and suppressor. Lots of damage can be done with this
I like it! nothing wrong with a solid and proven 308 round!
The best ammo caliber to have are the ones that fit your own weapons. Anything else should be for barter and sale. I would recommend that you also have a shotgun and the ammo for that as well.
Two pistols and no centerfire rifle??? Take a walk in the real world–your priorities will change. No mention of a shotgun???
The standard recommendations are shotgun, rifle and pistol in that order. I would go that way. If you wait until threats are in pistol range, you have already lost. You get no points for second place. You don’t even want to see the participation trophy.
If you’re lucky, the “participation trophy” is a body bag. Otherwise, it is a flock of vultures.
This article should have been titled “Best Ammo Calibers for Handguns.” Even then, you could debate the author’s selection ’til the cows come home. The .22LR is a fine round for small game IF you are using a rifle. Every sensible article on this subject lists shotguns, rifles and pistols as the principal “go to” firearms in any SHTF scenario. This author is off his rocker.
“This author is off his rocker.”
You’re absolutely right. Just another self-made expert who writes poorly, is utterly and woefully ignorant of both physics and ballistics, and is in love with his own imbecilic opinions. It’s obvious he overlooks inconvenient truth when it comes to firearms.
The choice of a submunition (9mm) destroyed his credibility from the start.
Shotguns have a shorter range than handguns, so I think your priorities are too far askew. 22lr small game including birds like duck and geese. .270 for large game, and .40 for 2 legged threats (although I prefer a .45 acp. The forty could be in a carbine or handgun. In a shtf scenario those would be the ones I’d be hording.
12 Gauge Slug=100 yards–better than a pistol. I prefer informed opinions.
Before reading, I guessed the author’s choices would be: 9mm, 5.56 and 12 ga. Didn’t think it would be focused on pistols so much.
.22lr makes sense for small game hunting. Won’t be much meat left using a 9mm or 5.56, etc. A .45 for meeting bears seems like a rare event to stockpile for — unless you live in Alaska.
Agree that 9mm in a carbine fills some dual roles.
.22lr for game. 9mm for close-in defense. 5.56 for distant defense. (bonus round: 12 ga. for hunting (birds to bucks) and close-in defense)
.223
45 is a vague label for the article but it seems the author is referring more to 45 long colt more then 45 acp
Also reloading .22? How’s that going to work? Yes I’ve seen the videos for ”reloading” .22 LR, I’m not impressed. You’re better off learning how to use a flintlock rifle as your foraging/hunting gun.
I’ve usually got my .45, but have everything I’d want. I’m an FFL. Like Sam Elliot said, if I need to use a rifle, I’m sure there will be plenty lying around. What I do like about my ARs, is all the calibers I’ve got. I’ve got a great select fire lower that I’d prefer to have, but flexibility in using an upper you come across if need be is something to consider. That .45 is my go to, all subsonic by design, and when I put my can on it, it really keeps me from telegraphing my presence. Everyone has favorites, but try walking around with them all day.
I see the author picked 45 over 40, or other much better calibers.
Personally I would trust a 9mm over a 45 against a bear 10 times out of 10. But if we’re talking useful calibers the 40sw, 357sig, and 10mm would be a much better caliber against aggressive woodland creatures every time over the 9 and 45.
And the 40, 357, and 10mm all work just fine against humans as well.
I can’t help but think that the person writing this based their information on their feelings, and not the facts
If the SHTF..
The ammo you want is what our military carries.
That’s why my firearms are;
9mm
.223/5.56
.308/7.62×51
12ga.
You make a good point.
If I might add, ake certain your weapon is “approved” for 5.56. There are small differences between the .223 and 5.56 which will affect firearm performance.
Amen brother!
Military, local and state police, and common hunting round or two. You can Google what the police in your state carry as a sidearm, and just ask at a gun shop or outdoor store what most hunters in your area use. It may mean an extra firearm or two in your arsenal, but who really needs an excuse for that.
22 lr
9mm
.45 acp
.45 colt
.233
5.56mm
.30-30 winchester
7.62×51mm
.30-06 springfield
12 gauge
20 gauge
,22 LR, while cheap(somewhat) to stockpile, is not a great defense ammo. .223 is the most commonly used law enforcement round and easy to get and reload. And, has plenty of power to take down the “bad guys”. So, I would include that caliber in MY list…
TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS:
A MAJOR FACT BROUGHT UP IN AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION WAS THE OBVIOUSLY MAJOR POINT THAT IN ANY ALTERCATION THAT WE SUCCESSFULLY SURVIVE, POTENTIALLY WE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO WHATEVER ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND RELATED GEAR THE VANQUISHED ONES POSSESSED; automatic weapons, ammunition for those weapons, as well as whatever other arms, gear, and equipment possibly their means of transport, i.e.vehicles. These facts were specifically pointed out by Wm. H. “Bill” Jordan, a retired Border Patrol Assistant Inspector who was a U. S. Marine who served in the Pacific in WW2 as well as in the Korea war; he a cherished friend and acquaintance.
Sometimes the clothes are a little gooey.
THE EQUIPMENT MIGHT NEED A BIT OF CLEANUP; THE CLOTHING MIGHT WELL BE LEFT TO OTHERS.
OK I was close I was thinking .22 , 9 mm and 5.56 or .223.
Agree with 9mm and 22LR but my third would be 5.56, my fourth would be 7.62. The .45 is a potential substitute for 9mm but is less common.