Picking the Best Rifle

Picking the right rifle for the zombie hunt is vitally important because it can make or break the hunt itself. You never know what problems may arise from having the wrong rifle at the hunt, so ensure that you have taken the time to pick the best tool for the job. There are a number of criteria points that should be explored as you determine the best rifle for zombie and provision hunting as well.  If you survive as a zombie hunter and learn more, you will be able to make your own decisions in terms of picking a rifle for the purpose. For now, however, it is likely best that you consider a bit of expert opinion.

There are many types of hunting rifles. Bolt-action, lever-action, semi-automatic comes in traditional hunting style or tactical styled outer shell (more ergonomic) and pump-action rifles and shot guns for close work are just a few of the different types of guns that hunters utilize in the creature hunt. Within these types, there is also a selection of different caliber types. Solving the great mystery of picking the best rifle, then, means answering a few questions about the type of hunt you will be on.

You will first need to consider your location. If you will be hunting in thick brush, you will probably need a faster-clip-loading gun that you can operate rather quickly in tight spaces. With limited visibility on your hunt, you will likely want a light gun that you can work with rather quickly. If you have a longer sniper distance to cover, you will probably want a rifle that offers you a great deal of more control. Bolt-action rifles can give you that control, but they are hard to work with in small quarters of space because of the mechanics of operation. While some hunters may say that they have done so, it can be extremely complicated to load a gun with a bolt-action loading mechanism while crouching behind a bush with zombies breathing down your neck. The movement alone could attract the zombies to you.

You will also need to consider your type of zombie be they aggressive,  shuffler, walker,  runner . Most rifles are suitable for a one off  zombie kill of any kind. Again, the discussion ventures back to the location distinction on this account.

If you are taking down multiple creatures, you may want a rifle that you can hold at a more “still” pace. This means that you do not want to spend your time controlling the gun when you are trying to control the shot. For this reason, many recommend going with a smaller semi-automatic for hunting animals like rabbits or badgers roughly the size of head shots. The rocking nature of the shamble can be offset by squeezing off several quick shots from a semi-automatic, which is not nearly as fast as three shot bursts from the same weapon in full automatic available only to authorities.

The best zombie rifle may be the full automatic (set to burst) you pick up from fallen National Guard, Police or elite Troopers.

After you have determined the nature of the zombie infestation and your sweep location, it may be time to pick a rifle. Of course, there are many popular brand names within each subset of gun type, but the reality is that you will need to find a gun that you find to be most comfortable. You will look for strength and accuracy out of a bolt-action gun, for example, which may lead you around to several gun stores before you find the right one. You should also look for little extras on the gun, such as adjustable triggers and thumb safety switches. Features like these will make your gun a lot safer and a lot more user friendly.

Of course the selection of best rifle for tree stand sniping may not be the best for a surprise on the ground encounter be it bear or biter.  This is why any weapon needs to be backed up with a light and heavy pistol as well.

After you have purchased your gun, you should get to know your gun. Take it apart and put it back together again. Learn the ins and outs of your gun so that you can be as safe as possible with it. You will need to know exactly what ammunition it is that your gun shoots and stock up as ammunition is getting ever harder to find due to government agencies buying up all available. We can not recommend buying a weapon from a seller who can not also provide a reasonable amount of ammo and extra clips (magazines) at point of sale. Find out the best way to maintain and store your weapons.  Gun safety is of utter importance within the safe zones, so ensure that prior to an outbreak your new rifle is locked away and stored in a safe place away from children or other family members that may be curious about it. Always keep it in various stages of  unloaded (depending on the threat level) when you are not using it and never point it at another person unless you intend to shoot them.

Gun Cleaning 101

Zombies are attacking your house from all directions. You pull your weapon and nothing. If the gun fails to fire in that situation, you probably won’t live to regret it anyway. Neither will your family. (Of course, you can hide in your room and wait for your local overwhelmed and understaffed police force cohort to come to your rescue. But that’s another subject.) Clean Your Gun!

Cleaning Tips

Use a bronze wire brush for normal bore cleaning. When removing copper, heavy lead fouling, or plastic shotgun wad fouling use a nylon brush with Shooters Choice or similar bore cleaner. (Shooters Choice is a powerful bore cleaner, will eat bronze brushes.)

Run the bronze brush through the bore once for every round fired. (I prefer Hoppes #9 solvent for light cleaning.)

If you are serious about the care of your gun invest in a coated steel or brass cleaning rod. Aluminum rods are soft. They collect grit and particles that can scratch the bore.

Wipe the rod off after every pass through the bore.

Use a brass jag to push patches through the bore. Dragging a dirty patch in a slotted tip back through the bore is not what I call cleaning.

Use a bore guide or brass “bumper” to protect the chamber or muzzle crown from damage.

Clean the action with a blast of pressurized solvent such as Gun Scrubber by Birchwood Casey. It cleans without leaving a residue.
Oil Lightly! Oil attracts dirt! If you can see oil, you probably oiled too much!

If you’re concerned that you’ve oiled too much, try storing your gun with the barrel down. This will prevent oil or solvent from seeping into the wooden stock.

Strip clean about every 800 rounds or so. If you don’t know how and don’t have an owners manual, take the gun to a Gunsmith. It doesn’t cost that much. (It’s cheaper than having him replace that spring that went flying into the recesses of your oh so clean garage or basement work room.)

There’s much more to gun care, but this info should put you ahead of the game. If you want to learn more, check out a hobby gunsmith course.