Best rifle for the Wasteland?

[fenrir1536]

You have a really good point. But, if we're going by west coast and southwest standards there are a lot of flat desert plains. But if we're going by east coast standards with the exception of D.C. You're going to find a lot of forests and mountains in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, New York, New Hampshire so on so forth. I think at that point range would matter a lot less when you're running into crazy tribals or raiders in the Appalachian mountains or in the Everglades. I will say though, a good bullet to reach out and touch that silhouette would be the the 6.5x39 Grendel since its effective range is within 800 meters.

I'ed still rather have the larger round/rifle in those scenario. I'ed rather have it and not need it then the reverse, I don't think the downsides are significant enough to warrant the smaller caliber rifle. Again too, the ability to pickout a target at distance is going to keep you alive better or punch through tree they are hiding behind.

I have two major problems with the new intermediate-intermediate rounds like the 6.8 Remington and 6.5 Grendel. The first is adoption, both rounds were designed for police and military use and last I paid attention neither had really gotten much attention from either fields. That might be a cultural problem with using a unfamiliar round or an issue of logistics of all new rifles or whatever. I suspect the pivot to the civilian market happened because the rounds advantages just aren't significant enough to switch to over either the 5.56 or 7.62 in each's intended roles for professional armed forces at least.

It reminds me of the debate of a .40 S&W over a 9mm or .45ACP, want more rounds and less recoil use a 9mm or want heavier rounds use a .45 why would you ever take the .40 middle ground there with significantly heavier recoil then a 9mm but fewer rounds.

The second is availability, these rounds have been on the market for a while now and they still aren't very common. I don't think scrounging around is going to net you a ton of 6.5 or 6.8 partially due to the aforementioned issues. I know that finding 5.56x45 or 7.62x51 wouldn't be difficult due to military adoption and civilian popularity and the same can be said for 7.62x39, 5.45x39 or 7.62x54 at least on the civilian side.

This is only tangentially related but I always thought it would be a fun idea to have the British adopt the 6.5 balistics equivalent in the Fallout universe with the British .280 developed in the 50s. That coupled with the EM1 would make a fantastic fallout-ish gun, either something adopted by the European Commonwealth or like a post EC breakup emergency production kinda thing. The gun looks very fallout too, check it out.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

I'ed still rather have the larger round/rifle in those scenario. I'ed rather have it and not need it then the reverse, I don't think the downsides are significant enough to warrant the smaller caliber rifle. Again too, the ability to pickout a target at distance is going to keep you alive better or punch through tree they are hiding behind.

I have two major problems with the new intermediate-intermediate rounds like the 6.8 Remington and 6.5 Grendel. The first is adoption, both rounds were designed for police and military use and last I paid attention neither had really gotten much attention from either fields. That might be a cultural problem with using a unfamiliar round or an issue of logistics of all new rifles or whatever. I suspect the pivot to the civilian market happened because the rounds advantages just aren't significant enough to switch to over either the 5.56 or 7.62 in each's intended roles for professional armed forces at least.

It reminds me of the debate of a .40 S&W over a 9mm or .45ACP, want more rounds and less recoil use a 9mm or want heavier rounds use a .45 why would you ever take the .40 middle ground there with significantly heavier recoil then a 9mm but fewer rounds.

The second is availability, these rounds have been on the market for a while now and they still aren't very common. I don't think scrounging around is going to net you a ton of 6.5 or 6.8 partially due to the aforementioned issues. I know that finding 5.56x45 or 7.62x51 wouldn't be difficult due to military adoption and civilian popularity and the same can be said for 7.62x39, 5.45x39 or 7.62x54 at least on the civilian side.

This is only tangentially related but I always thought it would be a fun idea to have the British adopt the 6.5 balistics equivalent in the Fallout universe with the British .280 developed in the 50s. That coupled with the EM1 would make a fantastic fallout-ish gun, either something adopted by the European Commonwealth or like a post EC breakup emergency production kinda thing. The gun looks very fallout too, check it out.

.280 British ain't half bad either. Also I think the SCAR-H would be a good candidate for a Fallout battle rifle since the recoil on that rifle is a much less than it would be on an M14. I think it has something to do with a muzzle brake and the material the rifle was made out of to manage recoil so well. But other intermediates? I can only think of a few off the top of my head. 5.8x42 Chinese, .300 blackout (7.62x35), Czech 7.62x45, 4.85x49 British, and the 7.92x33 Kurz. Shit that's all I can think of. I think battle rifle rounds in the world are more common than intermediates. I read the only reason they got adopted was because of WWI trenches and Blitzkrieg tactics that followed in WWII and Battle rifles weren't really that good for mobile warfare. Such as the nature it is today. I'd imagine it's be extremely hard to fire and FN FAL or an Ohio Ordnance HCAR on full auto. Especially in 30-06. But post war wise, I'd assume that Blitzkrieg didn't fall out of favor for the Legion or the NCR seeing as they have Service rifles.

 

[Spacemunkey]

I like the AK for this scenario, it's a proven platform and will take anything you throw at it. The 7.62 round is more than enough to handle any random encounters and while it may not have the accuracy at the range an FN does, it's fine for mid range and urban areas. I'd say if you are going to actively hunt people in the wasteland than a suppressed FN would be more suited to that.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

I like the AK for this scenario, it's a proven platform and will take anything you throw at it. The 7.62 round is more than enough to handle any random encounters and while it may not have the accuracy at the range an FN does, it's fine for mid range and urban areas. I'd say if you are going to actively hunt people in the wasteland than a suppressed FN would be more suited to that.

Sounds reasonable. But what about forests and mountains? Also, what do you think the pre war military used? I mean there's the service rifle, the r91 assault rifle, that .308 assault rifle from Fallout 4. Ehh its life getting messed up.

 

[Spacemunkey]

Sounds reasonable. But what about forests and mountains?

It would do fine in any environment.

Also, what do you think the pre war military used? I mean there's the service rifle, the r91 assault rifle, that .308 assault rifle from Fallout 4. Ehh its life getting messed up.

I'd say the R91 was the primary issue weapon, if I had to guess, but you also had the assault carbine as well.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

It would do fine in any environment.




I'd say the R91 was the primary issue weapon, if I had to guess, but you also had the assault carbine as well.

Well true. I'd also imagine every squad had a designated marksman if they wanted to touch targets beyond 500 meters. Likely one of those m1 garands or an m14, or a wild guess being a dks-501 in .308 with an extended mag

 

[Throatpunch]

So I would agree with an earlier poster an say the FN SCAR would be a good wasteland rifle.
I would say the SCAR H would be better suited than the SCAR L, because it fires 7.62 x 51 MM NATO, not 5.6x4.5 MM NATO.
The more powerful round will be more useful against all the nasty wasteland creatures, and will penetrate the skin tissues and reach their internal organs, or if its something like a mutated hog, it will penetrate the gristle plate better.
You can also attach M203 grenade launchers on the bottom.
AK 47's would be good in the wasteland because of how utilitarian they are, and how tough they are. They are also 7.62×39mm.
Kalishnikov went to every effort to make his rifle endure anything Russian weather or a Russian soldier could throw at it and function. In think it should be able to handle any random encounters in the wasteland.
The Heckler and Koch G3 would be good too, 7.62x51MM NATO

With snipers an I think an M21 would be a good choice, The M21 was selected in Vietnam because of its accuracy and reliability.
I think a Barret M82/M107 would be almost perfect, using 50 BMG.
With super mutants, their cranium's tend to be very dense and hard to penetrate, the same with the rest of their bodies, they are genetically engineered to be stronger and tougher than humans.
The M82 was designed as an anti tank/anti material gun, so it will be able to penetrate a toughened super mutant skull, if using API rounds.
Think of it, you could be able to take out a super mutant overlord, or even a behemoth in one shot. The bullet can go through a trucks engine block, so it will turn centaurs into pink mist.
Of course there is the huge recoil, but I think its worth it.

 

[mrchaos]

What about a bolt action rifle, preferably with a scope, to hunt wild animals and to avoid fights with other humans?

 

[Atomic Postman]

I prefer a solid, reliable sawed-off shotgun. A Wasteland classic.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

So I would agree with an earlier poster an say the FN SCAR would be a good wasteland rifle.
I would say the SCAR H would be better suited than the SCAR L, because it fires 7.62 x 51 MM NATO, not 5.6x4.5 MM NATO.
The more powerful round will be more useful against all the nasty wasteland creatures, and will penetrate the skin tissues and reach their internal organs, or if its something like a mutated hog, it will penetrate the gristle plate better.
You can also attach M203 grenade launchers on the bottom.
AK 47's would be good in the wasteland because of how utilitarian they are, and how tough they are. They are also 7.62×39mm.
Kalishnikov went to every effort to make his rifle endure anything Russian weather or a Russian soldier could throw at it and function. In think it should be able to handle any random encounters in the wasteland.
The Heckler and Koch G3 would be good too, 7.62x51MM NATO

With snipers an I think an M21 would be a good choice, The M21 was selected in Vietnam because of its accuracy and reliability.
I think a Barret M82/M107 would be almost perfect, using 50 BMG.
With super mutants, their cranium's tend to be very dense and hard to penetrate, the same with the rest of their bodies, they are genetically engineered to be stronger and tougher than humans.
The M82 was designed as an anti tank/anti material gun, so it will be able to penetrate a toughened super mutant skull, if using API rounds.
Think of it, you could be able to take out a super mutant overlord, or even a behemoth in one shot. The bullet can go through a trucks engine block, so it will turn centaurs into pink mist.
Of course there is the huge recoil, but I think its worth it.

How about a Remington ACR in 6.8x43 SPC? Assuming that by 2077 6.8 ammunition became widespread in use of special forces. - http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/~/...deshow/firearm/firearm_carbine_ACR_15_ss.ashx

 

[Blacksun]

A Winchester City-Killer 12 Gauge combat shotgun, bullpup variant. With the optional DesertWarfare environmental sealant modification for extra reliability.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

Ohio Ordnance HCAR. I read that the recoil is actually pretty controllable for 30-06. Similar to a 5.56. I think this would be a good battle rifle for the wasteland-

 

[fenrir1536]

Ohio Ordnance HCAR. I read that the recoil is actually pretty controllable for 30-06. Similar to a 5.56. I think this would be a good battle rifle for the wasteland-

This is one cool looking rifle, is it just a modernized BAR? What is the platform its based on?

Also 30-06 is a longer and significantly older version of the 7.62x51 round and their is no way its as controllable as anything firing 5.56. However this rifle is very interesting if not expensive, looks like +4k on their site. This is definitely something of a class I would love to take with me in the wasteland though.

If I were to run an intermediate rifle an AK variant in 7.62x39 would be awesome but someone earlier in the thread posted a video of a WASR 10 torture test and those rifles are just so hit or miss in terms of build quality and reliablility. That and the video was just him putting stuff on the recoil spring and trigger group, not a real practical test of reliability. This video is long but I'ed definitely trust my life to a Vepr if I had to.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

This is one cool looking rifle, is it just a modernized BAR? What is the platform its based on?

Also 30-06 is a longer and significantly older version of the 7.62x51 round and their is no way its as controllable as anything firing 5.56. However this rifle is very interesting if not expensive, looks like +4k on their site. This is definitely something of a class I would love to take with me in the wasteland though.

If I were to run an intermediate rifle an AK variant in 7.62x39 would be awesome but someone earlier in the thread posted a video of a WASR 10 torture test and those rifles are just so hit or miss in terms of build quality and reliablility. That and the video was just him putting stuff on the recoil spring and trigger group, not a real practical test of reliability. This video is long but I'ed definitely trust my life to a Vepr if I had to.

Yeah it's a modernized BAR. Believe me it says the recoil is akin to a 5.56 rifle. Though the rifle weighs 12lbs.
http://soldiersystems.net/2013/11/11/hcar-bar-21st-century/

 

[fenrir1536]

Yeah it's a modernized BAR. Believe me it says the recoil is akin to a 5.56 rifle. Though the rifle weighs 12lbs.
http://soldiersystems.net/2013/11/11/hcar-bar-21st-century/

Yeah...12 pounds is still not great for something I might have to shoulder for an extended period of time and carry with me in wasteland conditions. I'm assuming that is naked and unloaded weight as well, those 30 rounders with 30-06 are not going to be exactly light. Anything comparable like a G3, FAL, AR-10, 7.62 AK, etc. is gonna be between 7.5 and 10 pounds themselves in naked condition, its a big differences when you factor in things like optics or other accessories.

Its still a neat modernization project though and its fun seeing what changes modern arms manufactures try on these older designs.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

Yeah...12 pounds is still not great for something I might have to shoulder for an extended period of time and carry with me in wasteland conditions. I'm assuming that is naked and unloaded weight as well, those 30 rounders with 30-06 are not going to be exactly light. Anything comparable like a G3, FAL, AR-10, 7.62 AK, etc. is gonna be between 7.5 and 10 pounds themselves in naked condition, its a big differences when you factor in things like optics or other accessories.

Its still a neat modernization project though and its fun seeing what changes modern arms manufactures try on these older designs.

What if ammunition becomes a concern? I like the FN FAL. Great weapon and I do wish the US military in the 1950's adopted it. The Grendel counter sniper is good for the 800 meter engagements. I do think battle rifles have a bit of an impact in the wasteland. Whichever part you're in. But I think that before the war service and assault rifles got probably more heavily mass produced than battle rifles. But in regards I don't think a weapon like an FN FAL or an M14 woulda been good for the trenches in Anchorage in 2076. With all that recoil.

 

[mrchaos]

What about the sten gun? It´s crude but someone with enough knowledge could actually make one in a workshop.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

What about the sten gun? It´s crude but someone with enough knowledge could actually make one in a workshop.

submachine guns are only good for building to building combat. Usual combat can be close, usually in cities. But I wouldn't recommend a submachine gun for medium range combat. They're only good for about 75 meters and afterwards (raspberry)

 

[mrchaos]

submachine guns are only good for building to building combat. Usual combat can be close, usually in cities. But I wouldn't recommend a submachine gun for medium range combat. They're only good for about 75 meters and afterwards (raspberry)

75 meters is still a good distance, and I was thinking more out of practicality, since the sten gun can be made from junk so, it could be manufactured in a post apocalyptic wasteland.

 

[Sn1p3r187]

75 meters is still a good distance, and I was thinking more out of practicality, since the sten gun can be made from junk so, it could be manufactured in a post apocalyptic wasteland.

Well that is true. Usually I'd just prefer to use rifles. I have a preference for it. I think if anyone were to carry a battle rifle like the HCAR they'd have to be pretty damn strong. Strength of 9. In regards to my other post on the FN FAL. I don't see how the U.S military and China got reduced into fighting trench warfare. it'd be nothing nut stalemate in trenches. But luckily tanks are there to break trenches. So why would either side bother knowing tanks would screw their whole day up?