Hoosier8. Yes, I would gladly trade water for a fighting rifle and ammunition. I plan on being on foot. My Jeep would be a luxury I cannot count on. I have walked my actual bug out route, 21 miles in 7 hours, cross county and dirt roads, with a 50 pound ruck and my AK. The weight is not a issue. I spend a lot of time in the gym, away from the buffet line and on the trail, making sure I can handle the load and stay in combat condition.
Regarding water: We live in Indiana. There is water everywhere. Even in winter. If you tell me "what if the water is in a denied area or someone won't let you get to it?" Then that tells me I probably should have a rifle, 'cause things are looking pretty bad.
If I am bugging out, I don't expect to be strolling along shooting rabbits like some episode from Little House on The Praire. I expect it to be a lot more like Bosnia.
These posts discussing BoB or SHTF guns, giving preference to .22s for game harvesting over carrying a rifle you can fight with frustrate me. The cost to me for failure to harvest food, or perhaps wasted meat due to overkill, is small. The cost to me for bringing a .22 to a rifle fight is HUGE-my life and possibly the lives I am charged with protecting. Unacceptable. I will ALWAYS default to carrying a fighting weapon first.
i couldn't agree with you more. if it is bad enough to leave your home then it is a true SHTF scenario and you better believe that i will be packing more heat than a .22