After reading his story I am almost "Spec'ed out"there was so much info on items that it is almost overload! The end was a tad different but not bad, Are TOM and JERRY (pun intended)having a contest on who can write about the richest prepper  

Not really, but in a story I'm planning, Bit money will be huge money. But the  majority of it will be much more achievable for people like us.

Do you have a name for the story yet?

I do. It is "The Dark Times" but it will be at least 2 years if not 3 or 4. I plan to still be writing in that time frame, but want to do a few other sets of characters I have stories for as well as some Prep/PAW stories.

The Dark Times, is that a sequal to Expedition.

It will have several of the same characters in it that are in Expedition, The Contract, Mr. Mann, Shipwrecked!, and another half dozen or so non-Prep/PAW stories I've written or have plans for, with one major new set of characters that will play a large part in the story. None of the Prep/PAW stories I'm doing now will be a part of it. They've had their shot and dealt with Doomsday. These other characters will have their own set of disasters. Just haven't decided what, yet.

In the current one I'm writing, you'd think that Jerry picked the firearms, not me. And, this guy worked construction, got laid off and lived on unemployment for a while. He got a new job doing construction again… he's a HEO. I've included a possible love interest, just in case.

Got some ideas from youtube and his home/shelter is built from 3 40' conex and covered by 6" of concrete anf 6' of earth. Totally off grid using pv panels, a wind turbine and 10kw propane backup generator. Trying to save up for 24 submarine batteries to replace the AGMs he started with. It's hard to write a story where the people don't have money. His big rifle is a VR-1 in .408 CheyTac. The ammo costs $140 for 20 rounds.

Much as I hate to disagree with the Old Man…
$7 per round is not practical prepping, especially in an non-standard round.  This is part of a discussion that I have had with TOM's other son, who seems to think that custom building a truck that can do ANYTHING but make you toast is proper planning.  I believe that having a good all-purpose vehicle that is fairly popular is better prepping, since there will be more parts available to keep it running.
Same difference here.  You might have a $7 round that can go twice around the world without losing energy or killing power, having passed through so many critters along the way that WWF has to declare a dozen new extinctions afterward, but if you only have 20 of the buggers and cannot possibly resupply or reload the rounds, what good do they do you when the 21st bandito shows up to help himself to the preps that you so foolishly allowed NatGeo to show the entire world?
Preppers are smarter than the average bear, usually.  Bog standard ammunition is easier to find and/or reload.  Good weapons chambered in bog standard calibers like 5.56x45 or 7.62x51 are better than the Smith & Winchester Billy BadA– model semi-auto chambered in 7.89mm magnum semi-jacketed 189 grain that costs an arm and a leg just to shoot.

I specifically told you it would only be supersonic to 3,000 meters.  What I didn't tell you was that there is no optic made that will allow you to sight in on a target at 3,000 meters. And, I mean none. There are too many mirages in 3,000 meters to be able to overcome, let alone the shifting winds in 3 kilometers. Besides that, the bullet weighs 419 grains, not 750. Just buy the Tac-50 A1 R2 and some Hornady 750gr A-MAX match and be happy you did. Since you can have a suppressor where you live, I suggest getting one from these guys: http://jetsuppressors.com/  they're titanium and weigh less, but cost more than the Elite Iron suppressor. In addition to the optics for your M1A, a Surefire FA762K would be a good investment.

I can get it for $6.73. Does that make a difference?

The rifle is knocking on the $10,000 door, so I figured a thousand rounds would be a reasonable reserve, with 5x reloading capability. That's assuming I ever get rich and infamous.

But one of the reasons I like the caliber is the mid ranges. I can't shoot 3km, as TOM points out, but I want something that I can have available that can do a hard hit on vehicles mostly at the 300m to 1,200 meter range. At only ~18 pounds and 5 rounds of semi-auto of 419 grains with ballistics that equal or exceed the .50 BMG.

Just my opinion.

I agree that you have valid points, gentlemen.  I also love that you are looking forward towards optimizing your preps to include these drool-worthy weapons.  When I win the lottoery or decide to spend my kid's college funds I will add them as well, because I like the characteristics too.
However, my point is that most beginning preppers think exotic too quickly.  My philosophy is to prep on a basic level first before you start purchasing bells and whistles.  9x19, 5.56x45, 7.62x51. .45 acp, .410 and 12 gauge are my first choices for their commonality and potential resupply after TEOTWAWKI.

Same here, actually. I've standardized on .32 ACP, .45 ACP, .308 12 gauge, and will add .30-'06 at some point for sniping/hunting/backup defense, .30 Carbine for hand out/trunk/truck/PDW guns, and either the .375 H&H Magnum (most likely) for short to medium range dangerous game/anti-materiel, or the .408 Cheytac for long range anti-materiel/dangerous game. (in my dreams)

I have quite a bit of .22RF ammunition but have no plans to puchase another .22 rifle or pistol until they are at give away prices after the PAW hits.

I figure everyone and their brother will be willing to part with a .22 for a song for a couple cans of roast beef with gravy.


At some point, I'd like to add black powder cartridge arms (.45-70, .45 Colt, & .32-20)

Black powder flintlocks (either .50 or .58 caliber)

And a variedy of non firearm weapons, just to scratch an itch for that 100,000,000 to 1 chance that things eventually regress to that point, but mostly as a past time.

Ah, a man after my own heart.  Part of my studies will include metallurgy and smithcraft.  Originally, it was to gain more insight into swordmaking for my writing, which tends towards fantasy.  But it will also come in handy if I can shoe a horse, mend metal or even forge my own knives.
If you have goods, you can trade for a little.  If you have skills, you can trade for a lot.  Besides, I don't do electricity very well, and that puts welding off my list of potential trades.

The Marlin 1895 is a strong rifle. It's rated to 500gr in .45-70.  She'll run black powder and modern cartridges. Barret's big a$$ load for it will kill ANYthing it hits. Just horribly massive damage.

Better yet, ifn' yer talkin' bout sometin multipurpose, check out this nice little lady. Wild West Guns - The Alaskan CoPilot   It is a Marlin 1895 setup for take-down barrel, with a lengthened chamber that will accept the 457 WW, .45-70, 410 shotshell and slug, and 45LC. Five loads in one barrel. I'm considering sending mine in just for the chamber and muzzle porting mods, and the new bigger lever loop. That alone will set my already wonderful little guide gun up on the pedestal she deserves.

Yes, I'm partial to the little lever gal.  

I've seen the Wild West Alaskan. Sweet piece of work. If I was going to Alaska, it would be the gun of choice. Can't remember it it takes .454 Casull, too. Should if it takes the .457 WW.