[CanRay]

I have an older version of this that I have to set up as a small-scale BOB.  (It held every computer tool my boss and I needed in the field, save for one that fit in a toolbox.).

After that, I have to see what I can get at my FLGS/Army Surplus Store when I have funds available.

[Teyl_Iliar]

Case of MREs (I'm a good packer)

A whole case eh? I bet I know how you pulled that off. 

Yep, the key is field-stripping the MREs to save space.  They come prepackaged, but you can remove the components from the outer wrapping and get rid of some of the excess packaging materials...and pre-sort the items you want from those you don't.

That reminds me...I need to get a case of MREs. 

Also...how big a bag do you advise for a Bug Out Bag?  Are we talking about a gym bag?  Or, from reading some of the lists, are we talking more like a standard military duffel?

Honestly that's a question you'll get a thousand answers from a thousand different people for. so I'll tell you what I tell everyone before throwing my 2cents in. The size of your bag, should be large enough you can fit what you need in it and for it to be comfortable for you to carry and use both of which are totally dependent on you. That said? I really like the second pack Viking linked. That looks like it would be handy for carrying a rifle over distance which would be handy for me/anyone carrying a long arm. But at the moment,I'm saving for this one. It's fair sized as it is, but if you need more space, you can add the additional pouch sections you make make this pack as modular as you like so it can fit any role you want it too.

[usefulidiot]

However, sadly, not the case with current legislations...damnit!

Was it the Psych test? Tell me it wasn't the Psych test! *twitch*twitch*

No fire-arms at all? Where do you live? I have a shotgun in my room. Then again I live in rural Missouri so all we do is hunt and raise cows...

I too was raised and live in rural Missouri. Almost everyone I know has at least one firearm. My feiance used to sleep with a semi auto 410 shotgun next to her bed before she moved in with me.

[CanRay]

I too was raised and live in rural Missouri. Almost everyone I know has at least one firearm. My feiance used to sleep with a semi auto 410 shotgun next to her bed before she moved in with me.

Actually, this might come in handy for you folks that sleep with a firearm next to them.

[AlexHaze]

I too was raised and live in rural Missouri. Almost everyone I know has at least one firearm. My feiance used to sleep with a semi auto 410 shotgun next to her bed before she moved in with me.

Actually, this might come in handy for you folks that sleep with a firearm next to them.

I actually know people who made those things before they were mass produced. And my shotgun is actually beside my bed too. And I don't know anyone who lives around me who does not have a firearm of some sort. And now I have college friends who have never even held a gun. However that will soon be fixed since I'm going to make them come back home with me and teach them. I feel like it is a skill that everyone should no, even if its a short safety lesson like "Hey this is the dangerous in, and don't touch this trigger it makes things go boom."

[CanRay]

You think people in College are funny for never holding a firearm?  I'm Canadian.    Unless you're from the deep bush, you've likely never even SEEN a firearm that wasn't strapped to a cop's hip (Or, far too often, in a criminal's hand.).  Hell, most Urbanites in Canada consider firearms "TEH EVULZ!"  Which does not please Rural Canadians due to the stupid laws we have because of the way voting pools work...  (Example:  The license for importing and selling AIRSOFT weapons is the same license for storing weapons-grade nuclear material.  No, I'm not joking.  Yet Pellet Guns, which can be used for hunting, can be purchased with just a photo ID and being age of majority, provided their muzzle velocity is low enough not to count as a "Firearm" under Canadian Law.).

I've had quite a few firearms safety lessons.  They're a bit rusty, however, and never accredited.

And I feel the same way about explosives.  Of course, I grew up in a Mining Town where you could get a license for dynamite before you could get a driver's license.

[AlexHaze]

Ya I didn't realize how few people new how to use a firearm. It was a shock for me because my highschool had a trapshooting team and an archery class. I've been hunting since I was old enough to hold the gun up. Then my friends told me they'd never even held a gun I almost fell over. (I instantly knew who I was not taking with me when the zombie outbreak happens) Now I have a better world view on that sort of thing, I just think that gun education is something important to have.

And explosives would be awesome to use, however the closest I get is exsplovie rounds or exploding targets.

[CanRay]

More skills to a Zombiepocalypse than firearms usage.  Worse case, make sure they get a good lesson in how to use a Shotgun.

[AlexHaze]

I was actually more worried about my safety or their own from them not so much the zombies. I've seen what happens when you don't know what your doing.

[Critias]

The important thing about a get-home bag or a bug-out bag are that, well, they're for getting home or bugging out.  You need to be able to move with 'em, and potentially in a hurry, and potentially over a long distance.  Sure, a kitchen sink would be nice to have, but do you really want to carry it around with you everywhere you go?

BOBs and GHBs are two instances were "keep it simple, stupid" really, really, comes into play.  The ones posted so far seem reasonable, but it always makes me cringe a little when folks mention full-on duffel bags, because I know the temptation after picking a bag that big is filling the bag that big.

[Digital_Viking]

The important thing about a get-home bag or a bug-out bag are that, well, they're for getting home or bugging out.  You need to be able to move with 'em, and potentially in a hurry, and potentially over a long distance.  Sure, a kitchen sink would be nice to have, but do you really want to carry it around with you everywhere you go?

BOBs and GHBs are two instances were "keep it simple, stupid" really, really, comes into play.  The ones posted so far seem reasonable, but it always makes me cringe a little when folks mention full-on duffel bags, because I know the temptation after picking a bag that big is filling the bag that big.

You are right Crit - and that's why my son and wife have BoB's considerably smaller. I also don't stuff it to the gills, and I make sure I can hump it for as long as necessary. Like I say - I'm good at packing

[Critias]

So far all my own crazy right-winger survivalist gun-nut hobbies have been just that; hobbies.  Hopefully, they'll always stay that way (and for all you guys, too).  If all I get out of my couple expenditures is peace of mind from having 'em, perfect.  I'd rather know I have them and feel prepared than ever, ever, actually need any of this stuff.  Just like insurance or a fire extinguisher.

So hopefully it'll all stay a moot point, not just for me but for everyone else posting here. 

[Bane]

Is this turning into a zombie related thread? If so.... I can help.

With guns, for a longarm, you have to realize that anything other than a headshot wont do much, so it's better to go with a smaller caliber, like a .223. All you need is something that'll go through skull and rattle around in there. If you're not a good shot, get a shotgun, or train up on a rifle.

My dream would be a silenced MP5 kept usually semi with some scope, or at least a reflex sight.
(And just so y'all know, my limited knowledge of guns doesn't come from CoD. I work with guns.)
(On another note, I hate people who talk about guns like they know them, but are just stating things from CoD...)

If you carry a melee weapon, a machete is best. IMO...  I do have a good background with blades ( 7 years fencing, 3 of those being a fencing instructor, and assorted other blade training) Just keeping it simple is best.

For a bag;  food, water purification thingies, spare clothes, and other junk and stuff. Why am I saying things here, you all got this.

[MadMaddy]

Wow Bane I applaud your knowledge and skill in weapons. I'm not quiet that skilled, especially with blades. But if I may add I would say be careful with scopes, one knock to it and its all messed up again, which is why I prefer iron sighted rifles. Yes scopes help with the really long distance shots but if its zombieland out there I'm not wasting bullets on a not immediate threat.

[Bane]

(I have an almost fetish liking of blades...)

Two highly valid points.
 But even iron sights need adjusting from prolonged use and shooting. At least modernish ones. I'd love to go old west in Z day. Lever action rifle, and a revolver chambered in the same caliber. Not having to worry about fumbling around with different ammo. Although on another note, having the same ammo means you're limited to that. What if you use .45, and you come across a huge stash of 9mm?

And I hope you weren't using sarcasm.