Zombie Invasion

[Deepcrush]

The key to killing Undead, is high ammo, low ROF, low speed, high KE. Its all about being able to put a round or two into the skull and move onto the next target. But if you start taking ammo that has too much kick then you start suffering on your aim. With undead, you have a much smaller target so aim will be important.

[alexmann]

I was rereading this thread and the questions that still bugs me is "What kind of zombies are we facing and what kind of infection is it?".

Infection spread by contact.

[Deepcrush]

Well I think we figured that, but what type of zombies are we facing? When infected to you die then come back undead or does the infection kill your brain and just leave you a mindless eating machine.

[Tyyr]

It makes a huge difference. 28 Days later style rage zombies still need their bodies to survive. They're basically rabid humans. Humans are easy to kill. Dawn of the Dead style reanimated corpses are a whole new game. You can't put two in their heart or hit a lung or count on them bleeding out.

[Mikey]

Exactly what we're talking about. A diseased human is still a human, and can be put down by hydrostatic shock or associated wound trauma. A true undead zombie needs to be taken down by destroying, or at least severely traumatizing, a significant chunk of its body.

[Tyyr]

In any of my plans I'm assuming true undead until proven otherwise. Undead armaments are still effective against rage virus types. The converse is not necessarily true.

[McAvoy]

I think the best way of dealing with zombies is not small caliber fire but large rounds. .50 cal guns at the very least. I say this because it doesn't matter where you shoot the zombie with a .50 cal bullet it will blow off a limb or two. At the very least it will significantly slow them down where you can take your time in aiming for the head.

Also are we talking about slow moving zombies or 'fast' zombies?

[Deepcrush]

Unless you're on a ship... off the coast... shooting a crowd of undead. A .50 is not a good idea.

You're facing a horde enemy, that means a lot of them, who are going to try and overtake you with sheer numbers. Being able to slow down one of them while you try to reaim after the shock and recoil of the first shot... then get jumped by several thousand others.

[Mikey]

Let's see... what firearms can you use in .50BMG? Well, there's the Ma Deuce, which you can't exactly tote around on your shoulder and shoot from the hip... much less fire effectively at all without taking the time to also lug around a tripod, set it up, and stay put while trying to shoot a horde of advancing zombies. Failing that, there's a few anti-materiel sniper rifles - either semi-auto or bolt-action, and even discounting the slow ROF they're about as handy to lug around and bring to bear in a fluid combat situation as a hod full of lead bricks.

Yes, you want great firepower... but if it comes in a package that is practically impossible to use, it doesn't really help.

[Tyyr]

That's why I really like the 7.62mm NATO for zombie killing. More punch than the 5.56 but not so large as to be a hindrance, and easy to find.

[Deepcrush]

Much like planning with light infantry, the key to surviving the zombie invasion will be a healthy mix of firepower and movement. Balancing the needs of staying mobile while not giving up on fire power in case you have to shoot your way out of a bad area.

[Tyyr]

I'll say it again, HK-417.

[Deepcrush]

A good choice, the 50 round drum being handy for battle rifle.

[Mikey]

I'll say it again, HK-417.

You'll say it again?

I'd go with the same idea, but starting at a closer engagement envelope. Assault rifle (probably an HK417 - big round, reliable, more accurate than an AK)

[Captain Seafort]

*Cough*

Rifle, something in .375 H&H, machine gun, the HK-417 is very nice and portable.