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May 31, 2013

Money in the Zombie Apocalypse, .22 LRs

What will serve as money in the Zombie Apocalypse? Will it really be gold and silver? Perhaps it will, but it is more likely to be gold and silver coins than bullion bars. Why? Because it is more difficult to verify the quality of bars than coinage. In addition, the units must be fairly small. But what about other stuff? Well, what makes for a good “natural” or non-governmental money. First, it should probably be something or somethings that are more-or-less durable, more-or-less scarce, and perhaps even useful. We all know about cigarettes serving as money in prison camps. So maybe cigarettes would be a good money. But smokers will generally have to quit early on, so it is not clear that cigarettes will really work over the long haul.

What about .22 cartridges? Here is a test. Try to go out today and buy .22 cartridges. Oh, you can’t do it? Out of stock?  Suppose you absolutely luck out and the store just happened to get a delivery just before you arrive. You’ll find three things. First, the price will be nearly double what it was half a year ago. Second, you will be limited as to the quantity you can buy. Third, the lines to buy .22 cartridges will start forming as soon as the word gets out. This is a classical shortage. How can this exist? Is the market regulated? How is this done? We know that government agencies are buying huge quantities of ammo, but what possible use would they have with .22 cartridges? We could ask this same question about all the other calibers federal government agencies are buying, but that might be another question. Why are ordinary citizens hoarding .22 cartridges?

What are .22 cartridges?

A .22 cartridge is a combination of a bullet and shell. The shell is a metallic container for the powder and the chemical that sets the powder off when it is struck. The .22 cartridge is a rimfire cartridge and not a centerfire cartridge. This means that the firing pin hits the end of the shell off center. Rimfire cartridges tend to be smaller, and the .22 cartridge is very small indeed. There are three shell lengths for .22 cartridges: shorts, longs, and long rifles (or LR). It is the the .22 LR that is the most sought after. What are .22 cartridges good for? Well, targets and small game such as squirrel. What are .22 cartridges used for? Target shooting mostly but sometimes they are used for things they are not particularly good for. For example, they can be used for larger game when hunting out of season. The idea is to make less noise. This is not to be encouraged . . . not just because this sort of hunting is illegal but also because it can be cruel.

Will .22 cartridges be the money for the zombie apocalypse?

William R. Forstchen in One Second After, 2009 suggests that .22 cartridges will indeed be the money for the zombie apocalypse. Perhaps he is right. The cartridges come in small denominations, are durable, scarce, and sought after.

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