Weapon

That is a good point. I assumed the prologue raiders used an explosive. They could have been shot from the wall. However, a tank or artillery cannon would be impossible to stop with a carbine. 6.5x51mm has almost twice the kinetic energy of 7.62x39, and more than twice the range. The only reason I did not want to use the better bullet is because I worried it would be too powerful. I want a carbine that can defend against raiders, but not be useful to raiders if they capture it.

There is a real 6.5x39mm "Grendel" produced by Wolf in Russia, made from 7.62x39 casings. It does not have range or power like 6.5x51mm, but it is still much better than 7.62x39mm. To ease supply for Minerva, something similar could be made by cutting a 51mm casing down. This would be more powerful than 6.5 Grendel because the casing holds higher pressure and more powder in the same length.

Also, I'm almost finished drawing a select-fire machine pistol / submachine gun. It will use 9x19mm with a 150mm (6 inch) barrel. It will use 3-shot bursts because rate of fire is very fast.
 


These hunters are called "crazy Russians". You can hunt bears with an SKS, but you can also hunt bears with a spear. Either choice are a good way to be killed by bears.