i could clean a room with a ruger 10/22. all shots to the head. and its automatic so at long ranges i could fire a burst and probably one bullet would hit its target. just got to be accurate since its not excalty as powerful as a 12 gauge:w2:

A double gun would be ideal---shotgun barrel on the bottom and a mid caliber rifle on the top, or side by side, whichever.

I'd be hella concerned with breakdowns and parts availability. Having something simple and easy like an AK pattern SA rifle or a standard pump action or break open action shotgun would seem to be the ideal...less **** to go wrong.

A bolt action rifle would rock, however you limit yourself on the close range action and also with limited chances at hunting for food....ever see what happens to a grouse when hit with an -06 or 338? Even the 50gr accelerator sabots will blow one all to heck....and imagine trying to lead a wood duck or even a goose with a rifle? holy wow what a pain...

SA rifles in small calibers would be a compromise, and again how will they work when dirty, parts availability, etc???....??? A 10/22 or the little Marlin with the 15 shot tube would be great...until they jam, clog, or break.

I'd even be so inclined as to cancel my choice of the Saiga 12, however an AK pattern SA 12 gauge shotgun with high capacity detachable mags is hard to put down. They have 20rd drums mags, too. :U:

I think we can agree that there is no perfect "one gun"....which is a great defense when you're arguing with the wife about your latest toy and it's need. heehee

my 870 express

HI Lucas Amick, The 30/30 with a ballistic tip 150 gr. bullet, mite be good out to 300 yards,

870 Remington with a rifled slug barrel and a nice long shot barrel........can shoot thousands of rounds and never fail or falter.......

MR. Miyagi, WHY a SHOTGUN ???? EVEN a semi-auto shotgun, The shotgun is a short-range weapon, even with slugs, it mite be a 200 yard weapon, it kicks like a monster, and buck-shot will only be lethal at less than 30 yards !!! and they are not accurate, when you need a pinpoint head shot. Don't get me wrong, I have shotguns, pumps and semi-auto with mags.

the only weapon you really need is yourself........everything else are just tools......

Aww somebody's shoulder hurts after a few rds from a 12ga?

I don't know what kind of buckshot you shoot,but i've dropped deer out to 75yrds with 00. Aint no man standin after i throw a rd of 00 at him.

And not accurate?? :ph:

HI SmokinPiney, My shoulder don't hurt, after I shot any rifle or shotgun, I wear a shooter's pad, as for you dropping a deer at 75 yards, well it could have been a LUCKY HIT, If I have to shoot a ARMED THUG, I would like for him to be within 15 yards !!!

My little brother has an old Savage model 24 (i think). It's an over/under with a .30-30 on top and 20-gauge shotgun on bottom. It has fully adjustable rifle sights and is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. As stated above, the .30-30 loaded with a good ballistic tip type bullet would be good out to about 300 yds or so and with the rifle being a break-open single shot, there's no reason why you couldn't use the pointed bullet.

Now if you have a .30-30 with a tubular magazine, like a marlin or winchester lever action, the only SAFE pointed bullet that can be used is Hornady's new LeverEvolution ammo with the Flex Tip bullets. Any other pointed bullet can, and will, detonate the primer of the cartridge in front of it and the whole magazine can go up in your face! The problem with the LeverEvolution ammo is it's pretty expensive when compared to "regular" ammo and Hornady hasn't released the flex-tip bullets as reloading components.