If you could only have one...

[wvbreamfisherman]

I like the idea of a combo gun, but have no experience with them.

A bolt-action in 30-06 or .308 is another viable choice, although not quite as flexible as a shotgun. A lot depends on what you'd be using it for primarily.

A .22 is yet another good choice, but not too good for big game, although I'd guess that the .22 has taken down far more than its share of game (especially with a 5D-cell flashlight taped under the barrel).

[Pathfinder1]

Originally Posted by Grandpa

Nothing sounds goofy to me. Everyone knows their own abilities best. A .22 is a very viable choice in my mind. I'll still stick with the shotgun though. Although I am now leaning more to a Savage combo gun, .308 over 12 guage or .243 over 20 guage.

Hi...


The over/under is also a good choice.

My favorite trapline gun was a .22/410 over/under. If it flew, I generally could down it with the 410. For small game and varments, the .22 was quite satisfactory.

Shotguns and ammo have improved quite a bit in recent years. Rifled barrels, saboted slugs, etc. Very accurate and effective.

[catspa]

I met natives in AK who only had a .22, and a beat-to-h*ll one at that. They still managed to feed their families moose and once in a while killed a bear, unlikely as it seems. However, when they inherited an old 30-30, their chances went way up.

Parker

[ppine]

I would go with a .30-06 in a Winchester Model 70, the older the better. With handloads, .30 caliber rounds can be made for everything from ptarmigan to grizzly bears. Store bought ammo is available anywhere that sells ammo and some convenience stores up north.

The shotgun idea has some merit, but I don't like the range limitations. When you are really hungry you don't want to wait until the food is within 80 or 100 yards to shoot it with a pumpkin ball.

[dinosaur]

I have the gun I'd choose. It's an over-under .22magnum - 20 guage.