What about small game, survival and or self defense. I'd hate to try eat a Rabbit pounded with that cannon!!!

Well.... I guess you wouldn't have to skin it. (or cook it for that matter)

Well the 12ga would be nice but what if your target only presents it's self at ranges past 200yds? A .22 is great but not useful on anything bigger than a Coyote or other small game, I would get sick of eating squirrel real quick! haha! Maybe my FAL would be a better choice for a one rifle arsenal. A military style battle rifle makes the most sense I suppose, It's ideal for self defense and a FAL or M14 in 308 would make a fine big game rifle if you had to do it. 20rds of 308 ammo at a brown bear would have to take it out I would think. They are designed to be cleaned in the field, and to be impervious to the elements to a certain extent the FAL is a very rugged design I think it's a solid choice. The over and under Savage is a cool idea my dad owns one but from a defense point of view it leaves a lot to be desired I think. And I also think the multi-barrel idea is cheating!

I agree with the 870. It'll take everything from squirrels to birds to big game. It's only limitation is range.

That said, a lot depends on assumptions of the one-gun situation. If my survival depended on it and I couldn't get the 870, I'd want a .22 LR. There are a lot more squirrels and rabbits in the world than deer or elk -- and small game just happens to come in convenient single-serving sizes that don't pose a storage problem.

it's not cheating! It's only one gun. the ATF says so and they're the government so their never wrong! Besides, most big game shots are a hundred yards or less. I never said one gun would be perfect for everything I just said "if" you could only have one. Better to have one that will do a mediocre job in most areas than one that does a spectacular job in only one. See! I'm right! ATF said so!

Now where's my decaff!!!!

I agree with the 22LR. I would be willing to bet that 90% of the survival guns out there are 22's. Other than that I would use my 340 Weatherby or my 7mm. As far as hitting a rabbit, duck, goose, or any other small game just head shoot them.

I knew there had to be something to this!

Actually the one gun idea is probably more the rule than we reailze. Most people that get on these sites are usually gun nuts to some degree. The rest have a hunting rifle at home, a 22 and maybe a shotgun. Depending on where they live they may have only a shotgun and a 22. The thought is painfull to me but they are probably there just the same! I think for them the choice of a cartridge would depend on the normal game hunted and an adequate cartridge selected. I don't know that it's true but in Alaska I heard the most used cartridge is the 30-06. That would fly in the face of what I'm led to believe, the 338 Mag.

And in the western states prior to long range hunting coming into vogue, I'd bet it was the 30-06 there too or possibly the 300 Savage because of the mod 99.

Used to be that hunting ment going out and finding the animal then getting into reasonable range and shooting. Now it's go out and find the animal and just have enough cartridge to deliver at any range, weather the shooter can or not.

If I had to limit my hunting to one gun, it would be my .300mag bolt rifle. I'd hunt any big game that walks with confidence and forget about the small game.

The one gun anyone would ever need! DSA SA-58 Para

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The FN platform is fine for big game and defense but it doesnt work for waterfowl or small game. In a survival situation small game is more plentiful than the big stuff.