If you could only have one......

[longcruise]

I think my post addresses the fact that their is not adequate clarity to the OP's original proposition. It leaves it open for us to choose points based on our own assumptions regarding the time and circumstances of his proposal.

After all, if were a modern day situation involving survival (extricating oneself from a dangerous wilderness situation) I would question the need to drag a firearm along at all.

So, choose some precise circumstances that would permit a debate. As Land said, we can solve any problem if we first define the problem (no quotes since I'm sure those were not his exact words).

 

[Alden]

.54 Hawken
If need be I would have load up some wad & shot for close range meat critters.

They have to be big donut-shaped meat critters... but even Timmy's ain't got THEM!

 

[larryp]

I don't know much about Montana.

Do you have rabbits? Do you have ruffed grouse? Whitetail deer?

If not I guess I'd have my 16 bore fowler, cause that's lighter to pack when I trek back to New York. :rotf:

All the above. In one spot I hunt I've seen elk, deer ( both white tail and mulie), grouse, ducks, geese, snow shoe rabbit and squirrel. There's fairly heavy timber there so most shots are short.
As for what load I'm carrying it depends on what I'm out after primarily that day. If I see something that requires a different load it's not that hard to pull the load and switch over to the other. It might involve some backing off a little ways so as not to spook the game but it can be done.

 

[larryp]

As for carry lead to melt down, from different sources I've read most smoothbore shooters carried ready made shot that they could melt into ball when needed rather than the small lead bars that rifle shooters carried.

 

[bud in pa]

Seeing as how Montana is home to critters that can eat you, I would opt for a double barrel smooth bore. My reasoning is it throws a heavy ball, and you have 2 of them without reloading. My main concern would be protection from Grizzly bears. We don't have any here in PA, But I do believe we have the largest black bears in existence. I have come across 4 & 500 pounders behind my house. Now if the grizzly is as ferocious as they say I want MORE gun than necessary. We use smoothies here in PA for deer, and if I practice enough I can shoot groups a minute of a deer at 50 yd with my 20 ga.. With grizzly being a concern I would want a 12 ga.

 

[Sully]

I'd take my .54 Hawken

 

[Nativearizonan]

Since we are fantasizing, I would choose a double barreled rifle, .50 caliber. Something along the lines of a Pedersoli Kodiak. Then there would be less chance of getting caught with an empty barrel. You take one shot and usually reload it before taking the next. Keep a heavy conical slug in one barrel for grizzlies or elk, and use PRB in the other for smaller stuff.

 

[Nativearizonan]

Somebody mentioned wolves and coyotes; since this is a survival exercise I will remind folks they are made of MEAT, same as bobcats, lions, bear, beaver, raccoon, prairie dogs, snakes and anything else that walks flies or swims. If you gotta eat, you shoot one.

I was talking to a guy who moved here from Idaho who said one of the first things he shot when coming of age was a coyote and his mother made him eat it. She said you gotta eat what you shoot. He avoided shooting coyotes after that, or at least never told his mom about it again.

 

[Mickc01]

I'm thinkin' I'd take my 10 ga flint fowling piece. For it's size, It's amazingly light and versatile....Mick C

 

[Bon Sauvage]

This is kind of a fun question. If I had the buck$ I would be using a caplock cape gun or perhaps a drilling.