Ironbear wrote:The "one gun" thing seems a little silly. A more realistic approach would be a weight limit. What would you take, if you had a limit of, say, 30 lbs for guns, ammo, accessories (scope, sling, mags, suppressor, etc.) and knives? Assuming you might have to haul it around on your back along with your food and gold bricks!
I've used this line of thinking when playing this game. I tend to gravitate to a 22 LR rifle due to weight, size, noise, and that a 30 caliber ammo can full of ammo is compact, not very heavy, and holds a lot of ammo.
These factors can play a major role in what all can be brought. An equal number of other rounds will take up more room and more weight which can limit the amount of other necessities one can bring. The compactness of a 50 round box of 22 LR cartridges allows for additional rounds being crammed in odd pockets in other goods if desired.
The report of a 22 does not carry that far compared to other rounds. Once in my "safe zone" I would not want loud noises as it could lead others to my hideaway. These visitors my not have the best of intentions or they may be incompetent and merely be a drain on me and mine. Better to avoid that issue if one can. If need be, a makeshift 22 LR suppressor is easier to fashion than with many other rounds. Or, so I've read...
A 22 may not be the best choice to fight one's way out of trouble or be the best deer hunting round but it will work. I do not think of the firearm as a means of taking small game, that is what snares are for. It's use on deer is pretty marginal but it isn't much different than the 36 - 40 caliber muzzleloaders used to wipe out so much of the deer population in the eastern United States.
I would prefer more than one firearm but if forced, I would give a 22 a long, hard consideration.
As I live outside the Cities I don't feel as great of a need to fight my way out as I would if I lived in the Uptown area. Even then I might be compelled to grab a 22 and go.