Well,,, I would have to go with the .45 caliber in the .45-70,,Loaded with 7.5 bird shot, it does fine to about 10-15 yds or so. 3 round ball makes a good load for bigger pest to about 30 yds. The 400 gr Speer is one fine sledge hammer in the .45-70 at handgun velocities. And if needed there's still a 500 gr solid. Covers all the bases if one stays within a some range limitations.

Dave

I am going to give KYODE's answer... I am not going to pick just one. Nope, nada, not going to do it.

Yes, I do have my rigs which I favor. BUT, I believe that making my self chose just one puts this evil thought in my mind that my precious Constitution, that I defend as a United States Sailor, is being threaten.

Deep Thought, I Not trying to be a but head, just explaining my viewpoint... If I "HAD" to pick just one I would go with my Encore in 8mm GNR. It shoots a 200 Acc. at 2600 FPS and wears a 2-7 Burris. It would handle anything I would want to hunt in my United States of America.

Left hand side, second from the top...

OK, I'll bite. One caliber, for hunting, would be the one that I have now. The 500SW. I agree that any thing .357 and up would work for me. I'd rather have way too much, and be able to load it down. I said in an earlier post, the full power Corbons that I got with the pistol are novelty rounds now. I will never hunt with them, unless on some fluke I get to go after a Moose, or something a lot bigger than what we have in Georgia.

I would really like to see some 22 caliber sabots for the 500. That would make it a true hand loaders all around pistol.

I think that we all can agree, the 44 mag is hard to beat for a do it all hunting pistol. I have used one for a long time, and never felt under gunned.

TCMan, you truly are a TC man. lol. It was just a fun question to see what every one would say. The answers have been very diverse, but interesting. I do like your collection of fine tools.
Terminator, They used to have factory sabots for 30-30, 30.06, etc., called an accelerator, but I don't think they make 'em anymore. The .06 had about 4500 fps at the muzzle, I think. You could probably still load some if you could find the sabots, but probly not in a .50

.308 Winchester in my 15" Encore. Accurate enough for a squirrel or bunny and plenty of power for Elk. Lots of choices for bullets and shoots MilSurp exceptionally well enough to 400 yards. MilSup is readily available for lots of
'cheaper' practice than using my premium reloads.

Very interesting question (and depressing). If ammo availability isn't a concern I would want a 5" S&W mod. 57 .41 mag. (I don't think it's available in 5", just sayin').

For a survival situation where ammo may be a problem I would have to go with the S&W mod. 28, .357 (also 5" if it were available).

No bears in my neck of the woods so no need for a bruiser. These are both very versatile with the ability to reload and will do double duty for hunting and defense.

(of course, If I could only have one gun period, it would be a rife; but I guess that's off subject.)

Id have to say a 44 mag

That's a tough one, contender---7mm tcu, in an encore----308, a revolver, probably a 44 mag or my 480, I can't decide.

Single six 22mag.

I gotta go with the 44 Special. Where I live..it will do all I want a handgun to do in a light easy to carry package.

TCman Our precious constitution is being threatened every day .By the smucks in washington and other places.WE have what we have because men and women both have sacraficed there lives, bodies and sometimes minds for it for a long time. I SALUTE THEM ALL! THANK YOU! BY the way nice toys, but I stick to my choice of a 22 .The question was if you could have only one so the shttt has hit the fan theoretically.and I can carry a lot of 22 shells and find them most everywhere

Freedom Arms 454 Casull 7 1/2" - Fast, Flat & ACCURATE!! Great from 10yds-150yds. Bullets cheap & easy to find. 300gr kills Deer - Cape Buffalo. Small Game? Throw some 45 Colt cartridges in it! Perfect in my eyes...WITHOUT A DOUBT!!

So hard with so many choices out there,but I would go with 44mag. Lots of choices of bullets and load sizes.

well, 44 mag or 475 or even the big 500's, maybe something with low recoil like a .357, but since i reload....how about just a .454 casull. i've got great loads from 750fps to over 2000fps, loads that'll take care of business like a cowboy action load from a .45 colt will and midrange loads which completely duplicate a .44 mag, then i have fast low trajectory loads which will do what most of the single shot pistols will do. then i've got loads that'll do everything a .475 will do. talk about versatile. best bigbore caliber out imho.