New to this, and loving it.

If it came to only having one long weapon, has anyone thought of the Ruger 77/357? (or any one of the lever actions in 357)
I know the 357 mag doesn't have the best range. But up where I am the bush is dense, you can't see beyond 150m in a lot of places.
You can get a good variety of 357 mag ammo, from snake shot through semi-wadcutters to hollowpoints.
I know the snake shot is only good at very close range for squirrel and birds, but in a survival situation , meat is meat.
This rifle could be used as a hunting rifle as well as for defense from most predators.
It might not be so great against an upset bear (don't want to find out if it is or not to be honest).
Not the perfect choice, but I think it's one to be considered.

Maybe the .357 is limited with a 6" handgun barrel but you fire it from a carbine and it would be quite effective, especially in bush country. Now you have me thinking about the .410 / .45 Long Colt combo. I think Rossi made a rifle with a revolver type receiver that could fire either the .45 colt or .410.
Ruger has a .44 mag carbine.

Guys Guys come on
357 or 45 for a survival rifle
I have lived in the bush and packed horses in the mountains, never in my wildest nite mare did I ever come up aginst an animal so scarry that I needed these huge calibers. Your gonna scare every thing for miles around with your first shot and really rabbits ,you might as well use a D8 CAT to shovel your driveway.
I have personally put down a mule deer with a 22 and scared the crap out of a griz bear with a 12 guage. Check the cost effectiveness as well on these other rounds
Dont mean to be rude and please do not take it that way but I have been around fire arms all my life both civilian and military so I ask please think this out a little more
I also have an SKS and Mosin Negant another fine coupe of fire arms good for larger game and ammo is cheeeep
All the best guys

The best survival rifle is the one you can afford and can become proficient with.
To go along with "Mule Skinner" http://www.angelfire.com/on2/LandOwner/misc/Grizley1.html read the last paragraph about Bella Twin and check out the picture

Guys Guys come on

I have lived in the bush and packed horses in the mountains, never in my wildest nite mare did I ever come up aginst an animal so scarry that I needed these huge calibers. Your gonna scare every thing for miles around with your first shot and really rabbits ,you might as well use a D8 CAT to shovel your driveway.
I have personally put down a mule deer with a 22 and scared the crap out of a griz bear with a 12 guage. Check the cost effectiveness as well on these other rounds
Dont mean to be rude and please do not take it that way but I have been around fire arms all my life both civilian and military so I ask please think this out a little more
I also have an SKS and Mosin Negant another fine coupe of fire arms good for larger game and ammo is cheeeep
All the best guys

Hey Mule Skinner, PM me please and thanks
might change your settings to allow PMs

Not sure if I'll add anything productive, but I have a few firearms that serve very well, and while a couple were gifts, none are so fancy that over a couple years you couldn't build up so you have specific weapons for specific use.

So far, the only rifle I see good in a multitude of situations is the 22lr. I have a Czech brand 22, that I love...accurate as hell! Son has a little single shot 22 that is break open action that he's learning on perfectly. (read in cheap, think it was $120 on sale)
Also a little single shot break open 410, that rocks for partridge/grouse hunting...keep it busted in half in pack when out in the woods, and usually bag a couple or more on a daily basis in season, when I spend an hour or so scanning the sides of trails.

My old 303 British, that has had a scope mounted has done all I have asked of it on deer hunts.

Then a Remington 870 12Guage and a nice Beretta 9mm to round out some home protection and I think that does well enough to cover my bases that hasn't broke the bank.

The wife, kids and friends get to plink away on the 22, as ammo is cheap and light...so again 22, good versatility for game hunting, great gun to learn on, and ammo cheap enough to have mountains of and light enough to carry a lot as well. It was my first gun when starting out, it's my sons, and I expect it is a lot of folks just because of it's versatility.

Since chances are, practice and handling are paramount, can't really beat the 22 for an inexpensive entry into the gun world.

Cheers,
OffThePath

Maybe we can expand on this conversation from "Perfect all around rifle" to What would a realistic collection of guns/rifles be..
Personally Im a fan of:
-12 gauge Remington 870 or Winchester SX3
-308 bolt action- Remington 700 VTR, or ruger gunsite scout )
-22lr Ruger K10/22 TS
Basic three..build on them great platforms for scopes, etc, and easy to maintain..
Should be able to pick up all three, with some basic accessories for less than $2500

Check out the Diana air rifles. I just ordered one, the Diana RWS 350 magnum professional compact in .177 cal. Sort of like having a single shot .22 with a silencer. I've seen youtube videos where they hunt wild boar with the .22 cal version in the states. The gun is inexpensive and the ammo is cheap. I'm thinking that it'll be a great gun for my small game needs and it won't alert every Tom, Dick and Harry for miles. However, because of the speed (1250 fps) you do need your PAL for it.

Maybe the .357 is limited with a 6" handgun barrel but you fire it from a carbine and it would be quite effective, especially in bush country. Now you have me thinking about the .410 / .45 Long Colt combo. I think Rossi made a rifle with a revolver type receiver that could fire either the .45 colt or .410.
Ruger has a .44 mag carbine.

We just got a new gun in the store. The Circuit Judge, a .410/.45 long colt, carbine with a five shot revolver action (carbine version of the Raging Judge).

Versatile /////What the price like..?

Versatile /////What the price like..?

I'm back into work on Monday, I'll check the price and post it that evening.

The only issue I have with all of your sound logic is the fact that I do not believe .223 ammo will be easy to scavenge for, at least not as easy as .22LR. As well the .223 is expense and will be at a premium whether or not you will be able to buy it or have to barter for it. Consider this: A Ruger SR-22 is a solid semi-auto tactical rifle and you can get 25round mags and even 50 round mags for. The .22LR is the most abundant ammo on the planet and with a high end .22LR semi auto you can put a few shots into your target game and take down whatever medium game you want. It is also easier to carry more ammo as well. Other than that the mini 14 is a sound logical choice and the bullet ballistics are a thing of beauty. You have one heck of an arsenal ... respect all the way buddy.

I would rather have the 10/22 than the SR 22. You can still get high capacity mags for the 10/22 but it's just as good, less expensive and those 10 round rotary mags are a thing of beauty.

Totall agree ... 10/22 and SR22 are the same action with the exception that the SR22 simply looks more intimidating, easier to accessorize (yes I realize 10/22 has accessory kits), and the bull barrel is superior to the thinner barrels. I realize that the 10/22 tactical is a bull barrel . I group dime sized holes at 100yrds all day with my SR22. ... love the Rugers

... The best guns for defence purposes are the ones you do not have to fire. The look of it tells the intruder to back off. SR 22 ... functions flawlessly, looks bad ass.

With all respect... if antagonists are close enough to see what firearm you have... and the situation has devolved to the point where you may need to use your firearm.... I highly doubt the "LOOK" of what you hold in your hands will intimidate them. The skinny mag screams .22.... NOT .223 or .308. The weapon you hold will not determine the outcome ... the one who hesitates least will come out on top. Afghanistani tribesmen took on the might of the Soviet military with WW1 Lee Enfields and home made guns as well as modern equipment... and won.

JAB

Just a bear, you are bang on. If I am confronted by anyone, and I feel the need to show arms, they will not see it coming. This is about survival, not scaring intruders away, this is about deciding that you are going to live at all costs. If your survival plan is to scare intruders away, you are going to die...