One gun to rule them all

[Loopwing]

My vote is the 870 also. I have killed squirrels, birds, turkey, deer, pigs, and snakes with it. When I was guiding in Kodiak that is what everyone carries for Kodiak brown bear protection, that carried and knew. If it is the trusted gun by the locals for the baddest animals in North America, then I would say that is the one gun to rule them all. Bird shot for ptarmigan and sold copper slugs for kodiaks all in one compact carrying case.

 

[raisins]

If I wanted to be able to knock down anything in N. America....I'd get a bolt 30-06....it wouldn't be much for squirrel (or legal for that in most places).....but I don't like squirrel or small game hunting or meat that much and if it was the zombie apocalypse then I'd small game hunt with it and just look at it as pre-made/tenderized stew meat

 

[SNIPERBBB]

For me it would be my remington 870 express pump in 20ga.
Unfortunately you cant hardly find ammo to run the darn thing for squirrel, turkey or deer, other than for trap/skeet shooting, which i dont do.

If I had to pick one gun because of ammo, it would have to be an AR 5.56/.223 or a 12ga pump

 

[HuumanCreed]

The 870 is hard to argue against for being the only gun you need. But my cheat answer would be a AR-15 lower. My quick obsession with adult Legos made me realized that I only need a good dependable lower and 3-4 different uppers to do most things. I keep it default with 9mm upper for home defense, switch to .22 for practice/fun with the son, then .350 legend if I'm pressure to go hunt whitetail by father in law.

But I do have a AR-10 lower because I did jump on the 6mm Creedmoor wagon.

 

[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

For me it would be my remington 870 express pump in 20ga.
Unfortunately you cant hardly find ammo to run the darn thing for squirrel, turkey or deer, other than for trap/skeet shooting, which i dont do.

If I had to pick one gun because of ammo, it would have to be an AR 5.56/.223 or a 12ga pump

Where do you buy ammo? I’ve never had a problem getting any sort of ammo for my 870 20ga.

 

[Empostarr]

The fondness @Empostarr spoke of about his Mossberg got me thinking. If the support thread didn’t exist to “talk you out of” buying more things and you could only own one gun (to hunt with) what would you buy and why?

Personally I’ve had my Remington 870 express since I was 11 years old and I’d make that purchase again. Bought it slightly used for $125. Got the slug barrel as my big Christmas gift from my folks that year to be ready for youth deer the next year. I shot trap with it, hunted pheasants, partridge, ducks, geese, turkeys, and deer with it. Dropped it into slough water and shot ducks 10 minutes later. Won a 20 yard youth trap shooting contest with it when I was 14 and got second in the adult portion the same night. Shot a buck on a dead run at 75 yards after I tripped in a plowed corn field and based it off that frozen dirt. Guessing many of us have something we’re just as fond of and wouldn’t trade away, sometimes the darn memories are worth more.

Tried to search (including the google sort words way) and didn’t see anything but if so I’m sure a more veteran member will help and redirect.

To be fair, it's the only gun I own!

I got it for $250 from a friend of my uncle, who was retiring from hunting due to health issues, and that price included the extra barrels. Every animal I've harvested, I've taken with that gun, including duck, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, deer, and a bear so far. It's a Frankenstein too, it was originally all wood but the stock split in half one winter out of nowhere, so now it has a composite stock with a wood pump. I've considered getting other guns, like a semiauto shotgun for birds, but the versatility of just the one keeps me from justifying that purchase.

And it feels kind of badass using a pump.

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Local shops rarely carry much bigger than 7 shot. Ever since Ohio legalized straight walled rifles you don't see much in stock for deer slugs. Cabela's was the last time i saw 4 shot but it was steel shot.

 

[Exhumis]

The 870 is hard to argue against for being the only gun you need. But my cheat answer would be a AR-15 lower. My quick obsession with adult Legos made me realized that I only need a good dependable lower and 3-4 different uppers to do most things. I keep it default with 9mm upper for home defense, switch to .22 for practice/fun with the son, then .350 legend if I'm pressure to go hunt whitetail by father in law.

But I do have a AR-10 lower because I did jump on the 6mm Creedmoor wagon.

I went back and forth between the 870 and an AR pattern rifle. They truly are like legos.

 

[BTaylor]

Any answer besides an 870 is incorrect.

 

[Plebe]

Any answer besides an 870 is incorrect.

I prefer the Ithaca 37

 

[BTaylor]

I prefer the Ithaca 37

I'm a fan of those as well as the winchester model 12 but I dont own either.

 

[TK161BOONER]

I’m guessing by your profile name you are from Iowa…so I would go with a 375 Ruger or 450 bushmaster.

 

[TNbowhunter]

I'll throw in another vote for a Remington 870 Express in 12 gauge. Can't think of another firearm that is as readily available, exceptionally reliable, simple, and that you can (maybe not SHOULD, but CAN) hunt all of the following critters with: dove, squirrels, rabbits, quail, pheasant, ducks, geese, deer, elk, and bears of all kinds.

 

[Iron_llama]

For versatility, the T/C Encore series did a lot

You said it before I could.

All the versatility arguments for an 870 or 500 apply to an Encore. Plus you can use centerfire rifle barrels from .17 Hornet to .338WinMag, and .50/209 muzzleloader. The only thing you don't get is a quick followup shot.

 

[BTaylor]

I'll throw in another vote for a Remington 870 Express in 12 gauge. Can't think of another firearm that is as readily available, exceptionally reliable, simple, and that you can (maybe not SHOULD, but CAN) hunt all of the following critters with: dove, squirrels, rabbits, quail, pheasant, ducks, geese, deer, elk, and bears of all kinds.

You forgot turkey's and cats.

 

[krub6b]

You forgot turkey's and cats.

and 2 legged vermin also

 

[Skunkworkx]

Have a few collecting dust, and won't shoot them anymore since they were hand-me-downs from my father (deceased)
Model12 12ga
16 ga (forget Mfg)
Wards Westernfield 22cal

But, I do love my 870, and have a Mossburg slug barrel for it.
Great (cheap at the time) all around gun to me

 

[MattMan81]

Is there a barrel option for the AR to use a skeet load? Or turkey load?

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Is there a barrel option for the AR to use a skeet load? Or turkey load?

Think you can get uppers for a 12 ga on AR10s. You can get . 410 uppers on AR15s

 

[Iron_llama]

Is there a barrel option for the AR to use a skeet load? Or turkey load?

I seem to recall somebody making a muzzleloader upper for an AR. I'm sure a clever gunsmith could make anything happen if you're flexible enough.