Backpacking survival gun. For what reason? To get something to eat? A
Savage Model 24 rifle/shorgun over-under can be had in 22LR/20gauge,
on up to 30-30 over 12 gauge. Gives you one shot each barrel for
grizzly or brown bear. If you just want something to pot food, get a
22LR revolver and LEARN HOW to shoot it. Hint - buy a couple cartons
of 22 and find a coach. You'll learn much faster. If you're going into
grizzly/brown bear country - well, pack enough rifle. Here in the
Rockies our trouble is now mountain lions. They're not particularly
fazed by humans, either, and dine quite well on the poodles they find
around Boulder. BTW one of my friends runs a ranch in the Sierra
foothills and says they're having the same problem only there in Cal
shooting mountain lions is forbidden. Here in CO I carry my 357 Model
19 while up in the hills. (The 44M is too big and boisterous for good
double action shooting.)
Walt BJ