Originally Posted By: Nishnabotna
For me, a good back up firearm would be a handgun in the same caliber. It won't do quite the same job as a rifle would, but at least you don't have to pack 2 different sizes of ammunition.
Obviously a larger rifle wouldn't have an easy counterpart in handgun, but if we're talking survival firearms anyway I wouldn't take a large caliber (situation depending of course).
$0.05

I carry a .357 Marlin Lever and a S&W 686 plus (7 shot .357) in my Emergency Gear. I feel with correct shot placement, the .357 can handle about anything on the US East Coast. I can go with a .44mag and .45 Colt paring if I need to. The marlin carbine is light and dead on. .38/.357 ammo is light to carry and reletivly easy to find should I run out. grin
_________________________
Our most important survival tool is our brain, and for many, that tool is way underused! SBRaider
Head Cat Herder