My personal preferences would be for a .22 pistol, the Sig (Hammerli) Trailside is light, has a rail for a red-dot or other sight options, breaks down easily (that's a biggy) and is very accurate. Three hundred rounds of .22 weigh less than a box of 50 .40 S&W. So, for a game getter that must be carried on your person along with a BOB, I prefer .22 . For ammo, the CCI Velocitor ammo could easily take down a deer IF you placed the shot correctly (did I mention being a competent shooter is important?) and could be used for self defense as well.