What's your favorite caliber?

[Steyr M40A1]

The question is just to vague for a good answer.
Pistol vs rifle vs practical carry vs tactical.

For pistol I like 9mm for the varied flavors, 40 and 357sig for being a powerful round and higher cap than a good old 45.
Rifle I have strange taste, my Dad's old 25-06 Mauser.
I am in need of a 12g to round things out.

[fightingquaker13]

You know Steyr
I was initially irritated by the vaquness of the question. The best gun? For what? BUT, Tx Bryan put it best. If someone you trust shakes you awake at three am and says "SHTF, we gotta go, NOW!" what do you grab, knowing nothing more. That makes the game fun. Unfortunately, also predictable, because I have a closet full of specialized stuff. If I don't know....I'm all about the 12.
FQ13

[Badgersmilk]

"Getting through "Katrina" style LEO/ military presence, The question was ALL purpose.", and "If someone you trust shakes you awake at three am and says "SHTF, we gotta go, NOW!"

DING, DING, DING!!!  EXACTLY RIGHT!

While I think I'm sticking with .44 mag....  I know a 12 gauge pump with a folding / collapsable stock, and short barrel can be pretty well hidden!

.44 mag.  No worry about having to carry different types of rounds, or "do I have the right type loaded right this second for god knows what that may happen next?"...  And I can fit a BUNCH of ammo in a very small area to take with me.  There are all kinds of carbines and hand guns in the caliber.  & Recoil isnt NEARLY what "Dirty Harry" would lead you to believe!  Lets not forget, wheel guns dont leave evidence laying on the ground (casings)!  And should ammo become hard to get...  You can reload .44 mag really easily with even a Lee hand loader.

Lord Humungus knew what he was doing!

[Badgersmilk]

Super glad to see everybodys giving it serious thought!  All the specialized weapons are LOTS of fun.  But when things get down and dirty...  What's really best to get you home safely that night with a full belly?

[TAB]

16 ga... fallowed by 22lr then 45 acp

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

16 ga... fallowed by 22lr then 45 acp

TAB
I much prefer the new avatar! BUT where in the frilly heck are you going to find 16 gauge ammo? Granted it is probably the best wingshooting cartridge ever built, but....16 gauge? You're more likely to find a virgin at UCLA. Seriously, why not .327 mag, or .45 GAP or for that matter .600 NE?
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

I know a 12 gauge pump with a folding / collapsable stock, and short barrel can be pretty  well hidden!

The only problem with that is that I had one on my Moss 500, yes it would fit under a long jacket, but I absolutely HATED it, so I put the wood stock back on.

[Hazcat]

If yer gonna talk about 'hidden' then you rule out long guns here in the South.  SOOOOOOO I'll take my .357 3 screw and Haz Jr will have his S&W 44 mag.

[fightingquaker13]

If yer gonna talk about 'hidden' then you rule out long guns here in the South.  SOOOOOOO I'll take my .357 3 screw and Haz Jr will have his S&W 44 mag.

Hidden, its the G26. I can make that dissapear anywhere, and I suppose kill game if I have to. In reality, I've got that on the night stand and the 12 under the bed. In any realistic scenario, one's in my pocket, the others' over my shoulder, in a lot less time than it took to type this.
FQ13

[warhawke]

"You should not have a favorite weapon, or any other exaggerated preference for that matter. To become overly attached to one weapon is as bad as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not imitate others, but use those weapons which suit you, and which you can handle properly. It is bad for both commanders and troopers to entertain likes and dislikes. Pragmatic thinking is essential. These are things you must learn thoroughly."

The Earth Book
Miyamoto Musashi - go rin no sho (The Book of Five Rings)

A 12ga is short-ranged with heavy recoil, heavy bulky ammunition and much of it's so-called versatility is little more than hype from various weapon and ammunition manufacturers. Each of the calibers listed have advantages and disadvantages as do the weapons that fire them. There is no such thing as the perfect weapon, nor a perfect caliber and pretending otherwise is a waste of time and effort. You can either pick the best weapon available to do the job you need to or use what you have to the best possible effect.