Best 2 in 1 gun

[u/iKxml]

What’s the best gun for someone who’s looking to have a good animal defence weapon in places like the Yukon and northern BC. But also fun at the firing range. I just did my PAL course recently I still have to wait until I actually can apply for it. But in the meantime I’ve been looking at guns for fun it seems like my best option would be a lever action rifle that’s 30cal or bigger or some kind of pump action shotgun that can shoot slugs.

Thank you

[u/Iokua_CDN]

Option 1

44mag lever action.  You can get a 16 inch model, or even a 12 inch shortie model.  Cheaper ammo than a 45 70 but less power.  A 357 would be even cheaper ammo, but you night want the extra power of a 44mag. I know folks with a 44mag mares leg  and it's super super compact for out in the  bush. Still I recommend getting a full stock for it. I have a 16 inch 357 and its brilliant fun, very  compact and easy to carry around. A 16 inch lever action is similar length overall too a 14 inch shotgun due to the length of the action being longer in the shotgun. 

Option 2 shortie shotgun. Though I suppose you could get a normal 18 inch model, i vote for a 14 inch compact model!

If you have screw in Chokes, you can add a barrel extention, or even a rifles choke to help with accuracy.  That can make the difference when target shooting with one. 

I have a Canuck Defender. 14 inch, screw in Chokes, nice wood stock. But it's Turkish made. You can always go a Mossberg Shockwave plus a stock but that's a bit pricier. I will suggest, buying a mossberg Shockwave and then buying a Maverick 88 will let you use the full stock on the Shockwave, or let you swap the barrel and have a longer barrel for bird hunting or clay shooting.  As for me, I went Turkish, bought thr defender and then bought a screw in extension and a spare 28 inch barrel.

Option 3 You can buy a 3006 Browning Bar from Intersurplus for about 800 bucks.  3006 isn't the cheapest ammo, but you can hunt, defend against animals, and target shoot much further out than a 12 ga slug or 44 mag bullet can. Plus it's semi auto  for dangerous situations. You can use the iron sights up close, maybe use see through scope rings if you also want an optic. Probably the best option for any kind of range, while still being good up close. Going to be longer than the lever action or a 14 inch shotgun

Option 4?  The simple old Sks.  Is it the best for wilderness defence?  Well a 7.62 x39 power from the muzzle is about 1,500–1,600 ft-lbs of power. 44mag from a rifle is anywhere from 1500-1900.  So similar power honestly. Add in Semi auto in case of needing to shoot quickly and a case could be made for it.  But it's heavy. And kinda long, and hard to mount a scope on, unlike the Bar, and its far less powerful than the Bar.... so.... Maybe not the best option.

Option 5. A guide gun style Bolt action.  I see old 3006 rifles or even 9.3 by 62 bolt actions with iron sights.  A simple bolt action with a powerful round can be very effective, however much slower  in a life or death situation. How economical they are depends on the Caliber. A 308 will be alright. A more exotic caliber can get much more expensive.