I saw on Gunboards a discussion where most people were suggesting AR-15s 10/22s, or M-1 carbine. I think I had the perfect 1st gun. It was a Savage model 24, 22LR/.410. I killed a bunch of cottontails, squirrels, quails and varmints.
Later I knew a guy in the 1970?s that had the .223/20ga model and killed dozens of feral hogs and yes poached 8-10 whitetails per year. To me those guns are the perfect survival gun.