Food for thought! Thanks!
But, that said, I’d still like to go to as a primary moderate power rifle something with limited range and not loud (we are rural but not RURAL rural). And my wife would shoot it. The .223 is a bit much for her. The .22 lr is a bit too light for the job. I might look further at those .22 magnum or hornet options, but that HighPoint 9mm is inexpensive*, and ammo is cheap and available.
*$280 at Rural King, sometimes they have discounts / 10% off sales, and I seem to recall a concurrent rebate at times.
What’s a good combo self defense and hunting rifle for SHTF scenario? I was thinking a M&P 15 Sport II .223 but not sure how that would work for hunting.