What are the factor's that make a good Walk'about gun.
Let's be clear this is not a true "survival firearm", and not a perfect offensive or defensive firearm, not a true hunting firearm. It is a "Walk'about" gun.
I try to hike 5 miles per day. And it is interesting which firearms get to go along day after day. So what matters is: carry ability, To light is bad, to heavy is bad, to long is bad, and most important to large around the receiver is bad.
The firearm really needs to be in one of my hands, and not slung. And it needs to be carry able with only one hand, which rules out many otherwise good firearms, like the M-14. Can you hold it (M-14) in "one" hand for a few minutes, yes. Just try to hold it in "one" hand for only 10 minutes. It is a two hand carry or sling-it firearm. And this is the problem with scoped firearms as well.
The Old firearms like Flintlock's and most old style, very skinny diameter black powder firearms are very carry able. I can not have a flintlock for a carry gun, but a good center fire single shot, like the H&R makes a good choice.
Small receiver lever guns like the M-94 and M-92 and to a lesser extent the M-73 are easy to carry.
In a walk'about gun the energy, velocity, bullet weight are really not that important. How many cartridges it holds is not that important.
Other important factors are: is the mechinism simple, is it easy to clean, will it take the day after day abuse of falling, dropping, underwater, etc.
But to be a true walk'about gun, carry ability is the most important factor.
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