That being said, IF all you could have was ONE gun, there is nothing wrong with a .22, especially if you're talking having a rifle AND hand gun. The same bullets can be used by both, as long as the pistol shoots .22 lr.
Granted, for home defense, a 22 doesn't have the knock down power of a 45, but I'd rather have a 22 than nothing at all. They can still kill someone dead. A 22 rifle can be used for hunting. If you're talking survivalist, you're not always going to be hunting deer. Rabbits and squirrels are more plentiful, and no need to destroy half the animal with a 30-06. You can also hunt deer with them, you just need to be closer and make the shot count. Forget elk or bear, then you need a larger gun.
And when it comes to ammo, 22's are pennies per shot vs dimes or quarters.
Just in the savings in ammo alone, you could get another Henry 22. If one goes down you have the other. If that breaks, you have a second for scavaging parts.
On that line, going back to the Remington 700, because it is so popular, in the event TTSHTF, parts for the Rem would probably be easier to find rhan any other gun.
I'm not trying to say that the 22 is the all around best gun, just think outside the box a little, don't discount it, and look at all it does have to offer.
The 30-06 is a great caliber found all over the globe. Hunting ammunition readily available and much cheaper than the exotics.
However, .308 has lots of surplus military ammo available as well as readily available hunting ammo. The 06 seems to have dried up in the mil surplus area. Hornady Light Magnum .308 ammo will put you up to 30-06 power while the same in o6 will equate to .300 Win Mag.
I’d go for the .308
All rounder? No such thing. Everything depends on what you plan on doing with it.
Hunting? Hunting what? Small neighborhood critters when TSHTF or elk out west?
Home defense? Defense against what? A lone prowler breaking in late at night or attack of the zombies after TSHTF.
Any home arsenal should have the basic bolt gun for long range, M4/SKS/AK Clone for the street, 12g Shotgun for the porch and basic semi auto pistol in 9mm or .45 cal. for the bedroom and hallway.
A good .22 semi auto is a handy 5th weapon. Ammo’s inexpensive and you can practice just about any drill on local ranges.
Consider a Remington 770 because they come with a scope and are retailing for around 320 or so. If you want a rifle and then get a scope, a Ruger 77 is an excellent choice as are any number of other rifles. Do not hesitate to look at a used rifle either, most of them are decent and after hunting season, normally a steal.
Now, as far as round size, there are two that are really ubiquitous: .270 and .30-06. I personally shoot a .308, but I have run into trouble finding rounds for it, even at Walmart, but the other two, never an issue.
Ultimately, it is going to depend less on your wallet and more on what is comfortable in your hand. Be sure to put some time in checking what is best to you, and then decide.
For a scope, go with a Bushnell, Nikon or a Leupold VX-II in a 3x9 40. You will be happy.
One of the best all time rifles is the Winchester Model 70. The pre 1964 is definitely not in your price range, but I bought a new one about fifteen years ago in .270 caliber and it was a fine gun, costing around $500 then. If you wanted a great gun at a good price you might want to look for a used one. You can’t go wrong with that gun.
Sounds like all your other needs scream for a good bolt action, but "security/protection" IMHO would be better served with some other type of action and possibly something carbine sized.
The 7.62x39 semi-auto SKS's, AK's, Mini 30's, etc. fit this bill nicely, but generally are not tack drivers and can't reach out like an '06, .308, etc.
http://www.odcmp.com/
I have shot a Remington 700, and it was very nice. But I do like the integral scope bases on the Ruger 77. They have a reputation of being tough rifles.
The new rifles run about $500 to $700 on Auction arms.
If you have a little spare time, look into reloading your own ammunition. You can reload rifle ammo for about 1/3 the cost of factory ammo, and you can customize it to your own use. I have reloaded tens of thousands of rounds over the last 45 years, and it is a fun hobby in itself.
Thompson, fully automatic sub-machine gun.
Just kidding, everyone knows those are illegal.
Not saying you can't get something quite a bit better, but you will also spend a lot more money.
check it out. SAIGA .308 SEMI AUTO RIFLE
http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Mosin_Nagant.html
http://www.mosinnagant.net/global%20mosin%20nagants/mosin_nagant_m9138_carbine.asp
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mosin-nagant.htm
Just a thought,and with the budget you listed you can stock up on alot of ammo.
Consider these:
Marlin 336 lever-action in .30-30 Winchester. A solid rifle in a caliber easy to obtain, even in states still mired in the Soviet model.
VZ-24 Czech Mauser: Dates from 1924, but the prices are relatively cheap. 8mm Mauser has a good bit of surplus ammo out there. It is a Czech version of the German 1898 Mauser- bolt action, 5 shots.
WASR-10: AK-47 Semi-auto clone. Not expensive- about $400 or so. Finish and looks suck, but you pull the trigger and it goes bang, as long as the ammo is good. Lots of 7.62x39 ammo out there.
Just a thought: think about what you want the rifle for. Guns are tools, and like a lot of tools are specialized.
It's a "sport" version of the AK47, perfectly legal everywhere. It's an AK built in Russia so you know it's tough, reliable, easy to maintain. It uses the same round as any AR variant so ammo is made here. A new one can be had for well under $500.00 (I paid @ $350 for one in February).
Best all around rifle is the AR15/M4 clone.
Most manufactures today make great guns in the $600 to 800 range. I have a DPMS M4 ($600) that has been as reliable as any gun I’ve ever owned. Maintenance is a breeze, even Army grunts can do it.
Ammo (5.56/223) is available world wide, magazines are cheap and plentiful, the guns are generally more accurate then you are capable of shooting them. Lethal out to 300m with open sights.
Open sights, scope, red dot, whatever you want is easy to use and install with a current model flattop with a removable handle/sights. My open sights return to zero when I replace them. Pretty cool.
AK47/74 is a close second, just not as accurate (generally, but there are exceptions) plus scope additions is tougher on AK’s. Ammo is cheaper though, but not by much.
AK’s are tough. If you need to bash in a door, the AK the weapon of choice for many. Great close combat gun, under 100m, hard to beat. If you want to shoot a deer at 300m, use a different gun. If you want to shoot bad guys at under 50m, never clean it, and occasionally use it crush something, the AK is hard to beat.
Or, during deer hunting season, the most buck for your bang. ;-)
People might want to scroll down to the restricted firearms list at this line before making recommendations. Those NJ gungrabbers really know how to spoil the fun. http://www.nraila.org/media/misc/nj.htm
I think the Remington 7600 in .308 was a good suggestion.
Bookmarked for my own shopping research.
sks +2,000 rnds. of ammo
ak 47 +1,000 rnds. of ammo
Garand is #3, but ammo is not as plentiful or cheap as 7.62 x 39
Mosin Nagant... be sure to get the bayonet.
A .270