What I would like to own: an FN FAL (or SLR, if you prefer). 20 rounds of 7.62 X 51 should be adequate. Will take deer or zombies with equal ease

. Is a 9+ lb rifle practical to lug around? Soldiers from 70 countries lugged them around and besides that my deer rifle weighs close to that and I have carried it for many miles. Called the "Right Arm of the Free World", the FAL was a reliable and very durable Battle rifle.
I grew up seeing Jawans carrying their trusty SLR's. To me that was the first "black rifle". Owning a FAL is a dream that I hope will come true some day.
DSA SA58 built from parts in the US
West German Soldiers with their G1 rifles (FN FAL variant)
British L1A1 (inch pattern FAL)
MARCOS (?) with SLR's and night vision scopes
It all depends on the situation though, if it were a SHTF type of situation, I might consider a reliable .22 as one should be able to scrounge .22 LR ammo a lot easier than 7.62 X 51.
As far as shotguns go, I am a firm believer in the trusty pump action. I have see auto shotguns freeze up solid in the brutal winters that we get here in Minnesota. While deer hunting one time in 20 below (F) zero weather, we were able to get the pumps to cycle by setting their butts on the ground and racking the slide. The autos were a lost cause. You don't want to disassemble and handle metal parts with bare hands at those temperatures. Give me an 870 any day.
MOA, thanks for starting this thread. it is always interesting to see what other people like.
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” — Winston Churchill, Oct 29, 1941